John Bel Edwards: “to respond to Chairman Nussle's comments on veterans cuts in this program, I just point out, and his silence perhaps…”

“to respond to Chairman Nussle's comments on veterans cuts in this program, I just point out, and his silence perhaps answers my question, it is in the budget. The veterans cuts in present services will be over $5 billion over the next 5 years. It is right here if you would like to see the printout. Secondly, the chairman knows we voted for a Republican amendment to say ``no'' to the $250 enrollment fee for veterans getting the VA system, but yet you voted on a party-line vote against my amendment to say ``no'' to a thousand dollar increase per year for military retirees health care cost for their premiums. So I would like to ask the chairman in his time to explain what a devastating cut $5 billion in present services would be to the 5 million American veterans who depend on the VA system. I do not know who came up with that proposed cut, but I think it is mean spirited and wrong and will hurt military morale and will not serve our country well. I would hate to put my name on a bill that will cut veterans health care during a time of war.”