Michigan legislative action thread
Posted on 11/19/2014 2:27:41 PM PST by jazusamo
Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) said Wednesday he’ll work to save the Pentagon’s proposals to cut health and housing benefits for armed services members and their families.
“There’s a few issues that are really important to our military leaders, including the Joint Chiefs, I’m going to keep fighting for,” the retiring chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee said.
Lawmakers are working on a defense policy bill. The Pentagon wants the legislation to include measures that would boost out-of-pocket fees for Tricare, the health plan for military families, and require service members to kick in for up to six percent of their housing. The House ditched those suggestions in the bill it approved in May, but the Senate draft bill includes them.
The House and Senate Armed Services panels are now informally conferencing their bills in the hope of sending final legislation to both chambers for a vote.
Levin defended the proposals to reduce troop benefits, arguing they are backed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff as a way to reduce Pentagon spending.
“They want very badly to take these small steps. They came in front of us, they argued very persuasively that we should do it,” he said. “I’m going to keep arguing that we should listen to the Joints Chief on this.”
FU Levin.
I can see what they’re doing. They’re trying to push the military and veterans into Obamacare.
So cut the military family benefits, but expand the lazy lowlifes’.
Makes sense.
Exactly! First thought that came to mind, plus those on the Hill sucking that up aren’t putting their lives on the line.
but I am all for cutting the big fat rich boy Pentagon elites of most of their goodies......
Maybe if you count paper cuts.
AD military ping...
comrade levin..
correct me if i am wrong..
but he supported the same thing when carter was president..
old commies, they need to be shot..
Please define “WAY overboard”...and what “small changes” do you see being required?
“goodies”? Explain.
Rope and lamppost. Save the valuable round for later.
I am sure there are a lot of fixes that the military budget needs but cutting benefits to me is beyond disgusting.
I was just a single guy who did 4 and got out but saw the guys with families and learned a lot. Anyone who can hold a family together while in military service is better than me. I don’t think I could do it.
This is a great idea as long as no one gets the crazy notion that these cuts should apply to illegal immigrants as well. We all know that would be immoral, racist, unfair, and might cost some Democrat politicians their jobs. Proceed with caution Mr. Levin, remember what is really important for our country, I mean what’s really important for our party.
They are not small for those already underpaid. Levin and his fellow travelers must have some of the brass over the barrel a la Petraeus.
Sorry but disagree with you wholeheartedly...
Ask the guy who popped Osama to keep us safe how much he made...
Ask the vets who put their butts on the line how VA care is working for them?
Ask the active duty at the Pentagon how they feel working along with the civvies who make twice as much, have great home equity and Cadillac healthcare...
You are wrong!!!
Where’s that War On Poverty Peace Dividend? Bill Clinton took the Cold War Peace Dividend to buy votes for Democrats.
I put in 36 years, and earned my benefits, but the government seems to have enough money to give people, who have done nothing for their country, huge subsidies for their health insurance while asking me to pay more.
Why did this make me think of Rudyard Kipling?
For it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ “Chuck him out, the brute!”
But it’s “Saviour of ‘is country” when the guns begin to shoot;
An’ it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ anything you please;
An’ Tommy ain’t a bloomin’ fool — you bet that Tommy sees!
“Pentagon elites of most of their goodies......”
What goodies?
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