Secures $20 Million for Missile Defense Planning at Fort Drum, Fully Funds Veterans, and Delivers Other Major Wins
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Stefanik voted to pass H.R. 4366, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2024. Stefanik secured $20 million for Missile Defense planning and design at Fort Drum and the bill fully funds veterans’ programs across the Department of Veterans Affairs.
“As the leading advocate for Fort Drum and the 10th Mountain Division, I am proud to have secured critical wins for NY-21 in this years Military Construction and Veterans Affairs (VA) appropriations bill. To honor the sacrifice, service, and heroism of our veterans, we must fully fund and equip the VA with the resources they need and deserve,” stated Congresswoman Stefanik. “This appropriations bill prioritizes our veterans and national security to promote peace through strength and deter the rapidly evolving threats posed by our adversaries. I am proud to give Upstate New York and the North Country a seat at the highest levels throughout this process and ensure the critical provisions secured in this legislation will bolster our military readiness and strengthen our defense capabilities.”
Congresswoman Stefanik secured several major wins for NY-21 as part of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, including:
- Securing $20 million for planning and design of a third Missile Defense Interceptor Site at Fort Drum.
- Prioritizing cold weather installations for minor military construction, which ensures there are adequate facilities to house and protect property and equipment at these installations and encourages the military services to ensure the proper facilities and structure are in place to protect property and equipment at cold weather installations, such as Fort Drum.
- Making improvements to how the Department of Veterans Affairs researches and cares for Veterans with traumatic Brain Injuries.
The Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act:
- Provides $317.4 billion in funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs and Military Construction and Family Housing, fully funding VA programs and healthcare for our veterans.
- Prohibits the use of funds to advance Critical Race Theory.
- Prohibits implementation of executive orders related to DEI.
- Eliminates funding for the VA’s Office of Public Affairs that has recently released false, politically motivated press statements on proposed budget cuts.
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