[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 76 (Wednesday, June 14, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S5823]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS

  Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I note my deep disappointment that the 
conference agreement for the emergency supplemental appropriations bill 
now pending before the Senate does not include the supplemental funding 
for VA health care that was included in the Senate-passed measure.
  Despite the fact that the Senate spoke strongly on the need to ensure 
that VA has enough resources during the balance of this fiscal year to 
be able to treat our Nation's veterans in an effective and timely 
manner, my amendment to add $430 million to the VA health care account 
was not included in the final compromise.
  Back in April and May, when we debated the supplemental 
appropriations measure here in the Senate, I was delighted that my 
amendment, cosponsored by 21 of our colleagues, to secure a relatively 
modest amount of emergency funding for VA health care was included in 
the legislation. The reasons we gave then in support of this funding 
were clear, and they remain so today.
  First, Vet Centers and other mental health programs need to be given 
more support if VA is to continue to be able to reach out to veterans 
in need of readjustment counseling or other psychological treatment, 
especially those returning from service in a war zone.
  Secondly, across the VA system, facilities need some additional 
funding to ensure that VA is able to continue to provide quality of 
care and availability of services for all veterans.
  At the time of the Senate debate, after a slight modification to the 
amendment so as to require the President to request the emergency 
funding in order for VA to receive it, the Senate voted 84-13 to adopt 
the amendment and include it as part of the supplemental package.
  My colleagues indicated their overwhelming support of the measure 
through that vote. In light of that show of support, the failure to 
include this VA funding in the pending measure is all the more 
regrettable, all the more unacceptable.
  Having just traveled to Iraq to see for myself what the situation is 
like on the ground there, I am even more steadfast in my belief that VA 
must have the resources it needs to care for returning servicemembers.
  Programs to transition our men and women in uniform who require 
mental health, prosthetic rehabilitation, or other specialty health 
care services back into civilian life are a clear, continuing part of 
the overall cost of war. These services are more important than ever, 
and we must do our part to support them.
  Although we did not succeed in keeping this additional funding in 
this measure, we will not give up the fight and will do our utmost to 
ensure that VA has the funding it needs.
  Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Vitter). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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