Larsen (D) WA-02 - Speaks Up on Vets Healthcare

	For Immediate Release	Contact: Kimberly Johnston
	June 15, 2006	202-225-2605
	On Eve of Iraq Debate Larsen Reminds Public that Republicans have Cut and Run From Veterans Healthcare
	Washington, D.C. - Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement on the eve of the debate for a Resolution on Iraq & Terrorism (H.Res.861) in the U.S. House of Representatives: “I am disappointed by the political fault line many in Congress have sought to create on the issue of Iraq. Congress has an obligation to find solutions in Iraq, not create phony fault lines. We must respond to the growing frustrations of the American people.” “As Congress debates the issue of Iraq, we must consider the legacy that this administration will leave to our military. We are ignoring our responsibility to provide adequate healthcare to our returning veterans. That sends the wrong message to the men and women in our military.” “The Republican budget for Fiscal Year 2007 cuts veterans’ funding by $8.6 billion below what is needed to maintain current services over the next five years. Congress must provide high-quality, accessible health-care and support services to those who have fought for our country.” “Many Republicans have criticized Democrats for cutting and running from our responsibilities in Iraq. Tomorrow, I will ask those Republicans if they will continue to cut and run from our veterans’ and their healthcare.” “As the next wave of combat veterans return from Iraq, Congress must continue our objective of putting Iraqis in the front seat of Iraqi security and moving our U.S. soldiers to the back seat.” “We need to create stability in Iraq through a government of national unity. We need to remember our commitment to U.S. taxpayers as we spend reconstruction dollars. We need to combat sectarian violence. We need to crack the code on improvised explosive devices – the primary cause of U.S. causalities in Iraq. And we need to intensify the training of Iraqi police and military forces to combat and control counterinsurgency operations – enabling the U.S. to systematically draw down our troops.” “I commend the Iraqi people and the U.S. military for their success and bravery in the recent strike on Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. The fall of Zarqawi is a victory, but there is little time for celebration. Much remains to be done.” “The Administration has made countless mistakes since the start of the war in Iraq. As Congress looks to clean up the mistakes that have been made, we must speak out against this Administration’s tendency to overlook problems and push for a policy that centers on oversight of U.S. taxpayer dollars.” “Congress must respond to the frustrations of the public by creating a secure future for our military and re-establishing a foundation for American efforts to fight terrorists and terrorism across the globe.” ###