3 SA Congressmen announce $863 million in funds
Congressman Ciro Rodriguez (photo)
Rodriguez, Gonzalez, & Smith Announce $863 Million in Bipartisan Bill to Fund BRAC, $28 Million for Sam Houston, GI Bill Expansion
WASHINGTON, DC—San Antonio Members of Congress Ciro D. Rodriguez (TX-23), a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, Charlie Gonzalez (TX-20), and Lamar Smith (TX-21) today announced the approval of $863 million for the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) plan, funding the BRAC recommendations including BRAC projects in San Antonio after bipartisan passage of the Supplemental Appropriations Act. Additionally, the three members of Congress announced $28 million for projects at Fort Sam Houston, and an expansion of GI Benefits for veteran education under the GI bill. The new BRAC funding is in addition to $7.2 billion previously secured for BRAC for military bases in the United States and around the world.
“Funding BRAC additions to San Antonio and elsewhere in my district has been a top priority for me because the investments in infrastructure, medical training and health care will play an important role in our community and our military for many years to come,” said Congressman Rodriguez (TX-23). “As a result of BRAC, the San Antonio area economy will continue to make great progress, our country will benefit from the talented professionals that will be trained here, and our military men and women will have the high quality healthcare and support they have earned and deserve.”
“The military’s investment in their BRAC recommendations plays an essential role in their future strength, readiness, and ability to address security threats facing our country. San Antonio has already played a large role in these efforts to date and as a result of BRAC, will continue to do its part in keeping our nation safe and secure through an increased future role.
WASHINGTON, DC—San Antonio Members of Congress Ciro D. Rodriguez (TX-23), a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, Charlie Gonzalez (TX-20), and Lamar Smith (TX-21) today announced the approval of $863 million for the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) plan, funding the BRAC recommendations including BRAC projects in San Antonio after bipartisan passage of the Supplemental Appropriations Act. Additionally, the three members of Congress announced $28 million for projects at Fort Sam Houston, and an expansion of GI Benefits for veteran education under the GI bill. The new BRAC funding is in addition to $7.2 billion previously secured for BRAC for military bases in the United States and around the world.
“Funding BRAC additions to San Antonio and elsewhere in my district has been a top priority for me because the investments in infrastructure, medical training and health care will play an important role in our community and our military for many years to come,” said Congressman Rodriguez (TX-23). “As a result of BRAC, the San Antonio area economy will continue to make great progress, our country will benefit from the talented professionals that will be trained here, and our military men and women will have the high quality healthcare and support they have earned and deserve.”
“The military’s investment in their BRAC recommendations plays an essential role in their future strength, readiness, and ability to address security threats facing our country. San Antonio has already played a large role in these efforts to date and as a result of BRAC, will continue to do its part in keeping our nation safe and secure through an increased future role.
That makes it all the much more important that we secure appropriate BRAC funding annually just like we’ve done today,” said Congressman Charlie Gonzalez (TX-20). “I’m proud of our commitment to securing BRAC funding, which will pay many dividends locally, through the economic benefits San Antonio will reap courtesy of Fort Sam Houston’s role in the entire process, and nationally, by strengthening our military overall and make its operations more efficient,” he added.
Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lamar Smith (TX-21) said “I am pleased to join Congressmen Rodriguez and Gonzalez in announcing that Congress has authorized $863 million for military bases and personnel in San Antonio . I am especially happy to announce that nearly $30 million in BRAC funding has been approved to fund projects and health care at Fort Sam Houston, which I represent in the 21st District. The brave men and women of our Armed Services sacrifice much to serve their country and keep us safe. This funding will not only help make their lives easier, but also will benefit all citizens of San Antonio by promoting a strong and vibrant economy.”
The $863 million are funds that had been excluded earlier in 2008 from BRAC. The funding will be part of the emergency supplemental bill to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The BRAC funding will be part of the Military Construction funding for which the bill provides $4.6 billion including $863 million for military hospitals, $396 million for VA hospitals and polytrauma centers, and over $210 million for the military child care centers.
Additionally, the House expanded GI Benefits for veteran education under the GI bill to restore the promise of a full, four-year college education and make the veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan part of an American economic recovery, just like the veterans of World War II were. Service members will now be able to transfer educational benefits to their spouses and dependents. The GI Bill expansion was included in the $165.4 billion amendment for the Department of Defense covering military costs through the summer of 2009.
With this BRAC funding 4,886 additional personnel and 9,000 additional students are expected to be located in San Antonio by 2011. After BRAC is completed in 2011 it is expected that the economic impact will be $621 million for the San Antonio area.
Joshua Rosenblum
Communications Director
Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lamar Smith (TX-21) said “I am pleased to join Congressmen Rodriguez and Gonzalez in announcing that Congress has authorized $863 million for military bases and personnel in San Antonio . I am especially happy to announce that nearly $30 million in BRAC funding has been approved to fund projects and health care at Fort Sam Houston, which I represent in the 21st District. The brave men and women of our Armed Services sacrifice much to serve their country and keep us safe. This funding will not only help make their lives easier, but also will benefit all citizens of San Antonio by promoting a strong and vibrant economy.”
The $863 million are funds that had been excluded earlier in 2008 from BRAC. The funding will be part of the emergency supplemental bill to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The BRAC funding will be part of the Military Construction funding for which the bill provides $4.6 billion including $863 million for military hospitals, $396 million for VA hospitals and polytrauma centers, and over $210 million for the military child care centers.
Additionally, the House expanded GI Benefits for veteran education under the GI bill to restore the promise of a full, four-year college education and make the veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan part of an American economic recovery, just like the veterans of World War II were. Service members will now be able to transfer educational benefits to their spouses and dependents. The GI Bill expansion was included in the $165.4 billion amendment for the Department of Defense covering military costs through the summer of 2009.
With this BRAC funding 4,886 additional personnel and 9,000 additional students are expected to be located in San Antonio by 2011. After BRAC is completed in 2011 it is expected that the economic impact will be $621 million for the San Antonio area.
Joshua Rosenblum
Communications Director
Congressman Ciro D. Rodriguez (TX-23)
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