WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) met with Stephen Black, the new director of Robley Rex Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC), today in his office in the U.S. Capitol. During the meeting, Director Black updated Senator McConnell on plans for the new Louisville facility and discussed their work to support Kentucky veterans.
“I was pleased to discuss with Director Black our shared commitment to advancing the Louisville VAMC project,” said Senator McConnell. “I was honored to thank him for his service to our nation’s heroes and look forward to working with him to fulfill our promise to the more than 300,000 veterans who call Kentucky home.”
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell meets with Louisville VAMC Director Stephen Black
Earlier this year, Senator McConnell announced that President Donald Trump included $481 million -- at the Senator’s request -- in his Fiscal Year 2020 budget request for construction of the VAMC. Of the $481 million, $410 million will go towards construction and $71 million will be used by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to manage the project.
Last year, Senator McConnell contacted U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) Robert Wilkie to ensure his support for the inclusion of the Louisville VAMC project in the President’s FY 2020 budget request. In February, Senator McConnell also contacted Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director and Acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney to advocate for the Louisville VAMC.
As Congress moves through the appropriations process, Senator McConnell, a senior member on the Senate Appropriations Committee, will continue to make the Louisville VAMC a top priority. Senator McConnell previously secured a total of $450 million for the project, including the initial $75 million for the project secured in 2008. In 2009, legislation introduced by Senator McConnell naming the current and future VAMC after Robley Rex was enacted into law. Senator McConnell has never endorsed a specific location for the new VAMC.
