A joint House-Senate committee has submitted the final conference report on a bill that would provide $82.5 billion to fund military facility construction projects, veterans’ benefits programs and Zika response efforts.The House Appropriations Committee said Wednesday the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Zika Response Appropriations Act now heads to the House for consideration.
The proposed budget is about $2.6 billion more than the enacted fiscal 2016 funds and includes $1.1 billion for domestic and international efforts to stop the Zika virus.
“Mosquito season is upon us; these dollars must get out the door now to help control the spread of the Zika virus, and continue longer-term efforts to stop this disease, such as vaccine and treatment development and deployment,” said House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers (R-Kentucky).
“The Military-Construction and Veterans Affairs portion of the agreement is critical legislation to fund the infrastructure and services our active-duty troops and their families need, and to fulfill our commitment to those who have fought and sacrificed for our nation,” Rogers added.
