Alert

WASHINGTON - Yesterday, U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, voted in favor of legislation that included three Fiscal Year 2019 Senate appropriations measures, including Energy and Water Development, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and the Legislative Branch.

“I’m glad to see the first appropriations bills on the floor this year reflect two of the biggest priorities we have in Missouri: keeping our promises to veterans and strengthening our infrastructure,” said Blunt. “By increasing funding for mental health services and rural health care, this bill takes important steps to ensure veterans have access to timely, quality medical care. In light of the recently-reported misconduct at the Fayetteville VA, the bill includes an amendment to increase accountability and help prevent similar incidents in the future. The bill also includes resources for the construction of the New NGA West facility, which supports thousands of jobs and plays a key role in our nation’s defense.

“As a hub for our nation’s transportation networks, strengthening our infrastructure is critical. The Energy and Water Development funding measure includes much-needed resources to modernize locks and dams and dredge small ports along the Mississippi River. It also makes key investments in Delta Regional Authority infrastructure projects that will help communities across Southeast Missouri compete and succeed.

“Importantly, this bill was passed by the Senate through regular order. I hope to see the regular order process continue as we consider other appropriations bills in the weeks ahead. Giving every member the opportunity to scrutinize and weigh in on funding legislation is the best way to make sure every taxpayer dollar is being invested wisely.”

Following Are the Blunt-Backed Energy and Water Development Priorities Included in the Bill:

• Army Corps of Engineers: The legislation provides nearly $7 billion, a $100 million increase from FY2018, for the Army Corps of Engineers, the highest level ever appropriated for the Corps. The funding will support vital flood control and navigation projects across Missouri and the nation.
  
  
• Inland Waterways Trust Fund: The bill ensures the resources inland navigation operators put into the Inland Waterways Trust Fund are used for construction and modernization of our nation’s locks and dams.
  
  
• Navigation and Ecosystem Sustainability Program (NESP): The bill Includes language that advances the NESP, which authorizes the modernization of seven locks and dams on the Upper Mississippi River. In response to a Blunt-led bipartisan letter, The Corps recently included funding in their FY18 Work Plan to start the process of delivering the project.
  
  
• Small Ports: The bill provides specific funding for the dredging of small ports, including those in Missouri located on the Mississippi River.
  
  
• Mississippi River and Tributaries Project: The bill includes $350 million for the Mississippi River and Tributaries Project, providing vital funding for the Corps to fulfill its flood control and navigation missions.
  
  
• Kansas City National Security Campus: The bill provides a $208 million increase for the Weapons Activities account at the National Nuclear Security Administration. This funding is essential to the operation of the Kansas City National Security Campus, and will help ensure the safety, security, reliability, and effectiveness of the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile.
  
  
• Delta Regional Authority (DRA): The legislation includes $25 million for the DRA with a focus on infrastructure development in rural areas. The DRA provides infrastructure, healthcare, and economic development assistance to 29 counties in Southeast Missouri.

Following Are the Blunt-Backed MilCon-VA Priorities Included in the Bill:

• Fayetteville VA Medical Center: The bill includes a Blunt-backed amendment that requires the VA to provide a departmental response plan to Congress that can be applied in Fayetteville and all future cases of clinical disclosures. In addition, it requires the VA to provide recommendations about changes necessary to prevent such incidents.

• National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency West Headquarters: The bill includes $291 million in further funding for the construction of the New NGA West facility in North St. Louis. The omnibus funding bill that was signed into law in March provided $200 million for the facility. In June 2016, the NGA finalized its selection of North St. Louis as the site for the new NGA West headquarters. Since 2010, Blunt has led efforts to ensure that the NGA West facility, and the thousands of jobs it supports, remain in Missouri.
  
  
• Electronic Health Record System: The legislation provides $800 million for the VA electronic health record (EHR) system contract with Cerner, which is headquartered in Kansas City. In May, the Trump administration signed a contract with Cerner that will require the VA and the Department of Defense to adopt the same EHR system. This will provide seamless care as service members transition from the military to the VA system.
  
  
• VA St. Louis Health Care System: The bill includes $34.4 million in military construction funding for medical facility improvements and cemetery expansion at the Jefferson Barracks Division of the VA St. Louis Health Care System.