It took until the wee hours on Saturday morning, but the Senate approved the “omnibus” Veterans Affairs $3.2 billion bill, followed Friday’s House passage of the legislation. The bill, which now goes to President Bush, funnels $600 million into the repair or new construction of veterans facilities in hurricane-devastated New Orleans and the Gulf Coast; provides for construction of new facilities nationwide; funds the hiring of more clinicians to treat veterans returning from Southwest Asia; increases funding for programs assisting homeless vets; and creates an office of rural health for veterans. Senate veterans committee chair Larry Craig (R-Idaho), said in a statement: “There were some serious disagreements between members on a few issues, but everyone compromised a little. That’s what it takes.” His counterpart in the House, Steve Buyer (R-Ind.), underscored that sentiment, saying, “Congress worked in a bipartisan effort to pass this important bill, and the winners are veterans and their families.”
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.
