[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 9, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H487]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      ADMINISTRATION DECREASES BUDGET FOR VETERANS ADMINISTRATION

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 19, 1999, the gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon) is 
recognized during morning hour debates for 2 minutes.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to bring to the attention of 
this House a serious problem that is facing our veterans.
  While the Clinton administration is discussing, if not formalizing, 
the decision to send our men and women into Kosovo, they are not 
planning or formalizing plans on what will occur when they return home. 
For the third consecutive year, the Clinton administration has produced 
a budget that cuts veterans' funding. The administration is adding new 
programs and placing new burdens on the Veterans Administration while 
decreasing their budget.
  The Veterans Administration budget has tremendous shortfalls in 
general health benefits, research grants for problems unique to our 
military veterans, and finally in burial benefits. Our veterans today 
are fortunate to even have a flag at their funeral let alone an honor 
guard. Over 50 percent of our national cemeteries are full or open only 
for cremation. Furthermore, only three new cemeteries are planned and 
with a 10-year window to open one, the problem of where our veterans 
are buried will only escalate in importance.
  How does the Clinton administration plan to solve these problems? By 
cutting funding for our veterans, by taking researchers out of the lab 
and into patient care, by refusing to offer a credible short-term, 
midterm, or even long-term solution to burial issues.
  As the Clinton administration continues to consider sending our men 
and women into harm's way, I call upon them to think about what they 
will do when they return home. Let's show some appreciation for their 
dedication and hard work by never again disgracing them with a budget 
like this.

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