Patty Murray: “I have said throughout this debate--as I spoke on the supplemental, as I have been out here on the floor many times and…”

“I have said throughout this debate--as I spoke on the supplemental, as I have been out here on the floor many times and in our committee--veterans are not a Republican issue; they are not a Democratic issue; they are an American issue. I think what you see happening on the floor this afternoon is exactly to that point. I congratulate the Senator from Pennsylvania, as well as the Senator from Idaho, Larry Craig, and the Senator from Texas, Mrs. Hutchison, who have been working diligently with us in a nonpartisan way to address a real need, and that is to take care of the men and women who have served us so nobly in previous wars and in the current conflicts in which we are engaged. From my side, I thank Senator Byrd, who stood with me valiantly as we have worked to provide the funds for the men and women who are serving us overseas. I thank him for his leadership on this issue. I thank Senator Akaka, ranking member on the Veterans Committee, who has worked with us to make sure that on our side we are provided with accurate statistics and are moving forward. At the end of the day who win are the men and women who serve us. It is a real tribute to this Senate that we are now standing here today with the amendment offered by the Senator from Pennsylvania to add $80 million to our amendment, to now be providing $1.5 billion for veterans services.…”