William H. Frist: “we have been here before. Indeed, the Senate has voted twice, most recently on the Homeland Security appropriations bill…”

“we have been here before. Indeed, the Senate has voted twice, most recently on the Homeland Security appropriations bill we finished last week, and then a week before that on the Interior appropriations bill, to provide $1.5 billion for veterans health programs for the current fiscal year, with the remainder of it to be used until expended. I supported those amendments, as did the Democratic leader. The conference on the Interior bill, I understand, is well underway and will be completed by the end of this week. I fully expect that the $1.5 billion in additional funding for veterans health care will be on the President's desk for his signature before we leave in 2 weeks for the August recess. In addition, I should also mention it is important that no veteran right now--no single veteran--is being denied needed health care. The other thing I want to mention to the Democratic leader, because I have not mentioned it before, is that if, for some unexpected reason, the Interior appropriations conference report is not finished, then I think he and I could join together and sponsor legislation, stand-alone legislation if need be, to accomplish the same thing that he requests. I do not believe it is necessary today because we will accomplish this goal before we leave. The conference on the Interior bill is underway and will provide that funding. Therefore, I object to the unanimous consent request by the minority leader. The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Objection is heard.”