Duncan Faircloth: “as a veteran, I rise in strong support of this amendment to restore funds for service-related medical conditions that…”

“as a veteran, I rise in strong support of this amendment to restore funds for service-related medical conditions that result from tobacco use. This amendment offers a chance to reverse that cut, which the Clinton Administration proposed earlier in this process, and to reiterate our commitment to veterans. I voted for the transportation bill that included this cut because the bill increased North Carolina highway funds by more than $1.5 billion. I put a lot of hard work into that highway bill, and, certainly, there is not a member of the Senate more committed to a safe and efficient transportation infrastructure than I. However, after further review in the relevant committees over the past several months, this cut was exposed to some sunlight and revealed as a rush to judgment and a disservice to American veterans. Frankly, this episode illustrates that we need to be better attuned to veterans issues, and we need to be more cautious about the effects of these provisions. As a veteran of the United States Army and the junior Senator from North Carolina, a State that is home to some 700,000 former soldiers, I cherish opportunities to serve our veterans. For example, I set up small constituent services offices across North Carolina to best service their needs, because I know that not all veterans--certainly not those wounded in the line of duty--are as mobile as the general population. I urge the Senate to fulfill our commitment to American veterans.”