2023: Fitzpatrick Voted Against An Amendment That Would Prohibit The
VA Frin Using Funds To Submit A Beneficiary's Name To The National
Instant Criminal Background Check System Best On The VA's Appointment Of
A Fiduciary. In July 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly,
Fitzpatrick voted against an amendment to the Military Construction,
Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024, which
would "prohibit the Veterans Affairs Department from using funds to
submit a beneficiary's name to the National Instant Criminal Background
Check System based on the department's appointment of a fiduciary." The
vote was on the adoption of an amendment. The House adopted the
amendment by a vote of 228 to 206. [House Vote 373,
7/26/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/26/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
4366;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
297]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted To Update Provisions Related To Veteran
Benefit Eligibility And Access To Disability Exams. In September 2023,
according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the "motion
to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended, that would make
numerous changes to improve the provision of benefits to veterans by the
Veterans Affairs Department. Among changes to the determination of
disability benefits eligibility, the bill would require online
questionnaires to be updated, require the VA to issue a report on
improving travel cost reimbursements for overseas veterans who must
attend a disability exam, and direct the VA to improve communication on
the scheduling of a disability exam between contract examiners, veterans
and the veterans' representatives. The bill would also increase from
seven to nine the number of judges on the Court of Appeals for Veterans
Claims and require the VA to establish a program to reimburse the costs
of state bar exam preparation and annual bar dues for recent law
graduates who commit to a three-year service agreement with the VA." The
vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 423 to 0,
thus the bill was sent to the Senate. [House Vote 401,
9/20/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 9/20/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1530]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted Against An Amendment That Would Prohibit The
Use Of VA And Military Construction Funding To Implement A Biden
Administration Executive Order That Promoted Clean Energy Industries And
Jobs. In July 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick
voted against an amendment to the Military Construction, Veterans
Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024, which would "bar
the use of funds provided by the bill to implement the December 2021
Biden administration executive order regarding the promotion of clean
energy industries and jobs." The vote was on the adoption of an
amendment. The House adopted the amendment by a vote of 222 to 212.
[House Vote 378,
7/26/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/26/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
4366;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
303]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted Against An Amendment That Would Prohibit The
Use Of VA And Military Construction Funding To Implement 7 Biden
Administration Executive Orders Regarding Climate Change. In July
2023, according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted against an
amendment to the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related
Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024, which would "bar the use of funds
provided by the bill to implement seven Biden administration executive
orders relating to climate change." The vote was on the adoption of an
amendment. The House adopted the amendment by a vote of 220 to 214.
[House Vote 377,
7/26/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/26/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
4366;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
302]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted For An Amendment That Would Prohibit The Use
Of VA And Military Construction Funding To Enforce COVID-19 Mask
Mandates. In July 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly,
Fitzpatrick voted for an amendment to the Military Construction,
Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024, which
would "bar the use of funds provided by the bill to enforce any COVID-19
mask mandates." The vote was on the adoption of an amendment. The House
adopted the amendment by a vote of 223 to 211. [House Vote 374,
7/26/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/26/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
4366;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
299]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted To Prohibit The Use Of VA Funding To Enforce
COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates For VA Health Care Personnel. In July 2023,
according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the Military
Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act,
2024, which would "prohibit the use of the bill's funds to interfere
with a veteran's participation in a legal state medical cannabis
program, to enforce COVID-19 mask mandates, and to implement the
COVID-19 vaccination program for VA health care personnel." The vote was
on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 219 to 211, thus the
bill was sent to the Senate. [House Vote 380,
7/27/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/27/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
4366]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted For An Amendment That Would Prohibit The Use
Of VA And Military Construction Funding To Require COVID-19 Vaccinations
For Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel. In July
2023, according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for an
amendment to the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related
Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024, which would "bar the use of funds
provided by the bill to carry out the COVID-19 vaccination program for
Veterans Health Administration health care personnel." The vote was on
the adoption of an amendment. The House adopted the amendment by a vote
of 224 to 210. [House Vote 375,
7/26/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/26/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
4366;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
300]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted For A Bill That Would Expand Oversight Of
Educational Institutions Receiving Benefits From TheVeterans Affairs
Department. In September 2023, Fitzpatrick voted for a bill that
"would require educational institutions, in order to be approved for
Veterans Affairs Department educational benefits, to agree to turn over
any requested documentation as part of a government action within 30
days. It would also require educational institutions that receive GI
Bill education benefits to preemptively report any non-compliance within
30 days to the VA and make any institution that fails to report certain
unfavorable events ineligible to receive VA payments for GI Bill
education benefits." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill
by a vote of 410 to 0, thus the bill was sent to the Senate. [House
Vote 392, 9/18/23;
Congressional Quarterly,
9/18/23; Congressional
Actions, H.R.
3981]
2017: Fitzpatrick Voted For Expanding The VA's Ability To Terminate
Employees. In March 2017, Fitzpatrick voted for legislation that would
have, according to Congressional Quarterly, "expand[ed] the Veterans
Affairs Department's ability to fire, demote and suspend employees for
misconduct or poor performance. The measure would [have]
authorize[d] the VA to recoup any bonus paid to a VA employee if the
VA deems it appropriate, and it would [have] require[d] that the
employee be given advance notice and the right to appeal the decision.
As amended, the measure would [have] require[d] that annual
performance reviews for supervisors at the VA include evaluations on the
supervisor's ability to address poor performance among their employees
and would [have] require[d] the VA to provide supervisors with
periodic training related to whistleblower rights and effective
management techniques." The vote was on passage. The House passed the
bill by a vote of 237 to 178. The Senate took no substantive action on
the legislation. [House Vote 168,
3/16/17; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/16/17; Congressional
Actions, H.R.
1259]
2024: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Prohibiting The Department Of
Veterans' Affairs From Reporting The Appointment Of A Fiduciary To The
National Background Check System. In June 2024, Fitzpatrick voted
against , according to Congressional Quarterly, "amendment no. 10 that
would prohibit the Department of Veterans Affairs to use funds made
available by the bill to report a determination to the Justice
Department's National Instant Criminal Background Check System based on
the VA's appointment of a fiduciary." The vote was on the amendment.
The underlying legislation was the FY 2025 Military Construction-VA
Appropriations. The House adopted the amendment by a vote of 211 to 193.
[House Vote 238, 6/4/24;
Congressional Quarterly,
6/4/24; Congressional Actions,
H.Amdt.933;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
8580]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted To Prohibit The Use Of VA Funding To Display A
Flag Over A VA Facility Or National Cemetery Flag Other Than The U.S.
Flag, Military Flags, Or Other Government-Related Flags. In July 2023,
according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the Military
Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act,
2024, which would "also prohibit the use of the bill's funds to provide
abortions, to implement a September 2022 VA rule that allows abortion
counseling and establishes exceptions for the prohibition on abortions
in the medical benefits package for veterans and civilian beneficiaries,
to provide surgical procedures or hormone therapies for gender-affirming
care, and to fly or display a flag over a VA facility or national
cemetery that is not the U.S. flag, military-related or another
government jurisdiction" The vote was on passage. The House passed the
bill by a vote of 219 to 211, thus the bill was sent to the Senate.
[House Vote 380,
7/27/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/27/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
4366]
2022: Fitzpatrick Voted To Establish A Food Security Office Within The
Veterans Affairs Department, Which Would Help Veterans With The
Availability And Eligibility Of Federal Nutrition Assistance Program And
Identify And Treat At-Risk Veterans. In September 2022, according to
Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the Food Security for All
Veterans Act, which would "establish a food security office at the
Veterans Affairs Department to provide information to veterans
concerning the availability of, and eligibility requirements for,
federal nutrition assistance programs; collaborate with relevant program
offices, both within the VA and at other agencies, to develop and
implement policies and procedures to identify and treat veterans at-risk
or experiencing food insecurity; and, in consultation with the
Agriculture Department, submit an annual report to Congress on veteran
food insecurity, including demographics on such veterans and data on
specific interventions for veterans who screen positive for food
insecurity." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a
vote of 376-49. The Senate did not take substantive action on the bill.
[House Vote 469,
9/29/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 9/29/22;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
8888]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted To Provide $317.4 Billion In Mandatory And
Discretionary Spending For The Department Of Veterans Affairs. In July
2023, according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the
Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act, 2024, which would "provide $317.4 billion in
mandatory and discretionary funding for the VA, including $121 billion
for VA medical care programs, $166 billion for veteran disability
compensation and other benefits, $151.4 billion for veteran pensions,
$17.5 billion for military construction projects and $2 billion for
military personnel housing." The vote was on passage. The House passed
the bill by a vote of 219 to 211, thus the bill was sent to the Senate.
[House Vote 380,
7/27/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/27/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
4366]
The Bill Would Provide $189 Million For Arlington National
Cemetery. According to Congressional Quarterly, "provide $189
million for Arlington National Cemetery, including funding for its
southern expansion." [Congressional Quarterly,
7/27/23]
Despite The Military Construction-VA Bill Being Considered The
Least Controversial Of The 12 Spending Bills, Democrats Opposed The
Military Construction-VA Bill For Including Extremist Policy Riders
And Reducing Military Housing Funding. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "The House passed its first fiscal 2024 spending bill
Thursday, funding veterans benefits and military construction
projects, by a razor-thin margin along party lines that signaled a
troubled road ahead for the appropriations process. The $317.4
billion Military Construction-VA bill (HR 4366), usually considered
the least controversial of the 12 annual spending measures, passed
on a 219-211 vote. Democrats marched in lockstep against the bill,
saying it was chock-full of extremist policy riders and would cut
military housing money needed by troops and their families."
[Congressional Quarterly,
7/27/23]
The Bill Would Increase Funding For The VA Above FY 2022 Levels,
Including Over $130 Billion For Veterans' Medical Care And
Increases For Military Construction Projects. According to The
Hill, "On the Milcon-VA bill, GOP negotiators proposed more than
$317 billion in funding, which includes increases for the VA above
current levels. The bill also calls for more than $130 billion for
veterans' medical care and a boost for Department of Defense
military construction projects." [The Hill,
7/27/23]
The Bill Would Prevent The VA From Displaying LGBTQ Pride Flags
And Limit Advances To Equity And Diversity. According to The Hill,
"Other measures the White House criticized include sections
Democrats say would prevent the VA from displaying LGBTQ pride flags
and language that would limit administration efforts to advance
equity and diversity." [The Hill,
7/27/23]
2022: Fitzpatrick Voted For The FY 2023 Omnibus Spending Package,
Which Provided $154.2 Billion For The Department Of Veterans Affairs,
Military Construction And Related Agencies. In December 2022,
according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted to concur with
the Senate amendment to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, which
would "provide approximately $25.5 billion for the Agriculture
Department and related agencies; $82.4 billion for the Commerce and
Justice departments and science and related agencies; $797.7 billion
for the Defense Department; $54 billion for the Energy Department and
federal water projects; $27.6 billion for the Treasury Department,
federal judiciary and a number of executive agencies; $60.7 billion for
the Homeland Security Department; $38.9 billion for the Interior
Department, EPA and related agencies; $207.4 billion for the Labor,
Health and Human Services and Education departments and related
agencies; $6.9 billion for legislative branch entities; $154.2 billion
for the Veterans Affairs Department, military construction, and related
agencies; $59.7 billion for the State Department and related agencies;
and $87.3 billion for the Transportation and Housing and Urban
Development departments and related agencies." The vote was on a motion
to concur. The House concurred with the Senate amendment by a vote of
225-201, thus bill was sent to President Biden and ultimately became
law. [House Vote 549,
12/23/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/23/22;
Congressional Actions, S.Amdt.
6552;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
2617]
The FY 2023 Omnibus Package Expanded And Improved Access To Health
Care And Mental Health Services And VA Benefits Through The Veterans
Affairs Department According to Congressional Quarterly, "include
a wide range of provisions to expand and improve access to Veterans
Affairs Department health care and mental health services, as well
other VA benefits." [Congressional Quarterly,
12/23/22]
The FY 2023 Omnibus Provided A 22.4% Increase For Medical Care
Through The Veteran Administration. According to CNN, "The package
funds a 4.6% pay raise for troops and a 22.4% increase in support
for Veteran Administration medical care, which provides health
services for 7.3 million veterans." [CNN,
12/29/22]
The FY 2023 Omnibus Included $53 Billion To Address Inflation And
$2.7 Billion To Support Services And Housing Assistance For
Veterans. According to CNN, "It includes nearly $53 billion to
address higher inflation and $2.7 billion -- a 25% increase -- to
support critical services and housing assistance for veterans and
their families." [CNN,
12/29/22]
The FY 2023 Omnibus Included An Additional $5 Billion To Support
The Implementation Of The PACT Act That Expanded Eligibility For
Medical Services And Benefits To Veterans Who Suffered Toxic
Exposure. According to CNN, "The law also allocates $5 billion
for the Cost of War Toxic Exposures Fund, which provides additional
funding to implement the landmark PACT Act that expands eligibility
for health care services and benefits to veterans with conditions
related to toxic exposure during their service." [CNN,
12/29/22]
2022: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Appropriating $298.6 Billion To The
Veterans Affairs Department For FY 2023, Including $119.7 Billion For
Health Care Programs And $163.6 Billion For Veterans' Compensation And
Pensions. In July 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly,
Fitzpatrick voted against the Transportation, Housing and Urban
Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2023, which would
"provide $298.6 billion in mandatory and discretionary funding for the
VA, including $119.7 billion for health care programs and $163.6
billion for veterans' compensation and pensions." The vote was on
passage. The House passed the bill by a vote 220-207, thus the bill was
sent to the Senate. The Senate did not take substantive action on the
legislation. Congress passed and signed into law the FY 2023 Budget
through H.R. 2617. [House Vote 383,
7/20/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/20/22;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
8294]
2019: Fitzpatrick Voted For The FY 2020 Minibus Appropriations Bill,
Which Provided $216.5 Billion For The VA Including $5.4 Billion More
In Discretionary Spending Than FY 2019. In December 2019, Fitzpatrick
voted for the FY 2020 minibus spending bill, which represented 8 of the
12 appropriations bills. According to Congressional Quarterly, "the
agreement provides for a total of $216.5 billion in FY 2020 for all
veterans programs --- including $91.9 billion in discretionary
spending, primarily for veterans health programs, and $124.6 billion
for mandatory programs, primarily veterans compensation and pensions.
The discretionary total for FY 2020 is $5.4 billion more than FY 2019.
Of the total for FY 2020, $198.8 billion represents advance
appropriations for FY 2020 provided by prior-year appropriations laws.
In addition, the measure provides $218.6 billion in advance
appropriations for FY 2021 --- $87.6 billion for VA's medical accounts
and $131.0 billion for mandatory VA benefits. [...] The agreement
funds the VA MISSION Act at $8.9 billion in FY 2020 and $11.3 billion
in FY 2021. It also provides $154 million for the Blue Water Navy
Vietnam Veterans Act. Finally, it provides $1.9 billion for VA
homelessness programs and $3.1 billion for claims processing." The vote
was a motion to concur in the Senate amendment. The House agreed to the
motion by a vote of 297-120. The Senate later passed the bill and the
President signed the bill into law. [House Vote 689,
12/17/19; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/17/19;
Congressional Actions,
H.R.1865]
2018: Fitzpatrick Voted For The $1.3 Trillion FY 2018 Omnibus
Spending Deal Which Raised Spending By $138 Billion Over FY 2017
Levels, Including $7 Billion For The VA. In March 2018, Fitzpatrick
voted for the FY 2018 Omnibus spending bill. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "Combined, the spending measures would provide about $1.3
trillion in discretionary spending, with $1.2 trillion subject to
discretionary spending caps, and $78.1 billion designated as Overseas
Contingency Operations funds. The measure's spending levels are
consistent with the increased defense and non-defense budget caps set by
the two-year budget deal agreed to last month. That agreement increased
the FY 2018 defense cap by $80 billion and the non-defense cap by $63
billion. Given that the previous caps were set to reduce overall
discretionary spending by $5 billion, the net increase provided by the
omnibus is $138 billion over the FY 2017 level." The vote was on the
motion to concur in the Senate Amendment with an Amendment. The House
agreed to the motion, thereby passing the bill, by a vote of 256 to 167.
The Senate later agreed to the legislation, sending it to the president,
who signed it into law. [House Vote 127,
3/22/18; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/22/18; Congressional
Actions, H.R.
1625]
2022: Fitzpatrick Voted To Provide Funding For Medical Facility
Leases, Including $922 Million For Enhanced-Use Leases In FY 2022, And
$1.9 Billion For FY 2023 And Over $3.6 Billion For FY 2024 Through
2031 For Major Medical Facility Leases. In July 2022, according to
Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the Honoring our PACT Act
of 2022, which would "modify certain VA leasing authorities and
appropriate funding for VA medical facility leases, including $922
million for fiscal 2022 for enhanced-use leases, and $1.9 billion for
fiscal 2023 and over $3.6 billion for fiscal years 2024 through 2031
for major medical facility leases." The vote was on passage. The House
passed the bill by a vote 342-88, thus the bill was sent to President
Biden and became law. [House Vote 309,
7/13/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/13/22;
Congressional Actions, S.
3373]
2024: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Prohibit The Removal Of The Department
Of Veterans Affairs' Mission Statement From Signage. In June 2024,
Fitzpatrick voted against , according to Congressional Quarterly,
"amendment no. 42 that would prohibit the use of funds provided by the
bill to modify or remove any display of the VA that bears the mission
statement 'To fulfill President Lincoln's promise 'to care for him who
shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan' by
serving and honoring the men and women who are America's veterans.'"
The vote was on the amendment. The underlying legislation was the FY
2025 Military Construction-VA Appropriations. The House adopted the
amendment by a vote of 206 to 200. [House Vote 241,
6/4/24; Congressional
Quarterly, 6/4/24;
Congressional Actions,
H.Amdt.954;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
8580]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted Against An Amendment That Would Prohibit The
Use Of VA And Military Construction Funding To Modify Or Remove Any
Display That Shows The Original VA Mission Statement. In July 2023,
according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted against an
amendment to the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related
Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024, which would "bar the use of funds
provided by the bill to modify or remove any display of the Veterans
Affairs Department that bears its mission statement." The vote was on
the adoption of an amendment. The House adopted the amendment by a vote
of 221 to 212. [House Vote 376,
7/26/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/26/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
4366;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
301]
The Amendment Would Prevent The VA From Changing Their Mission
Statement. According to Congressional Quarterly, "Among the newest
of the 100-plus amendments submitted to the House Rules Committee,
which is meeting Tuesday afternoon, is one from Freedom Caucus and
Rules member Chip Roy, R-Texas, that would prevent the VA from
changing its mission statement, which is displayed at around half
the agencies' facilities. Roy's amendment would preserve the current
statement, which is this: 'To fulfill President Lincoln's promise
'to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his
widow, and his orphan' by serving and honoring the men and women
who are America's veterans.'" [Congressional Quarterly,
7/25/23]
March 2023: The VA Announced They Were Changing Their Mission
Statement To Be More Inclusive. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "The new mission statement, which the VA announced in
March --- arguing it would be more inclusive --- is this: "To
fulfill President Lincoln's promise to care for those who have
served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers,
and survivors." [Congressional Quarterly,
7/25/23]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted Against An Amendment That Would Have
Eliminated All Funding For The Office Of Resolution Management,
Diversity And Inclusion Within The Veterans Affairs Department. In
July 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted
against an amendment to the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and
Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024, which would "strike all
funding, $86.5 million, for the Office of Resolution Management,
Diversity, and Inclusion within the Veterans Affairs Department." The
vote was on the adoption of an amendment. The House rejected the
amendment by a vote of 204 to 227. [House Vote 372,
7/26/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/26/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
4366;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
296]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted To Prohibit The Use Of VA Funding To Interfere
With A Veteran's Participation In A Legal State Medical Marijuana
Program. In July 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly,
Fitzpatrick voted for the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and
Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024, which would "prohibit the use
of the bill's funds to interfere with a veteran's participation in a
legal state medical cannabis program, to enforce COVID-19 mask mandates,
and to implement the COVID-19 vaccination program for VA health care
personnel." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote
of 219 to 211, thus the bill was sent to the Senate. [House Vote 380,
7/27/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/27/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
4366]