Political Quotes

“Mr. President, we have come to a point where it is timely that we urge the Senate to approve the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs conference report. This conference agreement increases funding for veterans programs by nearly 9 percent, including a 4.1-percent increase in discretionary funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs. The agreement provides funding for veterans health care, benefit claims processing, and medical research. The agreement funds housing for military personnel and their families and enhances the capabilities of U.S. military forces. The conference agreement also includes $1.1 billion in emergency supplemental funding to fight the Zika virus. This is the same amount previously approved by the Senate. These funds will be used for mosquito control, vaccine development, and health services. The conference agreement also enhances mosquito control efforts by eliminating duplicative permitting requirements for approved pesticides. This provision is specific to combating the Zika virus, and it expires after 180 days. The conference agreement carries rescissions of previously appropriated funds that are not needed for their original purpose. The fact that rescissions are included is not novel or unique. For example, the appropriations bill that provided funding to fight the Ebola virus included nearly $5 billion in discretionary rescissions and $2.5 billion in mandatory rescissions.…”