Democrats turn on money tap to help veterans

[babylonsister]

I found this article in Stars and Stripes, and think it is very great. Even if the dim one vetoes it, the people and especially soldiers will know who's trying to support veterans. :thumbsup:

Democrats turn on money tap to help veterans
By Tom Philpott, Special to Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Saturday, November 24, 2007


Veterans service organizations are thrilled with a $43.1 billion appropriations bill that Congress is set to pass next month for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The funding level for veterans programs and facilities is almost 20 percent higher than demoralized Republican leaders left behind a year ago. The $6.9 billion increase will allow VA to hire 1,800 more claim processors, beef up medical staffs and modernize long-neglected hospitals and clinics.

“I can’t praise the Democratic leadership enough for what they’ve done with addressing the budget that was handed to them the day they took office,” said Steve Robertson, legislative director for the American Legion.

The 109th Congress adjourned last December without passing a VA appropriations bill. It left the department operating under a “continuing resolution” with VA spending frozen at its fiscal ’06 level.

In taking control of the 110th Congress, Democrats immediately raised VA funding for fiscal 2007 by $3.5 billion. They then turned to veterans groups for guidance on setting the VA budget for ’08.

As usual, four major organizations — Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America and American Veterans (AMVETS) — prepared an “independent budget” to guide lawmakers. The American Legion followed up, also as usual, with its own budget wish list.

But then Democrats last spring did something very unusual. To the delight of advocacy groups, they used the budget guidance from vet groups to set their budget blueprint, making VA funding a clear priority.

“In the 20 years I’ve been working in Washington,” said Robertson, “this is the first time that {Congress} met or exceeded every recommendation that was made by both the Independent Budget and the American Legion. It’s unprecedented.”

more...

http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=50481

[Selatius]

1. Yet people keep thinking Repubs are supporters of soldiers and vets.

I live out here in Mississippi, heartland of Hate Radio and local right wing punditry. People still think Repubs are better than Dems when it comes to caring for soldiers. It's like a separate country whose borders are defined upon political bent.

[babylonsister]

2. That's so hard for me to believe though I know it's true. People

really must have their heads in the sand. What ARE they using their computers for? :crazy:

Nevermind...

[Cha]

3. corporatemediawhores. But,

that's gotta change..right from the source..like this article!

[babylonsister]

4. There hasn't been much to celebrate. This might qualify. nt