TOPICS
TOPICS
Senate OKs war supplemental bill with veterans' benefits
The Senate approved Thursday a two-part supplemental spending package that included $165 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as increased veterans' benefits and an extension of unemployment insurance and other domestic spending.
The first amendment, including the veterans' education and other domestic spending, was approved by a 75-22 margin.
The second amendment covered the $165 billion of war funds; it passed, 70-26.
The vote on the war funding came after the Senate failed to win enough support for the war funding and restrictions on the war funding, such as a mandate that U.S. forces be redeployed.
The vote also came after Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., agreed to strip several immigration related proposals from the bill in an effort avoid a veto. President Bush has long said that he would veto the supplemental if it includes ancillary domestic spending, such as an extension of unemployment insurance, which is expected to cost $11 billion over 10 years.
Other domestic spending items in the package include $10.4 billion for aid to Gulf Coast states affected by 2005's Hurricane Katrina and $1 billion Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. The measure would delay implementation of new rules for Medicaid proposed by the White House.
Democratic presidential contenders Sens. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., were called back for the vote by Senate Democratic leaders. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., the presumptive Republican nominee, did not come off the campaign trail for the vote. Bush has said he supports providing increased education benefits to veterans but thinks it should be done as a separate piece of legislation.
The provision would essentially provide a four-year scholarship to any public university to veterans who have served since Sept. 11, 2001. The provision is estimated to cost $50 billion over 10 years.
After the vote, the amendment's sponsor Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., urged Bush not to veto the package. Webb said he had not had any discussions the issue with the White House. Reid said he expects provision to remain in the final package that is sent to Bush for his signature. He said that the so-called GI bill provision was the main reason that the domestic portion received so many votes and dismissed suggestions that the other spending items enticed more votes.
He said he's secure that "the GI bill of rights is going to be part of what we send to the president," having spoken with House Appropriations COmmittee Chairman David Obey, D-Wis., and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. The House is expected to consider the package after the Memorial Day recess.
Office of Management and Budget Director Jim Nussle later issued a statement. "The President has made clear that he will veto a bill that restricts our commanders in the field and exceeds his responsible spending levels," said Nussle. "The Senate reaffirmed today that attempts to tie the hands of our military commanders lack bipartisan support and over the past two weeks Congress has also demonstrated that we have the votes to sustain a veto on tens of billions of dollars in unrelated spending attached to this troop funding bill."
COMMENTS
- In the September-October 2004 DAV magazine, the DAV asked the then presidential candidates the following question: Do you support provision of concurrent receipt to veterans rated 40% or less and will your administration actively work to bring it about? Why or why not? Do you support elimination of the phase-in period for concurrent receipt? Why or why not? President George W. Bush: I have addressed the issue of "concurrent receipt" for military retirees in a fair and responsible manner. My administration has been the first to act on allowing military retirees to receive both disability compensation and retirement pay. I have twice signed into law legislation effectively allowing military retirees to receive VA disability compensation without having to offset the amount from their retirement benefits. This policy for those military retirees most deserving--combat-injured and highly-disabled veterans--finally reverses, for the first time, a century-old prohibition on concurrent receipt. Senator John F. Kerry: I believe military retirees who have a service-connected disability should receive both military retired pay and disability compensation. I agree with DAV that any offset of military retirement pay and disability compensation is unjust. No other category of federal employee is subject to this kind of unfairness and it must stop. Far too often in our history veterans' benefits are cut or reduced based solely upon budgetary considerations. There are plenty of places to cut back in government--but benefits for veterans are not one of them. As President, I will actively push for full concurrent receipt. This was truly the last effort by the DAV and other military veteran service organizations to address the issue for the 40% or less category. In the 2008 presidential election the issue is no longer discussed, but the same 400,000 or more retired disabled veterans still are paying the veterans disability tax, just as they did in the year 2004. We are the “ignored veterans” the “unworthy” not by choice, but by administration, congressional policy and abhorrence. Kenneth Hanft Posted July 29, 2008 9:16 PM
- "It just disturbs me and I believe dilutes these sacrifices when articles or even legislation does not differentiate between the two." What is your benchmark? We have "support" troops from the USAF LRS units now running convoy duty in Iraq, for example. If you use some narrow "combat" benchmark, it will inevitably exclude many deserving people and include a few "square fillers". The original G.I. Bill wisely avoided that because the military is a team. ML Posted May 28, 2008 7:06 PM
- Wow!! First let me start with M. Smith, a veteran by definition is anyone who has serve “Honorably” any tour length with the military, from 2-30 years. I have known and know many “desk based bean counters” and “doughnut makers” who have put themselves in harm’s way. Several who have volunteered to serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan), Operation Northern Watch and Southern Watch, after Operation Desert Storm/Shield and let’s not forget Vietnam, Korea, WWI, and WW II. Any place there is a major military operation you will find your “bean counters and doughnut makers”, someone has to process paperwork and feed the military machine. I know several retired military personnel that would love to talk to you about while administering a contract, or in the middle of serving chow having to run for the bunker because of incoming ordinance. I have one friend that is disabled from fragments of an IED that he took while he was one his way to do some bean counting, he received a purple heart and lost over 40% of muscle mass to his right arm and side, thus now has limited mobility in his arm. Now to “Let’s not forget the disabled vets” I agree that our Government hasn’t stepped up to compensate you or our disabled vet for your sacrifice but you too fall under this category. Have you Registered with your local VA hospital they have several programs and funding to assist you in your needs. Join the Disable Vets of American put your voice together with theirs they are a power in Washington. Their website is very easy dav.org Not that I have to justify my position but I have 27 years with the Air Force Reserve including 4 years Active Duty working on the flight line. Of that time I have worked with Special Operations and Combat Search and Rescue, 2+ years in the Middle East in some very remote locals. A Vet is a Vet period and I will proudly serve to allow people their right to voice their opinion as they choose, but allow me mine. Disabled Vets have sacrificed a lot more and we are bound, by honor and ethics, to serve them and enable them to succeed in what ever they choose. Thanks for your voices and opinions they all count use them to effect a positive change in our government. Disapointed 1Sgt Posted May 27, 2008 11:46 AM
