Cole Joins VA Budget Hearing, Lays Out FY25 Priorities

Apr 16, 2024

Press Release

Washington, D.C. - House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) joined the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee for a hearingon the Department of Veterans Affairs' Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Request. During Cole's opening remarks, he laid out his priorities for Fiscal Year 2025 bills.

"As we start the Fiscal Year 2025 process, my priorities remain focused on our national security and those that support a strong national defense. I take President Reagan's perspective that we must ensure peace through strength and provide the necessary resources to increase our military capabilities. On our turf here at home, it's clear we have an ongoing national security crisis at the southern border that must be addressed. And lastly but certainly not least, we must take care of those who served our nation in uniform. Defense, homeland security, and veterans are all critical priorities, and, working with our subcommittee chairs, these objectives will be reflected in this year's bills."

Chairman Cole's full remarks are below:

Thank you, Chairman Carter and Ranking Member Wasserman Schultz. Mr. Secretary, welcome. Delighted to have you here. This is my first MilCon-VA Subcommittee hearing as Chairman of the full committee, and it is only fitting that it is focused on funding for the VA. Just as our nation's veterans answered the call of duty, so must we on the Appropriations Committee meet our constitutional obligations to those who served the country.

As we start the Fiscal Year 2025 process, my priorities remain focused on our national security and those that support a strong national defense. I take President Reagan's perspective that we must ensure peace through strength and provide the necessary resources to increase our military capabilities. On our turf here at home, it's clear we have an ongoing national security crisis at the southern border that must be addressed. And lastly but certainly not least, we must take care of those who served our nation in uniform. Defense, homeland security, and veterans are all critical priorities, and, working with our subcommittee chairs, these objectives will be reflected in this year's bills.

My grandfather and uncle were both career naval personnel. My grandfather was an officer, and my uncle, who I'm named for, was a non-commissioned officer. He was also a Bataan Death March survivor and Japanese prisoner of war. My brother and father both served in the United States Air Force. My father served 20 years and then 20 years as a civilian defense worker at Tinker Air Force Base. My brother followed a similar pattern. We know how important as a family it is that we ensure veterans have the care they have earned and deserve.

That personal understanding along with the years of work on the Appropriations Committee have taught me the importance of the mission before us. I thank each of you on this subcommittee for your commitment to providing adequate resources for the men and women who've put their lives on the line for freedom.

My home state of Oklahoma is a veteran-heavy state. We have a variety of facilities and services that our veterans rely on every day. The Fourth District alone has over 73,000 veterans. And it's clear the health needs of that population are only growing. We must prioritize funding to address those rising costs.

As you know, the Oklahoma City VA Medical Center is a leading regional provider. That facility has been critical in implementing the PACT Act. I'm happy to hear that facility has spearheaded those efforts and implementation has been successful so far. That example of success is what we want to build on.

Today's hearing will help us assess how we shape the VA's budget and explore avenues to better support our veterans. Given the history of bipartisanship on this particular subcommittee, there are certainly common interests shared by Members on both sides of the aisle. As we begin this year's appropriations process, I look forward to working with each of you to support our veterans and fund the important initiatives at the Department.

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118th Congress