Chuck Fleischmann, I couldn't help but notice that you are running on the premise that you, and your ilk (the other Republicans in Congress), support our veterans. In fact, you go so far as to say that you are ashamed at the way we treat our vets. You should be.
Details of bill rejected by yourself and other Congressional Republicans:
Wounded Veteran Job Security Act – This bill would actually provide job security for veterans who are receiving medical treatment for injuries suffered while fighting in defense of their country.
It would prohibit employers from terminating employees who miss work while receiving treatment for a service-related disability.
Veterans Retraining Act – This bill would provide for assistance to help veterans who are currently unemployed with their expenses while retraining for the current job market.
Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program Reauthorization – This bill would reauthorize programs in support of homeless veterans, to assist them with job training, counseling, and placement services through the Department of Veterans Affairs through 2014.
Requiring List on VA Website of Organizations Providing Scholarships for Veterans which does nothing more than direct the Department of Veterans Affairs to include information about scholarships for veterans.
Disabled Veterans Home Improvement and Structural Alteration Grant Increase Act of 2009 – Here’s another bill in support of those who have fought for their country, passed by House Democrats and blocked from becoming law by Republicans.
This would increase the amount paid by the VA to disabled veterans for necessary home structural improvements from $4,100 to $6,800 for those who are more than 50 percent disabled, and from $1,200 to $2,000 who are less than 50 percent, disabled. This means, if a veteran lost the use of his legs in service of his country, the country will pay for the wheelchair ramp so that he can live at home.
By the way, the last time this ceiling was lifted was in 1992. There isn't even a fiscal reason for being against this bill, as the total cost of this bill, according to CBO estimates, would be a “whopping” $20 million. That's less than you voted to spend to investigate Hillary Clinton.
Veterans Business Center Act – This bill would set up a Veterans Business Center program within the Small Business Administration, which would specialize in such programs as grants for service-disabled veterans, help them develop business plans and secure business opportunities. In other words, folks, it would create jobs and offer opportunities those who have fought in defense of our country.
Job Creation Through Entrepreneurship Act – This bill essentially combines a number of other bills that Republicans had blocked in the Senate previously, and adds a few elements. The bill would again establish a Veterans Business Center Program; .... it would establish a Military Entrepreneurs Program.
This GOP record does not say We Support the Troops, and, since your voting is constantly in lock-step with the "party," neither do you. So take your crocodile tears elsewhere...you should be ashamed.
Rod Dagnan
* * *
Talk is cheap, and walking it is difficult, but I'm not so sure it isn't a good thing so many of these bills get voted down or otherwise do not become law. By the time they get through the hallowed halls of Congress most are so full of filet mignon going to other congresspersons' districts to buy their votes that the original intent is overshadowed.
The VA and most so-called veterans' programs are so full of waste and fraud that a number of veterans are taking it upon themselves to do what's necessary. It's unfortunate we also have to look closely at those too, the Wounded Warrior Project for example.
In the end we must all be very careful to be aware of who is using our veterans for their own purposes and publicly respect them only during election season. Wasn't there even a Congressional candidate who hung his signs on the fence around a national cemetery?
Vicki Rodgers