FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 14, 2005

CONTACT: Brendan Daly/ Jennifer Crider 202-226-7616

Pelosi Celebrates Flag Day, Continues to Fight for Veterans and Military Retirees

Washington, D.C. – House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi today released the following statement in honor of Flag Day, calling for Congress to pass the new “GI Bill of Rights for the 21st Century,” a broad package to improve benefits for our men and women in uniform, and to provide long-overdue benefits for veterans and military retirees:

“In honor of Flag Day, Congress must commit to passing the new ‘GI Bill of Rights for the 21st Century.’ Just as we honor our flag, we should honor those who wore our uniform and ensure they have the benefits and protections they earned.

“House Democrats honored our debt to our servicemen and women by including a provision in the House-passed Defense bill to extend combat pay for injured troops. Democrats also forced Republicans to drop President Bush’s proposed fee increases for prescription drug co-payments in the veterans’ spending bill.

“Unfortunately, Republicans continue to block Democratic efforts to help our veterans. The Majority blocked efforts to provide TRICARE to members of the National Guard and Reserves. They blocked $53 million in urgently needed funds for trauma care centers and telemedicine. Republicans even blocked funds for injured troops, including $3.2 billion for mental health services, prosthetics, and amputee care.

“This Flag Day, Republicans should stop standing in the way of Democratic efforts to support our troops. I urge all my colleagues, both Republicans and Democrats, to support the new GI Bill of Rights for the 21st Century, and give our men and women in uniform the benefits they deserve.”

“ Democrats are united in presenting a New Direction for America, one that will make our nation as strong as its people, one that brings opportunity, security, and prosperity to all Americans. ”

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi