[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21269]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    H.R. 2861, THE FISCAL YEAR 2004 VA/HUD AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES 
                          APPROPRIATIONS BILL

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                         HON. PETER A. DeFAZIO

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 3, 2003

  Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I regret that I was forced to vote against 
the fiscal year 2004 VA-HUD spending bill today.
  However, I could not, in good conscience, vote in favor of a bill 
that so clearly fails to meet the needs of our nation's veterans.
  A vote in favor of this bill is a vote to maintain the status quo, a 
status quo that has resulted in six month waiting lists, increased out-
of-pocket expenses, and limited coverage for many veterans. My vote 
against this bill is a signal that the status quo is totally 
unacceptable.
  I am not alone in condemning the VA-HUD appropriations bill for its 
failure to meet the needs of those who selflessly served our country in 
the armed forces. As top officials of national veterans organizations, 
including AMVETS, PVA, DAV, and VFW, wrote to Congress regarding H.R. 
2861, the legislation is ``wholly inadequate'' and ``represents a 
flagrant disregard to promises made to veterans by this Congress.''
  H.R. 2861 is $2.1 billion below the level set for veterans programs 
in the House Republican budget resolution. While I thought the House 
budget resolution was itself inadequate, a lower funding level is a 
slap in the face to veterans. H.R. 2861 is also $3.3 billion below the 
levels requested by national veterans organizations. The bill includes 
shortfalls for medical care, medical research and construction, among 
other areas.
  Mr. Speaker, the federal budget is about priorities. The lack of 
support for veterans programs in H.R. 2861 shows what happens when the 
President and his allies in Congress prioritize tax cuts for 
millionaires over adequately meeting our commitment to veterans.
  I reject that prioritization, which is why I voted against this bill. 
My vote was in favor of fully funding the benefits our veterans were 
promised, have earned and deserve.

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