Spending: Panel Cuts DOD, VA Programs
In an early signal about fiscal year 2007 spending, the House Appropriations Committee has recommended slicing construction accounts at the Depts. of Defense and Veterans Affairs. The panel on May 10 approved a spending measure that would provide $2 billion for DOD family housing construction, down 7% from 2006, and $6.1 billion for other military building, a 14% cut. The positive note for construction is that the budget for the new base realignment and closure round would more than triple, to $5.5 billion.
VA’s major construction account also would suffer a hit. Appropriators are allotting $284 million for that program in 2007, down 53% from 2006, even when this year’s emergency appropriations are excluded.
There has been no Senate action yet on 2007 appropriations.