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Providing for Concurrence by House With Amendment In Senate Amendments to H.R. 3997, Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act of 2007

Date: Dec. 18, 2007
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Health and Health Care


PROVIDING FOR CONCURRENCE BY HOUSE WITH AMENDMENT IN SENATE AMENDMENTS TO H.R. 3997, HEROES EARNINGS ASSISTANCE AND RELIEF TAX ACT OF 2007 -- (House of Representatives - December 18, 2007)

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Mr. DOGGETT. Mr. Speaker, you would think there would be no disagreement that support for our troops which begins on the battlefield shouldn't end there, yet some Senate Republicans deleted from this very legislation an important provision authorizing eligibility for below-market affordable home loans of up to $325,000 through our Texas Veterans Land

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Board for our Texas veterans. These are the servicemen and women who served in Iraq and in Afghanistan and over the last 30 years who are excluded from the current program.

Today we say once more to these Senate obstructionists, stop and remember that those who fight to keep our homes safe deserve a fighting chance at homeownership. This bill is truly a way to honor our vets, not only with our words, but with our deeds; in this case, deeds to a home. When our vets are willing to pay the ultimate price for our freedom, we can afford the price of correcting this disparity.

This bill also prevents the expiration of existing group health insurance guarantees for mental health coverage. While maintaining this protection is very important, what we really need is prompt approval of full equity in all health insurance coverage so that mental health services are not treated differently from physical health services. Whether it is a broken leg or a broken spirit, folks need affordable access to professional care that includes treatment for addiction and depression. I salute our colleagues Congressman Kennedy and Congressman Ramstad in their bipartisan effort for mental health parity, including addiction and depression. Let's get it done in 2008.

Approval of today's bill encourages equity, equity in covering veterans whenever they have served, and at least a little equity in mental health coverage.

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