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WASHINGTON, D.C.-Congressman Allen Boyd (D-North Florida) today criticized the Administration's 2006 budget for its failure to protect the nation's veterans. The Administration's budget provides inadequate funding for veterans' medical care and increases co-payments for many disabled veterans.
"As we prepare to welcome home a new generation of men and women from Iraq and Afghanistan, the Administration's budget shortchanges our veterans," said Congressman Boyd. "Americans deserve a fiscally responsible budget that reflects the true needs of the American people. I intend to work with my colleagues in Congress to restore fiscal responsibility while also upholding the promises we've made to our nation's veterans."
The Administration's budget provides $31.4 billion for veterans programs, which is $338 million below the amount the Congressional Budget Office estimated is needed. Almost all appropriated funding for veterans goes to provide medical care and hospital services.
The Administration's budget fails to repeal the Disabled Veterans Tax, which would allow disabled veterans to receive military retiree and veterans' disability benefits concurrently.
The budget also imposes a $250 annual enrollment fee for Priority 7 and Priority 8 veterans. These are veterans who are without service-connected disabilities rated above zero percent who also have incomes above VA means-tested levels.
"Our government has made a number of promises to the men and women who served in our nation's armed forces," Congressman Boyd stated. "As a combat veteran, I consider these promises made to our veterans a sacred obligation that must be upheld and our budget must recognize this commitment."
A fifth generation farmer from Monticello, Congressman Boyd is in his fifth term in the United States Congress. As a leader of the conservative Blue Dog Democrats, Boyd is a proponent of fiscal responsibility in Washington, D.C.
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