[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 164 (Tuesday, September 22, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S5750]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           GOVERNMENT FUNDING

  Mr. MORAN. Madam President, we must take our duty to America's 
veterans seriously, which is why the circumstances we find ourselves in 
today are extremely unfortunate. The extensions for important VA 
programs for the upcoming fiscal year--just 8 days away--are currently 
being held up from being considered and passed in the Senate.
  This extension bill was negotiated in earnest and the four corners of 
the Senate and House Veterans' Affairs Committees agreed upon this 
legislation. This was a collaborative effort, not a partisan one, but, 
nonetheless, this bill has not yet been cleared by the Senate minority.
  Let me be clear: Countless veterans rely on these programs. Let me be 
clear: They expire at the end of the month.
  From raising veterans out of homelessness to making certain that 
COVID-19 doesn't disrupt a veteran's pursuit of higher education, to 
helping rural veterans get their medical appointments, the fiscal year 
2021 VA extenders bill contains a wide variety of extensions for 
programs that support a multitude of veteran populations.
  Additionally, we have requested consent for several House-passed 
bills that will improve mental health care for veterans and increase 
annual veteran benefit rates to keep up with inflation. These are 
commonsense ideas that have broad support and will make meaningful 
differences in the lives of our veterans. These are items that would 
normally pass the Senate without difficulty.
  Our veterans should not wait and should not need to wait. They can't 
afford to wait for the Senate to act on these matters. The deadline is 
quickly approaching. Our Nation's veterans did not serve their country 
for partisan reasons, and we must not let any partisan differences 
prevent us from authorizing the programs to support those veterans.
  I ask my Senate colleagues to fulfill our collective duty regarding 
veterans programs and that we do not allow other issues to distract 
from that duty.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Tennessee.

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