PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 11 , 2005
CONTACT: 308-238-0375
Kleeb Meets with Veterans; Calls on Congress to Increase Funding for Veteran Benefits
BLOOMFIELD, NE—Scott Kleeb, candidate for Congress in Nebraska's 3rd District, said Thursday that proposed cuts to veterans' health care are "completely unacceptable."
"We as a nation owe a great debt to the men and women who have risked their lives in order to preserve our way of life," said Kleeb. "I will not stand by, and Nebraskans will not stand by, and watch this Congress turn its back on our veterans."
At a meeting in Bloomfield Wednesday night, Kleeb discussed the impact of proposed cuts with area veterans. Bloomfield Mayor Jim Cripe and other Vietnam-era veterans said there is growing concern that the return of some 120,000 veterans from Afghanistan and Iraq will swamp an over-burdened veterans' health care system. They said they already are not receiving the health care coverage that was promised to them.
In 2006, the Department of Veteran Affairs expects to treat 5.2 million veterans - double the number in 1995.
"It is not uncommon for veterans today to have to wait up to six months just to schedule a medical appointment," said Kleeb. Washington D.C. Republicans have proposed cutting funding for veterans' health care by $600 million in order to help pay for hurricane Katrina and other expenses. "This is not a place to go bargain hunting. We have a sacred responsibility to repay the sacrifice of our veterans."
Kleeb encouraged Congress to change a culture of wasteful spending that has left the country with the largest deficit in history. He pointed to the $286 billion dollar highway bill passed by Congress this summer which has subsequently been blasted by liberals and conservatives alike as a sign that Congressional spending is out of control.
"Something is seriously amiss when Washington approves $223 million for a ‘bridge to no where' in Alaska - a bridge to replace a 7-minute ferry ride - and then turns around and calls for $600 million in cuts to veteran's health care," said Kleeb.
Scott is scheduled to attend a Veterans' Day ceremony at the Gering American Legion Friday morning at 11am. <p>