Rounds: Latest Democrat Filibuster of Appropriations Legislation Hurts South Dakota Veterans

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services and Veterans’ Affairs Committees, today expressed his disappointment after Senate Democrats blocked a bipartisan appropriations bill that would fund projects related to military construction and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The Military Construction and VA and Related Agencies Appropriations Act is one of 12 appropriations bills that would fund the government for Fiscal Year 2016. Earlier this year, it passed out of committee by a vote of 21-9 with broad support from both sides of the aisle.

“Supporting our men and women in uniform who sacrifice everything to protect our freedoms is not a partisan issue,” said Rounds. “By filibustering this bill, Senate Democrats are playing political football at the expense of South Dakota veterans and service members. Without the funding certainty this appropriations bill would bring, the VA will be unable to start any new long-term projects or have the full ability to address existing problems that could help our veterans receive better care. Additionally, military construction projects – such as a $23 million dormitory at Ellsworth Air Force Base – are in jeopardy.

“By denying us the opportunity to debate the bill, Senate Democrats put us in position for another government shutdown. The American people want their elected officials to do our job. Since passing a last-minute continuing resolution, we now have until December 11th to pass appropriations bills. We shouldn’t wait until the last minute. The only way to amend or debate these spending bills is to bring them up for a vote on the floor of the Senate.

“Veterans, service members and their families deserve better than another Democrat filibuster of bipartisan legislation that supports national security efforts and strengthens the health and welfare of our vets.”

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