Pelosi Statement On House Passage of Appropriations Funding Bill for Veterans' Health Care

August 1, 2008

Washington, D.C. - Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement today after the House passed the fiscal year 2009 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill by a strong bipartisan vote of 409 to 4. The bill builds on the historic increases for veterans and troops passed into law last year, which was the largest funding increase in the 77-year history of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

"The Democratic Congress is putting our troops and veterans first by passing a New GI education bill, the largest increase to veterans funding in history, critical reforms to our military health system, and a pay raise for our troops that exceeds the President's request. Today's passage of an 11 percent increase for veterans' health care this year builds on our accomplishments on behalf of the men and women who make this the ‘land of the free and the home of the brave.'

"The New Direction Congress is committed to caring for our veterans. That is why the bill passed today has the strong support of all of the major veterans groups - including Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Disabled Veterans of America, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and AMVETS. On the battlefield, the military pledges to leave no soldier behind. When they come home, the New Direction Congress pledges to leave no veteran behind."