David Obey: “let me simply explain the amendment. As I discussed earlier, under existing law given the tax cuts that the Congress has…”

“let me simply explain the amendment. As I discussed earlier, under existing law given the tax cuts that the Congress has passed this year, persons making a million dollars or more will on average get a tax cuts of $140,000. Meanwhile, we have a significant squeeze on veterans funding. Very briefly, my amendment would simply scale back the size of those tax cuts from $140,000 to $129,000. It would use the $2.6 billion saved by that action to add funding to a number of accounts for veterans health care. It would add $1.5 billion more for medical services for returning veterans. It would add $500 million more for increased medical administrative costs. It would add $300 million to keep the VA medical facilities up and running by refurbishing them. It would add $67 million for VA medical and prosthetic research; $201 million to build medical clinics and long-term care facilities; and $37 million for general administrative costs to assist veterans in receiving the prompt attention they deserve. As has been indicated, the rule that was adopted precludes this amendment from being, or I should put it this way, the rule that is offered makes this amendment subject to a point of order. That means that it cannot be considered unless a point of order is not lodged against it.…”