Hal Rogers: “Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for yielding this time and thank you for bringing up this bill. Madam Speaker, I rise in…”

“Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for yielding this time and thank you for bringing up this bill. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this bill. This bill continues to provide our Nation's veterans with access to important benefits that they have earned in service to their country. To let these important health benefits slow or stop would be to renege on our promise to our soldiers that, in exchange for taking care of this country, the Nation will take care of you. This legislation continues funding for the processing and delivering of disability claims and other health benefits at the current annual rate of approximately $82 billion until December 15, or until we enact full-year appropriations. Yesterday, when we considered this bill on the floor under suspension, Republicans and Democrats alike united behind the duty of this Congress to provide for our veterans. Frankly, I'm surprised it didn't pass with the vote of every single Member, but some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle chose not to support the care of our former servicemen and -women. But I believe that, given this second chance, where a majority will do, my colleagues will come together to pass this important bill. Not only is it important for the well-being of our veterans, but it's important for the well-being of the Nation as a whole. Every step we take to fund one section of the government is a step we can take toward reopening the entire government.…”