Senate GOP Blocks Veterans Benefits Bill

[ErikJ]

Source: ABC News

Republicans stopped the veterans bill from moving on a procedural vote, which needed 60 votes.
The final tally was 56-41.
Republicans and Democrats normally agree on the need to enhance benefits for the nation’s 22 million veterans and their families, but

Republican senators wanted to lower the amount of spending in the bill. The GOP senators also wanted to include a measure that would have imposed new sanctions against Iran, which President Obama has warned against doing at this time. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid blocked the amendments from being considered.

“Shame on the Republicans for bringing base politics into a bill to help the veterans,” Reid said on the Senate floor Thursday morning.

The bill would have improved benefits for veterans, including better health care and dental services provided by the VA. It also would have guaranteed post-9/11 veterans access to in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities in any state.

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2014/02/senate-gop-blocks-veterans-benefits-bill/

---

This was Bernie Sanders bill I think

[rtracey]

1. And If I am reading correctly

and all the "polls" and non-sense about the Republicans taking the lead in 2014 elections come true, expect major cuts, major ACA repeal, and this country will spiral into another major depression...keep an eye on your retirement, good bye medicare as we know it, and social security will be slashed.....may be time to invest in a home in Costa Rica....

[Ash_F]

2. Been saying since 2008 Dems need to get more in line with Americans on issues

That means going much further to the left then they have been, which is way right of center.

You don't compromise with the far right if you want to win. You give Americans what they want.

I am predicting very low turn-out in 2014 due to disappointment.

[rtracey]

5. I hope your forcast is opposite....I hope the newscasts shows lines around the blocks

[Ash_F]

11. I think we would need to see big plays on the Dem side...

...for that to happen.

A big push for minimum wage might do. But they need to blast harder than they have been.

[blkmusclmachine]

28. More 11-Dimensional Bipartisanship. Also called: "win by losing."

[The Wizard]

3. What's new

Republicans are scumbags.

[freebrew]

33. It's funny that almost all of the vets I meet...

vote publican. Why? I have no idea other than they've been brainwashed by the M$M and Fatso rush.

The R's certainly aren't doing the military personnel any favors, only lip service.

[jtuck004]

4. Stacks of claims sitting at the VA, which they say won't be cleared 'till 2015?

Backlog

At least one VA facility has been found deleting ordered procedures in order to fraudulently claim a lowering of claims?

Veterans ought to question what, if they can't get what they are already owed, blue sky is worth, voted for or not.

[KeepItReal]

6. Plenty of cash for weapons and contractors, but shortchange the Veterans every time

That's the Republican party for ya.

Shameful.

[ReRe]

7. Yip...

... just leave it to those chickenhawks who lied us into those effing wars to not want to do the right thing now. Assholes. Can you imagine how this news makes the vets feel when they hear it? Betrayal. Again. All over again. Betrayal is one of the most painful feelings in one's life. Think about it. Only this kind of betrayal is magnified exponentially. They were willing to give their lives, but are disrespected by Republican Senators by limiting or reducing their VA benefits. How many of these Republican Senators are up for reelection this fall? Their Democratic opponents needs to bare down on this vote against the vets!

[LittleGirl]

12. I know exactly how they feel

I am close friends with several retired military and they are f* pissed off. They gave their whole careers with the promises and they are still working (private sector jobs) because they can and want to. But this is wrong on so many levels.
edit: clarity added

[ReRe]

17. Well, you tell your friends...

... that I'm totally pissed about it too. You tell them I love them, and that I will go to my grave trying to get Republicans out of effing office. After all, this isn't the first time Republicans have voted against Vet benefits. They did this, even during the wars! Makes me sick!

[LittleGirl]

19. I know!!

Thankfully, 80% of them are liberals! I'm non-military and pacifist. The other friend is a tea party racist and he and I can go around the block with politics! It can be fun! But I am like that banging head with some of the military friends and family. They are brain washed!

[OnlinePoker]

15. I don't know how many of these specific senators, but...

...this wiki shows 15 Republicans in races for 2014 (and 21 Democrats)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Senate_elections,_2014

[ReRe]

18. Thank you, thank you, thank you! n/t

[KamaAina]

8. Way to support the troops, guys!!

[ErikJ]

10. But Cruz voted against real patriots.

[sorefeet]

9. The creep Cheney is on Hannity

right now saying North Korea is going to take out our electrical grid because Obama is cutting the military budget. These people make me sick with the fear mongering.

[Berlum]

16. That's Dickie 'Five-Military-Deferments' Cheney (R - Chickenhawk TortureFreak)

Repubbies luv them their chickenhawk war-profiteering "leaders"

[Iliyah]

13. Cheney and crew had ample warning about 911

And no, GOPers do not like the troops but loves the profits that wars create.

[Berlum]

14. The Chickenhawk RepubliWankers always crap our our honorable Veterans

The Repubbies have a long history of doing this, usually occultly so no one will notice how they are screwing America & its veterans.

[James48]

20. 41 Republicans hate veterans

These 41 republican U.S. Senators just blocked a vote on the U.S. Veterans bill. The legislation was backed by the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and virtually every other veterans’ and military service organization in the country. The measure would have improved health and dental care services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs. It also would have allowed the VA to open 27 new clinics and medical facilities. Educational opportunities would have been expanded for post-9/11 veterans. Another provision would have improved access to care and benefits for veterans who experienced sexual trauma while serving in the military. Also full cost-of-living adjustments would be restored for future military retirees.

This is who blocked it:

NAYs ---41
Alexander (R-TN)
Ayotte (R-NH)
Barrasso (R-WY)
Blunt (R-MO)
Boozman (R-AR)
Burr (R-NC)
Chambliss (R-GA)
Coats (R-IN)
Coburn (R-OK)
Cochran (R-MS)
Collins (R-ME)
Corker (R-TN)
Cornyn (R-TX)
Crapo (R-ID)
Cruz (R-TX)
Enzi (R-WY)
Fischer (R-NE)
Flake (R-AZ)
Graham (R-SC)
Grassley (R-IA)
Hatch (R-UT)
Hoeven (R-ND)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Isakson (R-GA)
Johanns (R-NE)
Johnson (R-WI)
Kirk (R-IL)
Lee (R-UT)
McCain (R-AZ)
McConnell (R-KY)
Paul (R-KY)
Portman (R-OH)
Risch (R-ID)
Roberts (R-KS)
Rubio (R-FL)
Scott (R-SC)
Sessions (R-AL)
Shelby (R-AL)
Thune (R-SD)
Toomey (R-PA)
Vitter (R-LA)

Details-
http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-republicans-block-veterans-bill

[savalez]

22. Hopefully those organizations

let all of their members know exactly who did this to them.

[savalez]

21. Republicans love the war, hate the soldier. n/t

[blkmusclmachine]

25. +1. GOP: "Love the War/Hate the Soldier."

[savalez]

27. Someone's gotta make the bumper sticker

[leftyohiolib]

23. shame on you harry this is on you . get rid of the filibuster youre starting to look complicit

[blkmusclmachine]

26. "starting" to look complicit???

[Tx4obama]

29. Oh, bullshit. Stop blaming Democrats for what the GOP does. Shame on the Republicans. n/t

[leftyohiolib]

30. yes shame on them but this would have passed if harry got rid of a filibuster that shouldnt be

there to begin with.

[heaven05]

24. these RWers are getting

rotten. Vet's protect their asses and this is their thanks? Bullshit!!!!!!!! The politics in this nation is just fucking rotten to the core.

[underpants]

31. What a bunch of assholes

[niyad]

32. awwww--his dc office is not taking calls after hours. how conveeeeeenient!!

his louisville office is, however.