Louis Stokes: “Mr. Chairman, I rise just to bring to the attention of the House a little further discussion relative to the…”

“Mr. Chairman, I rise just to bring to the attention of the House a little further discussion relative to the reservations that were just expressed by the chairman of the subcommittee. By the same token, I have reservations because this matter was discussed fully at the full committee level. The gentleman from Wisconsin [Mr. Neumann] presented the amendment at that time and I think did an excellent job of presenting the problem that veterans have faced as a result of the necessity for such a motion. After a full discussion at the full committee level, assurance was given that in the event that the reconciliation package did not provide the type of fail-safe preservation that the veterans needed, that the Committee on Appropriations would revisit this matter and see that the veterans were made whole. Subsequently, and based upon the chairman's representation in that respect, the full committee then voted down that particular amendment at that time. I think all of us have to realize that this problem would not have arisen had we taken care of this matter in the budget agreement that was passed here by the House. I voted against the budget agreement which was passed by the House. One of the reasons I voted against it was because all of those who voted for it knew that that bill cut the veterans account by $2.2 billion.”