"Senate GOP Plans Spending Boost for Vets "

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5104834,00.html

Senate GOP Plans Spending Boost for Vets

Tuesday June 28, 2005 8:31 PM



"WASHINGTON (AP) - Struggling 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, officials said Tuesday.

``I'm glad they have seen the light,'' said Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada. He said majority Republicans had refused to provide the money when members of his party called for it earlier in the year. Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, who chairs the Veterans Committee, said a vote was likely Tuesday or Wednesday.

Nicholson said the agency now estimates its earlier forecast for the next fiscal year will leave it about $1.5 billion short. House Appropriations Committee Chairman Jerry Lewis, R-Calif., told Nicholson the delayed notice about budget shortfalls ``borders on stupidity.''

Across the Capitol, Senate Democrats took turns criticizing the agency and the administration. Murray said the disclosures were ``another indication this administration has not taken veterans needs seriously.'' She added, ``Any plan to get us through this year based on borrowing funds from future years is fundamentally flawed.''

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Senate GOP acquiesces to Democrats and will boost spending for vets...