Mr. Edwards: Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 1½ minutes.
Let me just take 30 seconds of that and say I thank Mr. Buyer, former chairman of the VA Committee, for emphasizing our work for veterans isn't done when this bill passes. There is a lot of oversight that needs to be done, and we will be working on that on a bipartisan basis.
But let me say I am proud of the new congressional leadership in providing $6 billion increase over 2007 for VA health care, because you can't repair VA hospitals without funding. You can't hire 1,100 new case workers to reduce the intolerable delay of combat-wounded veterans to get their benefits without money.
Money is a necessary, perhaps not sufficient, solution but absolutely necessary to provide the veterans health care and benefits that they have earned by sacrificing for our country.
Mr. Chairman, I yield the balance of my time to Mr. Obey.
Mr. Obey: Mr. Chairman, the gentleman who just spoke has expressed a certain degree of unhappiness with the remarks that I made previously on the floor. I treasure his unhappiness.
The fact is that when Harry Truman was President, he was out giving a speech one day, and someone in the crowd hollered, "Give 'em hell, Harry!" And Truman responded, "I don't give them hell. I just tell the truth and they think it's hell."
The fact is, I am very comfortable with the fact that the previous speaker did not like my comments, because I think maybe that means they hit home. The fact is the previous speaker was the person who was selected by the then Republican Party leadership to replace Mr. Smith after Mr. Smith was, in essence, fired from his job by the majority because he told the truth about the VA health care needs.
So I will be happy to endure the unhappiness of the gentleman with my comments anytime if we can use that unhappiness to get more money for people who sacrificed everything for this country.
Mr. Wicker: Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to my friend from Florida (Mr. Young).
Mr. Young of Florida: Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding to me, and I want to say that I am very, very proud to be working with Chairman Edwards and Ranking Member Wicker as a member of this very important subcommittee.
The Department of Veterans Affairs is going to have much more responsibility as the months go by, probably more than they realize. One of the reasons is that military medicine has gotten so much better. Medicines are better, medical techniques are better, the ability to evacuate a wounded soldier from the battlefield is much better, and we have intensive care units on our aircraft today so better medical care can be provided to the wounded soldier, marine, and the wounded heroes.
Because of that many of our heroes are living today who would have died in previous wars and previous battles. But also because of that some of them are hurt worse than normal, and the Veterans' Administration is going to eventually have the responsibility once these heroes leave their military medical facilities at Walter Reed or at Bethesda or some of the other military hospitals.
One of the things that this bill does, and it does a lot of good stuff, and I'm strongly in support of this bill, it increases funding for the Inspector General for the Department of Veterans Affairs. And I know that oftentimes we think that the Inspector General just looks at dollars and figures and decides if the money is being spent or accounted for.
The Inspector General from the Department of Veterans Affairs does a really great job, not only in doing that, checking the dollars, but also in checking for fraud. And it is amazing how much fraud the IG has uncovered in the last couple of years, costing upwards of hundred of millions of dollars to the taxpayer, and taking it away from the veteran who needs it and the hospitals and the medical professionals who need this money to care for the veterans.
But also, another part of their responsibility is the care that the veteran receives in the VA hospitals. They look at this very closely, and if and when the medical care in the hospital is not appropriate and not proper, they report this to the proper authorities.
The investment that Chairman Edwards has made in the Inspector General's Office in this bill will pay us back many, many times over in what they recover than we have invested. So this is a good bill.
If you wanted me to pick out something that I didn't like about it, I'm sure that I could. But the part that relates to the Department of Veterans Affairs, this is a good bill, and it deserves our support.
Mr. Edwards: Mr. Chairman, let me just first say that there's no Member of Congress who's spent more time visiting our wounded troops in the hospitals or at our veterans hospitals than Mr. Young and his wife, Beverly; and he and his wife are an inspiration to all Members of Congress as we try to work together in support of our troops and our veterans. And I thank you, sir, for your heartfelt and deep commitment to our troops and our veterans and their health.
Mr. Chairman, I'd like to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Filner). Mr. Filner is not only the Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee in the House, he has been a tremendous champion this year in fighting to see that we received $11.9 billion increase in funding for veterans since January.
Mr. Filner: Mr. Chairman, I thank the committee for doing so much for veterans in this bill. And I want to add my thanks to Congressman Young from Florida. He and his wife, Beverly, have been an incredible inspiration. So we want to say on the record from our side of the aisle how much we appreciate you and your wife's efforts on behalf of our veterans. Thank you.
Mr. Chairman, what this bill does and what our previous bills that we have passed here, the continuing resolution that we've had for this year, the supplemental for the war, added more than 30 percent to the health care budget from last year for the health care of our veterans. That's an unprecedented increase, and it comes at a time when we have unprecedented needs. So your work, Mr. Chairman, has been incredible for all of the veterans and their families in this Nation.
No matter where we stand on the war, and there's a lot of divisiveness in this House about the war, we are united in saying, through this bill, that when every young man and woman comes back from Iraq or Afghanistan, they are going to get all the love, the care, the attention, the dignity, the honor that a Nation can bestow; and we are committed to that.
And we are committed, not only to those veterans who are just coming back, but to those who are with us from World War II, from Korea, from Vietnam, from the first Persian Gulf war. We're going to take care of them all.
We do not think that the problem with the Veterans' Administration is that there are too many veterans. We think we have to get the resources into the VA, and then have the accountability that it's spent wisely.
We have an administration that says, support the troops, support the troops, support the troops; but when they come home, as we have seen in Walter Reed and other places, too many times they're on their own. They slip through the cracks.
Virtually everyone who comes back from this war has evidence of either brain injury or PTSD, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and we simply don't have the resources to treat them. There are waiting lists. There are people told to call back, go home.
We had a young Marine in Minnesota who went to his hospital because he thought he had PTSD because he was thinking of suicide. What happened? He was told he was 28th on the waiting list, to go home. And he went home and committed suicide. That is a crime and we are not going to commit those crimes on our returning heroes. We are going to look at not only the brain injuries, not only the PTSD, but to make sure the backlog of pension disability claims is taken down to zero, where it's now at 600,000.
We've got a lot of work to do. We've got a lot of work to handle all these heroes from World War II to the present, and with your budget, Mr. Chairman, we're going to be able to do this. We thank you. And we're going to work to get the accountability and the work done that lets these heroes know that their Nation is worthy of their sacrifice.
Mr. Wicker: Before I yield to my friend from Indiana, I too want to join my colleagues in commending my friend from Florida, Bill Young, and his wife, Beverly, for constantly, consistently visiting our veterans, our wounded veterans at Walter Reed and Bethesda and at veterans facilities, and for day in and day out and week in and week out and year in and year out, being as supportive of our Nation's veterans as any couple probably in the entire United States.
Mr. Chairman, I yield to my friend from Indiana (Mr. Buyer) an additional minute.
Mr. Buyer: Picking up off the comment that Mr. Edwards had made in his opening statement about management, I think you're right on point. Good management of the resources and accountability is what's essential.
So when the chairman just spoke in the well and said, well, we don't have the money, that's not entirely correct because the GAO came back in 2005 and 2006 and said, we gave them sufficient resources allocated toward mental health, but they didn't even spend around $60 million that you had already given them in those cycles.
Mr. Edwards, you worked on those budgets. So it's not just giving them the money; that was my point made earlier.
So when Mr. Filner made the comment, they don't have the money; we had given them the money, then they didn't utilize it. And so I agree with Mr. Filner when he gets his angst about how it is that you don't spend money we gave you, yet you've got waiting lines.
It goes back then to the management question about the resources in which we get them, and that's where I'd like to work with you and work with the chairman of the committee.
Mr. Edwards: Mr. Chairman, let me just take 1 minute, if I could, to respond.
Again, I would reemphasize, we must work closely together in Congress to see that the VA spends the money we appropriate for them and for our veterans, that they spend it wisely, effectively and efficiently. And we will work very hard on that.
But I don't want it to go unsaid that the VA needs and our veterans deserve the additional funding, the $6 billion more for VA health care spending, $6.7 billion more than last year for all veterans programs. The VA and our veterans need and deserve that money. The increased funding in this budget, that I'm proud to say the new Congress has made its top priority, is something that is needed, not only to provide better benefits, reduce waiting times for benefit consideration, reduce waiting time for doctors appointments, improve mental health care services and PTSD services for our veterans, this money is needed to improve the, frankly, unsafe conditions at some VA hospitals. And construction projects are needed there, so the money is needed. We'll work together on the management and oversight.
Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlelady from Kansas (Mrs. Boyda). Mrs. Boyda has been a leading and tireless voice in this Congress, supporting full BRAC funding in this bill, as well as the veterans funding in this bill.
Mrs. Boyda of Kansas: Mr. Chairman, I'd just like to share a couple of freshman stories here. I am one of the new kids. And when I campaigned, I actually campaigned for 3 years. And you can image what I heard about veterans issues. It was about access mainly.
Our veterans hospitals in Kansas are good, but they only had a certain amount of money, and getting access, waiting times, waiting lines was just a tremendous problem.
So when I got here, I went to Chairman Filner's office with a little bit of a chip on my shoulder, and I said, listen, I need to know what we're going to do for veterans, what's going to happen. And listen, I want to know the truth. Don't tell me something. Don't let me go home to Kansas and then come back and not be truthful.
He said, Mrs. Boyda, we are going to take care of our veterans.
And then when we did our first continuing resolution and put $3.5 billion immediately into that pipeline, I heard something that I just absolutely couldn't believe, and that was someone who said, that's just a down payment. So I actually began to have faith that people in Congress do what they promise to do.
Let me tell you another quick story, too, and that was when I spoke with Chairman Edwards and he was telling me about what was going on, because I have been a tireless advocate for this. He said, Nancy, we're going to get this done, and we are going to do an historic funding for this, and we're going to get that done by June.
And then the next thing we're going to do is spend the next 6 months on oversight because we have to make sure that those funds are used in a way that makes a difference to our veterans, and we have to make sure that every cent of that that we have appropriated we can do the best we can to make sure that those funds are used appropriately.
So I am thrilled to be here with the new Democratic majority that is keeping its word to veterans, and saying that we're not only funding, but I believe that we will go and do the oversight that's needed to make sure those funds are used for the best benefit of our veterans.
Thank you so much, Mr. Chairman, for your leadership.
Mr. Edwards: Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 2 minutes. And I will yield to Speaker Pelosi for the remainder of the time that I don't use of this 2 minutes.
For the record, Mr. Chairman, I'd like to read into that record what a number of America's most respected veterans and military organizations have said about this bill.
The American Legion called it "an impressive commitment to this Nation's servicemembers, veterans and their families."
The Independent Budget, made up of numerous veterans organizations across the country, said, "This is a much-needed investment in health care and the benefits delivery system for our Nation's sick and disabled veterans."
The Military Officers Association of America referred to the funding in this bill as "an extraordinary level of funding."
AMVETS, "The level of funding will ensure that returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan will continue to receive priority health care and other VA services."
The Disabled American Veterans called it "keeping faith with America's veterans."
Mr. Chairman, several years ago, then Minority Leader Pelosi made a commitment to America's veterans, she said, if she became Speaker, that supporting those who have sacrificed for our country in uniform would be the highest priority of hers and of this Congress. Speaker Pelosi has kept that commitment. And the beneficiaries of that promise kept will be millions of veterans who will receive better health care, who will receive better job training, better homeless care for those 200,000 veterans that tonight, in America, will go to bed without a roof over their heads.
We would not be here today, about to pass the largest increase in VA health care spending in the 77-year history of the Veterans Administration, had it not been for Speaker Pelosi's personal commitment at the Budget Committee level, at the 302(b) allocation level for our subcommittee and specifically pushing this legislation. I salute her, along with the veterans organizations of America, for her leadership on behalf of our veterans, our servicemen and -women, and their families.
Mr. Chairman, I yield the balance of my time to Speaker Pelosi.
Ms. Pelosi: Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for his kind words and for his more than extraordinary leadership on behalf of America's veterans while they are in the service, in terms of the quality of their life which is addressed in this legislation, and when they become veterans, and how he has had the well-being of America's veterans as a priority for so long in his political year.
Mr. Chairman, today is probably one of the top three happiest days of my official life, because today is a day where, under the leadership of Mr. Edwards, Mr. Spratt, Mr. Obey, Mr. Skelton, Mr. Murtha, this Congress of the United States is able to keep its promises to America's veterans. It's a day of respect for them.
In the military, soldiers say, we will not leave any soldier on the battlefield. We say, when they come home, we will not leave any veteran behind. That is why, under the leadership of Mr. Edwards in his capacity as a leader on this issue, and I will add Mr. Filner's name to those I'm commending, but a person of the focus and values of Mr. Edwards kept this issue front and center.
For the past 4½, 5 years, we have met on a regular basis with the veterans organizations and representatives of veterans from across the country. We asked them what their priorities were, because their needs were so great; and frankly, their concerns were so neglected for the last few years that we said, we cannot try to do everything. What are your priorities? This was when we were in the minority.
Their first priority, the first couple of years there was the concurrent receipt issue, this veterans disability tax, which we made some progress on. And the next term, which was the last term, we were still in the minority. We still took a piece of what their agenda was, and that was survivors' benefits. All of these were important to the veterans, but there were many more concerns that we had.
So it wasn't until the Democrats assumed the majority that we could keep the promise of America to America's veterans. That's why it was so thrilling to be with the representatives of the veterans groups, some of them I will name, the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Disabled Veterans of America, the Paralyzed Veterans of America, AMVETS, that's the American Veterans, then the Iraq and Afghan Veterans of America, to be with them and other representatives of veterans a couple of days ago when we stood in front of the Capitol and announced that today, with this vote, under Chairman Chet Edwards' leadership, we would be giving the largest increase in the history of our country and in the 77-year history of the Veterans Administration.
Why is that necessary? Because there is a backlog of several hundred thousand cases at the VA. That's an injustice. That's an immorality. And there were needed more case workers to address a 2-year backlog, if you had an issue, you went there and you had to wait 2 years if you were a veteran.
Well, the veterans were there when they were needed. They heeded the call. They came to our defense, and now we're saying, wait 2 years for us to consider your case. Just not right. Just not right.
So in preparation for a possible Democratic majority where we could work in a bipartisan way, the veterans put together a budget, again emphasizing their priorities.
And when they did, we took that budget. Congress worked its will on it through the appropriations process to bring us to the floor today. Every one of us in the committee, it was a bipartisan unanimous vote, 56-0, in the Appropriations Committee.
I hope we will have a similar vote today because, as Mr. Edwards said, starting with the budget process under Mr. Spratt to the larger Appropriations Committee under Chairman Obey and now to this moment on the floor under Chairman Edwards' leadership, we were able to give the biggest possible bipartisan vote to this increase. And it is paid for.
When Democrats took control of the House, we instituted pay-as-you- go, no new deficit spending, no increase to the deficit. So that is why this is especially, especially, important because this says that even within the constraints, those budgetary constraints, veterans aren't the priority. In our budget the two leading priorities were America's children and America's veterans. In the appropriations process, we are able to honor that blueprint set forth in the budget again without adding to the deficit, without increasing the deficit. That makes it harder, but that signaled in a very important way that when we talk about our priorities and we say that veterans are in the forefront of them, they are in the lead in terms of the values that we have, a reflection of America's values that, even though there are difficult budgetary constraints, veterans come first.
This is an issue in urban America. It is a big issue in rural America. In rural America, 75 percent of the people know somebody closely who is serving or has served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and everybody in our country knows many people who have served in the military. Four of my brothers served in the military.
We all have a dedication to our veterans. It is more than, though, just talking about it. We had to act upon those words, act upon those values. And I thank Chairman Chet Edwards for giving us that opportunity today to reward our heroes with something that we are giving to them. It is something that they deserve, have been deprived of, but that has come to an end.
So I hope we have a unanimous vote on this to show the bipartisan support for veterans that I know exists in our Congress. I am just very, very proud that we were able to deliver on the promise once we took the majority of the House.
Mr. Wicker: Mr. Chairman, may I inquire as to how much times remains.
The Chairman: The gentleman from Mississippi has 11½ minutes remaining, and the time of the gentleman from Texas has expired.
Mr. Wicker: Clearly we are nearing the end of this general debate, and I would at this point yield 1 minute to my friend from Indiana (Mr. Buyer).
Mr. Buyer: Mr. Chairman, the only thing I would note, as I listened to the Speaker speak in the well, is that when the Republicans presented their budget proposal as an alternative, we spent $8 billion more than the majority in the 10-year scope, actually in the 5-year budget plan, $8 billion more. And we did it without increasing taxes.
So what everybody needs to understand here is, yes, we are increasing money here to veterans, but these are also the very same veterans which are about to be taxed.
Mr. Wicker: Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Just in closing, the Speaker of the House just said what a happy day this is for her. It is a happy day for me and for Members on this side of the aisle also, Mr. Chairman.
Why on a bipartisan issue do we have to sound so partisan sometimes in supporting the bill?
The Speaker mentioned that veterans funding had been so neglected for the past few years. I will again point out to Members of the House, Mr. Chairman, that during the period of Republican majority, in working with our friends across the aisle and funding VA, we increased funding by 96 percent during that period, from $38.2 billion annually to $74.5 billion. And during the final decades of the Democratic majority, the increase was only half that much.
The Speaker mentioned the concurrent receipt issue. Of course it was during the speakership of Speaker Hastert that the House of Representatives enacted concurrent receipt legislation. And as a matter of fact, the previous speaker, Mr. Buyer, was the author and prime mover behind that legislation, and he deserves credit.
The point is this is a bipartisan issue. There is bipartisan support. I expect after discussion of a few amendments, Mr. Chairman, that we will have a near unanimous vote in favor of this bill. I will certainly be voting for it, as will the leadership of the Appropriations Committee.
Ms. Bordallo: Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 2642, the Fiscal Year 2008 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act. This bill includes many provisions critical to improving the quality of life for our fighting men and women as well as providing long-awaited and substantial increases in funding for veterans services. We continue our important commitment to veterans and servicemembers in this bill.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Chairman Edwards and Ranking Member Wicker for the work that they and their staff members have done to include within this bill provisions important to the people of Guam; to servicemembers who serve on Guam, and veterans living on Guam. The work of committee leadership ensures that this Congress will make a meaningful positive impact on our Armed Forces.
The appropriations bill continues Congress's strong support of the military build-up on Guam. The strategic importance of Guam cannot be understated. Guam allows the United States Armed Forces to maintain a strong presence in the Pacific region. The bill goes a long way to improving critical infrastructure on Guam that is necessary for the build-up to be successful.
To that end, the bill fully funds $345 million in military construction projects. The bill provides for full funding of several key infrastructure projects for the Navy from improving electrical system security to repairing and upgrading a wastewater treatment plant. The bill also fully funds the critical Kilo Wharf upgrade project. The $101 million project is strategically critical to United States Naval forces as it is the only dedicated ammunition wharf in the Western Pacific Region.
Important quality of life issues for servicemembers on Guam are also included. The bill fully funds $45 million for upgrades to the Naval Base Fitness Center. Funds for this project meet Chief of Naval Forces Admiral Mike Mullen's commitment to improving the quality of life for all Naval forces. It also fully funds $57 million in upgrades to degraded housing on Naval Base Guam. The need for adequate housing facilities is more prescient, as more and more Naval vessels use the base as maintenance and supply center.
I also applaud the Committee's efforts in including report language that directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to report on its plans for activation of 29 previously funded Community-Based Outpatient Clinics. Guam is one of the 29 clinics that is awaiting activation. I am deeply concerned that the Department of Veterans Affairs is not providing the veterans on Guam with the quality care that they deserve for their sacrifices to our great nation. The report language answers the concerns that I have expressed to the Department on multiple occasions. I look forward to hearing the Department's plan for activation of the clinic on Guam.
Mrs. Christensen: Mr. Chairman, I am so proud of what we are doing on behalf of our veterans today and so I rise in strong support of the Military Construction & Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill.
In addition to the increase in funding--the largest increase in the entire 77-year history of the Veterans Administration--there are many provisions here that will help the over 6,000 veterans of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Just last week as I was traveling back to Washington, one veteran complained that he was getting no response on his disability claim. I have many other open cases in my office. This bill will reduce the backlog and make good on the promise to take care of any injury related to their military service.
There is a major increase in health care funding, and I will work to ensure that some of it is sued to make health care more accessible to Virgin Islands veterans. I also hope we can address the increased reimbursement for travel to and from care. Our veterans have to travel over water and by airplane to get VA provided care. The costs to them and the family member who may have to accompany them is a great burden they should not have to bear.
This bill has many other important provisions, but I only want to highlight one other which is of great concern to me as a physician, and that is the funding for programs to address Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and the other mental health needs of returning men and women of our Armed forces. This is a vital need.
We in the Virgin Islands were able to help our first responders after 9/11 and we want to do more to help our soldiers transition safely and fully from the din and stress of war back to peacetime. This bill will help us do that.
I want to commend our Speaker for her determination to lead this House and to keep our promise to the men and women who have kept theirs to us--our veterans. I also applaud Chairman Chet Edwards on shepherding this landmark bill to final passage, and Chairmen David Obey and John Spratt for setting the stage to make this victory for all Americans possible.
Mr. Larson of Connecticut: Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2642, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2008, the annual spending bill for military construction and veterans' programs.
Today, the House is considering a bill that would appropriate $109.2 billion, with $64.7 billion in discretionary spending for military construction and veterans' programs, which is $4 billion more than the President's fiscal year 2008 budget request. The bill would provide $43.2 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which is $6.7 billion above 2007 and $3.8 billion over the President's request for veterans' medical care, claims processing personnel, and facility improvements. This includes $28.9 billion in funding to improve access to medical services for all veterans, which is $1.7 billion above the President's request. This legislation also defeats the President's ill- advised proposals to nearly double co-pays for prescription drugs for veterans and to increase TRICARE premiums by over $1,000 a year for military retirees.
The military health care system is understaffed and drowning in a backlog of cases and unable to provide our veterans with the benefits and resources they sacrificed a great deal to earn. In an effort to reduce the 400,000 claim backlog, the bill also includes $1.6 billion in funding to enable the VA to hire over 1100 more claims processors. This legislation is the largest single increase in the 77-year history of the VA and for the first time in 21 years that the House has exceeded the request of the veterans' Independent Budget.
There are over 251,000 veterans living in Connecticut and I am pleased the 110th Congress has made funding our Nation's military health care system a top priority. Since the previous Congress adjourned without passing a budget, the new Congress passed a Continuing Appropriations Resolution (P.L. 110-5) that provided $3.4 billion over the fiscal year 2006 funding level to fund the VA in fiscal year 2007. In addition, the Supplemental Appropriations Act (P.L. 110-28) added $1.8 billion directly targeted at the needs of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Part of the cost of war is to care for our servicemen and women when they return home and Congress has an obligation to ensure they receive appropriate care.
I applaud the leadership of Mr. Edwards, chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Mr. Obey, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, and the members of the committee for their efforts and continued commitment to our Nation's veterans. Today's legislation takes us one step further in providing our veterans with the best health care and resources our country can provide and I encourage my colleagues to join me in voting for it and the President in signing it into law.
Mr. Ortiz: Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this bill--engineered by my colleague from Texas Mr. Edwards--which funds vital military accounts and provides the largest increase in veterans funding in the history of the VA.
While the central concern for South Texas is a veterans hospital--I understand we must authorize that funding before we can appropriate it. I have talked about this issue with appropriators and authorizers alike … and those conversations will continue until we find a resolution to help these veterans get the in patient care they deserve.
The Congress is committed to working in a bipartisan way to ensure that our budget honors the service of our veterans and builds a future worthy of their sacrifice. With passage of this bill, the 110th Congress will have voted for historic increases in veterans' health care and benefits programs, totaling nearly $12 billion--including the joint resolution and the supplemental--to meet the needs of returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistanm … and make up for the Bush Administration's past shortcomings in its treatment of veterans.
This bill will provide veterans with the health care and benefits we promised them, resulting in the hiring of more qualified doctors and nurses to improve medical services to our veterans and to reduce waiting times for doctor appointments, and provide more to help veterans suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI), post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), mental health care issues, and lost limbs so that they can rebuild their lives.
For the first time, the budget for VA medical care exceeds the budget of the veterans' service organizations by $294 million. This will ensure quality health care for 5.8 million patients, including about 263,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, which the VA will treat in FY 2008. This significantly reduces the 400,000 claims backlog for veterans waiting for disability and other benefits by adding more than 1,100 new claims processors.
The bill also provides much needed maintenance of VA health care facilities (funding level is $500 million above the President's request) to prevent another Walter Reed-type scandal from occurring. A recent VA report outlined 1,000 specific problems at VA health facilities around the country, with a backlog of $5 billion in maintenance.
The enormous number of troops returning home with mental health disorders, including PTSD and traumatic brain injury, resulted in the bill including five polytrauma centers and three Centers of Excellence for Mental Health and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). These centers will be fully operational this year to care for those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, including those with TBI. A February GAG report noted about one-third of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are facing mental health challenges, and up to 300,000 troops are expected to return from Iraq suffering from TBI.
The bill also protects taxpayers and veterans by including solid steps to ensure accountability and stop wasteful spending by increasing funding for the Inspector General for VA to improve services for veterans and their families and to prevent and deter potential waste, fraud and inefficiencies.
To strengthen our military, this bill provides better barracks, housing and training facilities when troops return from combat with an unprecedented $21.4 billion investment in military construction, family housing, and BRAC--with $207 million more than the President's request.
To address end strength, the bill provides funding recommended by my subcommittee to begin the process of adding 65,000 Army, 27,000 Marine, and 9,000 National Guard and Reserve troops.
For BRAC, the bill fully funds the 2005 base realignment and closure process at $8.2 billion, and supports the relocation of 70,000 troops from bases in Korea and Europe.
All this represents the start we need to pay for a healthy and vital military force to protect our nation today, tomorrow and for the coming decades.
Mr. Hare: Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2642, the Fiscal Year 2008 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act.
I am honored to stand here today as a freshman member of this Democratic Congress as we approve "the largest" funding increase in the 77-year history of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
It is my hope that providing $6.7 billion above last year's funding will only be the beginning of our commitment to the promises made to our service men and women.
All of us were outraged by the reports of what happened at Walter Reed. Part of the problem is for years the VA has been shortchanged on funding, due to understating its budgeting needs instead of proactively planning for the needs of our veterans.
This underfunding has resulted in budget shortfalls, understaffing of vets centers, a huge claims backlog, and inexcusable delays at VA facilities.
This bill represents a change in priorities.
It funds an additional 1,100 claims' processors to address the 600,000 backlog.
It provides $4.4 billion above 2007 levels for the Veterans Health Administration. This will help the VA treat the more than 5.8 million patients they expect in 2008.
Additionally, the bill increases funding for the VA's repair and maintenance accounts to prevent a VA medical facility from falling into unacceptable levels of disrepair.
I commend my colleagues on the VA Military Construction Appropriations Subcommittee for bringing to the floor a bill that exceeds the recommendations of the veterans' service organizations of the Independent Budget.
We've seen a change in priorities and I am going to continue to support this momentum until all veterans who want access to healthcare in the VA system, have it. I urge all my colleagues to pass this bill that funds critical benefits for our veterans.
Ms. Castor: Mr. Chairman, I am proud today to stand with this Congress as it affirms its commitment to the brave men and women who are part of our active and retired military services. Their collective sacrifice and service has been phenomenal, and we must do all we can to ensure that they receive the medical care that they have earned as a result of the sacrifices they have made in service to America. The bill before us provides an historic, substantial boost to the Veterans' Administration, allocating $43.2 billion--$3.8 billion more than the President's request and $6.7 more than the FY 07 allocation--to properly fulfill America's obligation to our servicemen and women and their families.
As a representative of the State with the second highest population of military retirees and veterans--nearly 2 million people--I know many Florida families stand to benefit greatly. The extra funding for the VA to double its benefits personnel in order to reduce the backlog of more than 400,000 benefit claims will do much to improve health care and efficiency for benefits that are due to many Florida families. The top two busiest VA Health Care centers, Bay Pines in St. Petersburg and Haley VA in Tampa, serve residents in my district. I have walked the halls of both facilities, and encountered active and retired military personnel looking for the best care possible for them and their families. This bill provides resources adequate to the enormously important task of supporting our veterans and their families as they transition back into civilian life. It also expands access to vital services in the areas of greatest concern for veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan: traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, treatment for burns, and amputation. Haley VA has the distinction of being one of a handful of poly-trauma centers, with special designation to handle traumatic brain injuries, and with its partner, the University Of South Florida College Of Public Health, has been on the forefront of discovering the best roads to effective treatment for those suffering with TBI.
Also, this bill represents the recognition that we must confront, not shy away from, the serious issues in veterans care brought to light by the Walter Reed scandal. $4.1 billion dollars, $508 million above and beyond the President's request, is set aside for the ongoing maintenance and renovation of existing facilities to make certain they remain capable of delivering our veterans the treatment they deserve and need. It also heavily invests in information technology to better track health records, so that no American is allowed to fall through the cracks.
I urge this Congress to back up the talk about supporting our troops with concrete actions. We have an unwavering obligation as a country to do right by our servicemen and women, whether it be in the solemn purpose with which we must always send them off to war, or in providing the necessary care for them and their families upon their return. Their sacrifice must be respected not just with our words, but with our actions.
Mrs. Wilson of New Mexico: Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer an amendment on the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Bill for FY 08. My amendment would devote $2 million dollars from the Department Administration General Operations Expenses Account, of the nearly $1.6 billion appropriated in this bill, to the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans. The intent of my amendment is that the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans would establish a commission to evaluate and make recommendations for improvements to the VA system so that it can better meet health care needs of women veterans.
In 1978, I purchased a one-way ticket to Colorado Springs, Colorado to enroll at the Air Force Academy. I was in the third class that accepted women into our service academies. I am the only woman veteran serving in the Congress. Women face different obstacles than men when trying to receive care from the VA. To start with, many women who have served in the military don't call themselves "veterans" and many women don't think of the VA as "their" system.
A larger number of women are serving in military and in the future we will see a higher number of women veterans. One in seven Americans deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan is a woman.
My goal in proposing this amendment is to bring together a group of people who can truly devote the time and effort to study the needs and examine the challenges our women veterans face. They then can report to Congress their finding and recommendations so that we, as a body, can evaluate these findings and implement improvements and initiatives to ensure women receive the care they have earned.
I introduced legislation similar to my amendment, H.R. 2394, the Bipartisan Commission on Wounded Women Veterans. This amendment would fund the commission envisioned in H.R. 2394.
I am grateful to all who serve their nation and we as a Congress have a responsibility to ensure they receive the best possible care. In this war on terrorism, the greatest burdens have fallen on the shoulders of a relatively small number of Americans who have volunteered to take great risks on our behalf. Events over the last few years have made a new generation of Americans realize just how precious our freedoms really are. We owe our freedom fighters--past, present, and future--a debt of gratitude for their selflessness and sacrifice. I will continue to fight to ensure that our veterans get the benefits they were promised, the health care they deserve, and the recognition that our Nation owes them.
Thank you for the time and I ask for a yes vote on my amendment.
Mr. Reyes: Mr. Chairman, I rise to express my support for this important measure which reflects--in dollars and cents--just a small measure of our appreciation for all that men and women in uniform do in defense of our Nation.
We have an obligation to provide the housing and other facilities in which our military members and their families live and work. This measure includes the funds required to fully fund the President's budget request for military construction projects. The bill provides $8.2 billion dollars to implement the 2005 BRAC recommendations and $2.9 billion to replace, rehabilitate, and build housing for troops and their families.
As the representative of Fort Bliss, Texas I have seen the fruits of military construction spending, and I can assure my colleagues that these funds are being wisely used by the Army and the other military services to greatly improve the quality of life for our military members and their families. From a motorpool that allows a young technician to repair vehicles out of the heat and rain to a childcare center where the children of deployed service members can learn and grow, these facilities are more than bricks and mortar. They are an integral part of every soldier's daily life.
This bill provides an unprecedented level of funding for veterans health care which will allow us to begin to address the needs of current veterans who have for years been woefully under-served by the Veterans Administration, VA system. H.R. 2642 will also provide needed funding for men and women returning from combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.
This measure continues our efforts to improve benefits for our Nation's veterans and provides $43.2 billion for veterans programs--$6.7 billion more than was allocated last year and $3.8 billion more than the White House requested for VA programs. This additional funding will meet shortfalls in the Veterans Health Administration budget and provide needed funds to better address Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, mental health and substance abuse, homeless veterans, and prosthetic research.
These programs and other initiatives funded in the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act are critical to our troops and their families and to our veterans who sacrificed so much in defense of our Nation and our American values. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
Mrs. Drake: Mr. Chairman, as has been widely reported, the Department of Veterans Affairs continues to face challenges in improving service delivery to veterans and reducing the existing backlog of benefit claims.
While the VA made progress in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 reducing the size and age of its pending claims inventory, it has regrettably fallen behind in recent years. The VA's inventory of pending claims and their average time pending has increased significantly in the last 3 years and the Department is currently facing over 630,000 open benefit claims.
The VA reduced the average age of its pending claims from 182 days at the end of fiscal year 2001 to 111 days at the end of fiscal year 2003. However, by the end of fiscal year 2006, average days pending had increased to 127 days and is currently reported to be 177 days.
It should be noted that continued increases in the number and complexity of claims being filed have played a contributing role in the current backlog. In its fiscal year 2008 budget justification, the VA identified an increase in claims processing staff as essential to reducing the pending claims inventory and improving timeliness. However, the VA states that the budget request only provides resources to reduce the processing time to 145 days. Furthermore, even as increased funding is appropriated and staffing levels increase, the VA acknowledges that it still must take other actions to improve productivity.
Representatives from the VA have stated that there is a newly implemented strategy to manage the pending inventory and improve response time by getting more out of current resources, increasing staffing, and improving information technology. Given the current claims crisis, I believe that we need to know more about this strategy.
My amendment will require the VA to provide a report to Congress on the status of the number of pending disability benefit claims and the actions taken to reduce processing time for veterans' disability claims. As the House considers FY 2008 funding for the VA, I believe the Congress, the American people, and more importantly, our Nation's veterans are entitled to know how current and future resources will be implemented to address these concerns. This is the least we can do.
I understand that this amendment will be subject to a point of order and I will therefore not offer it. However, the current claims backlog is an issue of importance for our Nation's veterans. It is my hope that this Congress will address this issue in the near future.
Mr. Lewis of kentucky: Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of funding for our soldiers, veterans, and military families. Military service is part of the proud history of the Second Congressional District of Kentucky. The provisions included in this bill will significantly benefit many of those I am honored to represent.
The Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act of 2008 contains the largest ever increase in Veterans Health funding: including $29 billion for new and modified medical services.
If passed, these funds will initiate the opening of two new Community Based Outpatient Clinics in my District, as designated by Secretary Nicholson. These facilities, and dozens of others across the country, will help to ensure that veterans have the highest quality local care possible.
The Second Congressional District is also home to Fort Knox. As a result of the 2005 BRAC proceedings, Fort Knox is transforming over the next few years from an institutional training installation to a multi- functional installation that will include an active force infantry brigade and the site for the Human Resources Command for the Army.
This bill includes $8.2 billion to support necessary infrastructure preparations at Fort Knox and other BRAC-affected installations working to accommodate new military operations.
Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support timely funding for our nation's veterans and military installations by voting to approve this bill.
Mr. Buchanan: Mr. Chairman, I rise today to urge my colleagues to support the fiscal year 2008 military construction and veterans affairs appropriations bill which includes $27.8 million dollars to construct a veterans' cemetery in my District.
The funding was part of the President's budget and will allow us to honor our commitment to provide nearly 400,000 veterans living within 75 miles of Sarasota, Florida with a final resting place that honors their military service.
The VA has purchased 245 acres of land in Sarasota County and construction is planned for May 2008. The first burials are anticipated in October of 2008.
With more than 1,800 veterans dying every day in this country, the timely completion of this project is a primary concern for area veterans and is one of my highest priorities.
This funding will help ensure that our goals are met and the veterans who proudly served this Nation and eligible family members can be placed to rest close to home and with the honor and dignity they deserve.
Mr. Langevin: Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 2642, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2008. This measure shows what a high priority our Nation places on providing for our servicemembers, their families and our veterans.
The new Democratic leadership in Congress has faced many challenges in recent months regarding the treatment of servicemembers and veterans. Earlier this year, we learned about horrific conditions at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, including overused outpatient housing in disrepair, patients confused about where to go after serious operations, and the tangled bureaucracy confronting servicemembers and their families. It was clear that administrative policies needed to be revised, not only at Walter Reed, but across the system at locations both here and abroad.
It was also clear that increasing the funding level for military health care was a priority. As a result, Congress passed a supplemental spending bill that contained an additional $1.8 billion for veterans' health care, and today we will pass a bill that is $6.7 billion above fiscal year 2007 funds and $3.8 billion over President Bush's request. The total amount in this bill is even more than what is requested in the Independent Budget, a needs estimate published by four veterans' service groups. If passed, H.R. 2642 will mark the largest annual increase to VA health care funding in over 75 years.
Mr. Chairman, we must ensure that servicemembers wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan have the services they require and as well anticipate the increasing number of returning veterans who have earned their promised benefits. To that end, H.R. 2642 provides $43.2 billion for veterans medical care to alleviate the backlogged claims processing system and fund improvements for VA facilities. I am also pleased that this measure allots $600 million for new initiatives for improving mental health and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) centers, $1.9 billion to improve the electronic health records system, and $130 million to assist homeless veterans.
After a recent visit to the Providence VA Medical Center, I was impressed with the treatment of veterans, as well as the ongoing innovative research at the facility. I am also optimistic that upcoming construction projects will improve the facility, especially knowing that the VA will play a larger role in the coming years as more servicemembers return from ongoing conflicts. Today's bill provides $4.1 billion for ongoing maintenance and renovations of existing facilities, which will help Providence attain its goals. I am also pleased that $15 million is allocated for the Health Care Sharing Incentive Fund, which allows the Department of Defense and VA to increase research, improve access to care, and ensure a seamless transition for our veterans.
H.R. 2642 also includes $21.4 billion for military construction. This amount is $5.1 billion above the amount for fiscal year 2007, and will fully fund Base Realignment and Closure. This funding will also help improve training and quality of life facilities for active duty troops and members of the National Guard and Reserves, all of whom are playing critical roles in ongoing conflicts and need our support now more than ever. Finally, this measure includes $2.8 billion to help increase the size of the Army, Marine Corps, the National Guard and Reserves over the next five years.
Mr. Chairman, we must maintain strong support for our men and women in uniform and all those who have bravely served our nation, and H.R. 2642 will do just that. May we all keep those currently serving abroad in our thoughts and wish them a safe return home.
Mr. Wicker: Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
The Chairman: All time for general debate has expired.
Pursuant to the order of the House of today, the bill shall be considered for amendment under the 5-minute rule.
No amendment to the bill may be offered except those specified in the previous order of the House of today, which is at the desk.
The Clerk will read.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 2642
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America inCongress assembled, That the following sums are appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes, namely:
TITLE I
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Military Construction, ArmyFor acquisition, construction, installation, and equipment of temporary or permanent public works, military installations, facilities, and real property for the Army as currently authorized by law, including personnel in the Army Corps of Engineers and other personal services necessary for the purposes of this appropriation, and for construction and operation of facilities in support of the functions of the Commander in Chief, $4,070,959,000, to remain available until September 30, 2012: Provided, That of this amount, not to exceed $481,468,000 shall be available for study, planning, design, architect and engineer services, and host nation support, as authorized by law, unless the Secretary of Defense determines that additional obligations are necessary for such purposes and notifies the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress of the determination and the reasons therefor.
Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps
(including rescission of funds)For acquisition, construction, installation, and equipment of temporary or permanent public works, naval installations, facilities, and real property for the Navy and Marine Corps as currently authorized by law, including personnel in the Naval Facilities Engineering Command and other personal services necessary for the purposes of this appropriation, $2,125,138,000, to remain available until September 30, 2012: Provided, That of this amount, not to exceed $110,167,000 shall be available for study, planning, design, and architect and engineer services, as authorized by law, unless the Secretary of Defense determines that additional obligations are necessary for such purposes and notifies the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress of the determination and the reasons therefor: Provided further, That of the funds appropriated for "Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps" under Public Law 108-132, $5,862,000 are hereby rescinded.
Military Construction, Air Force
(including rescission of funds)For acquisition, construction, installation, and equipment of temporary or permanent public works, military installations, facilities, and real property for the Air Force as currently authorized by law, $927,428,000, to remain available until September 30, 2012: Provided, That of this amount, not to exceed $51,587,000 shall be available for study, planning, design, and architect and engineer services, as authorized by law, unless the Secretary of Defense determines that additional obligations are necessary for such purposes and notifies the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress of the determination and the reasons therefor: Provided further, That of the funds appropriated for "Military Construction, Air Force" under Public Law 108-324, $5,319,000 are hereby rescinded.
Mr. Edwards: Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.
The Chairman: The gentleman from Texas is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. Edwards: Mr. Chairman, I will not use all 5 minutes.
And I think, as my colleagues have noticed, my comments have been very bipartisan today. I am proud that the bill that we put together was supported on a unanimous bipartisan basis in the committee. I am also proud as a Democrat that the new Democratic leadership, led by Speaker Pelosi, has made funding for veterans health care and benefits a top priority in this Congress.
I would just point out, in response to some of the comments made, that the first comments made referencing Republicans or Democrats were made by the minority in today's debate when the comment was made that Republicans have primarily supported veterans. And in comparisons of past increases between Republican and Democratic Congresses, I am not going to get into all that.
I would like to point out for the record that under the previous leadership of the Congress, the concurrent receipt problem wasn't even brought to the floor of the House until, led by Democrats, we almost had 218 signatures on a discharge position to override the previous Speaker of the House, who had not let the concurrent receipt bill get to the floor of the House.
But having said that fact, I am here to say we are proud to work with Mr. Wicker and work with our colleagues to see that we do have a historic increase in veterans health care spending in this bill, unprecedented in the history of the VA and in the history of our Nation. I am glad to see that the administration has reversed its threat to veto this bill because they were concerned it might spend too much on veterans and our military families. I am glad they recognize the error of their ways, and I commend them for pulling off of that veto threat.
So I just would reiterate what I again today have been saying, and that is I am proud to have worked on a bipartisan basis with my colleague Mr. Wicker and members of our subcommittee and others in this House to see that we got this historic bill on the floor.
The Chairman: The Clerk will read.
The Clerk read as follows:
Military Construction, Defense-Wide
(including transfer and rescission of funds)For acquisition, construction, installation, and equipment of temporary or permanent public works, installations, facilities, and real property for activities and agencies of the Department of Defense (other than the military departments), as currently authorized by law, $1,806,928,000, to remain available until September 30, 2012: Provided, That such amounts of this appropriation as may be determined by the Secretary of Defense may be transferred to such appropriations of the Department of Defense available for military construction or family housing as the Secretary may designate, to be merged with and to be available for the same purposes, and for the same time period, as the appropriation or fund to which transferred: Provided further, That of the amount appropriated, not to exceed $154,728,000 shall be available for study, planning, design, and architect and engineer services, as authorized by law, unless the Secretary of Defense determines that additional obligations are necessary for such purposes and notifies the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress of the determination and the reasons therefor: Provided further, That of the funds appropriated for "Military Construction, Defense-Wide" under Public Law 110-5, $7,592,000 are hereby rescinded.
Military Construction, Army National Guard
For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilitation, and conversion of facilities for the training and administration of the Army National Guard, and contributions therefor, as authorized by chapter 1803 of title 10, United States Code, and Military Construction Authorization Acts, $439,291,000, to remain available until September 30, 2012.
Military Construction, Air National Guard
For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilitation, and conversion of facilities for the training and administration of the Air National Guard, and contributions therefor, as authorized by chapter 1803 of title 10, United States Code, and Military Construction Authorization Acts, $95,517,000, to remain available until September 30, 2012.
Military Construction, Army Reserve
For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilitation, and conversion of facilities for the training and administration of the Army Reserve as authorized by chapter 1803 of title 10, United States Code, and Military Construction Authorization Acts, $154,684,000, to remain available until September 30, 2012.
Military Construction, Navy Reserve
For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilitation, and conversion of facilities for the training and administration of the reserve components of the Navy and Marine Corps as authorized by chapter 1803 of title 10, United States Code, and Military Construction Authorization Acts, $69,150,000, to remain available until September 30, 2012.
Military Construction, Air Force Reserve
(including rescission of funds)For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilitation, and conversion of facilities for the training and administration of the Air Force Reserve as authorized by chapter 1803 of title 10, United States Code, and Military Construction Authorization Acts, $39,628,000, to remain available until September 30, 2012: Provided, That of the funds appropriated for "Military Construction, Air Force Reserve" under Public Law 109-114, $3,069,000 are hereby rescinded.
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Security Investment ProgramFor the United States share of the cost of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program for the acquisition and construction of military facilities and installations (including international military headquarters) and for related expenses for the collective defense of the North Atlantic Treaty Area as authorized by section 2806 of title 10, United States Code, and Military Construction Authorization Acts, $201,400,000, to remain available until expended.
Mr. Hayes: Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.
The Chairman: The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Amendment offered by Mr. Hayes:
Page 7, line 12, insert after the dollar amount the following: "(reduced by $30,000,000)".
Page 10, line 24, insert after the dollar amount the following: "(increased by $30,000,000)".
The Chairman: Pursuant to the order of the House of today, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Hayes) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from North Carolina.
Mr. Hayes: I want to thank Chairman Edwards and the ranking member, my friend, Mr. Wicker, for allowing me the time.
Mr. Chairman, I bring an amendment to the floor today because I feel the Base Realignment and Closure, BRAC, implementation process needs more funding than is being provided.
Mr. Chairman, the fiscal year 2007 continuing resolution did not adequately meet the needs of BRAC implementation. Though we came back and put a $3.1 billion allocation for BRAC in the supplemental and we funded the President's fiscal year 2008 request in the bill, I do not believe we are doing all we should do in terms of funding this priority.
I realize the President's budget and supplemental request were based on the best estimates at the time, but there is no doubt that these figures were low. The Department of Defense currently estimates it will take $30.8 billion from 2006 to 2011 to complete the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure round.
As the chairman and the ranking member pointed out in this bill, the current BRAC estimate is $8 billion higher than that given by DOD only a year ago. I share the concern of the committee that even with this large increase, the projected funding estimate does not fully take into account construction and inflation costs and is lower than what will be actually required.
My home district, Fort Bragg, the epicenter of the universe, is facing these miscalculations today. As part of the BRAC 2005 plan for Fort Bragg, it was named the Joint Mobilization Center; however, no funding to house servicemembers going through the process of mobilization was involved.
The garrison is currently housing these mainly National Guard and Reserve members in the 82nd Airborne barracks, while the 82nd is deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. When the 82nd returns, Fort Bragg will be forced to house those going through the Joint Mobilization Center in World War II-era barracks which are completely inadequate.
As part of the BRAC 2005 recommendations, Pope Air Force Base will be realigned to become part of Fort Bragg. This means that Bragg will take over the airfield at Pope, but there is no money currently programmed for the new control tower or the fire and rescue station that will be necessary to support carrying out this realignment. Fort Bragg and Pope are but one example of this trend. No doubt these kinds of BRAC- related, unplanned expenses for military construction needs are prevalent at installations across the country.
The BRAC process was designed to increase the efficiency and increase the effectiveness of combat capability of our forces. Underfunding, even slightly, will affect our Nation's combat capability first. In the midst of this global war on terror, we need to be very careful not to underfund our combat capability, either indirectly or inadvertently.
Although I greatly respect and appreciate the chairman and ranking member's funding of the Base Realignment and Closure program, I strongly believe that this crucial national security area needs more focus. We need to search for ways to implement it.
To this end, my amendment reprograms $30 million from NATO Security Investment to the Department of Defense. As you know, the NSIP is designed to be our contribution to construction of support facilities at NATO bases. While this is important, NATO is forward deployed, and it does not always provide us with a swift return on our investments in terms of combat capability.
In the past, NATO fought primarily from fixed bases in forward areas, but now it will operate from deployed locations. Infrastructure provided in NSIP, while important in previous NATO strategy, is somewhat less now. Conversely, BRAC and global rebasing moves direct American forces from Europe to home stations here in the U.S. Security requirements in Europe are decreasing while security requirements in the U.S., as well as readiness requirements at home stations, are going up as new units are reformed here at home.
The money could be better spent in the BRAC program with a focus on improving our quick reaction and Special Operations Forces. It will increase our Nation's combat power, fighting the continued war against terrorists, and it will improve the combat power of NATO.
I urge you to vote in favor of my amendment and join me in support of Base Realignment and Closure implementation.
I urge my colleagues to vote "yes" on this amendment.
Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Edwards: Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the gentleman's amendment.
The Chairman: The gentleman from Texas is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. Edwards: Let me just say that I have great respect for Mr. Hayes's support of the military. He and I have worked together over the years in support of our veterans and our troops; his record is clear on that. I sympathize with his interest and support his interest in seeing that we fully fund BRAC. I have been one of those, along with Mrs. Boyda and others on your side of the aisle, that have worked hard to try to fully fund BRAC.
The opposition I have to this amendment, Mr. Chairman, is not in the good-faith effort to increase funding for BRAC, even though we fully fund it by $8.2 billion. My opposition to this amendment comes from the fact that the gentleman would cut by 15 percent President Bush's request for the NATO Security Investment program. Now, maybe a lot of Americans aren't familiar with that program, but that program has provided infrastructure investment in Iraq to support U.S. forces in our fight in Iraq. The NATO Investment program has provided funding for our troops in Afghanistan. We are working with NATO forces to defend our national security interests in Afghanistan.
The cut of $30 million proposed by the gentleman, I think, would unintentionally do great harm to the interests of our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and throughout the world where we are working with NATO forces.
Let me give you some specifics of how this money is used. In the past, we have used $9 million for the restoration of water distribution system at the Royal Air Forces base in Lakenheath in the United Kingdom. We have three Air Force F-15 squadrons there. We have used this fund to provide $25 million for a medical treatment facility at Aviano Air Base in Italy. At Aviano, we have two U.S. Air Force F-16 squadron stations. And again, as I mentioned, we've used this money to support needed NATO infrastructure that helps U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.
So I would like to offer to the gentleman a good-faith effort, as we move to conference committee, to work with Mr. Wicker and work on a bipartisan basis to see if we can find additional funding for BRAC. I want additional funding for BRAC, but let's not undermine President Bush's commitments to NATO, our Nation's commitments to NATO, and unintentionally undermine important infrastructure programs that do support our troops that are risking their lives in Afghanistan and Iraq, even as we speak today.
Mr. Wicker: Will the gentleman yield?
Mr. Edwards: I would be glad to yield.
Mr. Wicker: I thank my friend, the chairman of the subcommittee, for yielding.
I would simply join my chairman in his offer to continue working with Mr. Hayes with regard to this effort. Certainly, no one has been a stronger advocate for the men and women at Fort Bragg, and also Pope Air Force Base and the families in that surrounding area, than has Robin Hayes of North Carolina.
I appreciate the sense of the amendment. I suspect that it will not pass today, Mr. Chairman, but I do want to work with Chairman Edwards to see if we can accommodate the gentleman from North Carolina's needs as we move forward in the process.
Mr. Edwards: I would absolutely look forward to working and looking through every nook and cranny in the budget to see if we can squeeze out additional funding for BRAC. I agree with the gentleman from North Carolina that the Department of Defense has underestimated the full cost of BRAC, and we need to watch that very carefully as well.
Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Hayes: Mr. Chairman, may I inquire as to how much time is remaining?
The Chairman: Each side has 1 minute remaining.
Mr. Hayes: I thank very much the chairman. People who know Chet Edwards and Robin Hayes clearly understand our love for the military. And I appreciate Ranking Member Wicker's comments. When all is said and done, they have tough decisions to make, but there is no place like home. Home is Fort Bragg, and I hope that the Members will support my amendment.
Again, I thank Chairman Edwards and Ranking Member Wicker, and I look forward to working with them however this comes out, because this process is not going to end this morning or tomorrow. And again, I thank you for the time and look forward to working with you. I hope the membership will support my amendment.
Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. Edwards: Mr. Chairman, I do look forward to working with Mr. Hayes to see if we can find additional funding for BRAC.
I will just finish by saying that right now home for many American forces is Iraq, it's Afghanistan, it's with NATO forces throughout the world defending our families and our homes. That is why I simply must oppose this, reluctantly, but strongly oppose this amendment because of the source of the funding. If we can find a better source of the funding, I would be glad to support the gentleman.
But I must oppose the amendment because it would undermine our commitment to NATO and vital infrastructure programs and investments that are so very important to our servicemen and -women serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and throughout the world today.
Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
The Chairman: The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Hayes).
The question was taken; and the Chairman announced that the noes appeared to have it.
Mr. Hayes: Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.
The Chairman: Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from North Carolina will be postponed.
The Clerk will read.
The Clerk read as follows:
Family Housing Construction, Army
For expenses of family housing for the Army for construction, including acquisition, replacement, addition, expansion, extension, and alteration, as authorized by law, $419,400,000, to remain available until September 30, 2012.
Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Army
For expenses of family housing for the Army for operation and maintenance, including debt payment, leasing, minor construction, principal and interest charges, and insurance premiums, as authorized by law, $742,920,000.
Family Housing Construction, Navy and Marine Corps
For expenses of family housing for the Navy and Marine Corps for construction, including acquisition, replacement, addition, expansion, extension, and alteration, as authorized by law, $298,329,000, to remain available until September 30, 2012.
Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Navy and Marine Corps
For expenses of family housing for the Navy and Marine Corps for operation and maintenance, including debt payment, leasing, minor construction, principal and interest charges, and insurance premiums, as authorized by law, $371,404,000.
Family Housing Construction, Air Force
For expenses of family housing for the Air Force for construction, including acquisition, replacement, addition, expansion, extension, and alteration, as authorized by law, $362,747,000, to remain available until September 30, 2012.
Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Air Force
For expenses of family housing for the Air Force for operation and maintenance, including debt payment, leasing, minor construction, principal and interest charges, and insurance premiums, as authorized by law, $688,335,000.
Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Defense-Wide
For expenses of family housing for the activities and agencies f the Department of Defense (other than the military departments) for operation and maintenance, leasing, and minor construction, as authorized by law, $48,848,000.
Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund
For the Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund, $500,000, to remain available until expended, for family housing initiatives undertaken pursuant to section 2883 of title 10, United States Code, providing alternative means of acquiring and improving military family housing and supporting facilities.
Chemical Demilitarization Construction, Defense-Wide
(including transfer of funds)For expenses of construction, not otherwise provided for, necessary for the destruction of the United States stockpile of lethal chemical agents and munitions in accordance with the provisions of section 1412 of the Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1986 (50 U.S.C. 1521), and for the destruction of other chemical warfare materials that are not in the chemical weapon stockpile, as currently authorized by law, $86,176,000, to remain available until September 30, 2012: Provided, That such amounts of this appropriation as may be determined by the Secretary of Defense may be transferred to such appropriations of the Department of Defense available for military construction as the Secretary may designate, to be merged with and to be available for the same purposes, and for the same time period, as the appropriation to which transferred.
Department of Defense Base Closure Account 1990
For deposit into the Department of Defense Base Closure Account 1990, established by section 2906(a)(1) of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (10 U.S.C. 2687 note), $270,689,000, to remain available until expended.
Mr. Blumenauer: Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.
The Chairman: The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Amendment offered by Mr. Blumenauer:
Page 10, line 17, insert after the dollar amount the following: "(increased by $50,000,000)".
Page 10, line 24, insert after the dollar amount the following: "(reduced by $201,000,000)".
The Chairman: Pursuant to the order of the House of today, the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Oregon.
Mr. Blumenauer: Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 2 minutes.
Mr. Chairman, first, let me begin by expressing my deep appreciation to the subcommittee for their work in providing an increase over the President's request for funding base cleanup. And particularly what we're talking about here are the legacy locations, places that have been closed in previous BRAC cycles, 1995, 1993, 1991, 1988. However, as we consider this appropriations act, I am concerned that we continue to dramatically underfund our commitment to communities impacted by these past BRAC rounds.
These communities are ones that have been penalized twice. They are penalized when the base is closed, and second, they are penalized because they are unable to make use of the land left behind because of hazardous contamination caused by unexploded ordnance.
According to the most recent Defense Environmental Programs' annual report, there is an estimated $3.5 billion backlog for environmental cleanup of these bases. This represents over 140,000 acres of land that remain unusable by local communities for economic development across this country.
At the current levels, Mr. Chairman, we are facing people who went through the trauma of base closure in 1988, for instance, in Sacramento; they are going to wait over 60 years to be cleaned up.
I appreciate the words of the subcommittee Chair and ranking member in terms of what they are trying to do with the difficult issues regarding BRAC, and I appreciate there is a very generous number that have been established, maybe not completely adequate, to try and deal with the people who were just whacked in the last round of closure. But, for heaven's sake, we need to keep our commitments to the communities that have worked in good faith, that had their bases closed 5 years, 10 years, 15 years ago, and still are awaiting our meeting, our commitment to them.
I strongly urge support of the amendment that I have introduced with Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite.
Mr. Edwards: Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment.
The Chairman: The gentleman from Texas is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. Edwards: Mr. Chairman, while I cannot support this amendment, I want to thank Mr. Blumenauer and Mr. Farr for having led the fight in Congress to bring to every Member's attention the terribly important need to better fund the cleanup of past military sites that have been closed as a result of base realignment and closing process.
There is a $3.5 billion backlog for the BRAC 1990 round 17 years ago. For those communities that have been a partner in defending our Nation, we owe it to them morally to see that we provide the adequate funds to allow those sites to be cleaned up so they can be utilized in a productive manner on behalf of their communities.
The reason I can't support the amendment and will oppose it is because of the outlay technicalities, the gentleman actually has to cut $200 million from the BRAC 2005 account in order to fund additional $50 million for the BRAC 1990 account. So that outlay problem could create great problems by cutting funding for BRAC 2005 in order to help the cleanup of BRAC 1990. We could inadvertently make it more difficult to have barracks ready for troops coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan to their homes here in the United States. It might be more difficult to have military training facilities, necessary at new Army bases, built. So, I oppose this.
But even as I oppose this amendment, I want to thank the gentleman. He has done every community in this country a service, along with Mr. Farr. Every community that has continued waiting 17 years after the 1990 BRAC round has suffered from the fact that the Congress and the administrations have not adequately funded this. It is time we work with the administration and ask them to increase that funding.
Because of the Members' strong support, Mr. Blumenauer and Mr. Farr, we have provided $271 million for the 1990 BRAC round, and that is an increase of $50 million, or a 23 percent increase over the administration's budget request, recognizing that budget request, in my personal opinion, was inadequate.
Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
