Terry Everett, June 6, 2006

America's 26 million veterans made a commitment to serve our nation in time of war and peace. Their commitment should be matched with a dedication from the Federal government to ensure adequate healthcare and benefits for our former service members. Congress continues to do its part to support our veterans with more than just speech making.

Since 1995, the conservative Congress has focused attention and funds on the needs of America's veterans. From benefits to healthcare, Congress has invested in significantly larger budgets for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. In fact, there has been a nearly 94 percent increase in overall veterans' funding over the last decade.

Turning to the period since President Bush has been in office, he has worked with Congress to direct VA funding and resources as needed to help meet a rising demand from a veteran population that is both aging and growing. Since 2001, the Veterans' budget has increased by $22 billion - from a level of $48 billion five years ago to $70 billion in 2006.

The Department of Veterans Affairs operates the largest Federal medical care delivery system in the nation with 156 hospitals, 43 domiciliary residential rehabilitation treatment programs, 135 nursing homes, and 935 outpatient clinics, including independent, satellite, community-based, and rural outreach clinics. Central and southeast Alabama veterans are currently served by the VA hospitals in Tuskegee, Montgomery, and Birmingham, as well as an outpatient clinic in Dothan.

Accordingly, VA medical care funding has increased since 2001 by 52 percent - from $21.3 billion to $32.3 billion today. On May 19, the U.S. House passed the Military Construction, Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act of 2007 (HR 5385) which increases the overall VA budget by ten percent to $78 billion in 2007. Within that total, VA medical care spending will rise to $32.7 billion next year.

It is also important to note that the GI Bill educational benefit has grown since 2001. It has been increased by 49 percent over the last six years, raising the lifetime benefit for qualified veterans from $23,400 to $37,224. The VA Home Loan Guarantee has grown by nearly 70 percent since 2001, raising the maximum loan guarantee amount to $417,000, affording more veterans the opportunity of homeownership. And in 2006, Veterans and their survivors saw a 4.1 percent cost-of-living increase in their VA benefits.

I'd like to comment about the recent theft of information pertaining to 26 million American veterans. As a senior member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, I am closely monitoring developments and have made it clear to the VA that every effort shall be made to protect our veterans' personal information. While there is no evidence that any of this stolen personal information has been used to compromise veterans' identities, I have cosponsored legislation called the Veterans Identity Protection Act (HR 5520), to make veterans whole who suffer any damages as a result of this unfortunate incident. I have also made it clear to the VA that this data theft was unacceptable and must never occur again.

America's veterans are our true heroes and deserve the full measure of our respect. Congress will continue to champion adequate medical care and benefits for our former military.

Congressman Terry Everett, a Republican, represents Alabama's Second Congressional District, which includes the state capitol, Montgomery.