VFW WASHINGTON WEEKLY - Nov. 9, 2007
Friday, November 9, 2007 at 02:02 PM
by dist12
1. Congress Clears Stopgap VA Funding Measure
2. President Signs Veterans COLA & Mental Health Bills
3. Senate Committee holds VA Appeals Court Hearing
4. House VA Committee Hearing
5. Veterans Day Proclamation
6. VFW Leaders on the Move
7. VA/DOD to Test Single Physical
1. Congress Clears Stopgap VA Funding Measure: Congress attached a $2.9 billion increase for VA funding to a continuing resolution that funds the government through December 14. That proposal itself is attached to the Defense Appropriation bill, which is headed to the President's desk, where he is expected to soon sign it.
The $2.9 billion increase represents the amount the President requested back in January, an amount far below what the VFW has called for, and below what each chamber of Congress has approved in their respective versions of the VA funding bill. To this point, leadership of the House and Senate have been unable to steer a clear VA funding bill through Congress, even though the new funding year began on October 1.
The $2.9 billion increase will serve as bridge funding until Congress can complete work on the full funding bill, which would provide a total increase of over $6.6 billion for VA funding. The VFW appreciates the temporary measure, but we urge Congress' swift action in passing the full VA funding bill, so that VA can properly plan and budget for the current year, allowing them to hire the best doctors, nurses and mental health specialists to address the growing demand for VA health care and services, especially by those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. The $2.9 billion is a good first step, but we need to see real action and movement on the full funding bill.
