Daniel Akaka: “I say to my friends, the Senator from Montana and the Senator from Idaho, that we agree that veterans need quality care…”

“I say to my friends, the Senator from Montana and the Senator from Idaho, that we agree that veterans need quality care and services, but we differ on how much to provide for this care and who is eligible. I believe all veterans deserve access to quality care. I also believe that we must make this a priority. I say again to my friends, VA health care should grow, and that is not a bad reality. We spend exorbitant amounts on these men and women while they are in active service. They deserve our care when they are done serving. The budget has gone up. Let's think about what we have purchased with that budget: hundreds of new clinics, hundreds of thousands who never had insurance and who can now come to the VA for world-class care, a leading research program, and a system where care is second to none. Let's not deny that health care costs money. We agree on that. Indeed, there is an increase in the VA budget, but it undercounts the number of returning service members. It does not do enough for mental health, and it flat lines rehabilitation care. As I have said, we are pleased that the President's budget is much better than last year's. This is not a bidding war; this is getting it right. Mr. President, I yield the remainder of my time on this amendment to Senator Murray. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator is recognized.”