Pelosi: America's Veterans Deserve Our Admiration and Thanks Every Day--Not Just on Veterans Day

'America's veterans deserve our admiration, respect, and thanks every day of the year--not just on Veterans Day.  From the bitter cold winter at Valley Forge to the scorching heat of Iraq, our nation's soldiers, sailors, airmen, Coast Guardsmen, and Marines have courageously answered when called, served when summoned, and defended America with honor.

'Our remarkable men and women in uniform inspire us to build a future worthy of their sacrifice.  The New Direction Congress is building that future by providing veterans with the largest investment in their health care in the 77-year history of the VA.  The additional $10 billion that Congress will invest this year will improve care for all veterans and help meet the needs of 263,000 men and women who are returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan.

'Regrettably, Republicans in the United States Senate prevented passage of our investment in VA health care in time for Veterans Day.  When it comes to the health care of veterans, there must be no Republican Party or Democratic Party--only Americans who are committed to providing quality, timely health to the men and women who nobly served our nation.

'The New Direction Congress' investment in veterans' health care is long overdue and will go a long way toward ensuring that that our veteran's have the quality healthcare they have earned and that they deserve.  On the battlefield, the military pledges to leave no one behind.  As a nation, let it be our pledge that when they return home, we leave no veteran behind.'