Touts Democratic Congress’ Accomplishments for Veterans; Sends Letter to U.S. Senate Pressing for Swift Action on Remaining Veterans’ Priorities

DENVER, CO – To commemorate Veterans Day, Chief Deputy Whip Diana DeGette (D-CO) stood shoulder to shoulder with Colorado veterans during a press conference today to celebrate their service and to highlight the accomplishments of Democratic Congress regarding veterans’ priorities. Despite the Bush Administration’s commitment to sending our troops to war, the Administration has failed to adequately provide for our troops when they return home. Democrats in Congress are fulfilling their commitment to honor our troops and veterans’ service to our nation. DeGette also organized and released a letter, signed by Democrats in the Colorado House Delegation, to the U.S. Senate Leadership pressing for swift action on remaining veterans’ priorities already passed by the House.

“Democrats in Congress are working to keep our promise to our courageous men and women in uniform when they return home,” said DeGette. “We are strengthening the American military by rebuilding its readiness, improving military health care and key benefits for our troops and their families, and investing in our veterans by making the largest-ever increase in the Department of Veterans Affairs budget. President Bush’s budget for our veterans fails to take into account the needs of so many of our troops returning home from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.”

The Democratically-controlled Congress is making an investment in our veterans by providing the resources and tools for our troops not only during times of war, but also when they return home. By providing the necessary equipment, increasing access to health care, and treating them with the respect they deserve, Democrats have made honoring our veterans a top priority. However, much work still must be done. There are still over 15 bills the House has passed that include additional funding for veterans’ health care, help for veterans’ small business owners, and improve programs to assist veterans returning from abroad. DeGette organized a letter, signed by the Democrats in the Colorado House Delegation, to the U.S. Senate Leadership, including Majority Leader Harry Reid and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, requesting prompt action.

“This is how Democrats show in actions that they ‘really support the troops’ – by ensuring that our nation’s veterans, who have served in the armed forces or have returned from the wars, are provided the benefits and care they so deserve,” said Bob Moser, President of Colorado Veterans for America.

“Some among us have experienced the waking nightmare of combat – a horror others of us are lucky not to know,” said Shannon Sharrock, a West Point graduate and former helicopter pilot. “Some among us have suffered injuries from the often relentless demands of service – a burden others of us are again lucky not to know. Most of us have at one point or another been lost in an endless sea of paperwork and bureaucratic red tape – our claims for assistance or benefits lost, found, and then lost again.”

Va House Delegation Letter to Senate( 11/12/07 11:04 AM PST )