[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 78 (Wednesday, June 5, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E806]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AND VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED AGENCIES 
                        APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2014

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                               speech of

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 4, 2013

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2216) making 
     appropriations for military construction, the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year 
     ending September 30, 2014, and for other purposes:

  Mr. FARR. Madam Chair, on Memorial Day, we remembered the patriotic 
sacrifice of those that have lost their lives in service to our country 
and today, we renew our commitment to keep our promise to our nation's 
more than 2 million troops and reservists, their families, 22.2 million 
veterans, and 35.5 million family members of living veterans or 
survivors of deceased veterans.
  This committee has a strong history of working in a bipartisan way to 
produce a bill that supports our active duty servicemembers, our 
veterans and their families, and this bill is no exception.
  I commend the Chairman and Ranking Member for their hard work in 
ensuring that this bill is another significant step in fulfilling the 
promise our country made to leave no veteran behind.
  For example, even though Congress has fully funded the VA budget 
request for additional staffing and technology, the disability claims 
backlog continues to grow.
  While the VA has taken steps to rectify this deplorable backlog, we 
owe it to our veterans to exercise our Congressional oversight 
responsibilities to ensure that the VA actually fixes the backlog.
  I am pleased the bill before us today includes language I requested, 
with some of my Northern CA colleagues, that would add additional 
oversight requirements for the Veterans Benefits Administration and 
require regular updates from the VA on of the status of the backlog.
  Through regular updates from the VA, we ensure accountability and end 
the backlog.
  Additionally, I am pleased to see that this bill again recognizes the 
burial needs of our veterans in rural areas. The National Cemetery 
Administration has repeatedly stated that 10% of all veterans will not 
have access to a burial option in a national, state or tribal cemetery 
within 75 miles of their home.
  While the VA strategy outlined in the FY13 budget request to extend 
burial services to some rural veterans is a good first step, it fails 
to address a long-term strategy. The FY13 bill and report instructed 
the VA to correct this oversight and the FY14 report language reaffirms 
the need for the VA to develop a long-term strategy to provide burial 
services for all our nation's veterans, including those who live in 
rural areas. Veterans in my congressional district do not have access 
to a VA burial option, so I look forward to the Secretary's report on 
the VA's long-term strategy to address their burial needs.
  I would note that while this bill is $1.4 billion above last year's 
enact level, it is also $1.4 billion less than the President's request. 
While I am glad to see this bill has been protected from senseless cuts 
imposed by sequestration, I strongly believe this Congress needs to get 
back to the balanced approach we agreed to in the bipartisan Budget 
Control Act.

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