Congresswoman Matsui Announces $891,000 for Sacramento-area National Guard Project in House Military Construction and Veteran Affairs Appropriations Bill

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, July 28, 2010

CONTACT: MARA LEE
(202) 225-7163

Today, the House of Representatives passed legislation that includes $891,000 for a Sacramento-area National Guard project that was secured by Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento). The Military Construction and Veteran Affairs Fiscal Year 2011 Appropriations Bill provides the California Army National Guard Federal funding for a project at the California National Guard's Sacramento Army Depot Field Maintenance Shop.

By committing to invest this money, we will ensure top performance of the California National Guard's vehicles and reduce costs later on, Congresswoman Matsui said. This project has been a priority for the California Army National Guard, and I am pleased that I was able to secure the entire amount of the National Guard's request for it. I will continue to support the important work that the California National Guard and all our servicemen and women do for our State and for our country.

SMSgt Thomas James, Legislative Liaison for NCO, California National Guard said, On behalf of the 22,000 Soldiers and Airmen of the California National Guard, we are grateful for the support of Representative Matsui. Thanks to her efforts, service members will be able to take full advantage of this modernized and environmentally responsible vehicle maintenance facility. Once completed, the Sacramento Field Maintenance Shop will be optimized for maintaining vehicles and equipment used to perform California National Guard's overseas contingency missions and domestic response requirements.

The legislation passed by the House today also includes generous assistance for our nation's troops and veterans. It increases funding by 7.4 percent over the previous year's allocation toward veterans health care and benefits, including funding more than 4,000 additional permanent claims processors.

In addition, the bill builds on the strong support for America's veterans that has been a hallmark of the previous two Congresses. Since January 2007, Congress has provided a 70 percent increase in funding for veterans health care and benefits. These funds were used to hire over 10,000 new claims processors to reduce the Department of Veterans Affairs case backlogs, employ more than 3,300 new doctors and 14,300 new nurses, open 145 community-based veteran outpatient clinics, and establish 92 new Veteran Centers.

Our veterans have put their lives on the line to keep our nation safe, said Congresswoman Matsui. When they return home, it is our responsibility to make sure they have the care they need and the support they deserve. I will continue to fight for Federal support of our nation's troops and our veterans, and will never forget the important service they provide to us all.