<home> -- <press releases> -- <April 1, 2003>

Congresswoman Bordallo Makes Statement in Support of Our Nation’s Veterans

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 1, 2003 – Washington, D.C. - In response to the recent passage of the Fiscal-Year 2004 Budget by the U.S. House of Representatives, Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo spoke today on the House floor in favor of efforts to restore the proposed cuts for veterans programs.

“It is unthinkable that this House would even take such drastic action against our veterans during a time of war. This is the wrong time and the wrong message to be sending to our country,” said Congresswoman Bordallo.

Congresswoman Bordallo criticized the proposed $14.6 billion in budget cuts over the next ten years for mandatory veterans programs. She specifically highlighted the cuts to veterans’ health care programs proposed in the House version of the budget. “Over a ten year period, the budget resolution that this House passed would cut almost $9 billion alone in veterans’ health care – an average of more than $900 million less that the President has proposed per year,” added the Congresswoman.

Congresswoman Bordallo expressed hope that the funding would be restored when the House and Senate versions of the bill are debated in conference.

In addition to her statements on behalf of veterans, Congresswoman Bordallo served as Democratic Floor Manager for three bills that passed the House under suspension of rules. All three were bi-partisan bills that passed the House by unanimous consent. H.R. 622 instructs the Secretary of Agriculture to exchange certain lands in the Tonto and Coconino Forests of Arizona to compensate private land owners for other lands that would be taken. H.R. 762 amends the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, which revises the method for calculating per acre rental fees on federal lands to better reflect the value of these lands. H.R. 289 authorizes the expansion of the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge Complex in the State of Ohio and the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge in the state of Michigan.

“I was honored to be tapped as a floor manager by the leadership,” Congresswoman Bordallo stated. “As a non-voting Delegate, it is important to participate in the legislative process by working in Committee and by speaking out on issues. I was therefore thrilled to have an opportunity to be a floor manager for legislation important to my colleagues.”

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Contact: Neil Weare in Washington, D.C., at (202) 225-1188 or Joaquin Perez in Guam at (671) 477-4272.