A well done is better than well said
Ben Franklin
Last Saturday we observed Veteran’s Day. Originally termed Armistice Day in honor of those fallen during WWI, the U.S. sets aside November 11th as a day to recognize the men and women of the armed forces who have served and given their lives for our country.
My husband is a combat veteran, and for 28 years he sacrificed his own personal safety as a Pararescue man so that others may live.
Observing Veterans Day doesn’t just mean thanking veterans for their service: Actions speak louder than words. That’s why the platitudes offered by many GOP lawmakers who have a track record of denying benefits and care to veterans ring hollow with hypocrisy.
Multiple GOP representatives and senators posted their thanks to veterans on social media, and even the former guy who led a domestic terror attack on the US Capitol threw in his 2 cents on Truth Social. Trump, the same guy who called those Americans Who Died in WWII “Losers” and “Suckers.”
Let’s face the facts: The GOP doesn’t exactly have the greatest track record when it comes to caring for veterans, even though their website cites numerous “wins” for veterans (what the website doesn’t tell you is that many of the bills and Acts listed were introduced and sponsored by Democrats).
For example, in 2012 Republicans blocked a $1 billion jobs bill that would have helped millions of vets find work, in 2014 they voted down the Wounded Veteran Job Security Act and killed the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program Act. Last year, Republican lawmakers blocked the passage of the PACT Act, but relented after being shamed by veterans groups and supporters. And last April, House Republicans proposed cutting funding for the VA by 22 percent, which would have slashed 81,000 jobs.
Now, GOP Senator Tommy Tuberville is continuing his stalemate blocking nearly 400 senior military promotions unless the Pentagon stops paying expenses for military members who need to travel for abortion care.
To top everything off, the GOP doesn’t seem too concerned about the impending government shutdown which would directly affect both active and retired military.
The facts speak for themselves, Democrats and the Biden administration are acting for veterans, not just tweeting “Thank you for your service.”
For example, the Biden administration has set a record for providing $163 billion in veterans’ benefits through his Unity Agenda. Since taking office, the President has signed into law nearly 30 bipartisan bills (most introduced by Democrats) that seek to improve healthcare for veterans, including the PACT Act, the Veteran Scam and Fraud Evasion (VSAFE) task force, and working towards lowering health care costs and expanding health care eligibility for veterans. The Biden administration is also working to expand eligibility for no-cost health care, including nursing home care (to WWII vets) and covering health care costs associated with Parkinson’s disease under the Camp Lejeune Family Member Program.
Last June Biden signed an Executive Order to increase the economic security of military and veteran spouses, survivors, and caregivers, expanded access to its maternity care coordination, and made sure that all LGBTQ+ veterans have access to the benefits they have earned while serving their country.
Actions speak louder than tweets and posts on social media.