Republicans on Tuesday beat back a Democratic attempt to provide almost $2 billion in additional health care funding for veterans, rejecting claims that Veterans Affairs hospitals are in crisis.The proposal was part of an $80.6 billion emergency spending bill for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and other costs. The bill would give President Bush slightly less than the $82 billion he sought. It is also less than the $81.4 billion approved by the House.
The first debate came Tuesday over a proposal by Sen. Patty Murray (news, bio, voting record), D-Wash., to provide an additional $1.98 billion for veteran's care. She said VA hospitals are underfunded and overcrowded.
"There's a train wreck coming," Murray warned.
Republicans denied the VA had such serious problems. They noted the Bush administration said the additional funding wasn't needed and that it had enough money to cope with emergencies.
Murray's proposal was defeated in a 54-46 vote, mostly along party lines.
Go to Sen. Patty Murray's website at www.murray.senate.gov to share your stories about Veteran issues.
Yahoo article
I cannot under stand how any republican can say that they not democrats support the troops. Stop spending your money on car stickers that say you support the troops and get on the phone to your congressperson and really support the troops!
The first debate came Tuesday over a proposal by Sen. Patty Murray (news, bio, voting record), D-Wash., to provide an additional $1.98 billion for veteran's care. She said VA hospitals are underfunded and overcrowded.
"There's a train wreck coming," Murray warned.
Republicans denied the VA had such serious problems. They noted the Bush administration said the additional funding wasn't needed and that it had enough money to cope with emergencies.
Murray's proposal was defeated in a 54-46 vote, mostly along party lines.
Go to Sen. Patty Murray's website at www.murray.senate.gov to share your stories about Veteran issues.
Yahoo article
I cannot under stand how any republican can say that they not democrats support the troops. Stop spending your money on car stickers that say you support the troops and get on the phone to your congressperson and really support the troops!