Motion to Instruct Conferees on H.R. 2055, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2012

Floor Speech

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Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

This motion to instruct is well-intentioned but unnecessary. The motion would urge adoption of the Senate-passed level for VA medical research, which is $50 million above the House-passed level.

We all support our veterans and honor their service and sacrifice. We, of course, support the important research work the VA is doing for our veterans in fields such as traumatic brain injury and posttraumatic stress disorder. We provided a robust level of funding for this research in the House-passed version of the bill at a time when our overall funding targets were constrained. In fact, the House bill provided a total of $531 million for VA medical research, an increase of $22 million above what the White House and the VA requested. In addition, the VA still has $71 million in unobligated research funding left over from previous years that could be put to use. So even without the increase, the program level would still be well above the 2011 level.

We all agree that medical research at the VA is undeniably important and we want to do the best that we can for our veterans, particularly those in need of medical assistance. On that, there's no difference between the ranking minority member and myself and between the members of the subcommittee.

I can reassure the Members that we will work with our House and Senate colleagues to determine the appropriate level for VA research to continue to support and honor the service of our veterans.

While this motion is not necessary, I understand and agree with its intent; and I will work with the ranking member. And with reservations, I will accept the motion at this time.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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