The Nation - News from June 9, 1989

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Edward J. Derwinski said some services to veterans will continue to be curtailed until Congress passes a bogged-down bill containing $1.2 billion for veterans’ programs. The supplemental spending bill has been passed by the Senate and House, but lawmakers have added amendments for funds for a variety of unrelated projects. The measure must now go to a House-Senate conference committee, which has not scheduled a meeting. In a May 26 directive, the department ordered a freeze on hiring of non-medical personnel, a halt in purchases of new equipment and curtailment of treatment for claimants with a specified amount of income who have non-service-related disabilities.