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Each November 11th our country comes together to remember our veterans who have served and sacrificed in the name of freedom. These men and women in uniform selflessly stood in harm's way as the guardians of our most fundamental freedoms-life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. With approximately 71,000 veterans in North Florida alone, Veterans Day gives us the opportunity to express our collective gratitude and appreciation for their noble service to our country. We must also take this opportunity to renew our commitment to the men and women who have worn the uniform in defense of this great nation.
As a combat veteran myself, I understand the sacrifices veterans make to defend our country. Leaving family and friends behind is not easy, but protecting and serving America and all that it stand for makes this a meaningful and noble sacrifice. Now is the time for the federal government to recognize this sacrifice and fulfill our moral obligation to those who have fought for freedom and democracy.
Unfortunately, many government leaders have failed to keep the promise we made to our veterans by inadequately funding veterans programs. Earlier this year, the Administration laid out a budget proposal that was about $338 million below what the Congressional Budget Office estimated was needed for fiscal year 2006. While Congress rejected the Administration's slight, it is blaringly clear that this Administration does not have the best interests of our veterans at heart. Unquestionably, difficult choices are before the public and Congress with respect to the nation's budget priorities, and I have been a staunch advocate for budget reform and fiscal responsibility. However, we cannot promote fiscal restraint on the backs of the men and women who serve our country. We must take care of those who defend our country today and fulfill our debt to those who have defended us in the past.
Sadly, the funding problems for veterans programs do not stop there. In June, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Jim Nicholson, acknowledged that the Department of Veterans Affairs was short $1 billion for covering veterans' healthcare needs this year. Congress was able to close the funding shortage by providing $1.5 billion for veterans' healthcare needs this year. However, these funds were appropriated after much time and effort was spent correcting the VA's huge mistake, one that could have been avoided with appropriate candor and accountability.
In addition to fighting for adequate funding for veterans programs, I am also working to enact a new GI Bill of Rights for the 21st Century. In 1944, we honored the Greatest Generation through a Bill of Rights, and in each major military conflict since, we have honored the service of our soldiers through a new GI Bill. The new GI Bill of Rights focuses on improving veterans' healthcare, including mental healthcare, to meet the needs of our returning troops. This bill would also end the Disabled Veterans' Tax, which prevents disabled veterans from receiving military retiree and veterans' disability benefits concurrently. I have worked with my colleagues in Congress to score a partial repeal of this tax, but the remaining disabled military retirees should be allowed to receive all of their promised benefits.
We must never shrink from our duty to care for America's defenders. The more than one million service members who have died in defense of this nation, including now more than 2,000 from current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, deserve no less than the promises made to them. We should be held accountable for our promises to them. By ending the unfair taxes on military families and disabled military retirees and improving veterans' healthcare to keep up with the growing number of veterans, we can honor our veterans through action and tangible assistance instead of empty words and promises. This Veterans Day, as we show our respect for the men and women who bravely answered the call to duty, let us also recognize their service by providing our nations' heroes with the respect, benefits and services they have earned and deserve.
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