Charities that abuse the public trust must be held accountable.  A House committee is investigating several charities accused of not giving enough of their contributions to the veterans they are supposed to be helping. This is indeed a serious problem and deserves close scrutiny by Congress.  One of the most important responsibilities I have as a Member of the United States Congress is to ensure adequate support for and appreciation of our nation's veterans.

In the meantime, we must make sure our veterans have the quality of healthcare they deserve. The House recently approved a $3 billion increase for veteran’s benefits bringing total funding for 2008 to $37.2 billion. This funding increase passed with my full support and was signed into law by the President.