[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 26, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E589]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      STANDING UP FOR OUR VETERANS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. TIMOTHY H. BISHOP

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 26, 2003

  Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to shed light on an 
attack committed under cover of darkness and to praise our heroes who 
turned back that assault.
  I am speaking of the dishonorable conduct of the members of this 
House, which at 3 o'clock in the morning on March 21 voted for 
devastating cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs--totaling $14 
billion over 10 years--including cutting health care and compensation 
for disabled veterans. Under ordinary circumstances, this would simply 
be the wrong thing to do. But to cut this funding while hundreds of 
thousands of our soldiers--soon to be war veterans--are thousands of 
miles away fighting for our freedom, is hypocritical in the extreme and 
displays a shocking lack of gratitude for the sacrifice and 
selflessness of our troops.
  I am proud to support our veterans. And I believe that in war and 
peace, we must show veterans the utmost respect. Many people come to 
this floor and say they respect our veterans and say that our veterans 
are their priority. However, I believe that a priority is only a 
priority when it is adequately funded. In other words, we need to put 
our money where our mouth is and give veterans the resources they need. 
It is particularly offense that we are not giving veterans what they 
need and deserve in order to fund hundreds of billions of dollars of 
tax cuts which will disproportionately benefit the already very 
wealthy.
  This assault on our veterans did not escape the notice of the 
vigilant veterans' watchdog groups. The Veterans of Foreign Wars, 
American Legion and Disabled American Veterans were outspoken in their 
opposition. I was particularly struck by the words of Edward R. Heath, 
Sr., National Commander of the Disabled American Veterans, who said:

       Cutting already under funded veterans' programs to offset 
     the costs of tax cuts is indefensible and callous. It is 
     unconscionable to cut benefits and services for disabled 
     veterans at a time when we have thousands of our service 
     members in harm's way fighting terrorism around the world and 
     when we are sending thousands more of our sons and daughters 
     to fight a war against Iraq.

  Fortunately, thanks to the forceful opposition of veterans' groups 
and pressure from congressional advocates in Congress, I am optimistic 
we may not only prevent cuts to veterans programs, but possibly even 
increase funding. The Chairman of the House Budget Committee has 
reversed course and stated that he will follow the lead of the Senate, 
which has approved increases for veterans.
  While I am encouraged by this change of heart, until the Chairman's 
words are enacted into law, it is vital that advocates for veterans 
remain vigilant and ensure he keeps his promise.
  Mr. Speaker, our veterans are watching, and the American people are 
watching. Now more than ever, let's show our troops that this Nation 
will always support them. Let's put actions ahead of words and make 
funding our veterans a real priority of this Congress.

                          ____________________