Flashback: When Mitch McConnell Killed VA Benefit Expansion Bill, S. 1982, on February 26, 2014
Last edited Sat May 24, 2014, 11:15 PM - Edit history (4)
(02/26/2014)
WASHINGTON -- Two top veterans groups have come out against a Senate GOP effort to insert an Iran sanctions amendment into an unrelated veterans bill, putting the party at odds with a constituency that leans Republican.
"Iran is a serious issue that Congress needs to address, but it cannot be tied to S. 1982, which is extremely important as our nation prepares to welcome millions of U.S. military servicemen and women home from war," said American Legion National Commander Daniel Dellinger in a Wednesday statement, referring to the veterans benefits measure introduced by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). "We can deal with Iran -- or any other issue unrelated specifically to veterans -- with separate legislation."
Though officially nonpartisan, the American Legion is known for having more-conservative, older members. NPR reported that legion members hearing from Mitt Romney in 2012 were "not an Obama-friendly crowd."
The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America offered a similar sentiment against linking Iran sanctions on Tuesday.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/26/veterans-iran-sanctions_n_4861468.html
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Bill defeated by 56 For, 41 Against, the Republicans filibustered and refused to open debate, this is the horrible horrible unmentionable truth and it is 100% at the feet of McConnell.
Asshat Mitch pandering to the teapot primary crowd was the one that killed the vets, that is the horrible truth the media will not let you hear.
"However, the same Senate Republicans who are now claiming to be a friend to our veterans, shamefully blocked a bill in February that would have expanded and improved care for vets. The bill by Sen. Bernie Sanders contained provisions that would have restored the COLA for vets, and protected them from losing their benefits in the event of another government shutdown. It also would have authorized the construction of 27 new clinics and medical facilities, and it would have provided tuition assistance to post-9/11 vets. The bill failed by a 56-41 vote as only two Republicans joined with Democrats in supporting it."
"Those 27 new clinics and facilities that Republicans blocked would certainly come in handy now...."
http://www.politicususa.com/2014/05/24/republicans-care-vets-blocked-bill-expanding-veterans-benefits.html
U.S. Senate Republicans block veterans' health bill on budget worry
BY RICHARD COWAN
WASHINGTON Thu Feb 27, 2014 3:50pm EST
(Reuters) - U.S. Senate Republicans blocked legislation on Thursday that would have expanded federal healthcare and education programs for veterans, saying the $24 billion bill would bust the budget.
Even though the legislation cleared a procedural vote on Tuesday by a 99-0 vote, the measure quickly got bogged down in partisan fighting.
Supporters said the measure would have brought the most significant changes in decades to U.S. veterans' programs. For example, it called for 27 new medical facilities to help a healthcare system that is strained by veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
With Democrats pressing for passage this week, Senate Republicans, backed by their leader, Mitch McConnell, attempted to attach controversial legislation calling for possible new sanctions on Iran that President Barack Obama opposes.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/27/us-usa-veterans-congress-idUSBREA1Q26O20140227
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