"Prioritizing the needs of people making more than $1 million a year ahead of veterans' health care when thousands upon thousands of young Americans are fighting abroad is outrageous. My amendment would have added critical millions for mental health and prosthetics - two areas of veterans health care that have been especially in-demand during this war. Not to mention funding additional staffing to deal with increased patient workload and ensuring access to the VA health care system for all veterans. But no, tax cuts are more important than all of this, and the Republicans dismissed my amendment on a procedural technicality," said Farr.

In addition, Farr spoke in support of an amendment offered by Rep. Earl Blumenauer (OR-03) that would have increased funding for clean up efforts on closed military bases from Base Realignment and Closure Rounds prior to 2005, which includes Fort Ord.

"Not enough attention is paid to the messes left behind by the services at closed military bases. There is a staggering disconnect between clean up costs and the amount the services budget for these efforts. Fort Ord closed over a decade ago and we still have to fight to get attention for our clean up needs," said Farr. Unfortunately the Blumenauer amendment did not pass.

The base bill, H.R. 5385, passed the House and now awaits Senate action. As a member of the subcommittee writing this bill, Farr was able to help the Central Coast with:

• language to create a first-in-the-nation public-private partnership to fund a State Veterans Cemetery at Ft. Ord, and language putting California at the top of the list for State Veterans Cemetery Grant approval once an application is made.
• $7.38 million that will enable the Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center to renovate and enlarge their computer center and meet increased demand for satellite data processing capacity.
• $1.3 million for Fort Hunter Liggett to build a Combat Pistol/Military Police firearm training facility to improve the current Army training that takes place on the Fort.