[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 84 (Wednesday, June 28, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1136]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AND 
             INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2001

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. JAMES H. MALONEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 27, 2000

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill. (H.R. 4635) 
     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, 2001, and for other 
     purposes:

  Mr. MALONEY of Connecticut. Mr. Chairman, I rise to express my 
concern about the deep cuts in the Veterans Administration-Housing and 
Urban Development--Independent Agencies (VA-HUD) Appropriations bill 
for Fiscal Year 2001. This legislation not only slashes funds for 
programs that have enhanced economic development and improved housing 
in Connecticut and the 5th Congressional District, but also short 
changes our nation's veterans and NASA programs. My support for the VA/
HUD Appropriations bill is conditioned on a conference agreement that 
increases funding for HUD, the Veterans Administration and NASA.
  If allowed to stand, the cuts to HUD programs will have a significant 
impact on the State of Connecticut and on my own congressional 
district, affecting both economic development initiatives and a variety 
of housing services. The Republican budget cutters have dug deep into 
initiatives that have proven track records of success. There is simply 
no reason to reduce our efforts to provide economic development for our 
towns and cities in the form of Brownfields monies and Community 
Development Block Grants (CDBG) funds. By doing so, we will set our 
communities and our economies backwards, rather than spur them forward.
  My colleagues, the VA/HUD Appropriations legislation cuts funding for 
key NASA programs. Specifically, the bill that passed the House reduces 
aerospace technologies by $322 million as well as cutting $60 million 
for Human Space Flight. This shortsighted action jeopardizes our 
country's leadership in space and our national security. Unless NASA 
funding is restored in conference, this legislation should not pass 
this Congress.
  I supported this bill because it contains an increase of $2.6 billion 
from last year funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs. The 
House-passed budget for the Department will go a long way toward 
helping our nation care for its veterans. For example, I am encouraged 
that the House provided $20.3 billion in funding for veterans medical 
care in Fiscal Year 2001. This is an increase of $1.3 billion over last 
year's funding. Funding totaling $351 million for veterans medical and 
prosthetic research also increased by $30 million from last year. Our 
veterans' cemeteries at the national and state levels were funded 
fairly as well. However, we need to do more for our veterans. There are 
a number of underfunded areas that require our attention. These include 
resources for veterans' extended care facilities and for the benefits 
they deserve. It is also essential that the Congress find additional 
funding to improve VA facilities across the country.
  I supported the VA/HUD Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2001 
because it restores badly needed funds for the Veterans Administration. 
I urge all of my colleagues to join me in working to reverse the 
housing, CDBG, economic development and NASA cuts in this bill. If this 
important funding is not restored, I reserve judgment on a Conference 
agreement on the final version of the bill. I urge you to do the same.




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