Boozman-Authored Provisions for Arkansas Veterans & Military Facilities Included in Senate Appropriations Bill

The Senate Committee on Appropriations approved the FY2018 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies (MilCon-VA) Appropriations Bill that includes provisions introduced by U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) to help Arkansas veterans and military facilities.

“Our troops, veterans and their families deserve our support. This legislation reflects our commitment to improve the care for our veterans at every age, and ensure they have opportunities to improve their quality of life. We need to ensure that taxpayer dollars are appropriately invested in military facilities and this bill is an important step. I look forward to its consideration before the full Senate,” Boozman said.

The following are Boozman’s provisions approved by the committee:

  • Directing the Department of Defense (DoD) to conduct a review of authorities needed to update Airfield Joint Use Agreements (AJUA) and associated compensation for airfields impacted by a transition to Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) missions and report to Congress by March 30, 2018.
  • Directing DoD to submit a report on the status of all reserve centers built during the last 15 years, to include those facilities built as part of the 2005 Defense Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC). The report requires a detailed assessment of individual facility usage rates, the cause of any utilization shortfalls, and a review of the adequacy and accuracy of personnel and unit forecasting in the construction of such facilities.
  • Language to strengthen and improve the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Prescription Drug Monitoring system’s utility and fight growing opioid over-prescription and addiction.
  • Language and funding for the Veterans Adaptive Sports Program, to strengthen and expand support to disabled veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces.  An additional $2 million is provided to support community based qualifying sports programs and events in rural areas. This therapeutic program has created positive changes in the quality of life for thousands of veterans with physical and mental injuries.
  • Language urging the VA to develop successful models for innovative and clinically-integrated care for aging veterans.
  • Additional funding for the National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, supporting evidence-based treatment of post-traumatic stress.