The American Legion National Legislative Division Weekly
GRASSROOTS ACTION UPDATES
Early on Tuesday, February 13th, the United States Senate passed a long-awaited emergency national defense funding package, aiming to support our allies and improving our national security abroad.
The $95.3 billion package has been under Senate scrutiny since November of 2023 and is likely to face similar difficulty in the House. The current package provides financial assistance to Ukraine and Israel, and funds humanitarian aid in Gaza, and boosts U.S. defenses in the Indo-Pacific.The vehicle for the mammoth funding bill is HR 815, or the RELIEVE Act. HR 815, introduced by Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA-5), is designed to ensure that veterans will be reimbursed for emergency treatment at non-VA facilities.
Currently, veterans must have received care at a VA facility within the 2-year period before the related emergency. According to Rep. Rodgers, this requirement is unjust given increasing wait times at VA facilities. HR 815 passed the House in March 2023 and will be sent back for consideration with the national security funding amendments.
Many lawmakers, including Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA-4), criticize the lack “real border security provisions” in these provisions. These criticisms from the House of Representatives could threaten the viability of the bill, as it is Speaker Johnson’s prerogative to decide which bills will receive the House’s attention.
As the bill sits in limbo between chambers, here are the figures that are included:
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Ukraine would receive $60.06 billion in the form of weapons and equipment.
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Israel would receive $14.1 billion for air defenses and the Iron Beam.
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$9.2 billion in humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza and the West Bank and other global war zones.
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The United States would allocate $2.44 billion for operations against Houthi militants.
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Over $8 billion would be used to support Taiwan and other allies against aggression from China.
Unfortunately, the Legion’s long-standing priority of Afghan Adjustment was not included as an amendment to H.R. 815 with the national security measures listed above. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) introduced the amendment with 13 other Senators hoping to honor the creed of “no one left behind.”
However, growing concerns about immigration and border security overshadowed the Senators’ critical efforts. The American Legion and other allies will continue to support lawmakers and urge the government to keep its promise to our Afghan allies.
