Speaker Pelosi issues statement on veterans' bills

Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement this afternoon after House passage of two key veterans' bills: the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act and Service Members Home Ownership Tax Act.

"With today's vote, the House passed the number one legislative priority for national veterans groups to make sure that our veterans get the benefits they have earned. By authorizing Congress to approve investments in medical care for our veterans one year in advance, we are ensuring sufficient, timely, and predictable funding to care for those who have worn our nation's uniform. And today we also passed legislation that make changes to our tax code to help our military families buy and sell their homes.

"We are building on our record of putting our troops and veterans first. In that regard, today we also passed the conference report on Defense Authorization, which will give our troops a pay raise, help restore military readiness, and strengthen support for military families. Just as the military pledges to never leave no soldier behind on the battlefield, we will leave no veteran behind when they come home."