WASHINGTON– Today, Congressman John Yarmuth (D-KY) and House Democrats voted to pass H.R. 3055, a minibus appropriations package that includes $410 million in funding for construction of the new Louisville VA Medical Center. Yarmuth, who secured an initial investment for the facility in 2008, requested that this funding for the project be included in the FY2020 Military Construction-Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill, a part of the minibus package.

“I’m proud the House voted to approve legislation that included my request for this important funding, bringing us one step closer to making a state-of-the-art Veterans hospital in Louisville a reality,” said Yarmuth. “I’ve said from day one that the most important aspect of this project was making sure that Louisville’s veterans have access to the very best care they deserve and are owed. Today’s vote brings us closer to that goal, and I’m thankful that Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita Lowey (D-NY) understood the importance of this project.”

The appropriations package passed Tuesday by a vote of 227-194, with no House Republicans voting in favor of the measure.

“Chairman Yarmuth and I have worked closely to advance investments For the People, and because of his hard work we have secured funding for the Louisville VA Medical Center in House Democrats’ fiscal year 2020 appropriations bills,” said House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita Lowey. “John has been involved at every step of this important project, and I look forward to continuing to work with him to ensure that we uphold our commitments to veterans in Kentucky and across the nation.”

In 2008, Yarmuth worked alongside Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to secure $75 million in funding for the initial phase of the project, the first time funding had been appropriated for the new Louisville VA hospital. H.R. 3055 now heads to the Senate for consideration.

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