Political Quotes

“I rise in opposition to the Garrett amendment to the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs appropriations bill which would transfer $7 million in funding for the grants for construction, minor projects account into another unrelated account. This amendment would adversely affect veterans in my district by shifting funding away from priority construction projects, such as the domiciliary extended stay unit in Butler, Pennsylvania. That facility is a vital source of shelter and rehabilitation for homeless veterans in western Pennsylvania, and I will not allow its upkeep and improvement to be compromised by this type of unwise amendment. Last-minute shifts in funding for parochial concerns take away from priority projects and plans that the VA has determined to be necessary for veterans' health and safety nationwide. I ask my colleagues to join me in strongly opposing the Garrett amendment to prevent harmful construction project cuts for the VA.”