The U.S. House passed the fiscal year 2009 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill by a 409 to 4 vote Friday.
The bill builds on budgeted increases for veterans and troops passed into law last year, which represented the largest funding increase in the Veterans Administration’s 77 year history, said U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco.
“This bipartisan bill builds on the historic increases in the fiscal year 2008 bill and sends a clear message to America’s troops, veterans and their families that we honor and respect their service and sacrifice,” Edwards said. “This ... will also have a positive impact on the quality of care Texas veterans receive in VA hospitals and clinics, including the Waco VA.”
Edwards said honoring troops and veterans in a meaningful way is the right and smart thing to do and said the nation has a moral responsibility to keep its promises to those who serve.
“The bottom line is this bill is about maintaining a strong national defense, improving military readiness, and respecting with word and deeds those who defend us and our freedom,” Edwards said.
The bill totals $118.7 billion and provides $72.7 billion in discretionary spending, $47.7 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs, $24.8 billion for military construction and family housing and $241 million for related agencies. The bill totals $3.4 billion more than President Bush’s request and $8.8 billion more than the 2008 bill.
Bush has threatened to veto the bill, which still awaits Senate action.
“This is a slap in the face to every veteran in the nation, especially our Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans,” Edwards said. “I do not understand the values that would suggest, during a time of war, we provide tax breaks for people making over $1 million a year, but we cannot afford to provide the health care our veterans deserve and the housing our troops need.
“In my 18 years in Congress, this is one of the worst decisions I have ever seen come out of the White House and Office of Management and Budget. For our country to send its sons and daughters to war and then to cut corners on their health care, benefits and housing when they return home does not reflect the values of the American people. I believe our veterans, military families and the American family will be as offended by this veto threat as I am.”
Education bill increases Pell grant amounts
The House also passed The Higher Education Act on Thursday by a 380-49 vote, which increases the maximum Pell grant amount from $5,800 to $8,000. The bill reauthorizes several college student financial aid programs.
“With tuition rates skyrocketing, lower and middle-income students and their families are struggling to afford,” Edwards said. “This bill helps hard-working students pursue their dream of a college education.”
An amendment Edwards added to the bill will help lower the burden of college tuition for children of military families, he said.
The amendment makes in-state tuition rates at public universities for military children mandatory if their parents were stationed in that state when the child started college.
Many states do not allow in-state tuition rates for military children after their parents are stationed elsewhere. Texas already grants in-state tuition rates, but 25 other states do not.
The Senate also passed the Higher Education Act, and it awaits presidential action.
Johnson County
Bush threatens veto
- Johnson County
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Stage 2 drought plan still in place
Johnson County Special Utility District will keep its Stage 2 drought plan in place despite this week’s rain.
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Tuesday marks property tax payment deadline
Johnson County Tax Assessor Scott Porter said that Tuesday is the deadline to pay 2011 property taxes without penalties or interest.
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Drought no more
April showers arrived a couple of months early, bringing much needed rain to Johnson County rivers and lakes.
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Number of sex offenders increases
Now might be a good time to talk with your children about stranger danger. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children released an updated list of the country’s sex offenders this week. The survey showed 747,408 registered sex offenders.
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Council approves trash truck purchases
City plans to switch trash collection from a manual to an automated system should begin in about six months, Cleburne Assistant City Manager David Esquivel said Tuesday night.
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Rain related incidents mild, Cleburne rescue workers say
Heavy rainfall Tuesday and Wednesday spurred several calls to the Cleburne police and fire departments, but resulted in no serious injuries or damage, officials said.
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Finishing touches
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Vendor delays payment for county EOC work
A sub-contractor that helped build the Emergency Operation Center awaits payment from a construction company that claims it’s having financial trouble.
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Head Start seeks help to replace stolen, damaged property
Officials with Cleburne’s Head Start school seek donations to help fund an end-of-school-year party for students.
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Carnegie announces cast for ‘The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940’
Director Dick Helmcamp, retired CHS band director, recently announced the cast for the Greater Cleburne Carnegie Players’ upcoming production of “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940.” The show, set in 1940 in Chappaqua, N.Y., is a who-dun-it with a twist. Think Agatha Christie on steroids.
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Stage 2 drought plan still in place
