Today, Congressman John Barrow (GA-12) offered an amendment that would increase funding for medical and prosthetics research for veterans and to pay down the increasing national deficit. Congressman Barrow introduced this amendment to the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2013, HR 5854.

"I spent Memorial Day meeting with veterans from Augusta to Statesboro," said Congressman Barrow. "At every event, veterans expressed their concerns about our exploding deficit and the quality of medical care we're providing for our returning troops. My amendment increases funding for veteran's medical care, and directly applies funding to pay down our debt. These folks don't ask for much from their government, and we owe it to them to provide the best care possible. My amendment points us in that direction"

Under the amendment, $56 million in surplus funds would be removed from the BRAC closure account. Half of that amount, $28 million, would be added to funding for medical and prosthetic research. The remaining $28 million would go towards deficit reduction.

The amendment failed to pass the House of Representatives by a vote of 188 to 230.