Inhofe Urges Support for Veterans Amendment
Congressional Desk
April 11, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), a Senior Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, spoke in support of his amendment, 742, to provide an exception for advance appropriations to the Department of Veterans Affairs for the Medical Services, Medical Administration, Medical Facilities, and Medical and Prosthetic Research accounts of the Veterans Health Administration. Below are Senator Inhofe´s Floor remarks, as prepared for delivery.
"Mr. President, I would like to speak in favor of my amendment.
"The budget regularly has a section creating a point of order against advance appropriations with a few exceptions. The purpose of this amendment is to provide an exception for advance appropriations to the Department of Veterans Affairs for the Medical Services, Medical Administration, Medical Facilities, and Medical and Prosthetic Research accounts of the Veterans Health Administration. My amendment simply says that should we decide to provide advance appropriations for VA programs, it wouldn´t violate the Budget Resolution.
"In 19 of the last 22 years, Congress has been unsuccessful in passing annual funding for veterans health care on time. Over the past seven years, the VA received its final budget an average of three months after the beginning of the new fiscal year. Delayed funding has hindered the VA´s ability to effectively and efficiently plan and manage their health care system. While waiting tirelessly for budgetary impasses to be resolved, our veterans and wounded warriors´ vital health care has been delayed.
"This amendment offers a solution by providing advance appropriations for veterans´ health care. It provides the VA with adequate, timely and predictable funding, resulting in better and smarter quality medical care for America's veterans.
"Secretary Shinseki has affirmed his support for advanced appropriations for veterans´ health care. In October 2008, during his campaign then-Senator Obama said, ´The way our nation provides funding for VA health care must be reformed…My Administration will recommend passage of advance appropriations legislation for the FY 2010 appropriations cycle.´ I am pleased that this initiative is supported by the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America, along with other Veteran groups.
"Importantly, this amendment spends no additional money. Rather, it just ensures a timely and predictable funding flow from fiscal year to fiscal year resulting in better care for our veterans and wounded warriors.
"I believe it is imperative that we uphold the commitment our nation has made to the men and women in uniform who sacrifice so much for our freedom to provide for their health needs."
"Mr. President, I would like to speak in favor of my amendment.
"The budget regularly has a section creating a point of order against advance appropriations with a few exceptions. The purpose of this amendment is to provide an exception for advance appropriations to the Department of Veterans Affairs for the Medical Services, Medical Administration, Medical Facilities, and Medical and Prosthetic Research accounts of the Veterans Health Administration. My amendment simply says that should we decide to provide advance appropriations for VA programs, it wouldn´t violate the Budget Resolution.
"In 19 of the last 22 years, Congress has been unsuccessful in passing annual funding for veterans health care on time. Over the past seven years, the VA received its final budget an average of three months after the beginning of the new fiscal year. Delayed funding has hindered the VA´s ability to effectively and efficiently plan and manage their health care system. While waiting tirelessly for budgetary impasses to be resolved, our veterans and wounded warriors´ vital health care has been delayed.
"This amendment offers a solution by providing advance appropriations for veterans´ health care. It provides the VA with adequate, timely and predictable funding, resulting in better and smarter quality medical care for America's veterans.
"Secretary Shinseki has affirmed his support for advanced appropriations for veterans´ health care. In October 2008, during his campaign then-Senator Obama said, ´The way our nation provides funding for VA health care must be reformed…My Administration will recommend passage of advance appropriations legislation for the FY 2010 appropriations cycle.´ I am pleased that this initiative is supported by the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America, along with other Veteran groups.
"Importantly, this amendment spends no additional money. Rather, it just ensures a timely and predictable funding flow from fiscal year to fiscal year resulting in better care for our veterans and wounded warriors.
"I believe it is imperative that we uphold the commitment our nation has made to the men and women in uniform who sacrifice so much for our freedom to provide for their health needs."
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