Washington, D.C. - U.S. Representative Bud Cramer (D-Ala.) announced today that the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously approved the conference report for the final Fiscal Year 2006 Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Bill.

The FY 2006 bill provides a total of $70.2 billion for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.  This amount includes $22.5 billion for Veterans Medical Services, and increase of $1.7 billion above current year funding.  The bill also includes $2.2 billion for mental health services, $219 million for VA Home Loans program, and $46 million for Veterans Insurance.

"The sacrifices our nation's veterans have made are a large reason why our nation is a strong as it is today," said Cramer.  "We have asked so much of the men and women who have honorably served in our armed services and it is important that we take care of their needs after their service has ended.  This bill provides funding for a wide variety of services provided through the Department of Veterans Affairs and is a step-forward for our nation's veterans."

Representative Cramer was a member of the conference committee that approved the bill.

The conference report now moves to the Senate for consideration.