Mil Con, VA Appropriations Bill Earns Full Support of The American Legion

WASHINGTON--(Business Wire)--
The national commander of the nation`s largest veterans` service organization
expressed appreciation for the House`s passage of H.R. 3082, a bill that would
greatly increase VA funding.

The Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Appropriations for FY
2010, would provide $48.2 billion in advance appropriations for three VA medical
accounts: Medical services; medical support and compliance; and medical
facilities.

"This additional funding is an 8 percent increase compared to fiscal year 2010,"
said National Commander David K. Rehbein. "There are many people in Congress to
thank for this increase, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Appropriations
Committee Chairman David Obey and Subcommittee Chairman Chet Edwards. These
members and this bill put veterans first and is a reminder that this nation
cherishes the service and sacrifice of those who have worn the uniform."

The bill, which also includes other provisions that The American Legion
supports, provides an additional $4.4 billion for the Veterans Health
Administration in 2010. It provides additional money for mental health services,
homeless veterans and medical research. The bill includes funding for 28 new Vet
Centers and 30 new Community Based Outpatient Clinics.

Overall, HR 3082 would provide $77.9 billion in discretionary spending for FY
2010, including money for the Global War on Terrorism. The House passed the bill
Friday afternoon.

"There are many things to like in this bill," Rehbein said. "It is pro-veteran
and pro-military. I urge the Senate to follow suit and for the president to sign
it." Shortly after his election as National Commander, Rehbein testified before
a joint session of the Veterans` Affairs Committees and outlined The American
Legion`s funding recommendations for FY 2010 and support for advance
appropriations for VA medical care accounts. This bill would meet or exceed
those recommendations.

"VA exists to fulfill its obligation to veterans. It is our position that we
should let them," Rehbein testified at the time. The Legion believes that if HR
3082 is made law, VA will be in a much stronger position to deliver quality
service.

With a current membership of 2.6 million wartime veterans, The American Legion
was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans
affairs, Americanism, and the mentoring of youth. Legionnaires work for the
betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the
nation.

A high resolution photo of Nat. Cmdr. Rehbein is available at www.legion.org.

The American Legion
Joe March or John Raughter, 317-630-1253
or
Craig Roberts, 202-263-2982

Copyright Business Wire 2009