[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 97 (Thursday, June 27, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1212-E1213]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




DEPARTMENTS OF VETERANS AFFAIRS  AND  HOUSING  AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT,  
           AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1997

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. CARDISS COLLINS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 25, 1996

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 3666) making 
     appropriations for the Departments of Veterans Affairs and 
     Housing and Urban Development, and for sundry independent 
     agencies, boards, commissions, corporations, and offices for 
     the fiscal year ending September 30, 1997, and for other 
     purposes:

  Mrs. COLLINS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I rise to again voice strong 
objections over rampant Republican extremism manifested in proposed 
cuts and decreased spending levels for the Departments of Veterans 
Affairs and Housing Urban Development.
  There is little doubt that most of us want a more streamlined and 
efficient Government. We want to make sure that our Government spends 
taxpayers' resources responsibly and frugally, but some of my 
colleagues on the other side of the aisle are being remiss in their 
duty as legislators as they continue their efforts to force the 
restructuring the Government services--Republican style--by making 
destructive, irrational and ineffectual cuts in spending.
  While I fully understand the overwhelming constraints facing the 
House during this year's appropriations process, I also understand the 
critical needs of my constituents of the Seventh Congressional 
District.
  H.R. 3666, the Republican's VA-HUD, and Independent Agencies 
appropriations for fiscal year 1997, has a total of $84.3 billion in 
fiscal year 1997--2 percent more than the fiscal year 1996 funding 
level, but $3.2 billion, or 4 percent less than requested by the 
administration--for programs and activities of the Veterans Affairs and 
Housing and Urban Development Departments, and for independent agencies 
including the Environmental Protection Agency, National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration, National Science Foundation, and Federal 
Emergency Management Agency.
  We must make certain that the agencies charged with administering 
certain vital services, are able to responsibly and effectively carry 
out their mission. Falling short of this

[[Page E1213]]

goal will certainly prove detrimental to the safety and well being of 
our citizens.
  My constituents call daily to say they oppose decreased funding for 
the Community Development Block Grant by 10 percent in fiscal year 
1997. In fact, Chicago's Mayor Daley recently contacted me to pass 
along his thoughts about the Republican cuts.
  The Community Development Block Grant program is exactly the kind of 
program this Congress should be holding up--and preserving--as a model 
for how partnerships between the Federal, State, and local governments 
should operate.
  John H. Stroger, Jr., President, Cook County Board of Commissioners, 
also predicted that the reduction of $1,579,100 under H.R. 3666, would 
translate to many of our low income constituents not receiving needed 
assistance for housing rehabilitation, senior citizen facilities and 
services, and neighborhood improvements. Definitely unacceptable cuts 
indeed!
  Mr. Speaker, cuts in veterans benefits also impacts my district. The 
bill before us today has a total of $38.8 billion in fiscal year 1997 
for programs and benefits provided by the Veterans Affairs Department.
  By the year 2010, the majority of our veterans will be over the age 
of 62, while the fastest growing veteran population today is over 80 
years of age. It is estimated that about 2.9 million patients will 
receive VA medical treatment in fiscal year 1997. This is a matter of 
grave concern to me, because many veterans in my district depend on 
veterans compensation as a sole source of income. But equally 
important, these veterans also need their eligibility for access to 
adequate health care.