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I believe it is of paramount importance that America fulfill its obligation to its veterans; this includes providing adequate retirement, disability, and health care benefits. Since I arrived in the Senate I have voted every year to increase the amount of money Congress allocates to the VA. For Fiscal Year 2005, the Senate appropriated $65.9 billion to the Veterans Administration. Of this amount, $33.3 billion, a $1.9 billion increase, was designated for the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), the largest federal medical care delivery system in the country.
I was also pleased to support Defense Authorization Bill for 2005 that passed Congress on October 9, 2004. This bill includes a provision that would allow for immediate concurrent receipt for military retirees with a 100% service-connected disability, a benefit I have consistently promoted.
I will continue to support the veterans’ community in Oregon just as they supported America throughout their military service.
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