FOUR MAJOR VSOs TAKE ON REP. STEVE BUYER -- HOUSE VETS'

COMMITTEE CHAIR CAUGHT IN THE CROSS-FIRE ON JOINT

HEARINGS ISSUE -- BUYER'S "BOY", PRESS AIDE

JEFF PHILLIPS, SLAPS VSOs ONE MORE TIME BY

SAYING, "WE ARE WASTING TIME ON THIS."

I love this.  The four major VSOs coming together on a very important issue.

Background here... http://www.vawatchdog.org/old%20newsflashes%20JAN%2006/newsflash01-23-2006-7.htm

Article here... http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/itsbuyerbeware.htm

We have two pieces on this issue today.

First is the joint statement by the VSOs.

Second is an article in the Air Force Times with relevant quotes from Buyer's "Boy", his press aide, Jeff Phillips.

IMPORTANT:  Have you noticed that Buyer does not speak to the press?  He has to have a mouthpiece.

Joint statement here... http://www.legion.org/?content=buyer

Joint statement below:

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Joint Letter to Chairman Buyer, House Veterans Affairs Committee

May 5, 2006

Honorable Steven Buyer, Chairman
Veterans’ Affairs Committee
U.S. House of Representatives
335 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Chairman Buyer:

Veterans’ Service Organizations (VSOs) and Congress have for over 50 years realized the importance of presenting to the Veterans’ Affairs Committees our estimates and recommendations on the budgetary needs of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other legislatives issues. It should not come as a surprise that the leadership of the undersigned VSOs is united in opposition of your decision to eliminate the Committee’s participation in joint hearings of the Veterans’ Affairs Committees. While we have all at one time or another protested this unilateral decision, we now present unanimous displeasure at your decision in one unified voice.

The fact that you have made a decision without consulting VSOs is on its face, disrespectful to our organizations and our millions of volunteer members that live and advocate for their fellow veterans and their families all across this great nation. The fact that you continue not to listen could be considered, without resorting to too much speculation, hostile, and indeed we feel that you are being hostile in your dealings with VSOs. It is our hope that this letter will cause you to rethink your decision to shut America’s veterans out of the congressional debate for adequate VA funding.

Your sudden “revelation” last year that VA was drastically under funded came as no surprise to us. The fiscal year 2005 budget recommendations provided by The American Legion and the Independent Budget (IB) were nearly identical to the final budget numbers approved by Congress after the emergency supplemental was approved.

Your decision to “advance the Committee’s annual legislative hearing schedule” by deciding that the joint hearings are unnecessary not only denies the members of the Veterans’ Affairs Committees in both houses the insight of the VSOs, but it also kills a deep tradition that has afforded the national leaders of the veterans’ community the opportunity to present the VA budget recommendations and the entire legislative agenda of the respective organizations. In addition to an adequate budget for VA and quality-of-life issues for veterans and their families, VSOs advocate for an array of issues that seek to promote patriotism and strengthen national security. Mr. Chairman, don’t silence the voice of America’s veterans.

Veterans’ Service Organizations are not single issue organizations, and our members take advantage of their time in Washington to visit with their congressional representatives to share with them all of the organizations legislative priorities. Veterans Rehabilitation, access to quality health care, military quality-of-life, foreign relations and benefit and educational improvements are among the many issues that VSO members discuss with all Members of Congress, not simply the members of the Veterans’ Affairs Committees. These visits effectively convey the broad catalog of issues advocated by VSOs as well as educate those members who may not be as familiar with the needs of VA and America’s veterans as the members of the Veterans’ Affairs Committees.

Mr. Chairman, every VSO has agreed that canceling the joint hearings is an affront to the national leadership of the VSO community as well as all of America’s veterans. Additionally, we do not agree with your assessment that VSOs are being afforded an increased opportunity to influence the budget debate. As evidenced by your Views and Estimates, our recommendations for an adequate budget and improvements to benefit programs administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs went unheard.

We hope that you will hear us now as we speak together as one against your decision to no longer hold joint hearings.

Sincerely,

THOMAS L. BOCK
National Commander
The American Legion

JAMES R. MUELLER
Commander-in-Chief
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S.

EDWARD W. KEMP
National Commander

AMVETS PAUL W. JACKSON
National Commander
Disabled American Veterans

C: All Members of Congress

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Air Force Times article here... http://www.airforcetimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-1768384.php

Air Force Times article below:

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Hearings’ cancellations irk vets’ advocates

By Rick Maze
Times staff writer

Four major veterans groups remain irked that the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee has canceled annual joint hearings to hear from veterans’ leaders.

TO READ THE REST OF THE STORY, GO HERE... http://www.airforcetimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-1768384.php 

--------------

Larry Scott

(go back to VA Watchdog dot Org Home Page)

	Web www.vawatchdog.org

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