Daniel Akaka: “I want the Senator from Texas to know that I do appreciate the changes made by her. I believe it is an approach with…”

“I want the Senator from Texas to know that I do appreciate the changes made by her. I believe it is an approach with which we can all live. A letter was circulated last year to Senators in which the VA assured Senators ``that the VA does not need emergency supplemental funds in FY 2005 to continue to provide the timely quality service that is always our goal. But certainly for the remainder of this year, I do not foresee any challenges that are not solvable within our own management decision capability.'' We know that in the end, however, emergency funds were needed. With this modification in my amendment, I expect the President to come forward expeditiously and will not tolerate forestalling and suppression of the facts. Our men and women are depending on us. We will be watching. I express my appreciation for the second-degree amendment. Following the adoption of that amendment, I will ask for the yeas and nays on my amendment, as amended by the Senator from Texas.”