Military Construction And Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2010

Floor Speech

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Mr. COHEN. Madam Chair, my amendment offered by Mr. Edwards of Texas increases the Medical Services account at the Veterans Administration by $1M with an offset of the same amount to the General Operating Expenses account.

It is my hope that this modest increase could be used toward the budget of the VA's Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP).

Started in 1998, the Education and Debt Reduction Program is an excellent asset to VA. The program is a loan repayment and debt cancellation program specifically for VA medical personnel. It helps the VA to recruit and retain the most competitive and qualified professionals.

Over the course of the year, I have encouraged the VA to review its processes for hiring and retaining its doctors, nurses, clinicians, psychologists, psychiatrists and other employees that are so critical to the treatment and care of our veterans.

In years passed, more medical personnel have wanted to participate in EDRP but were unable to enroll because of funding restrictions.

This amendment could directly address this program and I strongly encourage my colleagues to support it.

In closing, Madam Speaker, I want to thank Congresswoman Slaughter and staff for considering my amendment.

I also want to applaud Chairman Obey, subcommittee Chair Chet Edwards and staff for crafting a fiscally responsible appropriations bill that will benefit military construction projects, the veterans' affairs administration, and veterans throughout this country.

This appropriations bill took into consideration the most feasible parts of the President's requests as well as the concerns of our veterans and veterans groups.

For years, the Veterans Administration, Veterans Service Organizations, and veterans across the country have fought for advanced funding to ensure that the VA Healthcare system is funded in a timely and predictable fashion.

For the first time, Congress is providing advanced appropriations not just for the upcoming fiscal year but for two years ahead of time. This advanced funding will affect the medical services, medical support and compliance, and medical facilities accounts and will enable the Veterans Hospital in Memphis and Veterans Hospitals throughout the country to plan and implement its programs early.

It offers $4.6 billion for mental health, the same as the President's request and $800 million above the budget for 2009. This increase will allow the VA to better deal with the mental health diagnosis, care, and treatment of our courageous veterans.

I support this bill and again I ask for your support of my amendment as offered by Mr. EDWARDS of Texas.

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