Several Missouri priorities were included in the FY2022 Defense and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs funding bills

Missouri U.S. Senator Roy Blunt, a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, Thursday announced that several Missouri and national priorities were included in the FY2022 Defense and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs funding bills. The bills are part of the larger government funding package that the Senate is expected to consider shortly.
In making the announcement, Blunt said, “This bill supports our state’s vital role in our nation’s defense, with significant new investments in defense aviation and a growing geospatial-intelligence footprint anchored by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency West headquarters in St. Louis. It strengthens Missouri military installations and surrounding communities with additional funding for the new hospital at Fort Leonard Wood and Impact Aid assistance to benefit Whiteman and Fort Leonard Wood area schools. From keeping our promises to America’s veterans to maintaining the U.S. military’s strategic edge, this bill directs resources to where they are critically needed.” First and foremost the legislation funds a military pay raise of 2.7 percent.
The bill also includes $160 million in additional funding for further construction of a new hospital at Fort Leonard Wood, which will replace the current General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital. In June 2020, Blunt celebrated the groundbreaking for the new hospital. Also included are $4 million in military construction planning and design funding to support the construction of barracks to complete the Advanced Individual Training Battalion complex. The measure includes $40 million in funding for DCIP infrastructure projects. Fort Leonard Wood has previously benefited from the DCIP program, which aims to improve the quality of life for service members and their families. The bill also includes $70 million in funding for Impact Aid assistance to benefit Whiteman and Fort Leonard Wood area schools. Department of Defense Supplemental Impact Aid Assistance is critical to local school districts impacted by the presence of federally-owned land.