The Nation : Derwinski Cautions Veterans on Funding

Secretary of Veterans Affairs-designate Edward J. Derwinski cautioned veterans to lower their expectations about the new department, warning them “we aren’t going to be the priority group” in the Bush Administration. In a speech to American Legion officials in Washington, Derwinski expressed hope that the Veterans Affairs Department will be able to win increased funds for helping homeless veterans and for treating drug abuse. But as he talked to reporters after the meeting, he indicated he may lose his first budget battle, an effort to win increased funding in the fiscal 1989 budget. Veterans groups lobbied for decades for Cabinet status for the VA, arguing that a secretary with direct access to the President would be able to win more money and could more likely override the Office of Management and Budget, which long has been regarded as the agency’s biggest opponent.