Date: 2005-06-30
Speaker: CORRINE BROWN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. I have been on the Committee on Veterans Affairs for 13 years. and let me say one thing: we do not have a shortage of money here in this Congress. We pass whatever we want whenever we want. The problem is. and I rise on behalf of all of the veterans. the problem is that there is not the will. The veterans are not the priority. What I said in committee I say on this floor today. We can send $1.5 billion over to the Senate. They can pick it. up. pass it. and tomorrow morning the President will be taking pictures. taking credit for it. but who wins will be the veterans. I am reminded of the words of the first President of the United States. George Washington. whose words are worth repeating at this time: "The Willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war. no matter how justifiable." and we are going to question that. "will be directly proportionate as to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated." Now let us not sham them. Everybody knows that the veterans need $3 billion. not $1 billion. $3 billion. That is what the independent budget says. The other side of the aisle is not surprised. They Jnow what they need. Why is it we cannot come together and give them something .more than this lip service? You all talk a great talk. Let us all come together and walk the walk for the veterans tonight. Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of veterans everywhere. What has been introduced here today is a sham. The emergency supplemental sent over by the President and accepted by the Republican leadership is wholly inadequate. This $975 million breaks down with money for many needed accounts. however. why should we believe their numbers now? They lied to us when submitting their budget in February. they lied to us when they came to our committees in April. they did not discuss any issues with the minority members of the Veterans Committee. What do we know that the Senate does not? Why is there more than $500 million less for veterans in this bill? Why are we still trying to balance the budget on the backs of the veterans? The 3 surgical operating rooms at the White River Junction VA Medical Center in Vermont had to be closed on June 27 because the heating. ventilation. and air conditioning system was broken and had not been repaired due to the siphoning of maintenance funds to cover the budget shortfall. The Community Based Outpatient Clinics needed to meet veterans increased demand for care in the North Florida/South Georgia VA Healthcare System have been delayed due to fiscal constraints. As of April. the Gainesville facility has nearly 700 serviceconnected veterans waiting for more than 30 days for an appointment. As a result of cost cutting measures to make up for the shortfall in FY 2005. the Portland. Oregon. VA Medical Center is delaying all nonemergent surgery by at least six months. Veterans in need of knee replacement surgery wont be treated because of the budget shortfall. The goal of the Republicans and President Bush is to delay funding to veterans health. By passing this level of funding. we are guaranteed a conference. That will delay funding. Our veterans cannot wait! Support our Veterans! Defeat the Previous Question and fully fund veterans health care! I am reminded of the words of the first President of the United States. George Washington. whose words are worth repeating at this time: The willingness with which our young peopl6 are likely to serve in any war. no matter how justified. shall be directly proportional as to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their country.