{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=5635F6DF-02C4-4C4F-ADDE-C84E88023B43", "McConnell Celebrates Robley Rex VAMC Construction Milestone", "2023-11-30", "2023", "2023-11", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Mitch McConnell", "M000355", "www.mcconnell.senate.gov", "mcconnell", "https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) today celebrated a construction milestone at the Robley Rex Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) in Louisville, Kentucky. Senator McConnell, who has been a long-time advocate of the project and worked to secure the funding for construction of the facility, released the following statement which was shared during the Louisville VAMC\u2019s \u201cTopping Off Ceremony\u201d:\n\n\u201cThe debt we owe our servicemembers extends far beyond any program the government can provide. Today, however, we move one important step toward honoring this sacred obligation to our nation\u2019s heroes.\n\n\u201cAs the son of a World War II veteran, I always appreciate any chance I get to meet with our nation\u2019s servicemembers and, as Senate Republican Leader, to repay these brave men and women who, like my dad, answered the call to serve their country.\n\n\u201cFor nearly two decades, I\u2019ve been proud to secure over $1 billion in federal funding to construct this new medical center that will soon serve Kentucky and the greater region\u2019s many veterans.\n\n\u201cTo all the VA employees, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, contract partners, local leaders, and veterans involved in this effort, thank you for your countless hours of hard work that made today possible, and for your noble commitment to our Commonwealth\u2019s veterans.\n\n\u201cThis unique facility represents a rare opportunity for Louisville \u2013 and one we proudly welcome. I look forward to seeing the new Robley Rex VA Medical Center come to life and soon provide vital care to our Nation\u2019s servicemembers who have sacrificed so much to keep us safe at home.\n\n\u201cThank you, and God Bless.\u201d\n\nNOTE: Senator McConnell has proudly stood alongside this project\u2019s supporters and our veterans since day one. As Senate Republican Leader and a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, he has worked with four different administrations to ensure this new hospital remained a priority at the highest levels of government, steadily providing funding to make this facility a reality.\n\nIn 2008, Senator McConnell secured the project\u2019s first appropriation of $75 million in the Fiscal Year 2009 government-funding bill, which was used for the development of the new Louisville VAMC. Since then, he has brought home more than $1 billion for construction of the health-care facility. On Veterans Day 2021, Senator McConnell proudly joined Kentucky veterans at the groundbreaking ceremony for the hospital that will provide revolutionary, 21st century care to our nation\u2019s heroes.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:49:58Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=5635F6DF-02C4-4C4F-ADDE-C84E88023B43"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.7041410319507122, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}