WCBC

June 11th, 2015 by WCBC Radio

The House has passed the Department of Defense Appropriations Act (H.R. 2685) for fiscal year 2016. The appropriations bill included an amendment by Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6) increasing funding for the Fisher House Foundation. Fisher House provides free housing near hospitals for military and veterans’ families.

The Delaney amendment, which increases Fisher House funding from $5 to $10 million, passed the House by voice vote Thursday with bipartisan support. The increase is fully offset by a reduction in the Defense-wide Operation and Maintenance Account. To view video of Delaney speaking on the bill on the House floor, click here.

“None of our nation’s heroes should be alone at the hospital, separated from their families in their time of need,” said Congressman Delaney. “Fisher House provides an invaluable service, allowing military and veteran families to be together by offering free apartment-style lodging near hospitals. This is a fiscally-responsible increase that will address one of our nation’s top priorities: supporting servicemembers, veterans and their families. Fisher House is a beloved institution that is one of our country’s most highly-rated non-profits and my amendment will provide them with more resources so that they can build more homes. Unfortunately, there is a growing need nationwide for more new facilities. Now that my amendment has been included in the appropriations bill that has cleared the House, I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to build further support for increasing funding for Fisher House.”

This is the third year Delaney has introduced an amendment to the Department of Defense Appropriations bill increasing funding for Fisher House.

Since 1990, over 250,000 families have been served by the Fisher House program, including over 25,000 served in 2014. There are 65 Fisher Homes nationwide, which are typically within walking distance from treatment facilities or have transportation available.