Committee on Veterans Affairs

COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS

Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, it is a pleasure to be here today with our colleagues from the House Veterans Affairs Committee and the members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The VFW has a rich tradition in enhancing the lives of millions through its community service programs and special projects, and I am proud to have their services in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

The work of our committees is as important as ever because of the thousands of new wartime veterans leaving the service and the increasing needs of our aging veterans. We owe all our veterans a debt of gratitude and I am committed to making sure we provide them with ample benefits and quality medical care.

President Bush has proposed significant increases in spending for our veterans, but it is important to keep in mind that his budget is only a starting point. Each year he has requested increases in funding for the VA and Congress has provided even more beyond those requests.

The last 2 years Congress has provided unprecedented increases in funding for VA health care. I support another substantial increase for VA health care this year and I am confident we will deliver. In fact, the budget resolution currently before the Senate provides for an extra $1.3 billion for the VA and rejects the proposed co-pay increases and enrollment fees.

VA conducts some of the most specialized medical research in our Nation. That research is especially important to disabled veterans. I oppose the proposed cut in VA research. The Budget Committee rejected that cut and I added an additional $101 million for research, a 25 percent increase.

Now that the CARES process is wrapping up, VA can begin new construction projects. We will be watching to make sure the Secretary carefully considers all proposed closings. I look forward to seeing new hospitals and clinics opened in Kentucky and around the Nation.

Last year I told the Secretary that VA had come a long way in fixing its problems but there was still a long way to go. I am glad to say that the system is stronger this year, but we must not let up. We must keep working to make sure our veterans
receive the assistance they need in a timely and convenient manner. I am committed to doing just that.

Finally, I recognize all the Kentucky veterans in the hearing room. I had a good visit with some of you in my office earlier this week. Thank you for making the trip today and thank you for your service to our Nation and your fellow veterans.