Senate Approves Mil.Con/VA Spending Bill with Advanced Funding 

The Senate this week unanimously approved the FY2010 Military Construction –Veterans Affairs (MilCon/VA) spending bill (H.R.3082) that includes $48.2 billion for advanced funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care programs for FY 2011. Authorization of the two-year budget cycle was signed by President Obama in late October, but funding must be approved through separate legislation. FRA strongly supports this two-year appropriations policy, which will ensure the continuity of staffing and health care services delivered through the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).

The Senate-passed MilCon/VA appropriations bill designates $134 billion overall and the House version spends $132 billion – both of which exceed the Administration’s request of $130 billion. A conference committee will resolve differences between the two measures and draft a conference report that must be approved by both the House and Senate before being sent to the White House for approval.