WASHINGTON, DC (VIA PLDT)—With the uncertain fate of the Veterans Equity Bill in the US Congress, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has made a strong appeal to US President George W. Bush, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other lawmakers to consider the long quest for benefits of the Filipinos who fought under the American flag during World War II.

“I made a strong case for why the Philippine war veterans deserve equity, and I asked for the understanding and support of the leaders of America,” Arroyo said during a lunch she hosted on Tuesday (Washington time) for reporters covering her US trip.

“This is consistent with one major aim of this trip—to help fight for the passage of the Filipino veterans equity bill, which is part of a larger bill pending in the US Congress,” she said.

“So I’ve spoken with Speaker Pelosi, with Senate Majority Leader [Harry] Reid, President Bush ... not to mention, of course, the [bill’s] authors and sponsors, to thank them for what they did.”

Arroyo was referring to Senate Bill 1315, an omnibus veterans equity bill that the US Senate approved in April with a 96-1 vote. A counterpart bill is pending in the committee level at the US Congress.

Representative Darrel Issa, one of the key proponents of the veterans bill for Filipinos, had earlier said the sponsors were hoping for a vote in the committee this week in time for Arroyo’s visit.

If the bill is not passed by the US House of Representatives before the adjournment of sessions and the November presidential election, it goes back to zero.

According to Issa, there is majority support for the veterans bill in the US Congress but the problem is a disagreement on the source of funds. Lawmakers are insisting on a “pay go” provision that provides a clear source of funding for the bill.

The omnibus bill is expected to cost about $1 billion, including $350 million for the Filipino veterans alone over 10 years.

Arroyo is to visit the US Capitol on Wednesday.

Fittingly, the reception for her hosted by the Philippines-US Friendship Caucus, a bipartisan group supporting Philippine concerns, will be held at the Veterans Committee Hearing Room at the Cannon House Building.

Arroyo is to deliver a speech before the Caucus, which now counts 42 members of the House since its establishment in 2003.