James M. Jeffords: “exactly 1 month ago I praised the Appropriations Committee's efforts to fund the State Revolving Fund for Wastewater…”

“exactly 1 month ago I praised the Appropriations Committee's efforts to fund the State Revolving Fund for Wastewater Treatment and for Drinking Water at the highest possible levels. Today, however, I am gravely concerned about the overall cut in environmental spending contained in the bill before us today and specifically with a large cut in the clean water program. First, let me say that I intend to vote for this conference report, as it contains a $1.5 billion supplemental spending package to cover a shortfall in veterans health care funding. I was highly disappointed to learn last month of the shortfall in funding for veterans health care. It was particularly outrageous that this announcement followed on the heels of assurances from the Veterans' Administration and President Bush that the additional funding we attempted to add in the emergency supplemental funding bill was not needed. Clearly, this was not the case. I am pleased that the Senate moved immediately to rectify this problem and dealt with this problem while we still had a chance. I am frustrated, however, that the funding to combat this shortfall was not attached to the more appropriate vehicle. At a time when our soldiers are returning from war and veterans are coming into the VA in record numbers, our veterans and our local VA hospitals need and deserve this funding.…”