Republicans Don't Care about Veterans - Health Care Ammendment Shot Down.

[Clarkie1]

This ammendment was shot down on almost completely party lines. Every Democrat voted for it; every Republican voted against it except Spectre.

The divisions are clear. This should be in every newspaper across America. Write your letters to the editor and express your outrage!

April 13, 2005
Republicans Don't Care About Veterans
S.AMDT.344
Amends : H.R.1268
Sponsor : Sen Murray, Patty

The vote, which fell along party lines, defeated the Murray-Akaka amendment offered by Sens. Pat Murray (D-WA) and Daniel Akaka (D-HI). The Amendment would have increased veterans' health care funding by $1.975 billion. Additionally, the amendment would have provided $840 million to reverse current budget shortfalls and enable VA hospitals to prepare for an influx of new veterans from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Vote Summary

Vote Date : April 12, 2005, 03:26 PM
Required For Majority : 3/5
Vote Result : Motion Rejected
Amendment Number : S.Amdt. 344 to H.R. 1268 (Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Tsunami Relief, 2005)
Statement of Purpose : To provide $1,975,183,000 for medical care for veterans.

Vote Counts:
YEAs 46
NAYs 54

The vote fell along mostly party lines, with the lone Republican YEA vote coming from Sen. Arlen Spectre (R-PA). (Roll call vote is listed in the extended entry.) I'm proud to say that the Michigan Senators, Levin and Stabenow, voted YEA along with every other Democrat.

Now, as for the Republicans: what was that about "supporting our troops"? This is what they're fighting and dying for?

http://evilqueen.demesnes.net/archives/politics/index.php

[Maat]

1. I heard.

This one really made me sad.

On edit:
Isn't this the one that Wes Clark talked about in his e-mail, asking us to sign the petition supporting it? He called it the 'GI Bill of Rights.'

Already voted down - they are shameful (the Rethugs).

[Clarkie1]

4. No.

The Pelosi-Clark bill is a House bill.

This was in the senate, but unfortunately is does not bode well for the passage of the GI Bill of rights by the Senate or the House. Unless...

WE MAKE IT HAPPEN BY LETTING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING BY WRITING LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, ECT. AND TELL THEM WHAT UNPATRIOTIC TRAITORS THE REPUBLICANS ARE TO OUR FIGHTING MEN AND WOMEN IN THE ARMED FORCES! AND IF YOU HAVE A REPUBLICAN CONGRESSPERSON OR SENATOR, LET THEM KNOW YOU ARE WATCHING!

[Maat]

8. I did let them know.

Issa (House) votes along Party lines.

He's a RoveBot.

But I still let him know.

The good news is my Senator is ... Boxer! Woohoo! (And Feinstein .. but I don't talk about that ..).

[BlackVelvetElvis]

2. What was the republican arguement against this?

This could be a great LTTE.
My senators voted NAY and one is coming up for re-election next year.
We should help each other craft a great letter from this info and send them in to every paper.

[Clarkie1]

3. That is an excellent idea.

I'm fortunate my two California senators are Democrats.

I do have a Repug congressperson though, and just sent a letter to the editor re: bankruptcy bill. Unfortunately, I made the "rookie" mistake of sending without saving a copy. I like the idea of using DU as a forum for crafting effective letters.

Perhaps a letter-writing group could be started?

[BlackVelvetElvis]

7. This IS a good idea, plus I have a question.

Many people are daunted by crafting a LTTE, after all, you want to make sure your info is accurate and effective. We have some very articulate people here who maybe can help.
I've started one now and am trying to find the figures on injured vets, they and their families will need some help when they return! Any info?
We need to do more than whine.

[NVMojo]

5. and repukes are against not only vets, but soldiers, the middle class,

the working poor, the poor, the handicapped, Native Americans, and ...do you want me to add more???

These people are straight from the bowels of immorality.

[Clarkie1]

6. I agree.

I do think politically however the fact they are letting down vets is our best political ammunition, especially in red states.

[BlackVelvetElvis]

9. I have a draft crafted.

Any suggestions on how to make this more effective? What about my figures? I got them from antiwar.com.

I would like to know why Senators Burr and Dole voted NAY to pass the Murray-Akaka amendment (to HR 1268) to increase veteran's health care by $1,975,183,000 billion. This amendment would've enabled VA hospitals to prepare for an influx of new vets from Afghanistan and Iraq. There have been officially almost 11, 700 injured since the war began. The estimated figures are higher.
How many of these veterans will need serious physical therapy to recover? What about those who are amputees or have serious head injuries? What of the emotional problems that will take many years to sort out? How many families in the Triad area are seeing the effect of this war right now? Imagine what the nationwide figures must be.
It's a sad thing to see when your senators give lip service to "supporting the troops" and instead see them divided on partisan lines.
Senators Burr and Dole should be ashamed.

[Clarkie1]

10. Here's some information I found you might want to use.

"VA facilities in every region of the country have exhausted reserve funds to meet critical needs. Many have stopped hiring doctors and nurses because of shortfalls, while still others have cut back or even eliminated medical services."

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=45842

increase veterans' health care by 1.98 billion

It's sad and outrageous to see our senators giving lip service to "supporting the troops" while voting against them on partisan lines.