[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Pages 15243-15244]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                            VETERANS FUNDING

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, it is 10 o'clock at home, 1 o'clock here. I 
am confident some of the veterans are watching this. We are talking 
about the veterans who have served our country so well for so long 
going back to World War II, to people who have come home today.
  We are talking about helping these men and women. We are talking 
about the need for the full amount of money. They always get 
shortchanged. What if we gave them the right amount of money? What if 
we gave them a little bit of extra money? Would it matter?
  I am very disappointed we are not able to do what the Senate 
requested and voted for just a few hours ago, even hours ago, after the 
Appropriations Committee, one floor below this Chamber, agreed 
unanimously that we stick by our number.
  As a result we have done that. Again, the veterans have been 
shortchanged. I am disappointed. I don't in any way question the 
motives of my distinguished friend from Idaho. I know he has the best 
interests of the veterans at heart. But I don't know if the veterans 
understand that. I hope we can resolve this issue quickly. The veterans 
deserve this.
  Even though it is early Friday morning in the Eastern United States, 
it does not take away from the seriousness of what we are doing. The 
House made a very big mistake, I repeat, and again shortchanged 
American veterans.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, it is 1 o'clock in the morning. We have had 
a very productive month. It is time to


[[Page 15244]]


wrap up. We will be in session tomorrow, as well, but no rollcall 
votes.

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