Smith Calls on Leadership to Pass Veterans' Affairs Spending

Statement

Smith Calls on Leadership to Pass Veterans' Affairs Spending

Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE), co-chair of the Congressional Rural Veterans Caucus, was joined by 44 of his House colleagues to send a letter to President Bush and the leadership of both parties, calling for passage of the Military Construction and Veterans' Affairs appropriations bill no later than September 30, 2008.

The bill, which funds veterans' health care and housing initiatives, has historically passed with strong bipartisan support on a yearly basis.

"Veterans funding is not and should not be a partisan issue. Therefore, we should work together to make it clear Congress takes its obligation to our nation's veterans seriously. This summer, we can join together and pass an appropriations bill which will honor our commitment to our nation's veterans and show our appreciation for their service," Smith stated in the letter.

Last year, disputes between the Administration and Congress over unrelated spending delayed the passage of the funding bill by several months. This year, progress has been delayed mostly due to unwillingness by the House Appropriations Committee to move forward on the legislation.

"We only have a few weeks left before the end of the 110th Congress. We ask so much of our military men and women, they deserve our help when they come home. Congress has the responsibility to provide the funding our veterans need for their health care and well-being," Smith said.

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