[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 190 (Thursday, November 30, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2272]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 2099, DEPARTMENTS OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND 
HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS 
                               ACT, 1996

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                               speech of

                           HON. CORRINE BROWN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 29, 1995

  Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the 
conference report on the VA-HUD appropriations bill. President Clinton 
has announced his intention to veto this bill because it funds veterans 
programs at $900 million less than what he requested in his budget.
  Right now, nearly 2 million veterans live in Florida, nearly 60,000 
in my district alone. More veterans live in Florida than in any other 
State except one. And 100 veterans move to Florida every day. These men 
and women are growing older and need medical care.
  Mr. Speaker, this bill is a slap in the face to Florida's veterans. 
The President requested $154 million for the Brevard County Hospital 
which would serve Florida's veterans in and around my district. But the 
Republicans in Congress took away that money. That hospital so 
desperately needed by veterans will not be built.
  Where do sick veterans in Florida go for hospital care? For the last 
few years, hundreds of Florida veterans who have developed 
psychological problems are shipped out of State. That is right. They 
get shipped off to Mississippi and Alabama for their care. Two 
beautiful States, indeed, but far away from their loved ones in 
Florida. I think this is wrong. To me, there is nothing more compelling 
than the need to care for veterans who suffer the effects of fighting 
our wars. That is why Florida needs the Brevard County Hospital.
  According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, with this bill, 
almost all renovation and construction of veteran's health facilities 
will terminate. A funding freeze would lead to a sharp reduction in the 
number of employees who counsel veterans and decide claims for 
benefits. The VA's award-winning medical and prosthetic research 
program would be cut in every year under the freeze.
  Mr. Speaker, balancing the budget is a top priority. And I am 
committed to doing just that. The President is also committed to a 
balanced budget. But in balancing the budget, a shared sacrifice is 
necessary. And I share the President's view that we must not balance 
the budget on the backs of our Nation's most fragile citizens--seniors, 
veterans, poor women, children, and the disabled.
  Our Nation's veterans earned their benefits through service and 
sacrifice. It should be America's highest priority to honor our 
commitment with our veterans. I believe it is wrong to abandon our 
veterans who have gone in harm's way to serve our country. We need to 
take care of our U.S. servicemen and women--when they are fighting our 
wars, and when, as veterans, they need health care. I urge my 
colleagues to vote against this bill.

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