Washington, D.C. – Military Quality of Life Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman James Walsh (R-NY) will introduce a supplemental spending bill today to address a FY05 funding gap in the Veterans Medical Care program.  Administration officials testified before Congress this week that the funding shortfall is due in part to updated actuarial information and an increase in the number of veterans returning from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

 

Veteran Affairs Secretary Jim Nicholson testified this morning before the Veteran’s Affairs Committee and confirmed that the amount needed to sustain services for the remaining three months of the fiscal year was $975 million.  Walsh’s bill will provide that amount and was developed in close consultation with Veteran’s Affairs Committee Chairman Steve Buyer.  The House is expected to consider the measure under suspension this evening after completion of the Transportation, Treasury spending bill.  

 

“This bill fixes the current problem and allows us to develop thoughtful solutions to any potential future funding gaps.  This Congress will tolerate no diminution of services or reduced quality of care for our nation's veterans in this time of war,” said Chairman Walsh.  “I want to thank Chairman Buyer for assistance in getting this problem fixed.”

 

The Administration is expected to report back to Congress in the coming weeks about the exact needs for the next fiscal year.  The House passed version of the FY06 Military Quality of Life appropriations bill provides $1 billion above the budget request and $1.64 billion above FY05 for Veterans Medical Services.  Since 2001, Veteran’s medical care funding has increased by 40% and 70% since Republicans became the majority in 1995.