Political Quotes

“we had a full debate of this issue. This is not the first time this issue has been presented to the Senate. As a matter of fact, before this fiscal year began, 2005, there was a question about how much money would be needed by the Veterans' Administration to provide health care benefits and other services to veterans. The President had submitted a budget request for this year, but after hearings in our Appropriations Committee, the subcommittee recommended an increase over and above what the President had requested. As we all know, there is a considerable time gap after the President's completion of his budget submission. The hearing process takes place in Congress, a budget resolution is developed, and then the Appropriations Committee conducts hearings and reviews what the facts are and if there have been any changes in the situation that can be reflected in the recommendations made in the Appropriations Committee. Last year, the Appropriations subcommittee recommended to the full committee an increase in funding over and above the request of the President by $1.2 billion--a substantial increase. That was approved. In this fiscal year's budget which we are now talking about, the President has already received $1.2 billion that he did not request. As we moved into the year, there have been suggestions that additional funds might be needed. We are already, though, preparing for the next fiscal year, 2006.…”