Published: August 07, 2008 11:27 am            

Bush threatens veto

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.

        

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