Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2027

Floor Speech

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Ms. RANDALL. Mr. Chair, I strongly support this bipartisan package of amendments which include 11 key priorities for military families in my district.

Our military's readiness relies on the people and facilities that keep it running every day.

My district is home to Naval Base Kitsap, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, the Tacoma Narrows Reserve Center, and constituents stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

I have seen the challenges at these installations firsthand. Workers are stuck in traffic trying to get to the shipyard during shift changes. Military families, like so many others, are struggling to access affordable childcare. Aging water infrastructure continues to strain naval installations. Veterans in rural communities are driving hours across my district just to reach specialty care appointments.

My amendments take practical steps to address these problems. They will help strengthen electrical grid resilience in our public shipyards, improve industrial safety infrastructure, modernize aging water and wastewater systems, and improve transportation access around naval installations.

This package also invests in military families through expanded childcare capacity, workforce support spaces, and employment resources for military spouses.

Importantly, one of my amendments would require an assessment of transportation barriers.

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Ms. RANDALL. Mr. Chair, importantly, one of my amendments would require an assessment of transportation barriers facing veterans in rural and highly rural communities seeking specialty care.

These are practical investments. These strengthen readiness. They support families, and they will improve the lives of people who serve this country every single day.

Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan package.

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