WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Republican Conference Secretary John T. Doolittle (R-Roseville) today paid tribute to the lives and sacrifices of America’s Veterans in honor of November 11th, Veterans Day.

“America’s Veterans have served their country with the belief that democracy and freedom are ideals to be upheld around the world,” Doolittle said. “It is because of this sacrifice that America has remained a world leader and a beacon of democracy.

“This year’s Veterans Day celebration is especially significant as our country remains committed to fighting the War on Terror and as brave men and women are heroically defending our homeland,” Doolittle continued. “I want to take this opportunity to express my thanks to those Veterans who liberated continents, spread democracy, and defended us from brutal enemies. My thoughts and prayers are with our military families.”

Republicans Have Responded to the Needs of our Veterans

Since Republicans became the majority in 1995, funding for Veterans’ medical care and benefits has increased by more than 75 percent. Republicans are committed to ensuring that the men and women in our Armed Services are given the care they deserve both during and after their service to our country. In the past several months, Congress has taken a number of important actions to support our troops and honor our veterans.

- In May, the House passed the Military Quality of Life Appropriations Act which provided $21 billion in health care for our Armed Forces and Veterans, an increase of $1.65 billion from last year.

- This funding also expanded benefits for Guard and Reserve personnel by $1.5 billion over last year.

- Over the last two years, funding for veterans’ medical care has increased by 18 percent.

- $20 billion was provided for the Defense Health Program, an increase of $1.8 billion over last year.

- In June, the House passed the Veterans’ Healthcare Supplemental Appropriations Act which included:

- $273 million for healthcare for returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, including members of the Guard and Reserve.

- $226 million for the shared federal and state VA long-term care nursing home program.

- $200 million for unanticipated increases in the healthcare for priority veterans.

- $95 million for unanticipated energy, fuel, and utility costs.

- $84 million to buy emergency medical equipment.

- $39 million to pay for the increase in healthcare benefits for dependants of 100-percent service-connected veterans.

U.S. Rep. John T. Doolittle has served in the House of Representatives since 1991. As Secretary of the House Republican Conference, he is an elected member of the House Republican Leadership. Doolittle represents California’s 4th Congressional District and serves on the Appropriations Committee, Energy and Water, Agriculture, and Interior Subcommittees, and the House Administration Committee.