Rep. Courtney: Iraq War End in Sight
Rep. Courtney: Iraq War End in Sight
Congressman Joe Courtney announced today that he will support the Iraq war supplemental bill that was approved by the House Appropriations Committee. Congressman Courtney also condemned President George Bush's threat to veto the bill. The Iraq supplemental is expected to be considered by the House of Representatives next week.
Mr. Courtney released the following statement:
"The Iraq supplemental funding bill is a balanced compromise that I will support. Connecticut's courageous military families may now have hope that the end to the Iraq war is finally in sight. They have sacrificed the most for our country, and we owe them leadership in Washington, DC that is worthy of their service. As our servicemen and women return home, it is the Congress, not the Bush Administration that is working to get veterans the health care and benefits owed to them. When I was elected to Congress, I promised that I would reasonably and safely begin a drawdown of this conflict and this is an important step in that direction."
The Iraq supplemental sets an August 2008 end date for our troops' deployment in what is now an Iraq civil war. The bill protects and honors our troops by prohibiting the deployment of American soldiers that do not have proper training and equipment. Importantly, the bill will boost resources for the Veterans Administration to address the backlog of claims that has blocked essential help for returning soldiers and veterans from previous wars.
Congressman Courtney lauds provisions of the supplemental that will benefit our nation's veterans who have paid a costly price and deserve our admiration and respect.
The supplemental appropriation adds $1.7 billion to Defense Health Care above the President's request. The funding supports expanded medical services and health care for active duty forces and their families, including:
$450 million for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder/Counseling
$450 million for Traumatic Brain Injury care and research
$730 million to prevent health care fee increases for our troops
$20 million to address the problems at Walter Reed
$14.8 million for burn care
The supplemental appropriation request includes an additional $1.7 billion to improve the health care needs of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and veterans' needs overall throughout the VA, and maintaining health care facilities, including:
$550 million to address the backlog in maintaining VA health care facilities - intended to prevent the VA from experiencing a situation similar to that found at Walter Reed
$250 million for medical administration to ensure there are sufficient personnel to support the growing number of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and to maintain a high level of services for all veterans
$229 million for treating the growing number of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans
$100 million for contract mental health care - with this funding allowing the VA to contract with private mental health care providers to ensure that Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are seen in the most timely and least disruptive fashion, including members of the Guard and Reserve
$62 million to speed up the processing of claims of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan
The bill also includes other funding requests to support our troops and enhance their safety while in combat, including:
$2.5 billion more to address the current readiness crisis of our stateside troops, including ensuring that they are better equipped and trained
$1.4 billion more for military housing allowances
$311 million more for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles for troops in Iraq
$222 million more for infrared countermeasures for Air Force aircraft to address the growing threat against U.S. air operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
http://courtney.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=60754