[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 14 (Thursday, February 10, 2005)]
[House]
[Pages H525-H526]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      VETERANS HEALTH CARE BUDGET

  (Mr. STRICKLAND asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. STRICKLAND. Mr. Speaker, the President has sent his budget 
dealing a blow to veterans health care, and I would like to share with 
you what the veterans' organizations across the country think about it.
  Paralyzed American Veterans say the release of the 2006 budget 
request by the administration demonstrates a callous disregard for the 
services of America's veterans.
  The VFW says the President has delivered a disappointing funding 
request for the Department of Veterans Affairs. This budget will cause 
veterans' health care to be delayed.
  The DAV, the Disabled American Veterans, says the administration has 
proposed one of the most tight-fisted, miserly budgets for veterans' 
programs in recent memory. As a result, VA facilities across the 
country are cutting staff and limiting services even as the number of 
veterans seeking care is on the rise.
  The American Legion says veterans' health care is an ongoing expense 
of war. You do not thank veterans for serving their country and then 
tell them, Oh, by the way, you had better

[[Page H526]]

not get wounded or you will have to pay extra for your health care.
  Shame on this terrible veterans budget.

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