Speech/Statement

THE HONORABLE MICHAEL A. ARCURI
New York’s 24th Congressional District
U.S. House of Representatives
March 6, 2006

Mr. Speaker, the treatment some of our wounded military personnel are receiving at Walter Reed Army Hospital and other facilities around the nation is outrageous and should be fixed immediately.

The conditions and the neglect that many of these wounded soldiers are facing is just another example of this administration’s failure to plan for the war in Iraq.

It was bad enough that the administration went into this war without properly planning for the aftermath of the fall of Bagdad –

It is inexcusable that this same administration does not have an acceptable plan to care for wounded soldiers who return from combat in Iraq.

We’ve all heard the stories abut soldiers being moved into Building 18 with mold, mice and cockroaches because Walter Reed had simply run out of space.

Time after time, this administration has cut the Veterans Administration budget – during a time of war. 

And now the President wants to send an additional 21,000 troops to Iraq.  How can we think of sending more troops to Iraq when we don’t have enough space here in our military hospitals to provide the wounded with the care they rightfully deserve?

We promise our veterans the quality care they need and deserve if they serve our country – it’s time we make good on that promise.

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