Making Supplemental Appropriations for Veterans Medical Services

MAKING SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR VETERANS MEDICAL SERVICES -- (House of Representatives - June 30, 2005)

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Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my great disappointment about the fact that the Republican majority has refused to allow Representative EDWARDS the opportunity to offer his bill to provide $1.5 billion in emergency funding for veterans health care. Instead, we are being asked tonight to vote up or down on a bill that will provide only part of the funds that are desperately needed to provide essential care to those who served our country so well. Full funding is critically needed by the Veterans' Administration to overcome its massive budget shortfall caused by the Bush Administration's war in Iraq and the Republicans' shameful budget.

Last Friday, the Washington Post reported that the Bush Administration finally acknowledged that it is short $1 billion for covering current needs at the Department of Veterans Affairs, despite repeated efforts by House Democrats to adequately fund VA healthcare. Even that admission is likely to be short of the mark. Earlier today, the Chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee reiterated that the Senate would quickly pass a $1.5 billion emergency supplemental if the House would first approve the measure. Unfortunately, the Republican majority has offered a bill that provides only $975 million, and then denied us the opportunity to offer an amendment to increase that level. To shortchange our veterans during a time of war is not only shocking, it is greatly disrespectful to the brave men and women who have volunteered their service to defend our country.

The shortfall that the VA is experiencing has resulted in some VA medical facilities no longer scheduling appointments for veterans, others not filling vacancies of medical and nursing staff, and others having to close operating rooms or not replace basic medical equipment, such as hospital beds.

Because of the Republicans' refusal to provide sufficient funding, many of the 50,000 veterans who are currently waiting in line for medical appointments will be forced to continue their wait. It is shameful that the Republicans in Congress have once again failed our veterans. It is apparent that the Republicans do not represent the priorities of the American people. At a time of war, Americans want the Congress to offer bipartisan support and services for our veterans and their families. They do not want us to shortchange military families and they certainly believe that taking care of our Nation's veterans should be a higher priority than providing tax breaks for millionaires. The Republicans should have done the right thing and worked with the Democrats on this nonpartisan issue.

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