Patty Murray: “I am very proud that this afternoon we are considering a very important bill that will fund not only the important…”

“I am very proud that this afternoon we are considering a very important bill that will fund not only the important investments in health, education, and the workforce but also historic increases in spending for our veterans and for their families. Chairman Harkin and Ranking Member Specter have put together a great Labor-HHS bill. I am very proud to support it. But this afternoon I want to take a little bit of time to speak directly to the importance of the Military Construction-Veterans Affairs portion of this package, because today it is in grave danger of being blocked by bipartisan gamesmanship. Our servicemembers in Iraq and Afghanistan and from so many conflicts before have done absolutely everything we have asked of them. They have answered the President's call to war with the honor and sense of duty we have come to expect from our Nation's bravest men and women. They have performed under enormous pressure in the middle of a civil war. They have left loved ones behind who count on them. They continue to put their own lives on the line every single day. Now, unfortunately here at home, this administration has not been committed to care for them when they come home.”