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Big Week for Alabama's Military, Veterans


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Posted by: Sandra Walden
Date: Apr 27 2015 5:09 PM














Friends,
 
This week the House will consider H.R. 2029 , the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. This bill, which we passed out of Committee last week, includes much-needed funding for projects on our own military installations in Alabama and also for veterans benefits and programs. 


Specifically, the bill contains:

  • $47 million for new school construction to replace aging facilities at Fort Rucker; 


  • $33 million for new school construction to repair and replace aging classrooms at Maxwell Air Force Base; and



  • $7.6 million for a new Squadron Operations Facility at Dannelly Field.



If you’ve been on base at Maxwell or on post at Fort Rucker lately, you know some of the schools are in disrepair and badly need replacing. Our military families deserve quality on-base education facilities, and these projects will go a long way toward improving what we offer. 

I’m glad we can construct a new Squadron Operations Facility for the Alabama Air National Guard out at Dannelly Field. They need the space, and it further enhances our operational assets there.

On the VA side, the bill prioritizes mental health services, suicide prevention and traumatic head injury treatment. We also included funding and accountability requirements to swiftly diminish the disability claims processing backlog. 

But we all know funding alone isn't going to fix the VA, especially not in Central and South Alabama. That's why I took this opportunity to begin laying the groundwork for a major legislative effort to compel the VA Secretary to intervene at facilities like ours. 

When a school perpetually fails to meet basic standards, the state department of education steps in to take charge. We need a similar mechanism at the VA when medical centers continually fail our veterans.

We are studying the best legislative approach to move forward, but I made sure to insert language into the bill's Committee Report that lays the groundwork for this VA "takeover mechanism." 

This bill delivers critical funding for military personnel and veterans while remaining within the strict spending constraints of the House Budget Resolution.


It's also very good for Alabama , and I will work this week to move it successfully through the legislative process. I'll keep you updated as we proceed.

Meeting with You:

One of the most enjoyable aspects of my job is meeting with my constituents. This week I was able to meet with a number of Alabamians, ranging from Caleb Bristow , new Executive Director at Alabama Peanut Producers Association, to Alabama's Young Mother of the Year and WAKA Chief Meteorologist Ashley Gann. 























I also had the opportunity to tour Wallace Community College in Dothan and check out the impressive Career Tech programs it offers. Wallace's Dothan campus is known for its excellent criminal justice program, and I enjoyed getting to test my own skills out on the virtual law enforcement training simulator. Wallace is training the next generation of law enforcement, and I appreciate the efforts of President Linda Young and the whole team in Dothan.













While in Dothan I also joined the local Zonta Club at its annual Appreciation and Awards Luncheon to honor its outstanding service partners including: Chrysalis: A Home for Girls, House of Ruth, Exchange Center for Child Abuse Prevention, Habitat for Humanity Women Build and Healthy You: Genesis II House. I am grateful for the opportunity to share in celebrating the incredible work each of these organizations do to lift up women in the community. 












The Week Ahead:

We've got another busy week ahead of us as the House considers our first two Appropriations bills of the year. Here's a look ahead at legislation coming to the floor this week:



  •  H.R. 373  – Good Samaritan Search and Recovery Act 

  • H.R. 2029  – Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016 

  •  H.R. 2028  – Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016 

  • Conference Report to S. Con. Res. 11 – FY2016 Budget 

  •  Possible Consideration of H.R. 1732 – Regulatory Integrity Protection Act of 2015


Stay in Touch   

You can keep up with the latest news by finding me on Facebook and Twitter  where I post updates daily. Please let me know  if there’s anything my office can assist you with. My staff and I work for you.   

Sincerely, 











Jo Jo's Laundromutt

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