Coburn lifts hold on vet benefits bill

[unhappycamper]

Coburn lifts hold on vet benefits bill
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Nov 18, 2009 9:48:11 EST

One senator’s hold delaying consideration of a veterans caregiver and health benefits bill has been lifted.

A new agreement will allow a final vote on S 1963 after senators consider an amendment that would pay for stipends, health care, counseling and other benefits for people taking care of severely disabled veterans by cutting the U.S. contribution to the United Nations.

As a result of the agreement, the Senate is now expected to take up and pass the bill this week, allowing House and Senate negotiators to begin work on a compromise measure that could become law this year The U.N. amendment will be offered by Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., the person who since Memorial Day has prevented the Senate from taking up veterans legislation because he thinks it is wrong to pass new benefits without paying for them.

Coburn’s hold on the Veterans Caregiver and Omnibus Health Benefits Act of 2009 came to a head before Veterans Day, when Senate Democratic leaders were trying to get the bill passed. Coburn wouldn’t allow the bill to proceed if he wasn’t allowed to offer an amendment, a position that drew sharp criticism from major veterans groups.

The agreement announced Tuesday by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., allots 3½ hours for Senate debate on the veterans’ bill, a half hour for general debate and the rest of the time to debate Coburn’s amendment.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/11/military_coburn_veteransbill_111809w/

[Bitwit1234]

1. He would have done it sooner

if the MEDIA had got on his butt. Why won't the media print or tell anything about these common republicans that do stuff like that. But you know how they are when a run a way bride, the balloon guy, and Sarah Palin (you betcha) shows up they go bat crap crazy trying to out do each other.