WASHINGTON, D.C. – After opposing a procedural motion on a bill that drastically underfunds critical veterans’ health care programs, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement calling on his colleagues to draft and pass appropriations legislation that adequately meets and serves the needs of America’s veterans:

            “America’s veterans deserve the best, highest-quality care and services available, but unfortunately, that’s not what they’re getting with this bill,” Senator King said. “Instead, this bill maintains sharp spending reductions under sequestration that would severely underfund the Department of Veterans Affairs, thereby jeopardizing medical care, VA facility improvements, and other critical services that our veterans have earned through their service to our nation. We shouldn’t be cutting corners when it comes to caring for those who have borne the battle. I call on my colleagues to pass a bill that boosts VA funding and properly serves those who so selflessly served us.”

Senator King today voted against a procedural motion that would have advanced H.R.2029, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2016, (MilCon-VA) because the bill maintains severe spending reductions imposed under sequestration that result in substantial underfunding of critical veterans programs.

More specifically, the bill reduces funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs by approximately $857 million below the President’s budget request, which would lead to the underfunding of VA medical care by more than half a billion dollars – equivalent to the cost of providing care for tens of thousands of veterans. Furthermore, according to the Office of Management and Budget, the Senate MilCon-VA bill, if enacted, would negatively impact veterans’ medical care services, including reducing the VA’s ability to maintain sufficient staff and equipment at VA hospitals. It would also underfund programs aimed at maintenance to address deficiencies at hospitals and clinics.

The bill is also opposed by the American Legion, the largest veterans organization in the country, because it does not adequately support critical veterans care.

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