[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 104 (Wednesday, July 29, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S9278]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  ADDING SENATOR BINGAMAN AS A COSPONSOR TO THE VETERANS MEDICAL CARE 
              AMENDMENT TO THE DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL

 Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, during the deliberations over the 
fiscal year 1999 Defense Authorization bill, I offered an amendment to 
increase spending for our nation's veterans medical needs. The 
amendment, offered on June 25th and numbered as 2982 would have allowed 
the transfer of $329 million from the defense budget to support the VA 
medical budget. The amendment would have transferred funds so as to 
avoid harming the readiness of the Armed Forces and the quality of life 
of military personnel and their families.
  The amendment's description was incomplete as to the listing of 
cosponsors and I would like to correct the record at this time. Along 
with Senator Wellstone of Minnesota, Senator Bingaman of New Mexico, 
also a longtime champion of veterans, should have been included as a 
cosponsor.
  Although the amendment did not receive the support of a majority of 
my colleagues, I appreciate the cosponsorship by Senator Bingaman and 
Senator Wellstone. I also appreciate the support of the 35 other 
Senators who voted in favor of increasing VA medical funding.

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