[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 18]
[House]
[Page 24684]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      VETERANS APPROPRIATIONS BILL

  (Mr. WALBERG asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, as I travel throughout my south-central 
Michigan district, I have learned over the past few months in town hall 
meetings, small group meetings, or coffees, that virtually all 
Americans believe we owe a great debt of gratitude to those who have 
worn the uniform in service to our country.
  Unfortunately, Democrat leadership in both Chambers appears willing 
to make the veterans appropriations bill, which funds our Nation's 
veterans health care, become part of political gamesmanship in 
Washington.
  It appears Democrats may withhold sending this bipartisan veterans 
funding bill to the President in an effort to ensure greater spending 
levels for their pet projects. There is a chance Democrats will hold 
off on final passage of this legislation so they can include it in a 
massive budget-busting spending bill at the end of the year.
  Let me be very clear. The funding of veterans should not be a 
political issue. Congress should swiftly pass this important 
legislation, and Republicans and Democrats should jointly celebrate 
when it becomes law.

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