[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 187 (Wednesday, December 7, 2011)]
[House]
[Pages H8203-H8204]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 MOTION TO INSTRUCT CONFEREES ON H.R. 2055, MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AND 
     VETERANS AFFAIRS AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2012

  Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to 
take from the Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 2055) making 
appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans 
Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 
2012, and for other purposes, with a Senate amendment thereto, disagree 
to the Senate amendment, and agree to the conference requested by the 
Senate.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Kentucky?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DICKS. Madam Speaker, I have a motion to instruct at the desk.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will report the motion.
  The Clerk read as follows:

       Mr. Dicks moves that the managers on the part of the House 
     at the conference on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses 
     on the Senate amendment to the bill, H.R. 2055, be instructed 
     to recede to the Senate on the higher level of funding for 
     the ``Department of Veterans Affairs--Medical and Prosthetic 
     Research'' account.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 7 of rule XXII, the 
gentleman from Washington (Mr. Dicks) and the gentleman from Kentucky 
(Mr. Rogers) each will control 30 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Washington.


                             General Leave

  Mr. DICKS. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on the 
motion to instruct.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Washington?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DICKS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  The motion instructs conferees to provide the highest level of 
funding for medical and prosthetic research. This program helps the 
Department of Veterans Affairs develop cutting-edge treatments for 
veterans and their families. It is fully integrated throughout the 
medical community through partnerships with academic affiliates, 
nonprofits, and commercial entities, as well as other Federal agencies. 
It is unique because both the clinical care and research occur 
together.
  The Medical and Prosthetic Research Program plays a vital role in 
advancing the health and care of our Nation's veterans. Some of the 
areas that the Medical and Prosthetic Research Program focus on include 
mental health research, prosthetics, traumatic brain injury, and 
posttraumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. The program has emphasized 
efforts to improve the understanding and treatment of veterans in need 
of mental health care.
  We hear a lot about the casualties of war and soldiers who have 
sacrificed their lives in duty. However, over the past few years, the 
VA has begun to examine the psychological wounds of posttraumatic 
stress disorder. The motion will provide funding for the VA to care for 
veterans returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan who may suffer from 
depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.
  Funding for medical and prosthetic research in the House-reported 
bill was inadequate, and during floor consideration the House majority 
agreed to increase funding by $22 million. While I was pleased to see 
this increase, I believe we need to do more.
  The Senate-passed bill funds this program at the FY2011 enacted 
level, which is $51 million higher than the House-passed level. I 
believe the higher funding levels should be maintained because of the 
impact this research can have on the everyday life of our Nation's 
veterans.
  This Nation must get its fiscal house in order. However, even in an 
austere budget, we need to make room to fully fund our priorities. The 
Medical and Prosthetic Research Program is a high priority.
  I'm sure that all of my colleagues would agree we can never repay 
America's veterans for the sacrifice they have made for our country. As 
a first installment, we should make a substantial investment in health 
care research for our veterans, and I urge a ``yes'' vote on the motion 
to instruct.
  I reserve the balance of my time.

[[Page H8204]]

  Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  This motion to instruct is well-intentioned but unnecessary. The 
motion would urge adoption of the Senate-passed level for VA medical 
research, which is $50 million above the House-passed level.
  We all support our veterans and honor their service and sacrifice. 
We, of course, support the important research work the VA is doing for 
our veterans in fields such as traumatic brain injury and posttraumatic 
stress disorder. We provided a robust level of funding for this 
research in the House-passed version of the bill at a time when our 
overall funding targets were constrained. In fact, the House bill 
provided a total of $531 million for VA medical research, an increase 
of $22 million above what the White House and the VA requested. In 
addition, the VA still has $71 million in unobligated research funding 
left over from previous years that could be put to use. So even without 
the increase, the program level would still be well above the 2011 
level.
  We all agree that medical research at the VA is undeniably important 
and we want to do the best that we can for our veterans, particularly 
those in need of medical assistance. On that, there's no difference 
between the ranking minority member and myself and between the members 
of the subcommittee.

                              {time}  1240

  I can reassure the Members that we will work with our House and 
Senate colleagues to determine the appropriate level for VA research to 
continue to support and honor the service of our veterans.
  While this motion is not necessary, I understand and agree with its 
intent; and I will work with the ranking member. And with reservations, 
I will accept the motion at this time.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DICKS. I would ask for a vote on my motion to instruct, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the previous question is 
ordered on the motion to instruct.
  There was no objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion to instruct.
  The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that 
the ayes appeared to have it.
  Mr. DICKS. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this question will be postponed.

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