Senator Hassan Votes to Approve Funding for Critical New Hampshire Priorities

Appropriations Bill for FY2019 Provides Funding to Support Veterans, Strengthen National Security, and Invest in Rural Communities and Aging Infrastructure 

WASHINGTON – Senator Maggie Hassan today voted to approve an appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2019 that provides funding for Veterans Affairs, military construction, energy and water infrastructure, and more. This bill is one of several expected appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2019, which begins on October 1.

“This bipartisan bill will fund critical New Hampshire priorities that I have long championed," Senator Hassan said. "This funding bill will help strengthen care and services for our veterans, promote national security by supporting the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and our National Guard, invest in rural communities in New Hampshire through important initiatives such as the Northern Border Regional Commission, and help to ensure that our water and energy infrastructure meets the needs of our people and economy – particularly in the face of rapid climate change.

“I am also pleased that the bill includes an amendment I introduced with Senator Shaheen to ensure that any realignment of VA facilities in states such as New Hampshire without a full-service hospital does not result in a disruption or reduction in services for our veterans who have sacrificed bravely to defend our freedom. While we know that that we have far more work to do to support our veterans and service members and ensure that they get the care that they need and have earned, this bill is an important step forward in our efforts.”

New Hampshire Priorities Included in This Bipartisan FY2019 Appropriations Bill

• Strengthens support for veterans, including investing in VA medical care, addressing homelessness among veterans, and processing claims

• Provides $161 million for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, which is vital to strengthening national security in New Hampshire and across the country

• Supports New Hampshire’s National Guard by providing $12 million for the Pembroke New Hampshire National Guard Readiness Center

• Invests in rural communities through regional commissions, including the Northern Border Regional Commission

• Funds water and energy infrastructure projects to help ensure that communities are more resilient to the changing climate and that infrastructure meets the needs of people in the 21^st century innovation economy

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