Chet Edwards

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. And the gentleman's question is what amount is reasonable?

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. We look forward to that.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Kennedy), who has been a powerful voice on our subcommittee on behalf of our veterans, our troops and their families.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Mr. Chairman, now it's my privilege to yield for 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Boyd), a decorated Vietnam veteran and a valued member of this subcommittee.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield an additional 15 seconds to the gentleman.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Mr. Chairman, may I first inquire as to how much time we have remaining on our side.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I now yield 3 minutes to the chairman of the full House Appropriations Committee, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey).

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Mr. Chairman, at this time I'd like to yield 2 minutes to a member of the Armed Services Committee who has worked day and night for the troops and veterans in her district and this country, the gentlelady from Kansas (Mrs. Boyda).

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Mr. Chairman, may I ask how much time I have remaining.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Let me first yield myself 15 seconds, if I could respond. Mr. Chairman, the last speaker was simply wrong. He suggested this bill kills the European Missile Defense plan. It does not do that. He suggested there were political motivations. That is not correct. I hate to see that partisanship injected in a bill that has been put together on a bipartisan basis. We fund $140 million for that project. The project hasn't even been authorized by the parliaments in the Czech Republic or Poland. We allow the program to continue despite that fact. With that, I would like to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Altmire).

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. I would like to thank Chairman Visclosky for his leadership on this issue and Mr. Stupak as well. We all know that a healthy steel industry in the United States is not only terribly important for our economy, but it is critical to our Nation's defense. It is an industry we must have. So I look forward to working with the gentleman in good faith to see if we can take the language in this bill that already is supportive of the use of U.S. steel and see if we can't improve that language as we go forward.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Let me thank Mr. Rehberg of Montana and Mr. Thompson, a distinguished Vietnam veteran, for raising this important issue. I am glad the House has taken action on this issue in another measure. I am disappointed the other body has not. Given that fact, we could not add this provision to this bill under the rules of the House, but I will make a good faith effort to work with both of the gentleman to address what is a serious problem. These great Americans should be honored by our actions. I hope at the end of the day we can look them in the eye and say we have served them, just as they have served our country so honorably.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, this funding bill sends a clear message to America's veterans, servicemembers, and their families that Congress recognizes and appreciates their service to this country and the sacrifices they have made on its behalf. Those are not my words. Those are the words of the Veterans of Foreign Wars stated just 6 days ago. The Disabled American Veterans said this bill ``provides the means to serve and care for sick and disabled veterans, to provide housing facilities for military families, and to fund the activities of several other agencies that affect veterans, a most generous and necessary act.'' The American Legion said this bill effectively addresses every aspect of the VA budget. H.R. 6599 addresses improvement and increased funding for medical care, mental health care, medical research, long-term care, rural health care options, both construction, major and minor, nonrecurring maintenance, and claims adjudication. Mr. Chairman, the words expressed by these respected veterans organizations, which represent millions of men and women who have honorably served our Nation in uniform, are more important than any words I could express on this floor tonight. I want to salute the members of these organizations and the many other veterans and military family groups for the key role they have played in shaping this bill. Even more importantly, I want to salute our servicemen and -women, our veterans and their families for having defended our Nation in time of war and in time of peace and for ensuring that our Nation never forgets the sacrifices of those who have served past, present and future. This bill, Mr. Chairman, is about a lot more than just programs and budgets. It's about respect, respect for those who have answered our Nation's call to duty--everyday fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters from every generation, from every race and from every religion. Because of their service and sacrifice, we live in a safer, better world. This bill is about the moral responsibility of keeping our promises to those who have kept their promises to serve. It's about honoring the unsung heroes and heroines in our Nation's defense and the spouses and children of our servicemen and -women. These great Americans might not ever put on a military uniform, but they serve our Nation every day through their personal sacrifice. When one's loved one has been deployed overseas, there are no makeup days for missed births, birthdays and graduation ceremonies. No price tag could measure the value of missed baseball games, school events and the simple, everyday joys of a family's being together. This bill is about the young father I met just 2 weeks ago at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He lost both of his legs in combat in Iraq. As he sat there, talking to me with his young son in his lap, I could not help but be overwhelmed by the lifelong sacrifice this father had made to try to make the world a safer place for my two young sons and for all children. This bill is about seeing that that loving father does not have to give up the dreams he has for his child. The humility of this bill, Mr. Chairman, is our knowing that we could never fully repay the debt of gratitude we owe this soldier and all who have served our Nation in uniform. Yet we know it is the right thing to do to honor these great Americans, not just with our words on Veterans' Day but with our deeds every day--with better health care, housing, education, and daycare. That is what this bill is all about. Let me be specific. Overall, this bill totals $72.7 billion in discretionary spending. That is $3.4 billion more than the President's request and $8.8 billion more than the last fiscal year in 2008. Especially given our Nation is at war, I believe our troops, our veterans and their families have earned every single dime of this funding. I'm disappointed that the administration has said that its lower budget request is adequate. It is not. Just today, the DAV, the AMVETS, the Paralyzed Veterans of America, and the VFW have said this: ``We concluded the President's budget request for 2009 was about $3 billion short of the actual and equitable needs of veterans. We are shocked to learn the administration is insisting that the VA has been given sufficient funding for next year in its original budget submission.'' The bill provides $47.7 billion in discretionary funding to the Department of Veterans Affairs. This is $2.9 billion more than the President's request and $4.6 billion more than fiscal year 2008. What does this mean to millions of veterans who need the VA health care system? First, based on a Bush administration policy adopted in 2003, veterans have been told in some parts of the country that making $28,430 a year makes them too wealthy to qualify for VA health care. I think that policy is wrong and unfair to many veterans who cannot simply afford health insurance with an income level so far below the national average. That is why this bill raises the number priority 8 veterans eligible for VA care by 10 percent. Second, with $4 a gallon gasoline, we increase the mileage reimbursement rate for veterans driving long distances to VA hospitals and clinics from 28\1/2\ cents to 41\1/2\ cents. Until this Congress acted last year, that rate had been locked in at 11\1/2\ cents since 1979 when gasoline prices were less than $1 a gallon. Mr. Chairman, this increase in gas mileage reimbursement to our veterans may not seem like a big deal to some, but to many veterans, that is the difference between their being able to afford to drive to a VA hospital to get the care they desperately need or not being able to do so. Third, for Iraq and Afghan war vets as well as for veterans from all past conflicts, this bill ensures that a minimum of $3.8 billion, $900 million more than last year, will be spent on mental health care services. The mental wounds of war often outlast the physical wounds of combat, and it is past time that we adequately fund mental health research and care so our veterans can rebuild their lives once they return home. Fourth, to help veterans in rural areas and members of the Guard and Reserves living so far away from VA facilities, we provide $200 million to increase access to local health care providers. I thank our ranking member, Mr. Wamp, for his strong leadership on this important provision, among many others. Fifth, no soldier, no veteran--not one--should ever again have to live in the demeaning conditions that some saw at Walter Reed's annex 18 last year. They deserve better than that, and that is why we provide $300 million to address the backlog and nonrecurring maintenance at our VA hospitals. In addition, we fund $1.9 billion for much needed construction at VA hospitals and clinics. Sixth, none of us should rest until there is not one homeless veteran anywhere in our country. That is why we provide in this bill $40 million more in order to help these homeless veterans receive the medical services and job training that they need. We want them to have not only the dignity of a roof over their heads, but we want them to have real hope for rebuilding their shattered lives. Seventh, the bill provides the Veterans Benefits Administration with enough funding to hire an additional 2,100 claims processors. It's not right. It's simply not right for veterans to have to wait on average nearly 6 months to have their claims processed. For many veterans, including combat wounded veterans, that wait means that they don't get the benefits that they earned through their military service and, for many of them, the benefits they desperately need to pay their monthly bills. There is much more in this bill for veterans, from better prosthetics for amputees to research for post-traumatic stress disorder. Two things are not in this bill--the administration's ill-advised proposals to increase prescription drug copays for veterans by 88 percent and the idea to charge a $250 VA health care enrollment fee for our vets. Making drugs less affordable would hurt veterans' health and would require many of them to seek more expensive hospital care. I believe, for one, that our veterans have already paid an enrollment fee for VA health care. They did it when they put on our Nation's uniform. Mr. Chairman, in addition to keeping our promises to veterans, this bill supports important quality of life and training improvements for our servicemen and -women and their families. It provides $24.8 billion for military construction, family housing and the Base Realignment and Closing program, known as BRAC. This is $400 million above the President's request. This will mean better housing and improved health care and modernized hospitals for our military families. For single moms and dads at home with their children while their spouses are in harm's way overseas, this bill will provide quality, affordable daycare for their children. For thousands of our single soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines, it will mean the end of old, outdated barracks and a place they can be proud to call their home. We specifically added $200 million to the administration's budget request so they can begin to replace woefully inadequate training barracks. This will send a clear message that our Nation respects the decision of 18-, 19- and 20-year-old military recruits, their decision to sign up to serve our country. Honoring our troops, our veterans and their families is a meaningful way that is not only the right thing to do; it is the smart thing to do. In an all-volunteer military force, the best in the world, we simply cannot expect to attract and to retain the best and brightest if we do not provide quality housing, health care and education for military troops and their families and if we do not keep the promises that we have made to our veterans. The bottom line is this: This bill is about maintaining a strong national defense and military readiness and about respecting with word and deed those who defend us and our freedom. Mr. Chairman, let me end by thanking those who made this bill possible. I would begin by thanking Speaker Pelosi, who has kept her promise that the new Congress would truly honor our veterans and our servicemen and -women in an historic way. Under her dedicated leadership, we have increased veterans' funding in less than 2 years by more than what Congress did in the previous 12 years, including a new 21st-century GI education bill that passed just a few weeks ago. In my 18 years in Congress, I've served with no Speaker of either party who has done as much for veterans as has Speaker Pelosi. Her legacy will benefit millions of veterans for generations to come. I want to thank Congressman Dave Obey, the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, and Congressman John Spratt, the chairman of the House Budget Committee. It was their strong personal leadership combined with the work of Speaker Pelosi that made it possible for us to pass last year the largest increase in VA health care benefits in the 77-year history of the VA. As a Democrat, I'm proud that the budget resolutions passed last year and this year made a commitment to unprecedented increases in veterans' health care and benefits. Those resolutions authorized the funding for our subcommittee's work. Let me be very clear. The 2009 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill is a bipartisan accomplishment. I want to pay special tribute to our subcommittee ranking member, Mr. Wamp of Tennessee. Through 19 hearings, his deep and genuine commitment to our troops and to our veterans was evident to every one of us privileged to serve with him. His ideas and input and commitment to always putting the interests of our troops and veterans above partisanship made this bipartisan bill possible. His leadership made this bill a much better bill, and for that I salute him. Let me also express my gratitude to all of the members of our subcommittee, Republicans and Democrats alike. Each one of them made valuable contributions to this bill. Veterans and our troops are the beneficiaries of their hard work. A special thanks is owed to Mr. Lewis of California and to Mr. Young of Florida. They didn't just help shape this bill. Their dedicated, lifelong leadership on behalf of all of those who have served in uniform is what public service should be all about. I thank you, sir. Finally, I want to pay tribute to a staff that is second to none anywhere in the Congress--to the majority staff led by subcommittee clerk Carol Murphy, Tim Peterson, Mary Arnold, Walter Hearne, and Donna Shahbaz and John Conger on my staff, and the minority staff led by Martin Delgado, Liz Dawson and Kelly Shea, and Amanda Schoch from Mr. Wamp's staff. Also, a special thanks to Mr. Rob Nabors, the clerk of the full Appropriations Committee. I thank you all for the professionals you are, for the hard work you do and for reminding all of us that, when it comes to supporting our troops and veterans, we can and we must work on a bipartisan basis. [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH31JY08.001 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH31JY08.002 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH31JY08.003 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH31JY08.004

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. I want to thank Mr. McCarthy for mentioning this issue. I was one of those several years ago who raised serious questions about whether BRAC was adequately funded or not. We were told it was. It turns out construction costs have skyrocketed in fact above original estimates. I would look forward to working with the gentleman to see that our subcommittee, working with Mr. Wamp in good faith, exercises the oversight that we have a responsibility to carry out to see that BRAC dollars are spent, spent wisely, spent efficiently, and that we do everything humanly possible to keep the BRAC process on time.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I reserve a point of order on the gentleman's amendment.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Mr. Chairman, this is a bill to provide health care and benefits for America's veterans and their families, America's service men and women and their families. This is not an energy bill. The speaker that just spoke knows it, I know it, and the veterans of America know it. Let me read to you from the VFW Action Alert from 3 days ago. ``Some Members of Congress may try to attach nonrelated items to the bill which would hold up or even defeat final passage. We ask you to contact your representatives today and urge them to pass a clean VA- MilCon Appropriations bill. Tell them that further delay hurts our veterans and our troops on the ground. Let them know that we expect them to reaffirm their priorities by doing the right thing and passing the funding bill quickly.''

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. I am speaking in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Mr. Chairman, let me say to this body what the Disabled American Veterans said about amendments such as this. ``It is our strongest recommendation that this bill be unfettered with nongermane amendments. We observe in media accounts that some Members of the body may wish to offer such amendments, and we fear that if these amendments are ruled in order for floor debate, they may bring down the bill. Accordingly, we ask that you work with the majority leader and minority leader to ensure this key bill, one that impacts one in every four Americans and is a vital priority for DAV and our membership, is passed in the most orderly manner without the distractions attendant to the political season or party differences on unrelated national priorities.'' Mr. Chairman, let me tell you what the Veterans of Foreign Wars have said about this type of amendment, and I quote from their newsletter from 6 days ago. ``We believe attaching them (nongermane amendments) to this critical veterans' bill could jeopardize its passage by unnecessarily delaying it or even grinding debate completely to a halt. This is unacceptable.'' Mr. Chairman, I have to make a choice on this amendment to stand with the gentleman and Mr. Boehner, or stand with millions of America's veterans. For me, that is an easy choice. I will stand with our veterans, fight for a clean VA military construction bill that was put in good faith together on a bipartisan basis. The energy debate should be left for another day. Let's take care of our veterans. Let's honor our veterans, our troops, and their families. They deserve no less.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Yes, I do.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I make a point of order against the amendment because it proposes to change existing law and constitutes legislation in an appropriation bill and, therefore, violates clause 2 of rule XXI. The rule states, in pertinent part: ``An amendment to a general appropriation bill shall not be in order if changing existing law.'' The amendment changes the application of existing law. I ask for a ruling from the Chair.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I reserve a point of order against the gentleman's amendment.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Yes, I do.