WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Bill Delahunt joined with his colleagues in the House this week to pass the single largest increase in funding for the Veterans Administration in the agency’s 77-year history.

“The most sacred promise we can make to those who serve our country in the Armed Forces is to provide the health care services they need when they come home,” Delahunt said. “It is a national disgrace that so many veterans have to wait months --- and in some cases years --- before their benefits claims are fully processed.  I applaud the Congress for following through on this commitment to our veterans, and I urge President Bush to reconsider his veto threat and sign this monumental proposal into law.” 

The legislation was part of a conference report that included the FY08 funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs that passed the House last night by a vote of 269 to 142. It provided the greatest increase for veterans’ health care in history and promises to strengthen the quality of care for our 5.8 million veterans --- including about 263,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.

The bill specifically:

• Provides 1,800 claims processors to reduce the huge number of veterans (400,000) waiting for earned benefits.
• Increases funding within all the health accounts for mental health, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) to ensure the poly-trauma centers and Centers of Excellence for Mental Health and PTSD are fully operational. One-third of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan face mental health challenges, and up to 300,000 returning troops are expected to suffer from TBI.
• Increases the VA budget by $6.6 billion above the FY07 level, the largest single increase in the 77-year history of the Veterans Administration, $3.7 billion above the President’s FY08 request. 
• Provides $500 million above the President’s request for much-needed maintenance of VA health care facilities.  A recent VA report outlined 1,000 specific problems at VA facilities around the country. 
• Invests 16 percent more for medical and prosthetic research, instead of accepting cuts in the President’s budget.
• Provides better barracks, housing and training facilities when troops return from combat through an unprecedented $21.5 billion investment in military construction, family housing, and BRAC ($306 million more than the President’s request).
• Provides funds to grow our military forces and begins the process of adding 65,000 Army, 27,000 Marine, and 9,000 National Guard and Reserve troops.
• Includes $129 million to construct 16 new child development centers for military families.

This legislation will now be sent to President Bush for his signature or veto.

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