Persian Gulf War Pros And Cons

282 Words2 Pages
Proponents seeking Cabinet-level status for the Veterans Administration had long stressed that the VA was the largest independent federal agency in terms of budget and was second only to the Defense Department in the number of employees. Because one-third of the U.S. population was eligible for veterans benefits, proponents argued, a cabinet secretary having direct access to the president should represent the agency responsible. President Reagan signed legislation in 1988 to elevate VA to Cabinet status and, on March 15, 1989, the Veterans Administration became the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Persian Gulf War, which began in August 1990 as Operation Desert Shield and became Operation Desert Storm in January 1991, created a new climate