In a 33 to 24 vote, members of the House Appropriations Committee have approved a massive bill that will provide nearly $11 billion for military base construction projects across the country.
Just over $1.4 billion in the legislation is set for family housing initiatives designed to fund lead, mold, and vermin remediation projects in military family housing.
At least $213 million will go for the construction of child development centers, facilities that serve the children of active duty service members worldwide.
Just under $850 million is set to target the construction and/or upgrades to National Guard facilities, an increase of $179 million over last year’s budget, while another $149.8 million will be used to complete various base construction projects already underway.
Overall, the fiscal year 2022 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies bill has a $279.9 billion price tag, a 10% increase over fiscal year 2021’s budget.
In a statement, Rosa DeLauro, chairperson of the Appropriations Committee, said the legislation “focuses on the areas vital to our veterans and their families that make daily sacrifices in service of our country.”
By Garry Boulard