Veterans Traumatic Brain Injury and Health Programs Improvement Act of 2007 and Veterans' Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007

Floor Speech

VETERANS TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY AND HEALTH PROGRAMS IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2007 AND VETERANS' BENEFITS ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2007 -- (Senate - December 12, 2007)

Mr. DURBIN. Last month, Mr. President, I came to the floor and asked unanimous consent for two bills from the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee--I did not ask that the bills be passed, only that they be brought to the floor and considered. I talked to Senator Reid of Nevada about this and wanted to give Senator Reid the option to determine the amount of time in the debate, in consultation with the Republican minority.

At that time, just as this morning, a Republican Senator--in that case, Senator Larry Craig of Idaho--objected. Why? Well, they objected because they did not want us to move to issues involving America's veterans. I think our veterans deserve to have legislation such as the bills I have asked to be considered.

The first of the two bills is the Veterans Traumatic Brain Injury and Health Programs Improvement Act of 2007. That bill would allow 1.3 million middle-income veterans to enroll for VA health care and increase the VA's beneficiary travel reimbursement rate--the first time that travel reimbursement rate would be increased in 30 years--to help veterans living in rural and remote areas.

There are programs, as well, for the treatment of veterans with traumatic brain injuries, the signature injury of the Iraq war.

Finally, the bill provides aid for homeless veterans, which is especially important at a time when one out of four homeless people you see on the streets in America are veterans.

I asked that this bill be brought up, that we agree on a time limit, consider it, and pass it.

Do you know how many speeches have been given on the floor of the Senate by Members on both sides of the aisle about our devotion to our soldiers, our men and women in uniform? Do you know how many speeches have been given on this floor on both sides of the aisle about how much we care and owe to our veterans? I am sure you could fill many Congressional Records.

So if this job is about more than just speeches and is about doing something to actually help our veterans, how could the Republicans continue to object? Object to helping veterans make it to the VA clinics and hospitals? Object to finding ways to eliminate homelessness among veterans? Object to the idea of expanding medical care for veterans who are the victims of traumatic brain injury?

If you want to vote against it, so be it. But to not even let us bring the bill to the floor for consideration? They did.

The second bill is the Veterans' Benefits Enhancement Act. This comprehensive legislation would improve benefits for all veterans, especially for those with disabilities, and it would also correct a sad historical injustice for Filipino World War II vets.

Again, I asked for unanimous consent. The Republicans objected. However, if the Republican objections are based on substantive provisions in the bill, then they should be all the more willing to enter into the unanimous consent request I proposed last month and will propose again today.

If we can limit amendments to those that are actually relevant to veterans issues, it will give an opportunity for all Senators to come to the floor and actually speak to an issue that means so much to our soldiers, to our veterans, and all of their families.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate may proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 335, S. 1233, Veterans Traumatic Brain Injury and Health Programs Improvement Act of 2007, at any time determined by the majority leader, following consultation with the Republican leader; that when the bill is considered, the only amendments in order to the bill, other than the committee-reported amendment, be first-degree amendments that are relevant to the subject matter of the bill, and that they be subject to relevant second-degree amendments; that upon the disposition of all amendments, the committee-reported substitute amendment, as amended, if amended, be agreed to, the bill, as amended, be read the third time, passed, and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table; that the title amendment be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table en bloc; that any statements relating thereto be printed in the Record.

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