WASHINGTON – The Senate Appropriations Committee advanced legislation crafted by U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), ranking member of the Senate Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MilCon-VA) Appropriations Subcommittee, that delivers $128.5 million to Arkansas for the future pilot training center at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in addition to making significant investments to improve servicemembers and their families’ quality of life and robustly fund veterans’ health care and benefits.

The bill now moves to the full Senate for consideration.

“Providing the resources our servicemembers and their families deserve and supporting our veterans by funding the medical treatment and benefits they have earned must always be a top priority for Congress. I’m pleased our bipartisan bill accomplishes both and includes another vital investment to ensure Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, Arkansas stays on track to successfully train allies on the F-35 aircraft. Passage of this measure represents our strong, shared commitment to those defending our nation today and in previous generations,” Boozman said.

Funding Boozman secured for Arkansas includes $128.5 million to support the foreign pilot training mission at Ebbing through construction of an Academic Training Center as well as other projects.

This legislation also includes key investments in military housing; veteran suicide prevention, telehealth, mental health and homelessness programs; women veterans care as well as innovative medical research. 

The bill additionally allocates full funding for the American Battle Monuments Commission, the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, Arlington National Cemetery and the Armed Forces Retirement Home.