Remember, the Bush administration pretends to be pro-military

June 24, 2005

A couple of months ago, Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) proposed providing nearly $2 billion in additional funding for veterans’ care. The White House balked and 54 senators successfully derailed the measure. All 54 were Republican.

Lawmakers were told not to worry, because the Bush administration would use the VA to provide the necessary benefits. But once again, when it comes to supporting those who’ve served, the Bush gang comes up short.

The Bush administration, already accused by veterans groups of seeking inadequate funds for health care next year, acknowledged yesterday that it is short $1 billion for covering current needs at the Department of Veterans Affairs this year.

The disclosure of the shortfall angered Senate Republicans who have been voting down Democratic proposals to boost VA programs at significant political cost. Their votes have brought the wrath of the American Legion, the Paralyzed Veterans of America and other organizations down on the GOP.

“I was on the phone this morning with Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson, letting him know that I am not pleased that this has happened,” said Sen. Larry E. Craig (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. “I am certain that he is going to take serious steps to ensure that this type of episode is not repeated.”

The $1 billion shortfall emerged during an administration midyear budget review and was acknowledged only during lengthy questioning of Jonathan B. Perlin, VA undersecretary for health, by House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Steve Buyer (R-Ind.) at a hearing yesterday.

Murray, to her credit, managed to restrain the urge to shout “I told you so.” She did, however, accuse the Bush administration of unwillingness “to make the sacrifices necessary to fulfill the promises we have made to our veterans.”

Of course, this comes just a few months after we learned that the White House wants to double the co-payment charged to many veterans for prescription drugs and would require some to pay a new fee of $250 a year for the privilege of using government health care.

Remind me again, this is supposed to be a pro-military administration, right?

That’s pro-USE of the military!

  • While military personnel continually think the GOP and by extension this administration, is their friend continues to confuse and astound me.

  • When does Bush introduce the No Soldier Left Behind legislation? Oh, that’s right, he’s skipping that part all together and going straight to cutting funding for the program.

  • As the military disintegrates from inadequate recruitment, I’m afraid that our remaining dwindling number of active troops are about to get a bitch of a lesson on who their real benefactors are. The problem is that they’re hung up on the idea that non-Republicans won’t look out for them, even as they know deep down the GOP already doesn’t (but at least they SAY they do, which is better than nothing).

    I truly feel sorry for those guys. And more so for the substantial number of troops who already realize the Republicans really do hate them.

  • This continues to boggle my mind. My father-in-law is ex-career military and is going to see his benefits cut because of this stuff. While I was at his house a few weeks ago, he was watching Faux News and commenting on all the bad things that the administration is doing and how poorly the war is going, all the while polishing the “W04′” and “Veterans for Bush” bumper stickers. Makes me crazy!!

  • It is simply shameful that an administration that claims to be so in favor of the military turns around and then stabs its veterans in the back. They fought the country’s battles with honor, did their part for the country, and performed all their country asked of them, only to have their leaders deny them what they so richly deserve. What amazes me is indeed how those in active duty (I am sure not all of them, but a lot) still think this administration is watching out for them. To double co-payments and ask these heroes to pay more is just obscene, and the administration needs to be called on it at every turn. I would love to see (maybe I will look it up) facts and figures on how the returning veterans are being treated, specially those that come back wounded or disabled as a result of combat. You see stories of such cases, but not enough I am sure. Is the administration expecting them to pay more too after putting them on the line of fire?

    • Comments are closed.