It took until the wee hours on Saturday morning, but the Senate approved the “omnibus” Veterans Affairs $3.2 billion bill, followed Friday’s House passage of the legislation. The bill, which now goes to President Bush, funnels $600 million into the repair or new construction of veterans facilities in hurricane-devastated New Orleans and the Gulf Coast; provides for construction of new facilities nationwide; funds the hiring of more clinicians to treat veterans returning from Southwest Asia; increases funding for programs assisting homeless vets; and creates an office of rural health for veterans. Senate veterans committee chair Larry Craig (R-Idaho), said in a statement: “There were some serious disagreements between members on a few issues, but everyone compromised a little. That’s what it takes.” His counterpart in the House, Steve Buyer (R-Ind.), underscored that sentiment, saying, “Congress worked in a bipartisan effort to pass this important bill, and the winners are veterans and their families.”
The U.S. military is sending more fighter jets to the Middle East to step up its war with Iran, adding to what is already the largest buildup of airpower in the region since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. For now, the operation shows little sign of coming to a quick…