Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Representative John D. Dingell (D-MI15) issued the following floor statement on H.R. 2055, Fiscal Year 2012 Military Construction and Department of Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act:
Mr. Speaker: I rise in support of H.R. 2055, the fiscal year 2012 Military Construction and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Appropriations Act. This legislation, which provides $129.7 billion in funding for the VA, is critical for our veterans returning from multiple tours of duty in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the world, and all those who have so bravely and honorably served our nation in the Armed Forces, including the 46,370 veterans living in the 15th district of Michigan.
There are a number of provisions in this bill with which I am pleased. First, it continues the Democratic-initiated effort to provide advance appropriations for the Veterans Health Administration so the VA may adequately plan for our veterans medical needs. Second, it builds on the previous Democratic Congresses’ commitment to our veterans by providing funding to reduce the VA claims backlog, allow for quality medical care, and ensure the promise of a college education.
I am particularly pleased efforts to weaken workers’ rights were defeated during consideration of this legislation. Both a proposed ban on implementation of Project Labor Agreement requirements as well as a proposal to bar VA and the Department of Defense from enforcing the Davis-Bacon prevailing wage requirement on contracts would have unjustly harmed middle class working families and led to poor construction on VA and DoD facilities.
Mr. Speaker, this legislation continues the Democrats’ tradition of caring for our veterans. This job is never done and at a time when we are engaged in conflicts around the world, it is imperative our current and former military men and women know that their government supports them.
I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting our veterans by voting yes on H.R. 2055.
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