DAV Presents Legislative Agenda at Joint Hearing of House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees

Washington, D.C. – On Tuesday, February 24, 2009, the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee led by Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA), and the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee led by Chairman Daniel Akaka (D-HI), held a joint hearing to receive the legislative presentation of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV).     

“Later this week, the Obama Administration will submit an overview of the budget for the Department of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2010,” said Chairman Filner.  “Funding for veterans benefits and health care services is without question a top priority for this Congress and the Administration, and I believe it is a continuing cost of our national defense.  The service and sacrifice of our veterans are real, and the VA’s budget must provide the realistic funding to meet their needs.”  

National Commander of the Disabled American Veterans, Raymond E. Dempsey, testified, “[B]enefits and services for disabled veterans, in fact all veterans, remain primarily the responsibility of our government.  The citizens and government of a country that sends its men and women to defend its homeland and fight its wars have a strong moral obligation to repay them for bearing such a heavy burden.  Our indebtedness to veterans is more important than any other part of our national debt because, without their sacrifices, we would not exist as a nation.”

Today’s hearing marks the first joint Senate and House meeting in the 111th Congress to receive legislative presentations from veterans service organizations. 

The House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees have scheduled future joint hearings to receive legislative presentations from Paralyzed Veterans of America, Blinded Veterans Association, Jewish War Veterans of the United States, Wounded Warrior Project, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Ex-POWs, Gold Star Wives, AMVETS, Fleet Reserve Association, The Retired Enlisted Association, Vietnam Veterans of America, Military Officers Association of America, National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs, Air Force Sergeants Association, Non Commissioned Officers Association, and Military Order of the Purple Heart.