(Washington D.C.) U.S. Representative Chet Edwards supported passage of H.R. 1 the final House-Senate conference report of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act a much-needed economic recovery plan that will help combat our nations severe recession create jobs and stabilize the economy.
Edwards who chairs the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee was responsible for crafting the portion of the economic recovery plan that invests $2.9 billion for military construction and over $1.4 billion for VA facilities. The funding provides for much-needed jobs through targeted investments to improve the quality of life for our service members and veterans support the National Guard and Reserve. According to the Associated General Contractors of America these construction funds will create and sustain nearly 100000 jobs.
We honor these brave Americans and their families with better health care housing and child care for military children. We are creating jobs with this bill but we are also creating something lasting for those brave Americans who sacrifice everyday for our nation" said Edwards.
The bill also includes incentives for businesses to hire unemployed veterans. Under the Act businesses can claim a work opportunity tax credit equal to 40 percent of the first $6000 of wages paid to a newly hired veteran.
Military Construction Funding in H.R.1 Conference Report
• Hospitals: $1.33 billion to recapitalize our aging military hospitals and ambulatory centers. Many of these facilities are 40 or even 50 years old and are not suited to current medical standards and practices.
• Troop and family housing: $335 million to build new barracks and dormitories for our soldiers sailors marines and airmen as well as further investments in quality family housing.
• Child care: $240 million for new child development centers on base. These facilities will help military spouses hold down jobs and provide employment opportunities for caregivers.
• National Guard: $100 million for the Army and Air National Guard. This will support our reservists who have been heavily deployed in recent years as well as States who need Guard units for disaster assistance and homeland security.
• Homeowners Assistance Fund: $555 million for assistance to military homeowners including wounded warriors and surviving spouses who have been impacted by the housing crisis.
• Wounded Warriors: $100 million for warrior transition complexes to provide services to wounded warriors and their families.
• Energy Conservation Investment Program: $120 million to make military facilities more energy efficient and save taxpayers money.
Veterans Affairs Funding in H.R. 1 Conference Report
• Medical Facilities: $1.0 billion for non-recurring maintenance including energy projects to address deficiencies and avoid serious maintenance problems at the 153 VA hospitals.
• National Cemetery Administration: $50 million for memorial maintenance including those identified in the 2002 Millennium Act report to Congress for the National Cemetery Administration. These funds will enable the National Cemetery Administration to work toward an established set of cemetery standards of appearance throughout the system.
• Claims Processors: $150 million for a temporary increase in claims processing staff.
• Information Technology Systems: $50 million to improve automation of benefits processing.
• State Extended Care Facilities: $150 million for grants to States for extended care facilities.
(Washington D.C.) U.S. Representative Chet Edwards supported passage of H.R. 1 the final House-Senate conference report of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act a much-needed economic recovery plan that will help combat our nations severe recession create jobs and stabilize the economy.
Edwards who chairs the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee was responsible for crafting the portion of the economic recovery plan that invests $2.9 billion for military construction and over $1.4 billion for VA facilities. The funding provides for much-needed jobs through targeted investments to improve the quality of life for our service members and veterans support the National Guard and Reserve. According to the Associated General Contractors of America these construction funds will create and sustain nearly 100000 jobs.
We honor these brave Americans and their families with better health care housing and child care for military children. We are creating jobs with this bill but we are also creating something lasting for those brave Americans who sacrifice everyday for our nation" said Edwards.
The bill also includes incentives for businesses to hire unemployed veterans. Under the Act businesses can claim a work opportunity tax credit equal to 40 percent of the first $6000 of wages paid to a newly hired veteran.
Military Construction Funding in H.R.1 Conference Report
• Hospitals: $1.33 billion to recapitalize our aging military hospitals and ambulatory centers. Many of these facilities are 40 or even 50 years old and are not suited to current medical standards and practices.
• Troop and family housing: $335 million to build new barracks and dormitories for our soldiers sailors marines and airmen as well as further investments in quality family housing.
• Child care: $240 million for new child development centers on base. These facilities will help military spouses hold down jobs and provide employment opportunities for caregivers.
• National Guard: $100 million for the Army and Air National Guard. This will support our reservists who have been heavily deployed in recent years as well as States who need Guard units for disaster assistance and homeland security.
• Homeowners Assistance Fund: $555 million for assistance to military homeowners including wounded warriors and surviving spouses who have been impacted by the housing crisis.
• Wounded Warriors: $100 million for warrior transition complexes to provide services to wounded warriors and their families.
• Energy Conservation Investment Program: $120 million to make military facilities more energy efficient and save taxpayers money.
Veterans Affairs Funding in H.R. 1 Conference Report
• Medical Facilities: $1.0 billion for non-recurring maintenance including energy projects to address deficiencies and avoid serious maintenance problems at the 153 VA hospitals.
• National Cemetery Administration: $50 million for memorial maintenance including those identified in the 2002 Millennium Act report to Congress for the National Cemetery Administration. These funds will enable the National Cemetery Administration to work toward an established set of cemetery standards of appearance throughout the system.
• Claims Processors: $150 million for a temporary increase in claims processing staff.
• Information Technology Systems: $50 million to improve automation of benefits processing.
• State Extended Care Facilities: $150 million for grants to States for extended care facilities.
