Thursday, April 23, 2009 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Richard Burr (R-North Carolina), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, issued the following statement after the Committee’s hearing on pending veterans’ health care legislation:

“Yesterday’s hearing marked a critical step forward in the Committee’s consideration of important legislation, including the Family Caregiver Program Act (S.801), a bill I introduced with Chairman Akaka to strengthen support for family caregivers and attendants of veterans who make sacrifices to care for traumatically injured veterans.  I am especially grateful for the service and feedback of Eric Edmundson and his family, and Ted and Sarah Wade, who are examples of North Carolina veteran families who would benefit from this legislation.

“We also examined the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act (S. 423).  This bill would fund the Veterans Health Administration in two-year cycles instead of the current yearly appropriation.  Advanced appropriations will help VA get their health care funding on time and prevent delays in veterans’ health care services.    

“Additionally, the committee discussed S. 669, a bill I introduced titled the Veterans’ Second Amendment Protection Act.  This bill would end the arbitrary process through which the government strips veterans and other VA beneficiaries of their Second Amendment rights.  It would require a judicial authority to determine that a VA beneficiary poses a danger to themselves or others before VA sends their names to the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System, a system which prevents individuals from purchasing firearms.  Our veterans deserve the same due process that every other citizen enjoys. “

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