Military Construction & Veterans Affairs Appropriations:  HISTORIC COMMITMENT TO OUR VETERANS

On June 15th The House of Representatives passed H.R. 2642, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations.  Congressman Al Green (TX-09) voted in favor of passage of this bill which would:

• Provide Historic Increases in the Veterans Affairs budget by $6.7 billion above the FY07 level, the largest single increase in the 77 year history of the Veterans Administration.  This budget increase will help significantly reduces the 400,000 claims backlog for veterans waiting for disability by adding more than 1,100 new claims processors, provide much needed maintenance of VA health care facilities to prevent a Walter Reed-type scandal from occurring, Provides $600 million more for mental health, PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury, and develop and operate a toll-free telephone and web-based hotline for veterans to report on deficiencies in VA medical facilities and care. 
  
• Strengthens Our Military by providing better barracks, housing and training facilities when troops return from combat, providing 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, and fully funds the 2005 base realignment and closure process (BRAC) at $8.2 billion. Supports the relocation of 70,000 troops from bases in Korea and Europe.
  
• Enhances Accountability to Stop Wasteful Spending by increases funding for the Inspector General for VA to improve services for veterans and their families and to prevent and deter potential waste, fraud and inefficiencies.

“We all appreciate the hard-work and dedication of the brave men and women of the United States Military, who put their lives on the line each day to make it possible for all of us to live a better life. The safety and well-being of these courageous soldiers who fight each day to defend the American dream is paramount,” stated Congressman Green.  “Our nation’s 24.5 million veterans have provided a valuable service to the security of our nation and we are especially proud of the State of Texas’ 1.7 million veterans including the 190,862 African-American Veterans in Texas.  It is the responsibility of elected leaders to ensure that our veterans receive all the necessary assistance, benefits, and protection that is due to them as defenders of our great country.  As a result of my commitment to America’s veterans, I have cosponsored initiatives and legislation designed to reach our goal of providing full benefits to those persons who have risked their lives in serving our country and protecting liberty both at home and abroad.”

HOME FOR THE HEROS ACT OF 2007
Congressman Al Green, as a supporter of the veteran community and a member of the House Committee on Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Community Development will soon introduce the Home for the Heroes Act of 2007 in the House of Representatives.  A companion version of this bill has already been introduced in the Senate by Senator Barack Obama.  The Department of Veterans Affairs currently estimates that on any given day approximately 200,000 adult veterans live on the streets or in shelters and nearly twice as many may experience homelessness at some point in the year.  Approximately one-third of the homeless population has served in the Armed Forces.

“Those brave men and women who dedicated and risked their lives to defending and supporting our freedom deserve the same basic necessities as all Americans.  These necessities include housing, our nation’s heroes who fought so bravely to defend the American Dream ought to be afforded the opportunity to achieve it as well,” stated Congressman Green. “Many low income veterans and veteran families live each day at risk of becoming homeless.  Currently the federal government serves only a tiny fraction of those who are in need. In order to better address these issues facing our nations veterans who are homeless or who are at risk of becoming homeless, I am working to introduce the Home for Heroes Act of 2007 which will address the concerns of Homeless Veterans by Establishing Permanent Housing and Services for Low Income Veterans and Families, Expanding Rental Assistance to Homeless Veterans, and Better Focusing Government Resources on Homeless Veterans.”