Roland Gutierrez: “you know, we keep calling these cuts rescissions. But let us face it. These are not rescissions, but rather a retreat, a…”

“you know, we keep calling these cuts rescissions. But let us face it. These are not rescissions, but rather a retreat, a retreat from recent promises to fund programs during this fiscal year, a retreat from long-standing promises to serve veterans. And, just as an army in retreat turns its back and runs, those who support this package are also turning their backs. Obviously, the Appropriations Committee has done a disservice to all Americans affected by those cuts. But, let us consider how shameful it is to do a disservice to people who have already given their service to this country. That means America's veterans. These cuts are financing 14 years of failed, phony, fiscal policy from the GOP--two sets of Republican budget-busters that are squeezing working families like a vice. In 1981, a Republican President began to cut taxes for the wealthy and build up our defense. And in 1995, a Republican Congress wants-- sound familiar?--to cut taxes for the wealthy and build up our defense. To quote that same Republican President, ``there they go again.'' Let us see how flawed these rescissions are. Just look at the decision to cancel improvements at the VA hospital in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Now I do not know whether any member of the Appropriations Committee has traveled to the facility in San Juan. But I have. I can speak firsthand of the overcrowding and long delays as patients try to access the services supposedly available to them.…”