[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 22]
[House]
[Page 30350]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                             BIPARTISANSHIP

  (Mr. WALBERG asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. WALBERG. Bipartisanship. You hear this expression tossed around 
quite frequently in political circles, so much so that perhaps it has 
almost become a cliche.
  Sadly, we don't see genuine examples of bipartisan cooperation in 
this Chamber enough, and this no doubt disappoints the American people. 
Over 140 days ago, Democrats and Republicans worked together to pass 
one of the largest necessary spending increases in the 77-year history 
of the Department of Veterans Affairs. To ensure the health and well-
being of our veterans, this bill is a needed investment veterans care 
about and the care they need to receive.
  Eight weeks ago, a similar version passed the Senate on a bipartisan 
basis. Instead of allowing the House and Senate to iron out minor 
differences yesterday, the House leadership insisted that veterans 
funding be held hostage for a wasteful, pork-barrel spending bill that 
would increase the deficit by $10 billion.
  No doubt this shameful game further disappointed the already jaded 
public perception of Congress.
  Let's get back to bipartisanship and swiftly pass this important 
legislation in its original form. Then together, on behalf of our 
veterans, we can all celebrate when it becomes law.

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