María Elvira Salazar: “I want to take a moment to recognize my colleagues. Chairman Edwards has been a great champion of our veterans since his…”

“I want to take a moment to recognize my colleagues. Chairman Edwards has been a great champion of our veterans since his tenure here in Congress began. Also, I thank Ranking Member Wamp and Mr. Crenshaw for their valiant efforts in putting this bill together. I don't think that I have had a greater honor than to serve on a committee of this type where we all work together in a bipartisan manner. Chairman Edwards, Ranking Member Wamp, Mr. Crenshaw--all of us--have worked very hard for veterans and their families. All 17.5 million living veterans in the United States should applaud you for your diligent work as you fight for those who provide us freedom. Madam Chair, as the chairman mentioned, it is important to recognize the bipartisanship and fiscal responsibility of this bill. In completing BRAC 2005, the subcommittee was able to reduce the overall spending of this bill by three-quarters of a billion dollars. The bill includes a total of $57 billion, which is an increase of nearly $4 billion for veterans' medical care, disability, and educational benefits. Veterans in Colorado are a major winner in this bill again. Thanks to the President and to the subcommittee for their continued support of a new VA medical center in Denver, Colorado. I want to thank all of those Members who continue to fight the good fight for our veterans and military personnel.”