[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 105 (Thursday, July 30, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1483]
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, 1999

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                               speech of

                           HON. GLENN POSHARD

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 29, 1998

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4194) 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, 1999, and for other 
     purposes.:


  Mr. POSHARD. Mr. Chairman, it is with deep regret that I rise today 
in opposition to the VA-HUD Appropriations measure for fiscal year 
1999. I believe it provides inadequate funding for veterans' health 
care, and I cannot support a bill that shortchanges America's veterans 
in such an unjust manner.
  As a veteran, I am acutely aware of and deeply grateful for the 
sacrifices that America's veterans have made in service to their 
country. As a legislator, I am committed to ensuring that the needs of 
these citizens are accorded the highest priority. I have great respect 
for Chairman Lewis and Representative Stokes and am convinced of their 
concern for the welfare of our veterans. I also recognize the budget 
constraints which have forced them to make many difficult decisions. 
However, I believe that we can do better, and I am voting against this 
measure with the hope that veterans' health care and other programs 
will be granted the funding they deserve once it is made clear that 
this House will not tolerate such treatment of veterans' programs.
  The funding levels provided in this measure are simply not sufficient 
to ensure the high quality health care our veterans deserve. The tragic 
result of such a shortfall will surely be the elimination or reduction 
of many VA specialized care programs and the inability of the VA to 
guarantee adequate care to the veterans who depend on its services. I 
trust that my fellow Members will agree that this is not the way we 
should demonstrate our appreciation for their service and sacrifice.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in opposing this measure 
in an effort to make it clear to the American people and to the 
leadership of this body that we assign the utmost importance to funding 
programs that will meet the needs of America's veterans, and that this 
bill is a woefully inadequate expression of that priority.

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