Honor Veterans With Deeds As Well As Words

Pelosi: 'Honor Veterans With Deeds As Well As Words'

Washington, D.C.-House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi joined Congressman Ike Skelton of Missouri, Congressman John Spratt of South Carolina, Congressman Ted Strickland of Ohio, and representatives of veterans service organizations, at a news conference this afternoon to discuss this week's votes on veterans' issues. Congressman Spratt released a new report detailing the President Bush's plans, if he is reelected, to make deep cuts in veterans' health care after 2005. Below are Pelosi's remarks:

"Good morning. Thank you all for joining us. I'm very pleased to be here with my distinguished colleagues Congressman Ike Skelton, who is the Ranking Democrat on the Armed Services Committee; Congressman John Spratt, who is the Ranking Democrat on the Budget Committee and also serves as part of the leadership as the Assistant to the Minority Leader; and Congressman Ted Strickland of Ohio, who has been a champion for America's veterans and health care.

"I'm also pleased to be joined by the Air Force Sergeants, American Legion, Blinded Veterans Association, Disabled American Veterans, Fleet Reserve Association, Jewish War Veterans, Military Officers Association of America, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Retired Enlisted Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Vietnam Veterans of America.

"It's really quite a special honor to stand before the Capitol of the United States, this magnificent symbol of freedom throughout the world. And as we celebrate the birth of our country this Fourth of July, we also pay tribute to the veterans who have preserved that freedom for more than two centuries. We must honor those veterans with deeds as well as words.

"This was a significant week in the fight to honor our veterans, and you saw clearly the differences between the two parties on this important issue.

"Providing for our veterans should not be a partisan issue, but sadly there are real differences between the priorities of the parties, when it comes to veterans, at this time.

"In the House yesterday, Congressman Dave Obey proposed a bill that would have provided $2.3 billion to maintain quality health care for veterans and would have improved the quality of life for military personnel and their families. Republicans roundly rejected it.

"In the Senate, Senator Tom Daschle proposed an amendment to establish mandatory funding for veterans' health care, which I support. Republicans roundly rejected it.

"And Congressman John Spratt is releasing a report today, prepared with Congressman Lane Evans, who is our Ranking Democrat on the Veterans' Affairs Committee, which details even deeper cuts in veterans' health care that President Bush is planning to make if he is reelected.

"There is some positive news this week. The Defense Authorization bills passed by the House and Senate make progress on ending the Widow's Tax and speeding up the end of the Disabled Veterans' Tax, and we applaud those efforts. In fact, we were all honored to work with these veterans' service organizations in advancing those causes.

"But the Widow's Tax and the Disabled Veterans' Tax should be ended completely and as quickly as possible, so that widows and military retirees get the benefits they have earned and that they deserve.

"It is time to move beyond partisanship and to work together to serve our veterans who have served us so bravely.

"On the battlefield, our troops pledge to leave no soldier behind. When they come home, let our pledge be to leave no veteran behind.

"When we return from the Fourth of July district work period, we should do what we should have done this week - improve veterans' health care, end the Disabled Veterans' Tax, and end the Widow's Tax."