It sure is hard to keep defending the republicans when they do stuff like this.
What the H*LL is the point of NOT letting the Veterans speak to the committees? It's not like a $400 million dollar bridge.....
The pols of Washington don't want to be bothered any more with the issues of REAL AMERICA. Their country club on the Hill is much more important than those that fought (and died) to protect our Constitution, our freedoms and THEIR MISERABLE BUTTS.
Take a real hard look at this America!!
Just another arrogant, out-of-touch Pol who undoubtedly never served, wouldn't have ever done so if required and who would help his children evade a draft if necessary. Just like they all send their kids to Private Schools while the their constituents children are forced into the Public mess they've made.
Frankly, these days I have little use or respect for most Pols of any Party.
Done. Called Hastert's office. Even the dems Durbin and Obama offices were receptive.
anonymous
It just keep getting better and better doesnt it?
Yes by all means call them,and certainly they are polite and sweet as sugar receptive. Thats what their flunky's are paid to be --sweet and receptive. Will it do any good? probably not. You cant trust any politician as far as you can throw them. How many times have I contacted my representative and gotten a nice sweet letter telling me how much they look forward to hearing from their constituents? Form letters, which I throw away just like they throw away mine. Once they have the job they could care less what you have to say until its time to run again. They are too busy eating with lobbyists, taking trips at taxpayers expenses raisng their own pay and seeking pork to buy their way into the next election.
Jeb Hensarling, R-TX, is part of a committee looking for funds for Katrina. One of the targets he was aiming at to get those funds was veterans benefits. Another bastid who never served. No wonder American Legend flags him for his anti vet voting.
PRESS RELEASE - Tuesday November 08, 2005
Chairman Buyer holds Veterans Summit announcing new hearing schedule
Hearing reform gives veterans’ groups a greater voice
Washington, DC – House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Steve Buyer (R-Ind.), announced that he will hold full committee hearings starting in February during which veterans’ groups can present their priorities and offer guidance earlier in the budget process. Calling on veterans’ groups to play a more influential role in developing the annual Department of Veterans Affairs budget, Buyer presented his plan to engage them early in the annual budget process.
Chairman Buyer discussed veterans issues with leaders of national veterans’ service organizations and military associations at the Army War College, located at the Carlisle Barracks, Pa. Participants also included Economic Opportunity Subcommittee Chairman John Boozman (R-Ark.) and Health Subcommittee Chairman Henry Brown (R-S.C.).
“Moving these hearings forward will bring more accountability to the budget process and ensure that veterans have greater input in the process,” Buyer said.
After a discussion of the 2006 schedule, Chairman Buyer recommended moving the testimony earlier in the legislative process. The recommendation was received favorably by those in attendance. As a result, he has made the decision to move the veterans and military organizations testimony early in February.
“Now, veterans organizations are more relevant and material to the budget fight,” he told those in attendance.
In past years, VSOs have come to Capitol Hill to offer their views in joint hearings of both the House and Senate Veterans Committees. The impact of these hearings has been limited because they have occurred weeks after Congress developed its “views and estimates” response to the President’s budget request, which it does by March each year.
Under the new schedule, the VSOs will be asked to present their views on the budget and their legislative priorities in early February at the same time the President sends his budget to Capitol Hill. In addition, the VSOs will also be asked to testify in February at a series of full committee and subcommittee hearings on a variety of legislative proposals directly affecting veterans.
Complementing Chairman Buyer’s decision, retired Air Force Command Master Sgt. Mark Olanoff, Executive Director of The Retired Enlisted Association’s Washington, DC, office, referring to the old process, said “I came in with TREA's President after the views and estimates were already done. We should be in at the beginning. This is good.”