CRAIG ENDORSES BUSH ADMINISTRATION’S RECORD BUDGET INCREASE FOR VETERANS --
At present rates of spending, VA's budget will have nearly doubled by the time President leaves office

March 2, 2006

(Washington, DC) President Bush recently recommended a record budget increase for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Today that budget was endorsed by the chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

"President Bush has placed the veterans of America at the top of his priority list, and that is clear from the record budget increase he has put forward this year. With this budget we are going to continue to provide the best medical care for America’s heros," said Chairman Larry Craig.

If approved by Congress, the fiscal year 2007 budget for VA medical care will be 69 percent higher, and total appropriations for all VA efforts will be 64 percent more, than they were in 2001.

"When I read press stories that somehow the Bush administration is going to cut spending on veterans, I have to shake my head in wonder. The budget has gone from less than $50 billion when President Bush took office in 2001, to almost $80 billion recommended for 2007. At present trends, we will be close to spending $100 billion a year on veterans by the time President Bush leaves office. That is breathtaking," Craig said.

The chairman made those comments today as he issued the annual "views and estimates" letter to the Senate Budget Committee. That letter is required by law and helps the Budget Committee develop an overall federal budget blueprint. In the letter, the Idaho Republican made two minor changes to that requested by the President:

• $30 million in additional spending – above the $399 million requested – on medical research to benefit veterans, especially those injured during military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. That money will be used toward high-tech advancements in artificial limbs, and to study traumatic brain injuries to guide new treatment methods.
• $19 million in additional spending – above the $198 million requested – on minor construction for the nation’s more than 150 VA hospitals.

In making these recommendations, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs also accepted the President’s proposal to allow the VA to charge a $21 monthly fee to upper income veterans who have no combat injuries. "Twenty one dollars a month for the best health care in the country is a heck of a deal. If we do not accept that proposal, we will need to find $800 million more," Craig said.  

Larry Scott