[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 172 (Wednesday, November 7, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2344]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 3043, DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH 
AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS 
                               ACT, 2008

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. JAMES R. LANGEVIN

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 6, 2007

  Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Speaker, I wish to express my support of H.R. 
3043, the Fiscal Year 2008 Departments of Labor, Health and Human 
Services, and Education, and Military Construction-Veterans Affairs 
Appropriations Act.
  I have increasingly heard grave concerns from Rhode Islanders about 
the cuts and limitations in critical domestic programs over the past 6 
years. Currently, one in six Americans is without health insurance, our 
schools are in desperate need of resources to meet the standards set in 
No Child Left Behind, and the recent housing slump and credit crunch 
have left our economy in trouble. Our safety net programs are more 
important than ever, as Americans work hard to keep their families 
healthy and their finances in order.
  This legislation takes important steps to address the problems faced 
by so many Americans and prioritizes funding for those programs that 
have suffered the most under cuts by the Republican leadership in 
recent years. I am proud that Democrats have crafted a bill that will 
increase funding for Community Health Centers and Title VII programs, 
designed to increase access to health services for the medically 
underserved. This measure will also improve education by targeting 
resources toward special education and Title I grants to help low-
income students and by increasing the maximum Pell Grant from $4,310 to 
$4,925, making college more affordable for many students. And it 
rejects the President's proposed cuts for medical research at the 
National Institutes of Health by supplying a level of funding that will 
sustain existing, cutting-edge research into diseases like cancer, 
Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and heart disease. Finally, it provides $2.4 
billion for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program--$250 million 
more than the current level--offering much-needed relief to the 
residents of Rhode Island, who are now facing the highest prices for 
home heating oil on record.
  The Democratic leadership has also addressed the challenges facing 
our veterans by restoring accountability and oversight to ensure they 
receive the care they deserve. H.R. 3043 provides the biggest increase 
in veterans benefits in over 75 years, and the need could not be more 
urgent. This legislation includes an increase of $18 billion above the 
current level for military construction and veterans affairs, and is 
also $3.8 billion above the President's request. I am also pleased that 
this bill recognizes the concerns and reflects the advice of our 
veterans, by not only meeting, but exceeding the independent budget 
request, a needs estimate published by four veterans' service groups. 
This increase is critical to meet the needs of the many returning 
veterans who are suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or 
Traumatic Brain Injury and require better care to successfully rebuild 
their lives. Additional funding will help alleviate the backlogged 
claim process and provide much-needed maintenance for VA health care 
facilities. The support shown by this Congress is a testament to the 
priority all of us place on our veterans.
  In closing, I want to express my thanks to Chairman Obey for 
reconciling so many diverse needs to craft a fair and fiscally 
responsible package, and reiterate my support for H.R. 3043.

                          ____________________