[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 167 (Wednesday, October 31, 2007)]
[House]
[Page H12244]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page H12244]]
                           FUND OUR VETERANS

  (Mrs. DRAKE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. DRAKE. Madam Speaker, this is day 31. That is 31 days so far 
that our veterans have not had the use of the increased funding for 
their benefits in health care. That is $18.5 million a day not able to 
be used. And why? Because the Democratic leadership has decided to not 
complete this bill and send it to the President who has agreed to sign 
it.
  In June, this House passed this appropriation bill with a $6 billion 
increase in a bipartisan manner. We were proud of our work and grateful 
to our veterans. On September 6, the Senate passed their bill. This 
work is done.
  Our veterans are not pawns in a political game. They are heroes. 
America expects us to get the job done. America expects us to provide 
the best care for our veterans. Please join me in calling upon the 
Democratic leadership to put our veterans first and send this bill to 
the President now.

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