[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 199 (Thursday, December 14, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H14876-H14877]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       THE SPEAKER'S BALANCED BUDGET PLAN SHOULD INCLUDE VETERANS

  (Mr. OLVER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)

[[Page H14877]]

  Mr. OLVER. Mr. Speaker, in last month's continuing resolution 
agreement, the gentleman from Georgia [Mr. Gingrich] and President 
Clinton committed to a balanced budget that ``must provide adequate 
funding for veterans,'' but Newt Gingrich's current budget plan hurts 
veterans. That budget cuts health coverage for veterans, it increases 
costs for prescription drugs for veterans, it hikes costs for veterans' 
home loans, and it even cuts some pension benefits for veterans. That 
budget provides $400 million less than what the veterans' health system 
needs in fiscal year 1996 to provide current quality health care for 
veterans. Many of Newt Gingrich's own Republican Members objected to 
this cut until they had their arms twisted by their leaders. Newt 
Gingrich should live up to his commitment to a balanced budget that 
gives veterans what they deserve.

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