For Immediate Release: April 26, 2005

Congressional Accomplishments
In Support of Veterans Spanning Past 4 Years

Veterans Budget Increased $20 Billion in 4 Years
The total VA budget has been increased from $48 billion in FY 2001 to an estimated $68 billion in FY 2005, a 42% increase in just four years.

Veterans Medical Care Funding Increased 38% in 4 Years
Veterans medical care funding has risen from $21.7 billion in the FY 2001 budget to an estimated $29.9 billion in FY 2005.

Record Number of Veterans Receiving Health Care Today
As a result nearly 5 million veterans will receive health care services this year, about 1 million more than just four years ago.

Historic New $22 Billion Concurrent Receipt Benefit
After more than a century of inaction the federal government, Congress approved a historic concurrent receipt benefit for veterans that will provide over $22 billion to more than 250,000 disabled military retirees over the next ten years. Public Law 108-375: Effective January 2005, a retiree rated 100% service-connected will be authorized to receive full retirement benefits.

GI Bill Boosted Record 46% Since 2001
As a result of legislation approved in 2001, the GI Bill educational benefit was boosted by 46%, raising the lifetime benefit for qualified veterans from $23,400 to $35,460.

VA Home Loan Maximums Will Increase by 67% Since 2001
Public Law 108-454 increases the maximum VA home loan guarantee to $333,700, an increase of 67% from the prevailing maximum level in 2001.

Dozens of Veterans Benefits and Services Expanded and Improved
Over the past four years, Congress has passed, and President Bush signed, 17 separate bills to improve and expand veterans' benefits and services that will:

Expand the scope and quality of veterans' health care services;
Provide new and increased benefits to disabled veterans;
Improve job training and placement services for veterans;
Clarify and strengthen employment and reemployment rights for veterans
Extend new benefits to veterans' widows and dependents;
Help eradicate homelessness among veterans;
Expand the national cemetery system for veterans; and
Strengthen the legal rights of all servicemembers.

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