Contact: Rob Ostrander 202.224.7627 Shana Stribling 202.224.0309
Tuesday, April 6, 2004

WASHINGTON, DC Senator Kit Bond today at a hearing he chaired on next year's funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) stressed that the current budget request is inadequate to meet the needs of our nation's veterans.

"I am committed to ensuring that our veterans are not short-changed, especially in a time of war," said Bond, chairman of the VA-HUD Appropriations Subcommittee. "While on duty, we expect our brave service-members to face dangers on a daily basis. They should not expect to face the danger of inadequate medical care services whey they return from duty."

Bond said that the fiscal year 2005 budget request to fund the VA is insufficient. In March, Bond fought for an amendment to the budget resolution to increase the budget for Veterans Medical Care. Sponsored by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), the amendment will increase total health care funding for veterans programs to $30.3 billion, which is $1.2 billion over the budget request.

Last year, Bond also fought to increase veterans health care funding. He secured $28.36 billion for veterans health care in the fiscal year 2004 Omnibus Appropriations bill, a $3.1 billion increase over last year's enacted level.

Bond, who emphasized today that VA medical care is his top priority again this year, said that year after year the main VA-HUD priorities are under-funded, and this year is no exception. He also blasted the proposal to make up for the VA medical care funding shortfall by charging new fees on veterans seeking care, "We should not balance our books on the backs of our veterans," the Senator said of the proposal.

In addition to increased funding, Bond stressed that the VA medical care system must be reformed. He offered his continued support for the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Service (CARES), which ensures that the VA has the right facilities in the right places so more veterans can be served on a timely basis. Bond called CARES the most ambitious effort the federal government is making to meet better the needs of our current veterans and to allow the VA to meet the exploding demand for medical care for future veterans.

Bond also asked VA Secretary Anthony Principi, who testified at today's hearing, his plan to address the problem of homeless veterans. Recent reports number homeless veterans at 250,000 on any given night. Bond thanked Principi for his hard work, commitment and compassion while working to meet the challenges of serving our nation's veterans.

Bond served Missouri twice as Governor and now continues his service to Missourians in the United States Senate.