Political Quotes

“I am pleased to discuss funding for VA in the budget resolution for fiscal year 2009. Chairman Conrad and his colleagues on the Budget Committee have done impressive work on this resolution. They have demonstrated sound judgment in their funding recommendation to address the needs of our country. Service members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, like those who returned from Vietnam, Korea, World War II and all previous wars, bear the effects of their service. They show us that the costs of war do not end on the battlefield. In crafting this budget, we are in a position to ensure that care for returning service members, of every war, is a top priority. The Department of Veterans Affairs provides superior health care to millions of veterans every year. It is widely regarded as one of the top health care systems in America. Today, VA faces a growing wave of new demands--veterans of past wars are aging and making greater use of the system, and younger veterans of the current conflicts require a new range of services from VA. Congress must provide the resources for VA to meet all of these demands. This budget resolution acknowledges the challenges facing VA. It meets our responsibility of caring for our Nation's service members and veterans. In recent years, VA and Congress have made a tremendous investment in mental health services. I am pleased that this budget reflects an ongoing commitment to better serve the needs of veterans with mental health concerns.”