The House-approved budget recognizes the immeasurable contributions of our 25 million veterans, and responds by building on the enhancements Congress has provided for veterans benefits in the past few years.

In the past few years Congress has approved the Veterans Education and Benefits Expansion Act to expand and increase educational, housing, burial and disability benefits; the Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act to aid homeless veterans and prevent veterans from becoming homeless; and the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Program Enhancement Act to add and expand existing health care programs for veterans.

The 2003 budget builds on our commitment to America's veterans, providing $56.9 billion for veterans' benefits. This includes $23 billion to make sure our veterans receive high-quality healthcare - without Category 7 veterans having to pay the proposed $1500 deductible. Severely disabled veterans will now be able to receive retirement pay at the same time they receive disability benefits. This will increase their payments from a maximum of $300 per-month under current provisions, to as much as $2,163 per-month in FY 2007.

Our veterans also deserve accurate and timely processing of their claims and our commitment that veterans' cemeteries will remain national shrines. This budget delivers on both of these items. Our veterans answered the call to duty and it's time for Congress to repay our deep debt of gratitude.