(Washington, DC)—Today, the House passed H.R. 2642, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2008.  The bill will provide veterans with the health care and benefits, result in the hiring of more qualified doctors and nurses to improve medical services to veterans and reduce waiting times for doctor appointments. The bill will also provide more help to veterans suffering from Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), mental health care issues and lost limbs so that they can rebuild their lives.

“I take great pride in being close with the veterans in our community. They have done so much for our nation, both while in the service and after they came home. It has been a huge frustration of mine since coming to Congress, that the needs of these men and women who have given so much have been ignored,” said Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II upon passage of the bill.

“I believe deeply that our country’s soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines have a binding covenant with America. When they put on the uniform of our nation’s armed services, and we send them into harms way to defend our freedoms, they upheld their end of the covenant,” said Cleaver. “For far too long, our government has failed to hold up its end of the bargain. Our veterans risked their lives, and in return, we said we would take care of them when they came home.”

“All the medals, parades and 21-gun salutes do not replace competent health care and a comfortable retirement, said Cleaver, “Our veterans held the line in defense of our liberty; they should not have to wait in line to receive the health care we promised them.”

The Veteran’s Administration (VA) budget restores America’s commitment to veterans. The bill:

Increases the VA budget by $6.7 billion above the FY07 level, the largest single increase in the 77-year history of the Veterans Administration and $3.8 billion above the President’s request. 
 

For the first time, the budget for VA medical care exceeds the budget of the veterans’ service organizations by $294 million. This will ensure quality health care for 5.8 million patients, including about 263,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, which the VA will treat in FY 2008. 
 

Significantly reduces the 400,000 backlogged claims for veterans waiting for disability and other benefits by adding more than 1,100 new claims processors.
 

Provides much needed maintenance of VA health care facilities (funding is $500 million above the President’s request) to prevent another Walter Reed-type scandal from occurring.  A recent VA report outlined 1,000 specific problems at VA health facilities around the country, with a backlog of $5 billion in maintenance. 
 

Provides $600 million more than the President’s request for mental health, PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury and makes five polytrauma centers and three Centers of Excellence for Mental Health and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) fully operational this year to care for those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, including those with TBI.  An estimated one-third of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are facing mental health challenges, and up to 300,000 troops are expected to return from Iraq suffering from TBI. [Government Accountability Office, 11/06; PBS, 2/18/07]
 

To ensure a seamless transition from the Defense Department to the VA, particularly for veterans suffering from TBI or PTSD, the bill permits the Department of Veterans Affairs to transfer up to $15 million for a joint program to improve access to care.
 

Develops and operates a toll-free telephone and web-based hotline for veterans to report deficiencies in VA medical facilities and care.
 

The bill also assists those currently serving in our military by:

Providing better barracks, housing and training facilities when troops return from combat through an unprecedented $21.4 billion investment in military construction, and family housing ($207 million more than the President’s request).
 

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.
 

Fully funding 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.
 

Enhancing accountability to stop wasteful spending.
 

Increasing 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.
 

The Senate has passed a similar version of the bill. Once agreed upon the funding package will await the President’s signature.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Belton, Raymore and Peculiar, Missouri. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and the Speaker’s Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. Congressman Cleaver also serves as a Regional Whip of the Democratic Caucus and Second Vice-Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.