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REPUBLICAN PRESS RELEASE

March 27, 2007

House GOP Veterans’ Affairs budget: $3 billion over president’s request without tax hikes

Washington, DC — House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Steve Buyer (R-Ind) today unveiled the fiscal year 2008 Republican budget for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that provides strong funding while avoiding higher taxes embraced by congressional Democrats. During the five years from FY 2008 to FY 2012, the Republican budget would provide $8 billion more in mandatory and discretionary funding than the Democratic proposal.

“The Republican views and estimates added $1.4 billion to the president’s fiscal year 2008 VA funding request. Building on that recommendation, the Republican members of the House Budget Committee added an additional $1.5 billion in discretionary funding,” Buyer said. “Nearly $3 billion in additional funding over the administration’s request continues the GOP’s track record of strong funding for veterans. This funding includes increased medical services and a dynamic construction program for VA’s future strength.”

Within increased discretionary funding, $28.5 billion is recommended for medical services, $1.3 billion more than the administration requested. Republicans propose $1.25 billion for health care major facility construction, $691.7 million more than the administration’s request, as well as increased spending to slash the backlog in disability compensation claims. Republican increases would also accelerate the renovation and construction of national cemeteries.

“The Republican budget ensures strong veterans’ funding into the future with $38.4 billion in mandatory and discretionary funding over the next five years, all within a budget plan that balances the budget by 2012 and does not hike taxes on Americans,” Buyer said.

Details of the Republican budget proposal are attached. Click here to view... http://veterans.house.gov/
republicans/news/110/VABudgetDetails.pdf

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Larry Scott

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