Providing for Consideration of H.R. Protect America's Innovation and Economic Security From Ccp Act of Providing for Consideration of H.R. No Who Pandemic Preparedness Treaty Without Senate Approval Act; Providing for Consideration of H.R. Dhs Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act; Providing for Consideration of H.R. End Chinese Dominance of Electric Vehicles in America Act of Providing for Consideration of H.R. Protecting American Agriculture From Foreign Adversaries Act of and Providing for Consideration of H.R. Continuing Appropriations and Other Matters Act, 2025

Floor Speech

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Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the Republican- led, 6-month continuing resolution that will devastate veterans and jeopardize their care.

In 2022, when I helped lead the passage of the Honoring our PACT Act through Congress, we promised veterans with exposures to toxic burn pits and other toxins that they would be taken care of. In fact, just last week, I hosted my annual Veterans University, and I heard from veterans directly about the life-changing impact PACT Act benefits have had on their lives.

An additional $12 billion is needed before the new year to maintain this medical care for veterans, but this CR bill provides zero dollars for veterans' medical services and restricts access to the medical care they earned and deserve.

According to the Office of Management and Budget, without the $12 billion, the VA would have insufficient funding to maintain medical care operations for veterans through fiscal year 2025.

The additional funds requested for the toxic exposure fund is largely due to the overwhelming increase in PACT Act enrollment. Our veterans need the medical care.

The success of the PACT Act has been evident in my district alone, where over 5,200 veterans have filed a claim.

Without this funding, the VA needs to begin addressing any potential shortfall as early as the first quarter of fiscal year 2025.

This continuing resolution pulls the rug from under the feet of veterans who are finally receiving access to care and benefits that they have fought for for almost a decade.

The extreme House Republican majority seems uninterested in those commitments to veterans, and they are shortchanging veterans $12 billion.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to defeat the previous question.

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