Maurice Hinchey: “it is quite clear that this Republican budget has many and serious deficiencies. It is also true of the rule. The rule…”

“it is quite clear that this Republican budget has many and serious deficiencies. It is also true of the rule. The rule, for example, will not allow us to direct our attention to the needs of American veterans. The rule does not allow us to have an amendment come to the floor which will allow us to debate the issue of health care for American veterans. The rule does not allow us to provide very drastically needed additional funds to provide for the health care for the men and women who went to war for this country. Why do the Republicans refuse to allow us the opportunity to provide adequately for American veterans? It is a tiny amount of money that is needed. It will not disrupt the budget. Please, I implore my colleagues, make in order as part of the rule an amendment which will allow us to debate the issue of veterans' health care and finally allow us to provide the funds that are necessary to provide for the health care of American veterans at veterans' hospitals across this country.”