When are Republicans actually going to use action to show they support vets?

2015-06-03T22:35:36-04:00

After this article and after the whole BAH issue, all I see about vets being supported by republicans is rhetoric, they've voted against every bill to help vets in the last two years, but still give GE a tax break of in the billions of dollars.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/h-a-goodman/republicans-va-funding_b_5395698.html

41 Republican Senators Voted Against a Landmark Veterans Bill in February, Today They Blame the...

Earlier this year, the GOP had a chance to prove that it could fund veterans' health care as eagerly as it borrowed for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Response by CPO Joseph Grant made Jun 3 at 2015 10:44 PM

2015-06-03T22:44:27-04:00

Read the poem Tommy by Kipling. This is nothing new.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 3 at 2015 10:50 PM

2015-06-03T22:50:55-04:00

When there's actually more than 1 republican senator besides than John McCain that served in the military.

Response by SSG Leonard Johnson made Jun 3 at 2015 10:51 PM

2015-06-03T22:51:16-04:00

1 of the many reasons I'm not a Republican. I'm a conservative. and there's a big difference. the Republicans have left conservatives out to dry. I'm damn sure not a Democrat, they hate soldiers, veterans, and this country. I will only vote conservative. I would love to support Paul, but he's very weak on foreign policy. sure wish Alan West Run...,I know a lot of people are pissed at him, I still like he's still stands for the same values I do. Kick everyone's ass, and we'll sort it out when we want to

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2015 10:53 PM

2015-06-03T22:53:15-04:00

I guess around the same time the Democrats do. We take care of our Own! Screw them

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 3 at 2015 11:22 PM

2015-06-03T23:22:28-04:00

It's not just Republicans, it's all politicians!

Response by SGT John Wesley made Jun 3 at 2015 11:23 PM

2015-06-03T23:23:00-04:00

Never, because it's not fiscally responsible in their book.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jun 3 at 2015 11:40 PM

2015-06-03T23:40:43-04:00

Never, "We Support Our Troops" is nothing more than a Catch Phrase for Republicans. Empty Words. Republican Politicians are Traitors to our Veterans.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2015 11:48 PM

2015-06-03T23:48:58-04:00

LCpl Mark Lefler, again Little Brother, you're equating money with "support." If Dems truly supported Vets, they would not lump us into the same suspect categories as our enemies and seek to separate us from our Constitutional Rights without due cause.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Jun 4 at 2015 12:28 AM

2015-06-04T00:28:19-04:00

And this, my friends is why we can't have nice things

Response by SSG Gerhard S. made Jun 4 at 2015 6:48 AM

2015-06-04T06:48:44-04:00

This article is somewhat disingenuous in that it is strictly politically motivated (No big surprise from Huffington). Let me next make a couple disclaimers: First, I'm not a Republican, and am a vocal critic of many of their policies. Second, I do get some of my health care at the VA, and have a largely positive experience in this regard.

That being said, the issue of this budget denial was not centered around wanting to NOT fund VA health care programs. It centered around the gross irresponsibility of the VA in it's VA Hospital construction delays and ridiculous cost over runs.

Now, these, in and of themselves are, in my opinion NOT a good reason to not fund VA healthcare programs EXCEPT for the fact that the VA wanted to take funds slated for Veteran's healthcare to fund their grossly mismanaged construction projects.

The Republicans, in this case, rightly in my opinion, told the VA to fund their over-runs without taking away from already funded Veteran's health care programs. Funny though... No mention of these facts in the Huff Post article, which suggests a purely political motivation. Shameful.

"The VA's budget has grown from about $114 billion in 2010 to about $154 billion in 2014, but a CNN investigation found veterans were dying while waiting for care despite this increase in funding."

http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/22/politics/va-waste/

Controversial VA projects waste billions - CNNPolitics.com

The VA has wasted billions of taxpayer dollars on controversial projects across the country, according to government reports and members of Congress.

Response by SSG Gerhard S. made Jun 4 at 2015 6:54 AM

2015-06-04T06:54:09-04:00

The fact is, the Huff Post article only tells half the story. Politics? Additionally the VA wanted to use funds from a $5 Billion allocation earmarked to hire more healthcare workers and improve existing facilities to finish their mismanaged construction projects. THIS is why the additional funding was denied.

"The Veterans Affairs Department has told Congress it would like to use $830 million from a $5 billion fund for improving health care to pay for and finish the over-budget Denver VA hospital. Congress allocated the $5 billion to hire more physicians, upgrade facilities, improve efficiency and make other changes to give veterans better access to health care."

http://www.forconstructionpros.com/news/12065636/va-wants-to-use-health-care-fund-to-pay-for-unfinished-denver-hospital-construction

VA Wants to Use Health Care Fund to Pay for Unfinished Denver Hospital Construction

While VA has identified possible funding source, Senator Michael Bennet also wants the VA to show how it will discipline those responsible for the cost overruns

Response by SSG James Arlington made Jun 4 at 2015 8:53 AM

2015-06-04T08:53:10-04:00

I cannot not understand why so many active military and Vets support Republicans blindly. Check the facts; they are quick to go to war, but slow, or AWOL on actually supporting the Vets when they come back.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2016 10:51 AM

2016-05-20T10:51:34-04:00

the good ole Huff Post. wasnt it the republicans who passed the Choice program? As flawed as it is, still shows an effort.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 27 at 2020 11:15 PM

2020-05-27T23:15:28-04:00

It seems the trend is to prevent vets from using MTFs.