Filner Releases Views on VA Budget Request

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Filner Releases Views on VA Budget Request
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 13, 2009

House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA) released the following statement upon submitting the Committee’s Views and Estimates letter to the House Budget Committee:

“The Administration’s preliminary budget request for the Department of Veterans Affairs calls for a total budget of $113 billion, a $15 billion increase above 2009 levels. The request includes $52.5 billion in discretionary funding – an increase of $4.9 billion from 2009, or 10.3 percent. The bulk of discretionary spending goes to VA medical care. This budget proposal marks the first time any President has submitted a budget that exceeds the recommendations of the Independent Budget. The budget forecast calls for a $25 billion increase over the next five years. Although we understand these numbers are not binding on future years, and the levels are lower than the amounts that will be needed, we applaud this move toward presenting a more honest and accurate look at our financial picture.

“The House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs supports the President’s budget and has recommended an additional $800 million above the Administration proposal. This increase includes $600 million to safeguard veterans’ medical care funding and $200 million to assist the VA as it begins its transformation into an organization more aligned with the needs of veterans. We believe the VA can meet the needs of our veterans with this proposed budget.

“Over the past decade, this Committee has raised a number of issues on behalf of our Nation’s heroes that have not been addressed by the Executive branch. It is refreshing to receive a budget proposal that focuses on the issues of homelessness prevention, increasing education benefits, expanding health care access to more veterans, and cleaning up the claims backlog. Although this budget outline lacks detail and specifics, I look forward to working closely with President Obama and Secretary Shinseki to meet the needs of our veterans, provide for a strong and accountable Department of Veterans Affairs, and ensure uninterrupted benefits and services. We must spend these resources wisely as we work to create a 21st Century organization that serves our veterans. Americans demand this and our veterans deserve nothing less.”