I rise today to once again address the tremendous funding crisis in VA. I again thank my colleague, the Democratic Leader, Senator Reid, for his determination to ensure that $1.5 billion is provided without delay.

Well we have consensus in both bodies of Congress that VA is facing a tremendous funding shortfall this year, we are lacking consensus on how much should be provided this year. The Senate clearly believes that $1.5 billion is needed. The House, on the other hand, has taken the Administration's view that only $975 million is needed. While I am delighted that the Administration has admitted that there is a shortfall, I don't believe that we can now put our faith in their estimate of what VA needs. As I said last night, judging by the Supplemental sent forward by the President, VA officials are less than generous, and frankly, less than accurate. The $975 million now proposed by the Administration -- and carried forward by the House -- falls way short of addressing all of VA's problems. Just examine one part of their estimate -- their new costs associated with returning service members. VA now believes that 103,000 more veterans will be treated this year. The cost of treating this kind of patient is $5,437 a year -- as documented by VA data. Yet, the Administration wants to now convince us that, in fact, the cost of treating a patient is less than half of this amount. Again, using VA data, the cost of caring for an additional 103,000 returning veterans is $560 million and not the $273 million suggested by the Administration.

And other key programs such as readjustment counseling and dental care were ignored by the House in the VA Supplemental. It is imperative that the Senate again send the House a message that we intend to provide adequate funds.

The Senate has already spoken in a clear and bipartisan manner on this issue. Given the House's work to provide less than the full amount needed, it is clear that we have more work to do for this year. This amendment reiterates that point. The battle for next year's funding will be upon on us shortly, but we need to shore up hospital and clinic operations today. I am hopeful that we all learned a clear lesson from this experience, that talking with health care providers in VA hospitals and with the Veterans Service Organizations is invaluable. They told us what was really going on months ago. They are continuing their call for full funding for VA now. Thank you, Mr. President.