[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 33 (Tuesday, March 12, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E326]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  BALANCED BUDGET DOWN PAYMENT ACT, II

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                               speech of

                         HON. LUIS V. GUTIERREZ

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 7, 1996

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 3019) making 
     appropriation for fiscal year 1996 to make a further 
     downpayment toward a balanced budget, and for other purposes:

  Mr. GUTIERREZ. Mr. Chairman, the Republicans believe they have a 
great plan to put a downpayment on a balanced budget.
  They believe they have found a perfect method to cut what they 
consider to be excessive ``social spending.''
  They have proposed legislation that slashes funding by $900 million 
for veterans health care, veterans employment programs, and the 
construction of new veterans psychiatric care facilities. They have 
said ``No'' to needed VA hospitals and outpatient clinics which would 
have served up to 700,000 veterans. These cuts are for below President 
Clinton's budget request and are even below the House-passed level with 
regard to health care issues.
  On top of all that, they have now given themselves a safety 
mechanism. They have invented a sure-fire way to guard their plan from 
criticism.
  How?
  By removing these indefensible provisions? By realizing the errors of 
their huge budget cuts?
  No. Instead they choose to silence someone who has the courage and 
the expertise to point out the flaws in their budget plan, our 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Jesse Brown.
  In the Republicans believe their plan is such a marvelous solution to 
our budget woes, why then are they trying to muzzle the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs from during his job, advocating for adequate funding 
for VA programs? Why else would the Republicans aim their funding cuts 
at the Secretary of Veterans Affairs travel budget and staff support?
  I think I know the answer.
  Maybe the Republicans themselves don't believe their plan is so wise. 
Maybe they know their downpayment unfairly cuts funding for those men 
and women who served under our Nation's flag. Maybe they fear that 
veterans will be informed of these cuts and will vote their concerns at 
the ballot box next November. Maybe they are worried that the next time 
they drape themselves in the flag the American people won't buy it.
  They know that Secretary Brown is speaking the truth. They know that 
he is a strong and knowledgeable advocate for veterans.
  I can find no other explanation.
  The Republicans must doubt their own commitment to veterans. They 
must fear that Jesse Brown will expose their budget for what they know 
it is. Why else would they prevent the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
from speaking out on the issues that he knows best?
  I urge my colleagues to oppose the rule for this continuing 
resolution. It prevents those who really care about our Nation's 
veterans from striking punitive language aimed at silencing the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
  It attacks the independence of a cabinet level agency and silences 
the best voice America's veterans have. It compromises Congress' 
commitment that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs would be an effective 
advocate for the millions of men and women who served in our military. 
This rule is bad for veterans and bad for the United States.

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