WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives today passed the Fiscal Year 2009 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, providing critical funding for America’s servicemen and women, their families and veterans.  U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) voted in support of the bill, which included $4 million for two projects at Camp Grayling as well as an amendment Stupak offered to freeze the mileage reimbursement deductible for veterans.

“The fact that this is the first spending bill passed by Congress this year shows how high of a priority our veterans are,” Stupak said.  “This bill’s 11 percent funding increase builds on last year’s historic increase in funding to improve the services available to our veterans.”

The bill includes an increase in the gas mileage reimbursement rate from 28.5 to 41.5 cents per miles for veterans traveling to a VA health care facility.  Under current law, each time the mileage reimbursement rate is increased the Secretary of Veterans Affairs is required to proportionally increase the deductible veterans must pay to receive this benefit.  Stupak offered an amendment, which was passed and included in the final bill, preventing the VA from increasing the deductible veterans must pay to receive their mileage reimbursement. 

Currently, veterans traveling to a VA facility for an exam, treatment or other medical care receive a mileage reimbursement of 28.5 cents per mile.  However, the 28.5 cent per mile benefit is subject to a $7.77 deductible for each one-way trip and $15.54 for a round trip.  Stupak estimates that without his amendment veterans would have faced a 45 percent increase in the deductible they pay to receive their mileage reimbursement, for a total of $11.31 for a one-way trip or $22.62 round trip.

“With gas prices at $4 a gallon it’s hard to justify an increase in the deductible veterans are required to pay for the mileage reimbursement they receive,” Stupak said.  “Raising the deductible defeats the purpose of increasing the reimbursement rate in the first place.  This freeze on the deductible will provide some relief for veterans, who – like all Americans – are being squeezed by skyrocketing gas prices.”

Stupak said he would continue working with the chairman and ranking member of the appropriations subcommittee to completely phase out the required deductible for mileage reimbursement.

In addition to providing funding for the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, the bill includes funding for Department of Defense construction projects.  Stupak secured $4 million for Camp Grayling in Grayling, Michigan for the design and construction of a Live Fire Shoot House and an Urban Assault Course.  The two projects will provide a realistic training environment, better preparing Army and Air National Guard units for combat.

The bill provides another much-needed funding increase for veteran’s care.  It provides $47.7 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs, $2.9 billion more than the president’s request and 11 percent more than last year’s largest-ever increase in VA funding.  Stupak noted that the bill builds on his and the Democratic Congress’s commitment to America’s veterans, particularly the new veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

All of the major veterans organizations have endorsed the bill, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Disabled Veterans of America, Paralyzed Veterans of America and AMVETS.  Despite overwhelming, bipartisan support in the House and from veterans across the country, President Bush has threatened to veto the legislation.

“The best way to honor our troops and veterans is to honor the commitments we have made to them,” Stupak said.  “This administration is very quick to go to war but far too slow in responding to the needs of our veterans and their families.”

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