At Hearing, Will General Petraeus Add His Voice in Support of the 21st Century G.I. Bill?

Today, General Petraeus will appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee for his pending nomination to be commander of CENTCOM as the Senate continues to work on the supplemental appropriations bill. The hearing is a reminder that we are spending $12 billion a month on the Iraq war. We are also draining the readiness of our military and diverting America from fighting Al Qaeda, winning the peace in Afghanistan, and giving our troops and veterans the benefits they deserve. The 21st Century G.I. Bill included in the supplemental will ensure that our troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan receive the same benefits that World War II veterans received at a cost over ten years equal to the costs of keeping our troops in Iraq for just two and a half months.  We hope that as General Petraeus offers his views on Iraq and the other threats in his new command that he honors our troops’ sacrifice and adds his voice to the thousands of veterans and leaders of veterans organizations in support of a 21st Century GI Bill.

Posted: 05/22/08 by SDCC Staff | Permalink

With Troops Strained from Multiple Extended Deployments, They Deserve a GI Bill Worthy of Their Sacrifice

Yesterday, the Pentagon announced troop rotations for units rotating into Iraq and Afghanistan, putting thousands of soldiers on notice that they will be deployed again. These repeated and extended deployments have put great strain on our forces, hurting their ability to do their jobs and resulting in increased mental health problems. These numerous deployments have also strained our military families, with higher divorce rates and incidence of domestic disputes. Our highest military and civilian leaders, including Secretary Gates and Admiral Mullen, have expressed great concern about the strain on our troops. Our troops have sacrificed greatly for us, and they deserve a 21st Century GI Bill that is worthy of their sacrifice.  

Posted: 05/20/08 by SDCC Staff | Permalink

More Must Be Done to Ensure Our Wounded Warriors Receive The Care They Deserve.

Yesterday’s passage of the Veterans’ Benefits bill makes important changes to help our nation’s veterans. But more must be done to ensure that our wounded warriors receive the care they deserve. Nearly 20 percent of those who have served in Iraq or Afghanistan suffer from PTSD or major depression. Another 19 percent have TBI. Yet they are not receiving the care that they deserve. Our military medical facilities are short-staffed and our veterans are suffering through a bureaucratic nightmare. Instead of hiding the facts, the Bush Administration should work with Congress to improve the care our wounded warriors receive. 

Posted: 04/25/08 by SDCC Staff | Permalink

Walter Reed One Year Later: Democrats Lead the Way for Change, While Lessons Are Lost on the Bush Administration

One year ago, the Washington Post published the first in a series of articles documenting cases of neglect at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.  Reports of wounded service members being denied proper treatment and enduring substandard and often deplorable living conditions at the Center’s outpatient facility raised widespread concern about the quality of care at Walter Reed and at other Department of Defense (DOD) and Veterans Administration (VA) medical facilities across the country.  The scandal prompted several Congressional hearings and investigations led by the VA and a special bipartisan panel known as the President’s Commission on Care for America’s Returning Wounded Warriors – all of which confirmed the failures at Walter Reed and found similar cases of neglect at many VA hospitals and clinics nationwide. 

Posted: 02/15/08 by SDCC Staff | Permalink

Bush Republicans Say No to Helping Seniors, Disabled Veterans

The economic stimulus package passed by the House lacked rebate checks for 20 million seniors and 250,000 disabled veterans.  Senate Democrats have pushed to include these seniors and veterans, and to extend unemployment benefits, just as we have in past efforts to address economic downturns. Last night, however, the overwhelming majority of Senate Republicans said no.

Posted: 02/07/08 by SDCC Staff | Permalink

Democrats Secure Funds for America's Troops and Provide Continuing Disaster Relief Assistance

Yesterday, the Senate sent to the President a comprehensive appropriations bill that allocates $459 billion for the Department of Defense to strengthen our military and provide for our troops. Specifically, the measure provides over $11 billion for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles, $23.5 billion for military health care programs and a 3.5 percent pay raise for active duty military personnel that the Bush Administration opposed. In addition, the bill also provides continued disaster relief assistance for the Gulf Coast and $500 million for federal firefighting programs.

Posted: 11/09/07 by SDCC Staff | Permalink

Congressional Republicans Put Siding With President Bush Ahead of Poviding for America's Veterans

This week, as Congress prepares to send a conference report to the President containing the Labor-HHS appropriations bill along with the Military Construction-Veterans Affairs appropriations bill to the President, Senate Republicans are threatening to try to use parliamentary tactics to delay this vital funding for veterans. It would not be the first time Congressional Republicans put their loyalty to President Bush ahead of their responsibility to care for our nation’s veterans. The Republican-controlled Congress consistently underfunded veterans’ programs, resulting in funding shortfalls, backlogs and a rise in the rate of uninsured veterans. Congressional Republicans should resist President Bush’s political games and work with Democrats to send a bill to the President that fully funds our nation’s veterans’ programs before Veterans’ Day. 

Posted: 11/07/07 by SDCC Staff | Permalink

National Veterans' Organizations Urge Congress to Support Labor, Health & Human Services, & Education, Override Veto

Today, eight national veterans' organizations signed on to a letter urging Congress to support the Labor, Health & Human Services, & Education Appropriations bill and to override a presidential veto.  The following organizations signed the letter. VoteVets.org, Iraq Veterans Against the War, National Coalition for the Homeless, Veterans of Modern Warfare, Help Wounded Heroes, Coalition to Support America's Heroes, Military Families Speak Out, Gold Star Families Speak Out.

Posted: 11/06/07 by SDCC Staff | Permalink

Senate Democrats Strengthening America's Armed Forces

Today, the Senate began debate on the Department of Defense Appropriations bill. The measure provides service members a pay raise, increases funding for military health care and provides needed equipment funds for the National Guard and Reserve Forces. In addition, the measure funds the recently passed Wounded Warriors bill Senate Democrats fought for to help returning soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries. 

Posted: 10/02/07 by SDCC Staff | Permalink

In Case You Missed It: Wounded Veterans Suffering Financially

Over the weekend, a little noticed news report detailed the difficult task Veterans have had readjusting from the battlefield into society. The piece illustrated the painful reality Veterans face in receiving adequate medical care, particularly those with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Democrats have made the care for America’s wounded warriors one of their highest priorities. In addition to authoring and passing legislation to boost funding for Veterans care, Democrats have repeatedly sought to allow our forces to reset and rest before re-entering combat.

Posted: 10/01/07 by SDCC Staff | Permalink

Report: Bush Administration Slow to Help Returning Wounded Warriors

Yesterday, the General Accountability Office released a report detailing the continued failure of the Pentagon and Veterans Administration to take care of America’s wounded warriors. According to the GAO, “Many challenges remain, and critical questions remain unanswered. Among the challenges is how the efforts of the Army, which has the bulk of the returning service members needing medical care, will be coordinated with the broader efforts being undertaken by DOD and VA.” The report is another in a long list that has concluded the Bush Administration has left our wounded warriors behind.

Posted: 09/27/07 by SDCC Staff | Permalink

Senator Reid Promises Vote on the Veterans Suicide Prevention Bil

Responding to a hold placed on the Joshua Omvig Suicide Prevention Act, Senator Harry Reid promised the bill’s author, Senator Tom Harkin, that he would bring the bill to the Senate floor for a vote.

Posted: 09/05/07 by SDCC Staff | Permalink

Democrats Fighting for America's Returning Heroes

Democrats are investing in America’s infrastructure and our military and supporting our veterans. The Senate is currently debating legislation that would provide $109.2 billion in funding for military construction and the Veterans Administration, which is approximately $4 billion more than the president requested.

Posted: 09/05/07 by SDCC Staff | Permalink

Talk Is Cheap, President Bush's Actions Ring Hollow on Veterans Care

Today, President Bush will tour the DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center. We hope he will address some of the glaring needs facing the nation’s wounded warriors. Unfortunately, under the Bush Administration, resources for Veterans’ services have been sorely lacking. Democrats have worked to make Veterans issues front and center by providing needed funding for critical Veterans services. Below are just some of the various ways Democrats have fought for America’s veterans as well as some of the problems at the Department of Veterans Affairs under the Bush Administration.

Posted: 08/13/07 by SDCC Staff | Permalink

Murray Commends Passage of Wounded Warriors Bill

Today U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) helped pass landmark legislation to improve care for wounded troops and veterans when they return home from battle.  The Dignified Treatment of Wounded Warriors Act passed the Senate today by unanimous consent.

Posted: 07/25/07 by SDCC Staff | Permalink

Dignified Treatment of Wounded Warriors Act

From difficulties accessing health and mental care, to squalid living conditions and endless red tape, it is clear the President has failed our injured troops and veterans.  Democrats understand that those willing to make the ultimate sacrifice deserve better, and we have been working hard to address these problems.  Below is a brief description of the Wounded Warriors bill – introduced today on the Senate Floor – which reverses many of this Administration's failures regarding veterans' health care.

Posted: 07/12/07 by SDCC Staff | Permalink

War Veteran Delivers Memorial Day Message In Democratic Radio Address

In this week's Democratic Radio Address, Afghanistan war veteran Elliot Anderson gives his opinion on the best ways to honor our troops this Memorial Day.

Posted: 05/25/07 by SDCC Staff | Permalink

Senate Democrats' New Direction: Fulfilling Our Commitment to Veterans

The Democratic Policy Committee (DPC) has released a fact sheet entitled: "Senate Democrats' New Direction: Fulfilling Our Commitment to Veterans". This report has been released in conjunction with the Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee's video, entitled "Keeping The Promise: Senate Democrats Honor Our Commitment to America's Veterans".

Posted: 05/25/07 by SDCC Staff | Permalink

The Senate Passes Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Conference Report to Address Critical National Security and Domestic Needs

Today the Senate passed the conference report to the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007 by a vote of 51-46. The legislation provides $124.2 billion in emergency funds primarily to support U.S. operations in Iraq and Afghanistan; ensure continued recovery for the victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita; providing first-class health care for wounded veterans; address critical gaps in homeland security; and provide emergency disaster assistance for farmers. This fact sheet provides an overview of the key provisions, which - unfortunately - President Bush claims he will veto when the legislation reaches his desk.

Posted: 04/26/07 by SDCC Staff | Permalink