Julian Bond: “This amendment would provide, within the $17.2 billion medical care appropriation, $20 million for VA's homeless grant…”

“This amendment would provide, within the $17.2 billion medical care appropriation, $20 million for VA's homeless grant and per diem program. The amendment would make these funds available for vocational training, outreach, shelter, and other important activities to aid homeless veterans in a comprehensive manner. This should help meet the needs of the 275,000 veterans who are estimated to be homeless on any given night of the year. Together with funds already included in the bill, we will have provided $100 million in VA homeless assistance. This is a critical need. I commend the other Senators who worked on supporting this. I urge adoption of the amendment.”