I am responding to the uninformed letter from John Rennhack which appeared in your April 25 paper. The letter charges that I voted against veterans and it is entirely untrue.

The budget resolution that was adopted for Fiscal Year 2004 is strongly pro-veteran. Contrary to Mr. Rennhack's letter, this budget increases spending for veterans' programs by over $6 billion, which is a 10.7 percent increase over the 2003 budget. It will also increase funding for veterans' health benefits by 12.9 percent - the largest increase in history. These increases take place immediately next year. Total spending for veterans' programs would rise to at least $77.5 billion by Fiscal Year 2013 under this budget.

Because this budget is so supportive of veterans' programs, it has been endorsed by such veterans' organizations as the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Disabled American Veterans and the Paralyzed Veterans of America.

It should also be noted that Congress previously approved a 12 percent increase in the veterans' budget for the current fiscal year (2003), and just last week provided an additional $100 million to address the needs of veterans now serving in Iraq.

Throughout my years in Congress I have consistently fought hard to protect veterans' benefits. The cause of our nation's veterans is too important to allow it to be trivialized by cheap, partisan politics. I have always fought against that. Unfortunately, Mr. Rennhack and others like him put partisanship before our country and our veterans. He owes everyone an apology.

Peter T. King

Member of Congress