Golden Statement on MILCON/VA Appropriations Vote

WASHINGTON – Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) released a statement today following his vote against House passage of H.R. 4366 - The Fiscal Year 2024 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act ​​(MILCON/VA).

“Delivering quality care for those who have served and defended our Nation is one of the Congress’s most sacred tasks. Despite what the majority party in the House may tell you, this bill does not represent a significant boost in funding for our veterans. 

“This legislation effectively underfunds care for our veterans by $5.3 billion compared to last year. Where do the bulk of these reductions come from? Over $3 billion for veterans medical services cut. $800 million dollars for veterans housing cut. $1.9 billion dollars in future spending on veteran medical support and compliance cut. 

“We know it’s possible to write a bill that fully delivers on our promises because the Senate passed their own version of the bill out of its Appropriations Committee which provides about $20 billion more for veterans than the bill I voted against today. 

“We need to negotiate a better bill for our veterans. With only 60 days to stave off a government shutdown, my focus remains on delivering the full support we promised veterans in Maine and across the country.” - Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02)

The total enacted levels for the FY23 MILCON/VA was $322.7 billion, while the total outlined in the House’s FY24 proposal was $317.4 billion. 

The total VA budget ($299.5 billion) is nearly $3.8 billion below the FY23 enacted level. 

The total MILCON budget (nearly $17.5 billion) is $1.5 billion below the FY23 enacted level. 

The total MILCON/VA budget approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee was $338 billion. 

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