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On the Issues:

Veterans

As a Vietnam veteran, Rep. Frelinghuysen is constantly working to provide a comprehensive system of health care for our veterans through the Veterans Administration (VA).
 
All of us are deeply grateful for the sacrifices and service our veterans have provided this Nation.  By keeping faith with our veterans, we keep faith with their families and also with our young warfighters who carry on the fight of freedom every day.

The VA is receiving historic infusions of funding
• The Supplemental Appropriations bill passed in May contained $1.8 billion in emergency spending for Veterans Health care;
• The Military Construction/Veterans Administration Appropriations bill, which passed the House on June 15, contained the largest increase in VA history -- an increase of $6.7 billion over the last fiscal year level. The bulk of the increase is going to boost medical services, medical facilities and construction for the VA.  The bill increases the VA's discretionary funding by more than 18 percent over the fiscal year 2007 level, in addition to the $1.8 billion this Congress just provided to the VA in the supplemental.  When considered together, the supplemental funding and the funding in this bill amount to a 23 percent increase for the Department of Veterans Affairs' discretionary accounts.

It is important to point out that Congress has a track record of meeting veterans' needs. From 1995 to 2007, VA funding increased by 96 percent from $38.2 billion to $74.5 billion.

Back home in New Jersey, Frelinghuysen is focused on ensuring the Lyons and East Orange VA Medical Centers provide veterans with the best care and treatment. Through his efforts, Lyons VA has opened a new, state-of-the-art Ambulatory Care Center for outpatient care and a Domiciliary Care facility to provide homeless veterans with housing, job training placement, medical and psychiatric assistance, and help with medical claims.

• Frelinghuysen continues to fight for increases in veterans’ health care funding. The latest VA funding bill provides record funding for veterans medical care. With Frelinghuysen’s strong support, funding for veterans medical care has increased 18 percent over the last two years, and 60 percent over the past seven years.
•  In New Jersey, Frelinghuysen led the effort to establish a Veterans Outpatient Clinic in Morris County to serve area veterans.
• He has continued to work with County offices and veterans groups to ensure that veterans receive the proper care that they deserve.

To learn more about the Lyons and East Orange VA Hospitals please visit: http://www1.va.gov/VISN03/index.asp.