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May 31, 2005

Texas GOP: Do as we say, not as we do

Houston Democrats point out the demonstrable fact that Republicans Support War, Not Soldiers. At least among those in the Texas delegation to Congress:

THE YELLOW RIBBONS WE SEE ON THE BACK OF CARS ASK THAT WE SUPPORT OUR TROOPS.
And we do. But it seems the US House of Representatives thinks differently. In today’s Houston Chronicle, May 29, 05 you will be surprised to find that the following bills were defeated in the House last week.

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1) GUARD, RESERVE HEALTH INSURANCE WAS DEFEATED 211 – 218, a motion to qualify National Guard and Reserve personnel for TRICARE, the main military health plan, to the extent that active duty troops are covered. The motion was offered to HR 1815 (the 2006 Defense Budget bill which authorized $49 billion for Iraq and Afghanistan). Present law includes Guard and Reserve personnel in TRICARE for 90 days before and 180 days after mobilization. Full coverage would cost at least $5.8 billion over 5 years. At $50 billion annually, TRICARE accounts for 1/10 of the defense. Backers noted that the Guard and Reserves are supplying 40% of forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. Critics said that to include them fully in TRICARE would prompt private employers to cancel medical coverage. A Yes Vote backed the measure.

All Texas Republicans with the exception of Representative Paul voted NO. All Democrats voted YES.

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VETERANS MEDICAL CARE WAS REFUSED 214-213: to increase spending by $54 million for troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, including $8 million for treating combat trauma; $9 million for prosthetic research; and $6 million for telemedicine to remotely serve National Guard and Reserve veterans. The vote occurred during debate on a bill (HR 2528; later passed that appropriated $85.2 billion for military construction, veterans care, and other programs in fiscal 2006.) The additional funds were to have been taken from the budget for closing military bases. A YES vote was to add $53 billion for the veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan.

All Texas Republicans with the exception of Representatives Hall and Paul voted NO. All Democrats with the exception of Ortiz voted YES. Johnson was Absent.

Excerpted from The Houston Chronicle "How Texans Voted"

The San Diego Times has more evidence along the same lines. Click the link above to read the whole post and the additional evidence.

The thing is... it's not just Texas Republicans. It's Republican members of Congress from all over the nation. There are some key exceptions, of course. Like Congressman Ron Paul (TX) as noted in the Chronicle piece. But, by and large it is the GOP that are voting down veteran-friendly and soldier-friendly legislation which Democrats are introducing. Draw what conclussions you will from that.

As Sgt. Friday used to say on Dragnet, "Just the facts, Ma'am."

(via News from Around the World)

Posted by Kevin at May 31, 2005 12:55 PM