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UPDATE: PARTISAN WAR OF WORDS ERUPTS OVER VETS'
FUNDS IN STIMULUS BILL -- Rep. Chet Edwards
(D-TX)
accuses Rep. Steve Buyer (R-IN) of underfunding
VA programs for over a decade.
Story below:
Your comments accepted at bottom of
page.
Share story/email link.
-------------------------
by Larry Scott
I just love this kind of thing. Good old
partisan mud-slinging.
Last week, Rep. Steve Buyer (R-IN), Ranking
Member on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, issued a press release
claiming that veterans are a low priority in the stimulus package.
That story here...
http://www.vawatchdog.org/09/
nf09/nffeb09/nf021409-1.htm
More on Buyer,
not considered the most vet-friendly Congressman on The Hill, here...
http://www.yourvabenefits.org/s
essearch.php?q=buyer&op=and
Now, Buyer's claims have obviously outraged Rep.
Chet Edwards (D-TX), known is his part of the country as a very good
friend of veterans. More on Edwards and veterans here...
http://www.vawatchdog.org/09
/nf09/nffeb09/nf021409-1.htm
So, let the slug-fest begin.....
-------------------------
Edwards' press release is here...
http://news.prnewswire.com/ViewContent.a
spx?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/02
-20-2009/0004975927&EDATE=
Press release below:
-------------------------
Statement by Congressman Chet Edwards in Response
to Criticism of Veterans Funding in the 2009 American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act
WASHINGTON, PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- U.S. Representative Chet Edwards
released the following statement in response to criticism of veterans
funding in the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
"It has been said that it is easier to kick down a barn than to build one.
That appears to be the case regarding criticisms of veterans funding in
this bill.
Regarding Congressman Buyer's criticism of the bill, let me point out that
the Democratic Congress has increased veterans health care and benefits
funding by more in two years than the Republican-led House did in 12
years, including his years as Chairman of the VA Committee.
In 2007 and 2008 alone, the Democratic-led Congress increased veterans
funding by $16.3 billion, which is more than House Republicans did
collectively from 1995 through 2004.
In addition to the $16.3 billion increase by Democrats in just two years,
we also passed a historic 21st Century GI Education bill, which matched
the education benefits of the World War II GI Bill.
Having passed a new GI Education bill and $16.3 billion in new funding in
2007 and 2008 for veterans, the 2009 stimulus bill adds $1.4 billion in
additional funding to modernize our VA hospitals and $2.98 billion to
modernize DOD hospitals, barracks and day care centers.
For Republicans such as Mr. Buyer to vote against and criticize the
additional $1.4 billion for veterans after underfunding VA programs for
over a decade makes his criticisms look more partisan than substantive.
The difference is clear. Democrats in just over two years have provided
unprecedented increases in funding for VA programs, and Republicans'
record for veterans never matched their rhetoric. That's a fact."
Military Construction Funding in H.R.1 Conference Report:
Hospitals: $1.33 billion to recapitalize our aging military hospitals and
ambulatory centers. Many of these facilities are 40 or even 50 years old,
and are not suited to current medical standards and practices.
Troop and family housing: $335 million to build new barracks and
dormitories for our soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen as well as
further investments in quality family housing.
Child Care: $240 million for new child development centers on base. These
facilities will help military spouses hold down jobs, and provide
employment opportunities for caregivers.
 National
Guard: $100 million for the Army and Air National Guard. This will support
our reservists who have been heavily deployed in recent years, as well as
States who need Guard units for disaster assistance and homeland security.
Homeowners Assistance Fund: $555 million for assistance to military
homeowners, including wounded warriors and surviving spouses, who have
been impacted by the housing crisis.
Wounded Warriors: $100 million for warrior transition complexes to provide
services to wounded warriors and their families.
Energy Conservation Investment Program: $120 million to make military
facilities more energy efficient and save taxpayers money.
Veterans Affairs Funding in H.R. 1 Conference Report:
Medical Facilities: $1.0 billion for non-recurring maintenance, including
energy projects, to address deficiencies and avoid serious maintenance
problems at the 153 VA hospitals.
National Cemetery Administration: $50 million for memorial maintenance,
including those identified in the 2002 Millennium Act report to Congress,
for the National Cemetery Administration. These funds will enable the
National Cemetery Administration to work toward an established set of
cemetery standards of appearance throughout the system.
Claims Processors: $150 million for a temporary increase in claims
processing staff.
Information Technology Systems: $50 million to improve automation of
benefits processing.
State Extended Care Facilities: $150 million for grants to States for
extended care facilities.
SOURCE Office of Congressman Chet Edwards
-------------------------
posted by Larry Scott
Founder and Editor
VA Watchdog dot Org
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