Panel approves $77B bill for military construction, vets’ benefits

House appropriators on Wednesday advanced a $77 billion bill funding military construction projects and veterans’ benefits.

The bill is scheduled to hit the House floor next week along with a $35 billion bill funding energy and water development programs.

The military construction bill is $1.2 billion below President Obama’s budget request, but $4.6 billion above the level appropriated for the current 2015 year.

A Republican amendment package was adopted into the bill, while a Democratic-sponsored amendment related to medical marijuana was rejected.

{mosads}The proposal from Rep. Sam Farr (D-Calif.) would have prevented funds from being used to enforce a restriction on Veterans’ Affairs providers that says they can’t complete forms seeking recommendations or opinions about a veteran’s participation in a state marijuana program.

Rep. Charlie Dent (R-Pa.) said he’d rather have an authorizing committee handle such a proposal instead of the appropriations panel. Dent explained that veterans are able to participate in such state programs, but are not allowed to possess marijuana at VA facilities. 

Republicans accepted a Democratic amendment to boost VA research.

The bill provides $4.6 billion above the 2015 level and includes funding Congress already approved in advance appropriations last year for veterans.

For military construction projects, the bill provides $7.7 billion, which is $904 million above the 2015 level and $755 million below Obama’s budget request. The funds cover construction and renovation projects on military bases around the world.

Republicans also meet Obama’s request to provide $63.3 billion in advance appropriations for fiscal 2017 funding for veterans’ medical programs.