On Friday, March 21st, the U.S. House passed H. Con. Res. 95, The Budget Resolution For Fiscal 2004.  Besides cuts to health care, education and farm programs, this resolution contains drastic cuts in funding for veterans benefits and services.  The budget would require Congressional committees to cut programs vital to America’s veterans over the next ten years.  These cuts come to Veterans programs while our nation is at war.  The Democratic Members of the Arkansas Delegation did not support this resolution.

Under this budget resolution, funding for veterans health care and benefit programs would experience a $14.6 billion reduction over the next decade, if current levels necessary to maintain law are upheld.  Regrettably, while requiring deep cuts in veterans programs, the budget makes room for most of the President's trillion dollar tax-cut package that doesn't create jobs or stimulate the sluggish economy.  In contrast to this proposal, a bipartisan recommendation from the Veterans Affairs Committee would have added $3 billion next year for veteran discretionary programs.

 “As a Marine and Vietnam Veteran as well as a member of the Veterans Affairs Committee I did not support this resolution,” said U.S. Representative Vic Snyder.  “I am very much concerned that it will drastically reduce funding for veterans’ benefits and access to health care, seriously hindering services for the 246,000 veterans in Arkansas.”

"I was very disappointed to see a budget framework containing such damaging cuts to veterans programs pass the House last week.  With our television screens and newspapers filled with images of our servicemen and women risking their lives, and in some cases losing their lives, on the battlefield, there is no better reminder of the importance of keeping our commitment to America's veterans.  I've long understood the sanctity of this commitment and I'll keep working to make sure we keep it," Congressman Berry said.

"Last October, we authorized President Bush to send our men and women in uniform into battle," Congressman Ross said.  "In doing so, we voted to create a whole new batch of veterans, is this how we follow up?  Is this how we show our support for the brave soldiers who are risking their lives to fulfill their missions, by slashing funding that will take care of them after they have served time taking care of us? As the conference committee meets to resolve the House and Senate budget differences, I urge them, on behalf of those who have served our country and those who are serving our country right now, to restore funding to the veterans programs that protect those who protect us."

Fortunately, in a letter sent late Thursday night, House Budget Committee Chairman Jim Nussle agreed to “accept a level of discretionary and mandatory spending for veterans programs at least as high as reported by the Senate Budget Committee.”  This late-night letter, however, did not change the language requiring cuts in mandatory veterans appropriations before the resolution came to a vote.  He suggested that the changes would be made during a conference report with the Senate.  The Democratic Members of the Arkansas Delegation will closely monitor the budget process to ensure that the pledge made by chairman Nussle is realized.