Patty Murray: “2 weeks ago the Senate came together, not as Republicans and Democrats, but as Americans, to do what is right for our…”

“2 weeks ago the Senate came together, not as Republicans and Democrats, but as Americans, to do what is right for our Nation's veterans. By a vote of 96-0, we all agreed to increase veterans funding by $1.5 billion. We agreed to fill the appalling shortfall the VA faces this year by agreeing to that amendment for $1.5 billion. It was a very clear message that we will be there for the people who have served our country. I was very proud of the Senate when we passed that amendment to do the right thing. Shortly following that unanimous vote, the majority leader stood on the Senate floor and moved to have the Senate yield to the House of Representatives' lower figure of $975 million. That would have gone against what this Senate had just agreed to. That proposal by the majority leader also went against what the Senate Appropriations Committee had agreed to earlier that very same day. On a bipartisan and unanimous basis, the Senate Appropriations Committee members reaffirmed that the Senate should approve the full $1.5 billion in immediate funding for the VA. The Appropriations Committee and the full Senate unanimously agreed that America's veterans deserve the full $1.5 billion for this fiscal year. Then there was an attempt to accept a lower number. We need to make sure in this Senate there is no backtracking and that veterans in this country who have served us honorably do not get shortchanged.…”