Wicker Helps Craft Funding Boost For Veterans Programs

Statement

WICKER HELPS CRAFT FUNDING BOOST FOR VETERANS PROGRAMS

The House of Representatives continued a longstanding bipartisan tradition with approval of legislation to boost funding for programs designed to take care of our nation's veterans.

I am privileged to serve as the ranking minority member of the Military Construction/VA Appropriations Subcommittee. Republicans and Democrats on our panel worked together to craft a bill with funding increases that reflect our commitment to providing the best health care available for the men and women who have served in our armed forces. The bill also includes monies to continue improving and modernizing facilities for our military personnel at installations at home and abroad.

MORE VETERANS FUNDING

The funding level for the Department of Veterans Affairs for 2008 represents an 18 percent increase over the current budget. That is in addition to $1.8 billion provided for VA services in the recently-passed supplemental appropriations bill. The VA could face a challenge in absorbing such a large spending boost, and it is important that our Subcommittee hold oversight hearings to ensure these funds get to the vital programs that benefit veterans and their families.

This effort in support of our veterans continues the work undertaken by the Republican majority in Congress over the past 12 years. During that period, funding for VA programs was increased by 96 percent and eligibility rules were reformed to ensure more veterans access to VA health care services.

INCREASED HEALTH CARE ACCESS

During the Memorial Day work period, I visited a veterans' out-patient clinic in Columbus. It is one of 10 facilities throughout Mississippi delivering care in a setting that provides veterans in rural areas with easier, more convenient access to wide-ranging health services. I was pleased our bill provides the resources necessary to strengthen these activities.

Our legislation also included funds to add more than 1,000 claims processors to speed the resolution of veterans claims and cut the amount of time required to process those claims. The bill includes resources to improve the health records system to ensure more efficient transition for individuals leaving active duty service and entering the VA system.

While the bill had broad support, it was not without controversy. I expressed reservations about the military construction portion, which contained no specific project recommendations. Since 1958, the President and members of Congress have submitted requests for construction work, which are carefully evaluated by the Subcommittee and Defense Department before being included in the measure.

REVERSING COURSE ON EARMARKS

The Democrat majority abandoned that deliberative process in favor of a plan to add projects when a House-Senate conference committee meets to resolve differing versions of this bill. The good news is that broad criticism generated by this lack of transparency and accountability forced the Democrats to reverse course. For all future appropriations bills, the House will return to the more open and accountable process that allows full consideration, debate, and amendments on all earmarks before the legislation is passed.

Despite these concerns, this bill contains increased resources to benefit our nation's veterans and their families. Meeting those needs is a priority Republicans and Democrats share.

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