Barbara Boxer: “I will explain the amendment. I will do so quickly. The Boxer amendment provides an additional $500 million per year for…”

“I will explain the amendment. I will do so quickly. The Boxer amendment provides an additional $500 million per year for mental health services for our Nation's veterans over the next 5 years. This amendment is backed by the American Legion, AMVETS, and Disabled American Veterans. We pay for this in a very simple way. We say the tax cuts of 2001 that have not yet taken effect for those earning over $1 million a year be deferred. We find that when we pay for this $500 million, we have millions left over to reduce the deficit. In closing, let me tell my colleagues a story. I got an e-mail from a woman who was married to CPT Michael Jon Pelkey, who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder for over a year. He sought help on several occasions but was discouraged by the wait time and the stigma. He thought his command would perceive him as worthless if he started therapy. His wife wrote: Michael passed away in our home at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest on November 5, 2004. She said: I feel that my husband is a casualty of this war and to date the Army has not [done enough for post-traumatic stress]. I know millionaires in California, and I know they would give up a tax cut to help--to help--our veterans who are fighting in deplorable conditions every single day. I hope my colleagues will take a stand for our veterans and say to the millionaires of this country: We know you want to help them. Mr.…”