Niagara Leader

Washington, DC — Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) voted in favor of H.R. 8580, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2025. This legislation aims to fund essential military construction projects and the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill passed the House with a vote of 209-197.

"Ensuring our nation's servicemembers and veterans have access to top-tier benefits, facilities, and care while strengthening our national security is essential to our country's prosperity," said Congresswoman Tenney. "H.R. 8580 guarantees that servicemembers, veterans, and their families are supported and receive the benefits they are owed for their service and sacrifice."

The bill includes significant investments aimed at improving U.S. military infrastructure and supporting military families through funding for family housing and child development centers. Additionally, it seeks to uphold certain principles by prohibiting funding for critical race theory promotion and banning taxpayer dollars from being used for abortions.

Key provisions in the FY25 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Bill include:

- $337.4 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs to fully fund veterans’ health care, benefits, and VA programs.

- $2 billion allocated for Military Family Housing.

- An additional $75 million above the enacted level for child development centers.

- $1.1 billion dedicated to investments in the Indo-Pacific region to enhance U.S. strategic posture.

- Prohibitions on funding to promote or advance critical race theory and the Biden Administration’s DEI agenda.

- A ban on using taxpayer dollars for abortions.

- Protection of veterans' Second Amendment rights by preventing the VA from reporting a veteran to NICS due to using a fiduciary.

Congresswoman Tenney emphasized that this bill represents a vital investment in U.S. military infrastructure while also addressing wasteful spending concerns.

"By passing this bill through regular order," Tenney added, "House Republicans reaffirm our commitment to uphold Congress's power of the purse and curb the wasteful spending of the Biden Administration while supporting our military."