Our view: Everett balks

The U.S. government’s shameful neglect of veterans of our armed services has been well-documented, particularly with regard to health care and other benefits promised but not delivered. Change is long overdue, but a vote last week on a package of veterans’ benefits suggests that even those who would be expected to stand up for veterans will duck out when it’s politically expedient.

Congress took up President Bush’s $165 billion request to fund the war in Iraq and Afghanistan into next spring, and easily approved the funding. However, initiatives to beef up the G.I. Bill with some $50 billion through 2017 — along with funding for other domestic programs — drew wide bipartisan support despite Bush’s threat to veto a war funding bill with such additions.

“When it comes to Iraq, it appears that money is no object for President Bush,” said Sen. Robert Byrd, DW. Va., who chairs the Appropriations Committee. “But when it comes to important priorities here at home, he turns into Ebenezer Scrooge.” Disappointingly, our own Rep. Terry Everett, who sits on the House Armed Services Committee, aligned with “Scrooge,” voting against the spending bill ultimately approved by Democrats and Everett’s defiant Republican cohorts.

The final version of the bill has yet to emerge, but the bipartisan support of the G.I. Bill increase and programs to repair New Orleans levees, fund recovery of the hurricane- ravaged Gulf Coast employ additional food and drug inspectors suggests Congress has dug in its heels. We’re puzzled and dismayed that Rep. Everett balked on a relatively small increase for veteran benefits in the face of unfettered war spending.

Some balance, please.