WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) voted this week in favor of record-shattering funding for U.S. troops, veterans and their families and critical infrastructure projects on military bases.

“I’m as fiscally conservative as they come, but I will not skimp on funding for our troops and our veterans,” said Sen. Kennedy.  “As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I want to ensure that our troops and our veterans receive top notch medical care and that we maintain Barksdale Air Force Base, Fort Polk and the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans in Belle Chasse by investing in important infrastructure projects critical to their mission.”

The FY2018 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill was the first appropriations bill to come before the Senate Committee on Appropriations.  It was unanimously approved.  The highlights of the bill include:

• $70.1 billion for VA medical care, including treatment of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, women veterans and traumatic brain injury patients.
• $9.5 billion for military construction projects on bases in the U.S. and around the world.  This is a $1.8 billion increase from FY2017.
• $1.4 billion for military family housing.
• $556 million for medical facilities that care for 9.8 million people as well as injured troops abroad.

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