Washington, D.C. - Tonight, Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI) attempted a procedural move to allow further action on S. 1315, the Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act, which has been stalled in the House. The transcript, including an objection from Senator Larry Craig (R-ID), appears below:
Mr. AKAKA: Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Veterans' Affairs Committee be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 674 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration; that all after the enacting clause be stricken; the text of S. 1315, the Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act, as passed by the Senate on April 24, 2008, be inserted in lieu thereof; the bill, as amended, be read a third time and passed; that a title amendment, which is at the desk, be agreed to; the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate; the Senate insist on its amendments, request a conference with the House on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses and the chair be authorized to appoint conferees on part of the Senate.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER: IS THERE OBJECTION?
MR. CRAIG: MADAM PRESIDENT?
THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM IDAHO.
MR. CRAIG: RESERVING THE RIGHT TO OBJECT -- AND I WILL OBJECT BECAUSE OF MY CONCERN IN THE WAY THE GIVEN LEGISLATION IS BEING HANDLED. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT THE CHAIRMAN OF THE VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE AND I HAVE HAD SOME DIFFERENCE ON. AT THE SAME TIME, I CLEARLY RECOGNIZE THE PHENOMENAL COMMITMENT OF THE CHAIRMAN TO VETERANS AND, IN THIS CASE, TO FILIPINO VETERANS WHO SERVED US SO GALLANTLY DURING WORLD WAR II. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THERE IS A CONFLICT IN THE HOUSE AT THIS MINUTE, AS IT RELATES TO THE PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION THAT THE SENATE HAS MOVED, AND THIS IS AN EFFORT TO OVERT THAT CONFLICT AND BRING THE BILL TO A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE IN A DIFFERENT FORM BY USING A HOUSE-PASSED BILL. IT IS A TACTIC THAT I WOULD HOPE WE WOULD NOT USE TO ADDRESS THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE AND THAT THE SENATE CAN AND SHOULD REVISIT THIS ISSUE AT ANOTHER TIME, AND I WOULD HOPE THEY WOULD, AND IT IS WITH THAT INTENT THAT I WILL OBJECT TO THIS UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST.
MR. AKAKA: Mr. President, I am very disappointed that an objection has been made to this motion. The intent of the motion is to create a means by which there might be further action on this very important veterans' legislation before the Congress recesses next week.
On April 24, 2008, the Senate passed S. 1315, the Veterans' Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007, by a vote of 96-1. Since that time, the bill has languished in the House.
Mr. President, this bill would improve benefits and services for veterans, both young and old. It includes numerous enhancements to a broad range of veterans' benefits, including life insurance programs for disabled veterans, traumatic injury coverage for active duty servicemembers, automobile and adaptive equipment benefits for individuals with severe burn injuries. In addition, the bill includes a provision that would correct an injustice done to World War II Filipino veterans over 60 years ago. It grants recognition and full veterans' status to all of these individuals, both those living inside and outside the United States.
In order to cover the costs of S. 1315, the bill would overturn a court decision in a case known as Hartness. That decision allowed for certain veterans to receive an extra pension benefit based solely on their age, a result never intended by Congress. The purpose of the provision in S. 1315 is simply to restore the clear intent of Congress, but some have mischaracterized it as an attempt to withdraw benefits from deserving veterans and grant them to undeserving veterans. This misconception is the main reason that action on S. 1315 has been held up.
I am not interested today in debating the merits of the bill - either the increased benefits or the revenue provisions - but rather ask that the Senator or Senators who object to the request to set up a conference with the House to advise me of their concerns to see if it might be possible to find a way forward. I am very committed to this veterans benefit legislation and would like to see if we can reach final action before the end of next week. If we are not able to do so, I intend to renew my efforts in the next Congress.
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