Vietnam
Veterans of America opposes Sunset Bills as bad
government initiatives
WASHINGTON, July 26 /U.S.
Newswire/ -- "Under the guise of government reform, of ridding the
federal bureaucracy of 'unneeded' agencies and 'unwanted' programs,
two bills -- H.R. 5766, which would create a Federal Review
Commission, and H.R. 3282, the Abolishment of Obsolete Agencies and
Federal Sunset Act -- have been fast-tracked for consideration on
the floor of the House this week," John Rowan, national president of
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), said today in a letter to members
of Congress.
"VVA adamantly opposes the
enactment of these anti-democratic bills. If passed, they would
empower unelected commissions to usurp the oversight role of
Congress. They represent a bald- faced attack on protections
inherent in our Constitution, not a welcome attempt at government
reform," Rowan said. "They would set a dangerous precedent: If
Congress or the President can't muster enough votes to do away with
a program or agency they find bothersome, those in power would have
a commission they can depend on do what they have neither the
political will nor popular support to do."
"These bills are no more than a
brazen, backdoor attempt by those who would roll back programs that
have become part of the fabric of our republic," Rowan said. "While
veterans' programs may not be specifically targeted, there is every
indication that they would be adversely affected should a sunset
commission become law. Given the events of the past few years, it is
clear to us that Post-traumatic Stress Disorder treatment and
compensation programs would be among the first to be targeted, along
with special programs at the VA for blinded veterans, those with
traumatic brain injuries, and any program that addresses toxic
exposures, such as Agent Orange and Gulf War Illness.
"We need more accountability, not
less, and greater transparency in determining what programs are
needed because they are doing what they were created to do, and what
programs ought to be ended, because either they are not doing what
they were created to do or their mission is completed and they are
no longer needed."
On behalf of the members of VVA,
Rowan urged members of Congress to vote "Nay" when H.R. 5766 and
H.R. 3282 come to a vote.
---
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA)
is the nation's only congressionally chartered veterans service
organization dedicated to the needs of Vietnam-era veterans and
their families. VVA's founding principle is "Never again will one
generation of veterans abandon another."
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