U.S. Representative Charlie Dent (PA-15) was tapped to serve as the new Chairman of the U.S. House Appropriations Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee, on Nov. 20.
U.S. House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers (KY-05) announced Dent’s appointment, along with the rest of subcommittee chairs.
The Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee controls the third largest amount of discretionary spending of the twelve Appropriations Subcommittees. It is responsible for more than $71 billion in discretionary spending and overall has oversight of more than $161 billion of federal spending. The bill provides funding for military construction efforts for all branches of the military including Guard and Reserve Forces. It also designates funds to provide housing and services for military personnel and their families and base upkeep. Importantly, it also directs funding to veterans’ benefits and programs.
The House passed the spending bill for Military Construction and Veterans Affairs on April 30 this year by a 416 to 1 vote, and has consistently made moving this legislation a high priority.
Dent issued the following statement regarding his new role:
“I eagerly look forward to taking on the great responsibility of serving as Chairman of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee. The Subcommittee is responsible for ensuring appropriate funding for and exercising critical oversight of housing, training and medical facilities for our service members and the services and benefits guaranteed to our veterans. I am honored to have the opportunity to work to meet the needs of American servicemen and women and to do right by those who have done so much to protect and defend our great country.”
“Serving as Chairman of this subcommittee – which provides for the quality of life of our military and important benefits for our veterans – is an enormous responsibility, and I know Charlie will be up to the task,” Chairman Hal Rogers said. “He has been a vocal advocate for our servicemen and women, as well as for stability and regularity in the federal budget process. I look forward to working with him in his new role to continue to ensure that the members of our military have the infrastructure they need to succeed, and that we continue to improve the quality of care for our veterans.”
Congressman Charlie Dent represents Pennsylvania’s 15th Congressional District which includes all of Lehigh County and parts of Northampton, Berks, Lebanon and Dauphin counties. The district includes the Allentown VA Outpatient Clinic and Fort Indiantown Gap which is an active National Guard Training Center, the headquarters for the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, the primary training site for the Pennsylvania National Guard, and home to the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. Lebanon County, parts of which are included in the 15th district, is also home to the Lebanon VA Medical Center.
The new Chairman will assume the gavel in January.
Departments, Projects and Services funded through the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Bill:
Department of Defense-Military Construction, Army, Navy (including Marine Corps), Air Force, Defense-wide, and Guard and Reserve Forces
-Chemical Demilitarization Construction, Defense-wide
-Military Family Housing Construction and Operation and Maintenance, Army, Navy (including Marine Corps), Air Force, and Defense-wide
-Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund
-Military Unaccompanied Housing Improvement Fund
-Homeowners Assistance Fund-Base Realignment and Closure Account
-NATO Security Investment Program
Department of Veterans AffairsRelated Agencies
-American Battle Monuments Commission
-Armed Forces Retirement Home-Department of Defense, Civil, Cemeterial Expenses, Army
-U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
