What we owe them: Walz makes historic commitment to our veterans

Update: The measure passed with a veto-proof 409-2  (21 not voting).[/end update]

The House is scheduled to vote on important veterans' legislation today.  Here's a statement from Walz about the vote:

Walz makes historic commitment to our veterans
Says Spending Bill Provides "Single Largest Funding Increase" for Veterans Health Care

Washington, D.C.-Today, Congressman Tim Walz announced he will vote in favor of H.R. 2642, the 2008 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act.  The House is expected to vote on final passage of H.R. 2642 later today.

"This bill provides the single largest funding increase for the Veterans' Administration in the 77-year history of the agency.  I am proud to makethis historic commitment to veterans' healthcare and benefits programs," Walz said.  "We must continue to provide for the health and wellbeing of our returning and retired warriors."

While the appropriations bill has the support of every major veterans' service organization, President Bush has threatened to veto the bill because of its cost.  "Veterans did not create the President's budget deficit, and it is absolutely unconscionable that he would under-fund veterans' healthcare to try and pay for it.  I urge the President to come to his senses and sign this bill, because we can not conduct a war without caring for our warriors," Walz stated.

H.R. 2642 will:

*    Increase the VA budget by $6.7 billion above the FY07 level, the largest single increase in the 77 year history of the Veterans Administration and $3.8 billion above the President's request.

*    Significantly reduce the 400,000 claims backlog for veterans waiting for disability and other benefits by adding more than 1,100 new claims processors.

*    Provide much needed maintenance of VA health care facilities to prevent further breakdowns in care, similar to Walter Reed.

*    Create five polytrauma centers and three Centers of Excellence for Mental Health and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) by the end of the year.

*    Permit the Department of Veterans Affairs to transfer up to $15 billion for a joint program with the Department of Defense to ensure a seamless transition from active-duty to veterans' healthcare.

*    Develop and operate a toll-free telephone and web-based hotline for veterans to report problems with VA medical facilities and care.

Comments

[Jason B.]

Maybe a trauma center for me to work in... pending I get my licensure on the 28th!