Political Quotes

“as we speak from the comfort and security of this House Chamber, tomorrow's veterans are putting their lives on the line in Iraq today. That is why this rule is shameful. With this rule, the House Republican leadership has guaranteed inadequate funding for veterans health care during a time of war. And to add insult to injury, the House Republican leadership has broken its recent promises with this rule to veterans. How? By ensuring that we cut VA health care funding by $1.8 billion less than they promised our veterans just a few weeks ago. Do not listen to just my voice; more importantly, listen to the voices of America's veterans' leaders. Let us go to Ron Conley, the national commander of the American Legion. He said this: ``I have visited over 60 VA medical facilities across the country only to find that budgetary shortfalls are preventing hundreds of thousands of Americans from receiving timely access to quality health care.'' He goes on to say that to fund VA medical care short of that recommendation in the House budget resolution ``sends a chilling message to those who served in the liberation of Iraq.'' Shameful, Mr. Speaker. Let us talk about broken promises. It would be wrong to break promises to veterans in any year, but to do so in a time of war is absolutely inexcusable.”