Thanks to the bipartisan support of Congress and the White House, America’s veterans will receive much needed funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

“Veterans are very much in need of this additional funding,” said Marty Conatser, national commander of The American Legion after being notified that President George W. Bush formally requested an additional $3.7 billion in “emergency” appropriations for VA in FY 2008.

The president recently signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of FY 2008 providing funding for the remainder of the federal budget except the Department of Defense. In an agreement reached between Congress and the president, the bill contained a provision to add an additional $3.7 billion for VA funding.

“The American Legion greatly appreciates the congressional leadership - from both sides of the aisle - for working closely with me and my colleagues to provide VA with a budget worthy of the sacrifices of the men and women of the armed forces, veterans, and their families.” Conatser said. “No veteran should ever be denied an earned benefit for honorable military service.”

Congress authorized recently-separated service members from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom enrollment in the VA health care delivery system, to receive free health care for two years, and remain in the system if so desired. Currently, more than 7 million veterans are enrolled in the VA system.

“This Congress and the commander in chief met or exceeded the funding recommendations of the veterans’ community,” Conatser pointed out. “In all my years with The American Legion, this budget stands out as a monumental achievement.”

The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of strong national defense, veterans affairs, Americanism and patriotic youth programs. The Legion’s 2.7 million wartime veterans work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation.