Published: 10-02-08
Key Texas Military Programs And Veterans -- President signs into law end-of-year spending measure that contains critical federal resources for Texans
WASHINGTON—President Bush signed into law legislation supported by U.S. Sen. John Cornyn R-Texas that will fund all federal programs through March 6 2009 as well as funding for three FY09 appropriations bills: the Department of Defense Appropriations bill the Homeland Security Appropriations bill and the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill.
Included in the funding measure was approximately $23 billion for disaster assistance relief for Texas Louisiana and the Midwest states – funding which Sen. Cornyn and members of the Texas Congressional delegation worked to secure in the final legislation.
“Hurricane Ike delivered a devastating blow to thousands of Texas homes and businesses. As communities still recover from the damage this additional disaster assistance funding is welcome news. The measure will help many who were victimized by both Hurricanes Ike and Dolly to begin rebuilding and get back onto their feet. More work remains to be done however and I will pursue any other funding that is necessary to help Texans fully recover” Sen. Cornyn said.
The bill will also provide federal funding for our troops veterans and critical Texas military programs. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee Sen. Cornyn has been a strong supporter of key Texas military programs and installations and helped secure funding for many of these Texas-based defense initiatives in this bill. Due to his hard work on behalf of these Texas installations considerable funding is included for the construction of a new C-130 maintenance hangar at Dyess Air Force Base the design of a new intelligence training center at Goodfellow Air Force Base and the design of a new technical training facility at Sheppard Air Force Base.
“Our nation owes our troops the very best as they make tremendous sacrifices in the defense of our nation every day. This legislation now federal law is an important step toward making sure our military men and women have the essential equipment training and innovative technology to do their jobs in fighting the war against radical Islamic terrorists and other enemies of freedom. In particular the funding headed to Dyess Goodfellow and Sheppard Air Force Bases for critical initiatives will help ensure a strong role for Texas in our national defense for decades to come” Sen. Cornyn said.
“Provisions in the bill will also enhance and supplement services for our nation’s veterans by providing more than $47 billion for Veterans’ Affairs programs. It will address a full range of our veterans’ needs including providing them with advanced prosthetics making substantial increases to mental health care and substance abuse treatment and providing additional resources for veterans who live in rural areas where the VA does not offer sufficient medical services.
“I’m pleased the President has signed this important legislation into law and I will keep working to make sure the needs of Texans continue to be met” Sen. Cornyn said.
Finally the resolution does not extend the current moratoria on energy exploration and drilling on the Outer Continental Shelf which Sen. Cornyn called a “major victory for the American people
