Congress takes action to rebuild military and care for veteran

Congressman Tom MacArthur released the following statement on how the bipartisan spending bill will rebuild our military and provide for our nation’s veterans.  The bipartisan legislation provides $654.5 billion in defense funding, the largest increase in 15 years, and $81.5 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure our veterans are receiving the care they deserve:

Congress took real bipartisan action to rebuild our military, protect our national security, and support our troops.  This bipartisan legislation marks the biggest increase in defense spending in 15 years, giving our warfighters the resources they need to protect our national security, both at home and overseas.  Importantly, it ensures that South Jersey’s largest employer, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, receives the critical funding it needs. This includes $2.9 billion for the new KC-46 tankers, which is vital to the survival of the Joint Base and our nation’s security. 

Additionally, this bipartisan bill fully funds the largest pay raise for our troops in eight years, ensuring we are caring for members of our Armed Forces and their families.

Finally, as a nation, we have a moral obligation to provide the best quality care to those who have put their lives on the line to defend us. This legislation will do just that by providing funding for the VA to better care for our heroes and increase oversight in the department. 

Background information:

The omnibus includes:

$65.2 billion in Global War on Terror/Overseas Contingency Operations to fight ongoing threats and support key allies like Israel and Ukraine.

Additional funding for programs that prepare our troops for combat and peacetime missions.

Funding to improve military technology and replace or upgrade weapons and other equipment.

$34.5 billion for troop health programs and additional funds for psychological research and sexual harassment prevention response.

Additional funding for veteran mental health care services, suicide prevention, homeless veterans treatment, job training, and opioid abuse prevention.

Funding to alleviate VA disability claim backlog and speed up the process.