Sanford Bishop: “Mr. Speaker, thanks to the men and women who have served in the Armed Forces, we Americans live in the freest, the most…”

“Mr. Speaker, thanks to the men and women who have served in the Armed Forces, we Americans live in the freest, the most bountiful, and the most secure country in the world. All of us will agree, I am sure, that we owe each and every one of our veterans a deep debt of gratitude. On patriotic holidays we express our thanks in speeches and parades, and well we should, because when our veterans signed up and answered the call with their faithful service to our Nation, our Government in essence issued a promissory note, a check assuring them certain basic benefits, including education and job training opportunities, housing assistance, and a health care system that specifically serves veterans, the veterans' population, when they need it, for life. It will be a tragic day, Mr. Speaker, if that check is ever returned marked 'Insufficient Funds.' In essence, that is exactly what will be happening if Congress votes to support the more than $206 million in VA rescissions the Appropriations Committee is recommending.”