Senate GOP Blocks Veterans Benefits Bill
Source: ABC News
Republicans stopped the veterans bill from moving on a procedural vote, which needed 60 votes.
The final tally was 56-41.
Republicans and Democrats normally agree on the need to enhance benefits for the nations 22 million veterans and their families, but
Republican senators wanted to lower the amount of spending in the bill. The GOP senators also wanted to include a measure that would have imposed new sanctions against Iran, which President Obama has warned against doing at this time. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid blocked the amendments from being considered.
Shame on the Republicans for bringing base politics into a bill to help the veterans, Reid said on the Senate floor Thursday morning.
The bill would have improved benefits for veterans, including better health care and dental services provided by the VA. It also would have guaranteed post-9/11 veterans access to in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities in any state.
Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2014/02/senate-gop-blocks-veterans-benefits-bill/
This was Bernie Sanders bill I think
rtracey
(2,062 posts)and all the "polls" and non-sense about the Republicans taking the lead in 2014 elections come true, expect major cuts, major ACA repeal, and this country will spiral into another major depression...keep an eye on your retirement, good bye medicare as we know it, and social security will be slashed.....may be time to invest in a home in Costa Rica....
Ash_F
(5,861 posts)That means going much further to the left then they have been, which is way right of center.
You don't compromise with the far right if you want to win. You give Americans what they want.
I am predicting very low turn-out in 2014 due to disappointment.
rtracey
(2,062 posts)Ash_F
(5,861 posts)...for that to happen.
A big push for minimum wage might do. But they need to blast harder than they have been.
blkmusclmachine
(16,149 posts)The Wizard
(12,547 posts)Republicans are scumbags.
freebrew
(1,917 posts)vote publican. Why? I have no idea other than they've been brainwashed by the M$M and Fatso rush.
The R's certainly aren't doing the military personnel any favors, only lip service.
jtuck004
(15,882 posts)At least one VA facility has been found deleting ordered procedures in order to fraudulently claim a lowering of claims?
Veterans ought to question what, if they can't get what they are already owed, blue sky is worth, voted for or not.
KeepItReal
(7,769 posts)That's the Republican party for ya.
Shameful.
... just leave it to those chickenhawks who lied us into those effing wars to not want to do the right thing now. Assholes. Can you imagine how this news makes the vets feel when they hear it? Betrayal. Again. All over again. Betrayal is one of the most painful feelings in one's life. Think about it. Only this kind of betrayal is magnified exponentially. They were willing to give their lives, but are disrespected by Republican Senators by limiting or reducing their VA benefits. How many of these Republican Senators are up for reelection this fall? Their Democratic opponents needs to bare down on this vote against the vets!
LittleGirl
(8,291 posts)I am close friends with several retired military and they are f* pissed off. They gave their whole careers with the promises and they are still working (private sector jobs) because they can and want to. But this is wrong on so many levels.
edit: clarity added
ReRe
(10,597 posts)... that I'm totally pissed about it too. You tell them I love them, and that I will go to my grave trying to get Republicans out of effing office. After all, this isn't the first time Republicans have voted against Vet benefits. They did this, even during the wars! Makes me sick!
Thankfully, 80% of them are liberals! I'm non-military and pacifist. The other friend is a tea party racist and he and I can go around the block with politics! It can be fun! But I am like that banging head with some of the military friends and family. They are brain washed!
OnlinePoker
(5,725 posts)...this wiki shows 15 Republicans in races for 2014 (and 21 Democrats)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Senate_elections,_2014
ReRe
(10,597 posts)KamaAina
(78,249 posts)ErikJ
(6,335 posts)sorefeet
(1,241 posts)right now saying North Korea is going to take out our electrical grid because Obama is cutting the military budget. These people make me sick with the fear mongering.
Berlum
(7,044 posts)Repubbies luv them their chickenhawk war-profiteering "leaders"
Iliyah
(25,111 posts)And no, GOPers do not like the troops but loves the profits that wars create.
Berlum
(7,044 posts)The Repubbies have a long history of doing this, usually occultly so no one will notice how they are screwing America & its veterans.
James48
(4,440 posts)These 41 republican U.S. Senators just blocked a vote on the U.S. Veterans bill. The legislation was backed by the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and virtually every other veterans and military service organization in the country. The measure would have improved health and dental care services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs. It also would have allowed the VA to open 27 new clinics and medical facilities. Educational opportunities would have been expanded for post-9/11 veterans. Another provision would have improved access to care and benefits for veterans who experienced sexual trauma while serving in the military. Also full cost-of-living adjustments would be restored for future military retirees.
This is who blocked it:
NAYs ---41
Alexander (R-TN)
Ayotte (R-NH)
Barrasso (R-WY)
Blunt (R-MO)
Boozman (R-AR)
Burr (R-NC)
Chambliss (R-GA)
Coats (R-IN)
Coburn (R-OK)
Cochran (R-MS)
Collins (R-ME)
Corker (R-TN)
Cornyn (R-TX)
Crapo (R-ID)
Cruz (R-TX)
Enzi (R-WY)
Fischer (R-NE)
Flake (R-AZ)
Graham (R-SC)
Grassley (R-IA)
Hatch (R-UT)
Hoeven (R-ND)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Isakson (R-GA)
Johanns (R-NE)
Johnson (R-WI)
Kirk (R-IL)
Lee (R-UT)
McCain (R-AZ)
McConnell (R-KY)
Paul (R-KY)
Portman (R-OH)
Risch (R-ID)
Roberts (R-KS)
Rubio (R-FL)
Scott (R-SC)
Sessions (R-AL)
Shelby (R-AL)
Thune (R-SD)
Toomey (R-PA)
Vitter (R-LA)
Details-
http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-republicans-block-veterans-bill
savalez
(3,517 posts)let all of their members know exactly who did this to them.
savalez
(3,517 posts)blkmusclmachine
(16,149 posts)savalez
(3,517 posts)leftyohiolib
(5,917 posts)blkmusclmachine
(16,149 posts)Tx4obama
(36,974 posts)leftyohiolib
(5,917 posts)there to begin with.
heaven05
(18,124 posts)rotten. Vet's protect their asses and this is their thanks? Bullshit!!!!!!!! The politics in this nation is just fucking rotten to the core.
underpants
(182,877 posts)niyad
(113,552 posts)his louisville office is, however.