Grassroots Lobbying Efforts Pay Off..Budget Chairman Challenged on Cuts

[MORTARDUDE]

http://capwiz.com/legion/issues/aler...739786&type=CO

( from The American Legion )

Grassroots Lobbying Efforts Pay Off; House Passes Budget Resolution
Budget Chairman Challenged on Cuts to Veterans Program Before Final Vote


Early this morning, the House adopted H. Con. Res. 95 by a 3 vote margin 215-212. The American Legion opposed adoption of H. Con. Res. 95 because of cuts in both discretionary and mandatory appropriations. When the bill went to the floor, the Budget Committee Chairman, Jim Nussle (R-IA) had added $844 million to the FY 2004 VA budget; however, he did not change the language requiring a 1 percent cut in mandatory appropriations. Fortunately, a handful of representatives led by VA Committee Chairman Chris Smith (R-NJ), refused to vote for the Budget Resolution as long as it provided cuts in mandatory appropriations for VA programs.

Finally, Chairman Nussle and the House leadership agreed not to make cuts in mandatory appropriations. Chairman Nussle, in a letter to Chairman Smith, wrote: "You have expressed your deep concern about the amount available for veterans discretionary spending, which includes health care, and for mandatory spending, which includes compensation for service-connected disabled veterans. In the Conference with the Senate, I will accept a level of discretionary and mandatory spending for veterans programs at least as high as reported by the Senate Budget Committee. It is my hope that we will continue to work to find any savings possible from eliminating waste or fraud as we work to balance the budget."

Please contact Chairman Chris Smith and thank him for his leadership on this issue and Chairman Jim Nussle for his cooperation and support of veterans and their families.

Now we must shift attention to the Senate version to make sure VA funding is sustained. Currently, the Senate version does not contain any language addressing cuts in mandatory appropriations. Please contact both of your senators and encourage enactment of a Budget Resolution that meets the health care needs of America's veterans.