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DEMOCRATIC PRESS RELEASE

Thursday, February 8, 2007

House Veterans' Affairs Committee Holds VA Budget Hearing

Chairman Filner Urges Bipartisan Approach to Address Funding Needs

Washington, D.C. - Today, the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, led by Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA) held a hearing to examine and review the President's fiscal year 2008 budget submission for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

VA Secretary, R. James Nicholson delivered testimony before the Committee, as well as a host of representatives from veterans' service organizations, including those that annually develop and publish the Independent Budget.

"I strongly believe that more resources are needed to properly fund the VA, particularly to address increased demand for mental health services, seamless transition matters and research," said Filner. "However, I applaud the VA for, at a minimum, submitting a budget that recognizes the need and calls for an increase in veterans' medical care, unlike the budget it submitted two years ago. And I believe this budget presents us with a framework from which to begin our analysis and move forward through the budget process," said Filner.

"I am disappointed that the VA has once again brought forward legislative proposals as part of its fiscal year 2008 budget submission. Instituting enrollment fees and increasing pharmacy co-payments have been rejected year after year by Congress and I see no different result this year again," said Filner.

"There is much work to be done to provide the VA with the funding it needs, and to make sure that the VA spends its resources wisely. I look forward to working with the VA and my colleagues on the Committee to ensure that the needs of our veterans, those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, and the veterans from our previous conflicts, are properly recognized and addressed," said Filner.

The House Veterans' Affairs Committee is developing its own VA budget views and estimates, ultimately, providing its recommendations to the House Budget Committee for consideration in the development of the entire federal government budget.

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Larry Scott

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