Congress neglects to honor country's commitments to war veterans.Byline: GUEST VIEWPOINT By Peter DeFazio Peter Anthony DeFazio (born May 27, 1947) is an American politician. He serves as a Democratic U.S. Representative from Oregon, representing the 4th Congressional District and is currently serving his 11th term. For The Register-Guard Memorial Day was a week ago, but a one-day celebration does not fulfill ful·fill also ful·fil tr.v. ful·filled, ful·fill·ing, ful·fills also ful·fils 1. To bring into actuality; effect: fulfilled their promises. 2. our obligation to honor As a verb, to accept a bill of exchange, or to pay a note, check, or accepted bill, at maturity. To pay or to accept and pay, or, where a credit so engages, to purchase or discount a draft complying with the terms of the draft. fallen soldiers and others who have sacrificed in defense of our nation. We should take time every day to thank and pay tribute to those who sacrificed to preserve our freedom. We owe them an immeasurable debt. It is also important for Congress to renew our promises to the 25 million veterans living today and the men and women currently serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and around the globe. It is time for a grateful nation to better honor their service. The House of Representatives recently approved the Department of Defense Authorization The right or permission to use a system resource; the process of granting access. See access control. Act for fiscal year 2006 with many crucial provisions to better provide pay, benefits and critical equipment for our troops. But the bill fell short in several areas: more than $14 billion is designated for the purchase or development of weapons systems that have either failed to produce a working prototype or do not address current threats - including three nearly identical fighter aircraft fighter aircraft Aircraft designed primarily to secure control of essential airspace by destroying enemy aircraft in combat. Designed for high speed and maneuverability, they are armed with weapons capable of striking other aircraft in flight. programs, the Star Wars missile defense Missile defence is an air defence system, weapon program, or technology involved in the detection, tracking, interception and destruction of attacking missiles. Originally conceived as a defence against nuclear-armed ICBMs, its application has broadened to include shorter-ranged and a new generation of attack submarines. The House Republican leadership blocked a measure to provide permanent health care coverage to National Guard and Reserve members for the duration of their service. They claimed there wasn't enough money. Aircraft and weapons are just piles piles: see hemorrhoids. of metal without the troops who operate them. It's disgraceful dis·grace·ful adj. Bringing or warranting disgrace; shameful. dis·grace  ful·ly adv. that we could not find one
quarter of 1 percent in the defense budget to care for the National
Guard and Reserve soldiers who fight in our name.
With each major military conflict since World War II, we have honored hon·or n. 1. High respect, as that shown for special merit; esteem: the honor shown to a Nobel laureate. 2. a. Good name; reputation. b. the service of our soldiers through a new GI bill. Congress must do better by approving a comprehensive GI Bill of Rights for the 21st Century, including improved educational benefits, medical assistance and home loan assistance for our returning troops. While Congress has addressed some of the challenges facing our active duty soldiers, regrettably, the same cannot be said for keeping the promises made to veterans as they return home. Currently, more than 50,000 veterans have waited in line for at least six months for basic health care. The problem will only get worse with the growing numbers of returning soldiers. The president proposed a budget $2.6 billion lower than the level veterans organizations argue is necessary to care for existing veterans and those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. The president also proposed more than doubling the prescription co-payment co-payment Managed Care That portion of a claim or medical expense that a health plan member must pay out-of-pocket for specific medical services–eg, hospital care, drugs, office visits, etc; the insurer pays the remaining portion from $7 to $15 and requiring some to pay a $250 annual enrollment fee. It is offensive to ask those who selflessly self·less adj. Having, exhibiting, or motivated by no concern for oneself; unselfish: "Volunteers need both selfish and selfless motives to sustain their interest" Natalie de Combray. served our country to pay even more for health care. The commander-in-chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars said, "The message that this budget communicates is that part of the federal government's deficit will be balanced on the back of military veterans, because it's clear that the proper funding of veterans' health care and other programs is not an administration priority." The House recently approved the Veterans Administration Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2006, which included approximately $1 billion more for veterans' medical care than requested by President Bush. But it still short-changed veterans. I supported an amendment to the bill that unfortunately failed on a party-line vote A party-line vote in a constituent assembly (such as a parliament or house of representatives) is a decision based upon political party affiliation, generally somewhat independent of the merits of the issue at hand or the political beliefs of individual members but instead dictated . It would have reduced the tax cut for millionaires in 2006 from $140,000 to $129,000 and boosted funding for veterans' medical programs by $2.6 billion. Our veterans fought for our freedom and safety. They should not have to fight their government for the benefits they've earned. Hopefully, the Senate will better fund veterans' health care services. Additionally, Congress must focus on ending the Disabled Veterans' Tax, which forces military retirees with service-connected disabilities to give up one dollar of their pension for every dollar of disability pay they receive. The tax still remains for more than 400,000 disabled military retirees. Those who have sacrificed so much should receive all of their promised benefits. Rather than obsessing over billions for dubious gold-plated weapons systems, it is past time that Congress provided our troops and veterans with the support they deserve, the equipment they need and the benefits they've earned. Peter DeFazio represents Oregon's 4th District in the U.S. House of Representatives. |
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