Pearce Calls on Leadership to Move on Veterans' Funding

Statement

Pearce Calls on Leadership to Move on Veterans' Funding

Today, Congressman Pearce delivered a letter to the President along with both House and Senate Leadership calling on them to move forward on veterans' funding and to prevent these critical resources from becoming a political tool. Recent steps by the majority to avoid voting on energy legislation have prevented the House from bringing up the Military Construction and Veterans' Affairs Appropriations bill that provides funding for veterans. A bipartisan group of more than 40 House members have signed on to Pearce's letter.

"Veterans funding is not and should not be a partisan issue. Therefore, we should work together to make it clear that Congress takes its obligation to our nation's veterans seriously," Pearce said in the letter. "Since 9/11 we have called on our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines to keep us safe from terror. Their sacrifices now and in conflicts past are immeasurable; however, when they call upon us to uphold our promises to them as veterans, the Majority Leadership continues to fall short. This summer, we can join together and pass an appropriations bill that will honor our veterans' commitments and show our appreciation for their service."

Pearce, a Vietnam veteran, continued: "If past tragedies such as the shock of inadequate care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center are to be avoided in the future, we must pass veterans funding on time. We must also never forget the sacrifices our veterans have made for us. As members of Congress, we have a solemn obligation to fulfill our promises to them."

"We call upon your leadership to see that veterans funding be removed from the political infighting and gamesmanship that will inevitably occur over the Fiscal Year 2009 budget by passing veterans funding before September 30, 2008."

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