[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 169 (Friday, December 7, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S12677]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   VETERANS' BENEFITS IMPROVEMENT ACT

  Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I rise today to urge an anonymous Senate 
colleague to lift his or her hold that has been placed on critical 
legislation for America's veterans.
  As you are aware, the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee approved 
important legislation in October that will make significant 
improvements to the Montgomery GI Bill, expand benefits for Persian 
Gulf War veterans, and enhance the VA Home Loan program. The Senate 
must act on the Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2001 before the 
end of this legislative session.
  I have advocated updating education benefits for veterans and 
introduced comprehensive legislation with Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) 
at the beginning of the year to bring Montgomery GI Bill benefits in 
line with the rising costs of higher education. The Veterans' Benefits 
Improvement Act represents an important first step in ultimately 
restoring the effectiveness of the Montgomery GI Bill as a tool in the 
recruitment and retention of the best and brightest in our armed 
forces.
  Unfortunately, an anonymous member of the Senate is preventing 
veterans from receiving these expanded educational benefits.
  I am equally disappointed that this anonymous hold is threatening our 
ability to increase the VA home loan guaranty in order to keep pace 
with FHA loan guaranties and extend housing loan guaranties for members 
of the Selected Reserve.
  Finally, I find it disturbing that during a time of war an anonymous 
member of Congress is willing to halt legislation that would help 
Persian Gulf War veterans with service-connected disabilities and 
Vietnam Veterans exposed to Agent Orange. The Veterans' Benefits 
Improvement Act rectifies several oversights for these brave men and 
women who served their country while also illustrating to members of 
the Armed Forces that our country keeps its promises to our veterans.
  The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) recently wrote Senate Minority 
Leader Trent Lott (R-MS) and urged him to prevail upon his colleagues 
to release the anonymous hold on this bill. The VFW correctly points 
out that with American servicemen and women currently in harms way, 
there is no justification for blocking action on legislation that 
recognizes veterans' service to our nation. I ask unanimous consent to 
have a copy of the VFW's letter printed in the Congressional Record 
following my remarks.
  I urge all Senators to help expedite passage of this important 
legislation and look forward to continue working with my colleagues on 
veterans legislation.
  There being no objection, the letter was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                          Veterans of Foreign Wars


                                         of the United States,

                                 Washington, DC, December 3, 2001.
     Hon. Trent Lott,
     Senate Minority Leader,
     U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Lott: On behalf of the 2.7 million members of 
     the Veterans of Foreign Wars and its Ladies Auxiliary, I urge 
     you, as Senate Majority Leader, to prevail upon one of your 
     Republican colleagues to release an anonymous hold he has 
     placed on a piece of legislation of great importance to our 
     nation's veterans.
       This bill, the Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2001, 
     would significantly benefit the men and women who have served 
     in our Armed Forces as well as those serving today and 
     tomorrow.
       It is our understanding that the Senator who is blocking 
     action on this bill is concerned that, along with a number of 
     other important provisions, it would authorize too much money 
     on enhancements to the Montgomery GI Bill. We are 
     disappointed and angered that this individual would single 
     handedly prevent a vote on this much needed legislation, 
     particularly for the sake of preventing an essential increase 
     in a educational benefit for veterans.
       With American servicemen and women on guard at home and 
     standing in harms way abroad, we assert that there is no 
     justification for blocking action on legislation that 
     appropriately recognizes and rewards their very special 
     service to the nation.
       This measure is much needed and enjoys strong support in 
     both the House and Senate. It is time that it be brought up 
     and voted upon.
           Sincerely,
                                                Robert E. Wallace,
     Executive Director.

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