Democrats Want to Provide Our Veterans Historic Funding; Republicans Just Obstruct

Floor Speech

DEMOCRATS WANT TO PROVIDE OUR VETERANS HISTORIC FUNDING; REPUBLICANS JUST OBSTRUCT -- (House of Representatives - June 14, 2007)

(Mr. WALZ of Minnesota asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)

Mr. WALZ of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, this week Democrats are trying to honor our Nation's veterans and service members by fulfilling our sacred obligation to provide for their care.

We would like to bring a bill on the floor today that includes the largest increase in veterans' health care funding in the 77-year history of the Veterans Administration. It is enthusiastically endorsed in its current form by the American Legion, the Disabled American Veterans, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Paralyzed Veterans of America, and countless other veterans' service organizations. It should have been on the floor yesterday, but House Republicans continue to obstruct the process.

I ask my colleagues across the aisle to join us in supporting bills that will secure America by better providing for our veterans. Forcing meaningless procedural motions does nothing. Think of all the great things we can accomplish on the House floor for our veterans if we just simply work for the greater good.

Last week, every single member, Republican and Democrat, of the House Appropriations Committee supported the Military Construction and veterans funding bill. They all supported it because it provides for our veterans, as we promised.

I would hope today that Republicans would stop obstructing the process so that we can produce real results. Our veterans deserve nothing less, and they are watching.

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