Byron Dorgan: “This amendment adds $1.019 billion to the total amount in the bill for veterans discretionary programs. The amendment is…”

“This amendment adds $1.019 billion to the total amount in the bill for veterans discretionary programs. The amendment is paid for by a decrease in the tax cut in an equal amount, in addition to the additional spending on veterans programs that would be available to reduce the deficit. With respect to veterans programs, let me say to the chairman and ranking member, I think they did some good work with respect to veterans medical care. They did actually add some money for veterans health care, veterans medical care. We all commend them for that. We are still very short with respect to veterans programs dealing with research, with construction, with the administration that is needed in order to process the requests by veterans. There is a rather lengthy time lag in being able to process the request. The fact is, we need to provide sufficient moneys for this service. At a time when veterans are in the field prosecuting this war, we ought to say we will keep our promise to veterans.”