Senate subpanel approves $77.25 billion military construction, VA bill

The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies approved more than $141.1 billion in total fiscal 2011 funding, including $77.25 billion in discretionary funding. 

The bill is $1.535 million below the president’s discretionary request and $751.9 million below the current level. 

The measure includes $18.7 billion for military construction, equal to the request, and $56.99 billion in fiscal 2011 discretionary funding for the VA, $27.3 million above the request. 

In addition, the bill includes $50.6 billion in advance appropriations for veterans medical care for fiscal 2012.

Under the measure, $13.8 billion would be spent to fund military construction projects worldwide, including operational, training, barracks, schools, hospitals and clinics. 

The Base Realignment and Closure would receive $2.35 billion, as requested. The BRAC 2005 request is $5.1 billion below the fiscal year 2010 enacted level, reflecting the scheduled completion in September 2011.

The bill also provides $56.99 billion in discretionary funding, $27.3 million over the president’s request, and $63.8 billion in mandatory funding, equal to the request. Total funding for the Medical Care accounts for fiscal 2011 is $48.3 billion, which includes a $3.8 billion increase over the current enacted level for the Medical Services account.

Arlington National Cemetery would receive $43.1 million, $5 million above the request, to deal with mismanagement issues.