Washington, DC— Today, U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) worked with the House Appropriations Committee to approve the fiscal year 2023 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies bill.

In total, the bill provides $314.1 billion, an increase of $29.5 billion – more than 10 percent – above 2022. Of this amount, discretionary funding for programs such as veterans’ health care and military construction totals $150.5 billion, an increase of $23 billion above 2022. The legislation:

• Supports our veterans with investments in health care, including targeted investments that advance women's health, mental health, and homelessness assistance
• Rebuilds our infrastructure with strong investments to construct critical facilities on military installations, including family housing and childcare centers, and build, repair, and retrofit Veterans Affairs facilities
• Protects our national security with investments to respond to the challenges posed by Russian and Chinese aggression
• Confronts the climate crisis with increased climate change and resiliency funding to help military installations adapt to rising sea levels and worsening natural disasters

“This bill demonstrates an unwavering commitment to our servicemembers, their families and to our Veterans,” said Congressman Cuellar, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee. “It addresses military infrastructure and the readiness needs of current servicemembers. It also provides the benefits and medical care that Veterans have rightly earned in their service to our Nation. The bill specifically targets military housing construction and child development needs, women and mental health priorities, including infertility treatment coverage, and it addresses our growing resiliency challenges. I am extremely grateful to Chairwoman Wasserman-Schultz for prioritizing the needs of our military communities. South Texas is home to many veterans and servicemembers—I will continue doing everything in my power to ensure that they are supported, nurtured, and cared for both at home and abroad.”

The MILCON legislation also includes $29 million for a new Childcare Development Center at Joint Base San Antonio that Congressman Cuellar secured.

A summary of the bill is here. The text of the bill, before the adoption of amendments in full Committee, is here. The bill report, before the adoption of amendments in full Committee, is here. In keeping with the Appropriations Committee’s commitment to transparency, information on Community Project Funding in the bill is here.

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