Senate Says Yes; House Says No

House Republicans decline to fund $1 billion VA shortfall. AP (06.28.05):

"Eager to prevent political damage, Senate Republicans intend to raise spending on veterans programs by $1.5 billion to make up for a shortage caused partly by the return of troops from Iraq and Afghanistan, congressional aides said Tuesday. The decision marked a swift response to last week's disclosure that the Department of Veterans Affairs needs $1 billion more for veterans health care this year. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity, noting that no formal announcement had been made. The House simultaneously fought back a Democratic effort to immediately spend an extra $1 billion on veterans health care. The 217-189 vote along party lines killed Democratic attempts to open a foreign aid bill and add the money." Senate Republicans Plan to Increase Spending on Veterans Programs

Senate Democrats have been proposing increases in VA funding for a while now. Senate Republicans have been voting them down because the VA kept saying they had enough money. Turns out not only were they off a little bit, they didn't want to tell anyone when they found out: "The $1 billion shortfall emerged during an administration midyear budget review and was acknowledged only during lengthy questioning of Jonathan B. Perlin, VA undersecretary for health, by House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Steve Buyer (R-Ind.) at a hearing yesterday." They did, however, have other, more pressing matters than the funding shortfall. Washington Post (06.27.05), via TheCarpetbagger:

"'As you know,' Deputy Undersecretary Laura Miller said on the May 27 call, 'many of our facilities...have a picture of Secretary [Jim] Nicholson prominently displayed. 'Unfortunately, however,' Miller continued, 'there are many facilities that currently do not have the picture displayed.'" VA Gets the Picture -- No Shortfall Here

Ms. Miller went on to emphasize that she and Dr. Perlin (the $1 billion man above) "'cannot stress the importance of this enough. We are asking that you give this your highest priority." She actually was expecting daily updates "'until we are assured that all of our facilities have a current picture displayed.'" This would be Mr. Nicholson He has very nice hair.