Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD) and the U.S. House voted Tuesday night to pass the House-Senate conference report for the FY2008 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill.

The bill, which includes the largest health care increase in the 77-year history of the Veterans Affairs (VA) Department, contains $46.36 million for construction projects at military installations in Maryland’s 5th Congressional District. The projects were authorized earlier this year in the Department of Defense Authorization bill.

 “Maryland’s 5th District houses several important military facilities critical to ensuring the strength of America’s national security,” stated Rep. Hoyer. “The continued investment in these installations underscores Southern Maryland’s significant strategic role in our nation’s defense operations.”

 The bill also includes an increase of $6.7 billion for veterans’ care over last year – $3.6 billion over the Administration’s request for veterans’ programs. At present, the VA health system is not adequately prepared to care for those returning from combat, and nearly 400,000 veterans are faced with unreasonable waiting times for claims processing. The House-Senate appropriations bill represents an historic investment in veterans’ care to address significant shortfalls in medical treatment, claims processing personnel, and facility improvements.

 “Hundreds of thousands of members of the military have served their country in Iraq or Afghanistan since 2001. But even as their service reminds our nation of the great debt we owe to our veterans, we are falling short on our promise to honor these brave Americans,” stated Rep. Hoyer.  “This bill provides for our nation’s veterans, the defenders of our great country who we are obligated to honor with a commitment equal to the sacrifices they have made. As we prepare to commemorate Veterans Day this coming weekend, I urge the President to sign this important legislation.”

Funding for the following military construction projects was included in the FY08 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Conference Report:

Advanced Energetics Research Lab at NSWC Indian Head – $9.45 million

Innovations in energetics have provided America’s military with new weapons – like the thermobaric ‘cave busting’ bomb – to meet unforeseen military objectives, such as the assault on the al Qaeda caves in Afghanistan. The Advanced Energetics Research Lab facility is being funded specifically at the request of Rep. Hoyer who has long advocated a long-term investment at NSWC Indian Head to consolidate several facilities and provide modern laboratory workspace for the highly skilled personnel at the base. This project will significantly increase Indian Head’s capabilities to support critical and emerging energetics requirements, including weapons for urban technology, WMD defeat weapons, high temperature and pressure weapons, and counter IED solutions.  Specifically, this lab will replace a 1940s-era wet-lab facility with an advanced laboratory, including vibration analysis, advanced computing and chemical and explosives storage units.  This lab will focus on novel and advanced concepts to address emerging threats, such as guided particle beams for improved lethality, breaching capabilities, and explosives neutralization.

Aircraft Prototype Facility Phase I at NAS Patuxent – $17.99 million