2005-11-10
Jack Dalton
Representative Buyer Eliminates Joint Hearings for Veterans Service Organizations
By his own words Steve Buyers is out to dismantle the VA into three parts that would be privatized. Jim Nicholson, the BushCo appointed head honcho of the VA stands with Buyers on this and both of them are standing side by side with David Chu at the DoD/Pentagon-the VA budget was taken from HHS some time back and put under perview of DoD/Penatgon of which Chu is the head honcho- Chu was the one who earlier this year, to paraphrase, stated that continued payments to veterans was decreasing the nations ability to pay for the occupation of Iraq. Please take the needed action on this. I've also included a letter from the Paralyzed Veterans of America at the end of this call for action. Those in uniform and veterans are being betrayed on a grand scale by those who are supposed to be in charge of this "Twilight Zone" episode of the outrageous and absurd--not to mention criminal betrayal! How have we come to the point to where those who never served in uniform let alone ever gone to war to slam veterans and their own troops like this? Why is there not a greater cry of outrage from the citizens of this nation? I have a lot of why questions like these two, but will save them for another time. For now, join us vets that are in opposition to those who seek to do away with the VA-and vets in the process. Thank you--Jack
Representative Buyer Eliminates Joint Hearings for Veterans Service Organizations Take Action! November 10, 2005 On Monday, November 7, 2005, Representative Steve Buyer (R-IN), Chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, announced a new hearing schedule for the Committee, eliminating the long-standing tradition of joint hearings to present the legislative agendas of veterans' service organizations.
For several decades now, these joint hearings have been held each year to allow the elected leaders of veterans groups to discuss their organization's legislative agenda and foremost concerns with the lawmakers who have jurisdiction over federal veterans programs. Senators and Representatives who serve on those committees also get the rare opportunity to address the hundreds of constituent members from these organizations who make the annual pilgrimage to Capitol Hill.
Please write to your member of Congress, asking him or her to urge Representative Buyer and the House Leadership to restore this important tradition.
As always, thank you for your support.
Here is some additional info from the Paralized Veterans of America:
ENTIRE LETTER FROM PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA:
November 9, 2005
Honorable Steve Buyer, Chairman
House Committee on Veterans' Affairs
334 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Chairman Buyer:
I am writing to strongly object to the gross mischaracterization of your press release of November 8 that your proposed rescheduling of testimonies was "received favorably" by those of us in attendance. At no time did I in any manner voice acceptance of the elimination of the traditional joint hearings afforded the national veterans' service organizations. The same can be said of most of the others in attendance.
While there is merit in hearing testimony early on from the veterans' community regarding the budget submission that in no way equates to a willingness to forego the presentation of our annual testimony. Traditionally the testimonies given by National Presidents and Commanders address issues far beyond the budget and include the legislative priorities unique to their organization's membership. Additionally, when the proposal was put forth that the Independent Budget VSOs would be asked to testify prior to or immediately following the release of the President's budget I objected, pointing out that such scheduling would foreclose the opportunity to address initiatives contained in the President's budget.
The stated rationale for eliminating the traditional annual joint hearings of the VSOs that by so doing will provide veterans a greater influence in developing the budget for the Department of Veterans Affairs is disingenuous, at best. For the past four years the Independent Budget VSOs have presented testimony regarding the budget to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs on February 16, 2005, February 4, 2004, February 11, 2003 and February 11, 2002. The timing of these hearings were effectively attuned to the budget process schedule and allowed for input prior to the deadline for the submission of "views and estimates." The budget/appropriations process does not end with this submission which is only the first step in a long, drawn out procedure that in recent years has not been completed until well after the start of the fiscal year.
Finally it must be pointed out that the very format of the meeting in Carlisle was not conducive to meaningful dialogue or thoughtful contemplation of issues. Rather, it was orchestrated in a manner by which in the final ten minutes, just prior to announcing grab your box lunch and get on the bus, you put forth the intent to eliminate the annual joint hearings in the guise of providing veterans a broader forum to express their concerns. This forum has historically existed, as a review of past hearing schedules will reveal. It is patently evident that the intent of this charade is to eliminate criticism of current and anticipated budget and policy initiatives and to marginalize veterans' voices.
Sincerely,
Douglas K. Vollmer
Associate Executive Director
for Government Relations
