Ensuring our veterans receive the care and benefits they've earned | Ranking Member @SenBlumenthal
Washington, DC
Joined February 2017
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Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Dems retweeted
To pass the Major Richard Star Act we shouldn’t have to cut benefits from other veterans. Republicans are blocking a vote with this false narrative.
Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Dems retweeted
BREAKING: In a stunning moment, Republicans just BLOCKED Sen. Richard Blumenthal's attempt to get Veterans their retirement pay WITHOUT cutting disability benefits. Republicans will write blank checks to the military, then penny pinch when it's time to support our Vets.
LIVE: Staffing shortages, hiring delays, & issues with recruitment & retention plague Trump’s VA. Veterans are paying the price in quality of care & treatment. nitter.cf/i/broadcasts/1jGXgerrL…
LIVE: @SenBlumenthal joins combat-injured veterans to demand their full military benefits&action on the Major Richard Star Act. Senate Republican leadership should listen to the calls from our brave vets&stop blocking this critical, bipartisan legislation. nitter.cf/i/broadcasts/1yKAPMlbR…
Republicans blocked Democrats’ effort to overturn the Trump Admin’s abortion ban for 462,000+ women vets—even in cases of rape, incest, or health.
This policy is cruel & dangerous, jeopardizing the health of hundreds of thousands of veterans who sacrificed for our country.
Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Dems retweeted
Republicans just voted to uphold an abortion ban for 462,000 women veterans—even in cases of rape, incest, or if their health is endangered.
Today, Republicans showed America they believe in abortion bans—& make no mistake, veterans will suffer as a result.
WATCH: Ahead of a vote on his CRA resolution to overturn the Trump VA's abortion ban, @SenBlumenthal emphasized the danger of this ban for 462,000+ women vets.
Under this ban, veterans have fewer care options through VA than almost any other federally funded health program.
HAPPENING NOW: The Senate votes on @SenBlumenthal’s CRA resolution to overturn the Trump Administration's radical abortion ban for 462,000+ women veterans.
This dangerous policy prohibits abortion care & counseling, even in cases of rape, incest, or health endangerment.
.@SenBlumenthal joined veterans & advocates today ahead of a Senate vote to overturn the Trump Admin’s abortion ban for 462,000+ women vets—even in cases of rape, incest, or health.
Republicans must join Democrats today & vote to strike this cruel & dangerous policy down.
LIVE: The Trump VA has implemented an abortion ban for more than 462,000 women vets—even in cases of rape, incest, or health. We are speaking out ahead of a Senate vote to reverse this dangerous, cruel policy that jeopardizes veterans’ health. nitter.cf/i/broadcasts/1YxNrZeWm…
Senate Republicans are willing to write billion dollar blank checks for the Iran war, but are actively blocking benefits for combat-injured veterans because it "costs too much."
Taking care of our veterans is the price of war our nation must always pay. taskandpurpose.com/news/vete…
Republican leadership is blocking the Major Richard Star Act—benefits for combat-injured veterans—claiming our country cannot afford it.
In the same breath, those very Republicans support writing blank checks for a war of choice in Iran.
Veterans deserve better.
Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Dems retweeted
Thanks to Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member @SenBlumenthal for quoting DAV National Adjutant Barry Jesinoski on the Senate floor regarding the Major Richard Star Act. It’s time we pass this legislation and correct a long-overdue offset. #MajorRichardStarAct
Republicans can always seem to find funds to fight wars. Yet, Senate Republicans are currently blocking benefits for combat-injured veterans saying “we simply cannot afford it.”
Taking care of our veterans is a cost of war that must be paid—now.
Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Dems retweeted
As American troops serve in harm’s way, Republicans unconscionably blocked my Unanimous Consent request to pass the Richard Star Act & finally provide full benefits to combat-injured veterans. It’s simple justice & a moral imperative, supported by 77 cosponsors.
Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Dems retweeted
The Secretary has started the process to permanently rescind a cruel & dangerous policy that never should have been considered—slashing disability benefits for thousands of veterans. His overdue action is a credit to the tens of thousands of veterans who made their voices heard.
VA plans to formally rescind controversial disability rule trib.al/XRL0A11
Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Dems retweeted
While I’m encouraged the Secretary has temporarily walked away from his short-sighted policy to slash disability benefits for thousands of veterans, this rule must be permanently rescinded.
Effective immediately, VA is halting enforcement of the interim final rule, Evaluative Rating: Impact of Medication.
VA issued the rule to clarify existing policy and protect Veterans’ benefits in the wake of an ongoing court action. But many interpreted the rule as something that could result in adverse consequences.
While VA does not agree with the way this rule has been characterized, the department always takes Veterans’ concerns seriously. To alleviate these concerns, VA will continue to collect public comments regarding the rule, but it will not be enforced at any time in the future.
Under my leadership, VA is ensuring that everyone applying for benefits receives everything they have earned as quickly and conveniently as possible. This includes reducing the backlog of Veterans waiting for benefits by more than 60 percent. We will continue these improvements on behalf of America’s Veterans, families, caregivers and survivors.
Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Dems retweeted
A holiday dagger at the heart of veteran health care—Collins’ cuts will stretch thinner a staff already struggling w/rising workloads. Saying positions are open is no excuse for failing to fill them—many mission critical jobs. It leads to longer wait times, less responsive care.
Exclusive: The Department of Veterans Affairs will abruptly eliminate as many as 35,000 health care positions this month, mostly unfilled jobs.
The cuts come after a massive reorganization effort already resulted in the loss of almost 30,000 employees.
wapo.st/3XOVW9g
Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Dems retweeted
We have to recognize the importance of today’s vote to extend the health care tax credits under the Affordable Care Act. Failing to extend these subsidies will be devastating for veterans & their families—267,000 vets will no longer be able to afford coverage.