Washington, DC— As Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs (VA), U.S. Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) today announced more than $60 million in funding for key South Dakota projects. Johnson also used his position to create a new program included in the bill that will give the Secretary of the VA the latitude to address the unique needs of veterans in rural communities, the Rural Health Outreach and Delivery Initiative.
Johnson carved out nearly $120 billion nationwide for military construction and the VA as part of the funding bill he will bring before the full Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday.
“I’m proud to use my position as Chairman of this subcommittee to help bring more than $60 million home to South Dakota to ensure our military installations are in top notch condition. It is also crucial to address the unique needs of veterans in rural communities in states like South Dakota. Our veterans need to travel further to reach the services they have been guaranteed and my new initiative will make it easier for them and for the VA to reach one another,” Johnson said.
Johnson’s Rural Health Outreach and Delivery Initiative is a $250 million plan aimed at reducing the gap in care that often exists for veterans residing in rural areas. The initiative will give the VA Secretary the latitude necessary to explore new ways of serving this population with the ability to fund new programs based on the unique needs of rural veterans, and will include our veterans covered under the Indian Health Service.
The program may include new ways of reaching veterans through additional mobile clinics; establishing new outpatient clinics; expanding fee-based care in areas not served by VA facilities; accelerating the deployment of telemedicine; and funding innovative pilot programs.
Johnson, who has consistently advocated for funds for our veterans, has used his position this year to provide $3.3 billion above the President’s request for the VA in fiscal year 2009. This will include reversing the President’s cut to the VA’s construction account by including an additional $1.3 billion over the President’s request for maintenance of VA facilities.
Johnson’s budget for the VA will also increase the mileage reimbursement rate to 50.5 cents per mile to address rising gas prices. This brings the reimbursement rate into conformity with the General Services Administration’s (GSA) rate for federal employees.
“Under my chairmanship, I am committed to keeping our promises to our veterans and honoring them by ensuring they receive the care they deserve and require,” Johnson continued.
Johnson Secured Projects in South Dakota in the MilCon/VA Subcommittee Appropriations Bill:
Ellsworth Air Force Base (EAFB), South Dakota
Base Entry and Perimeter Gates -- $11,000,000
This project was Ellsworth’s number one priority. It will allow Ellsworth to bring the existing base gates up to post-9/11 force protection standards. The improvements will provide the guards enhanced situational line of sight, proper weather protection, and increased ability to control entry. It will provide EAFB with threat control and the infrastructure necessary to properly control and inspect incoming traffic.
Camp Rapid, South Dakota National Guard, Rapid City
Joint Forces Headquarters Readiness Center -- $29,000,000 (also requested by President Bush)
This project funds construction of a Joint Readiness Center which will serve to support the daily missions of Guard and Reserve forces at Camp Rapid. It will provide all personnel with the administrative and operational space to perform the tasks which will improve the units’ readiness posture.
Camp Rapid, South Dakota National Guard, Rapid City
Barracks/Dining/Admin and Parking Complex Phase III -- $14,463,000
This is the final phase of a multi-use facility. This phase consists of specially-designed, combination barracks, education, administrative and shower facilities.
Joe Foss Field, South Dakota National Guard, Sioux Falls
Aircraft Ready Shelters and Aircraft Maintenance Unit Upgrade -- $4,500,000
The base requires adequately sized and properly configured facilities and infrastructure systems to support aircraft maintenance activities for an eighteen aircraft F-16 wing. The project includes an addition to and interior upgrade of the aircraft organizational maintenance shop. This project also includes the construction and elocation of two prefabricated metal aircraft ready shelters on the existing facility.
Joe Foss Field, South Dakota National Guard, Sioux Falls
Construct and Repair Conventional Munitions Shop -- $1,900,000
The current Conventional Munitions Shop is smaller than required and lacks adequate classroom space for personnel training and has insufficient storage for munitions trailers. This project will construct a new building and an addition to the existing building which will meet requirements.
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For more information on Senator Tim Johnson visit his website at http://johnson.senate.gov.
