John Bel Edwards: “Mr. Chairman, I am proud of the fact that under the new leadership in the Congress, in a period of 6 months, we will…”

“Mr. Chairman, I am proud of the fact that under the new leadership in the Congress, in a period of 6 months, we will have increased veterans health care spending by over $10 billion compared to the funding level that existed in December of 2006. Virtually every major veterans organization in America has applauded this bill for its $6 billion increase in veterans health care spending. I salute any Member of this House who has worked or is working or will work to improve funding for veterans health care, but I must say to the gentleman, and perhaps in fairness to him he spoke to other Members of the House, but when I was working as chairman on the Subcommittee on Veterans Funding for a $3.4 billion increase in VA health care spending for the 2007 continuing resolution, I didn't hear from the gentleman. When as chairman I worked to add $1.8 billion in the Iraq war supplemental for VA health care programs, I didn't hear from the gentleman. When Mr. Wicker and I worked together on a bipartisan basis to put together the largest increase in VA health care spending in the 77-year history of the VA, I didn't hear from the gentleman any requests for an additional $22 million for VA medical services.”