Who Voted Against Veterans Again?

The current meme in some of the lefty blogs is to smear Republicans with the charge of voting against veterans on the FY 2009 Defense Authorization Bill, but that's not what happened.

The truth: 221 Democrats defeated a GOP-led proposal to increase G.I. Bill benefits for troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and allow servicemembers to transfer those benefits to family members. The measure, introduced by House Republican Conference Chairman Adam Putnam (R-FL) and offered as a motion to recommit proposal during consideration of the defense authorization bill, provides for an immediate increase in the Montgomery G.I. Bill education benefit to $1,500 a month. To improve retention, those benefits increase to $2,000 a month after 12 years of service. The bill also allows military personnel to transfer their education benefits to family members. After six years, half of the benefit may be transferred; after 12 years, 100 percent may be transferred to a spouse or dependent children.

Republican Leader, my Congressman and a Great American -- John Boehner -- had this to say:

“The men and women who defend our nation deserve our gratitude, as well as the resources they need to keep America safe. While this legislation establishes the blueprint necessary to support our Armed Forces, the fact remains that Democrats are sending Congress home for the Memorial Day recess without providing our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan the funding they need for success.

“This is particularly troubling since our nation’s top military officer, Admiral Mullen, warned Congress earlier this month that a troop funding bill must be passed before Memorial Day or else significant disruptions would occur. But instead of heeding his warning, the Democratic Majority loaded up the troop funding bill with billions in unrelated Washington spending and a massive tax hike, all in a cynical attempt to use and abuse our troops to advance their big government, tax-and-spend agenda.

“Further indicating the Democratic Majority’s willingness to gamble with our national security, this defense authorization measure slashes our nation’s critical missile defense budget at a time when rogue nations and terrorists are seeking weapons of mass destruction. Leaving America and our interests exposed to our enemies in this way is an act of willful negligence at a time when the American people are counting on their leaders to be resolute and strong.

“Finally, I am disappointed House Democrats refused to back a Republican proposal to add additional G.I. Bill benefits to the defense authorization bill. Our troops returning home from service in Iraq and Afghanistan deserve better education benefits than they receive under the outdated structure of the G.I. Bill. Unfortunately, House Democrats don’t see it that way and turned back this responsible, patriotic proposal.

“As the defense authorization bill moves forward, I’m hopeful the flaws in the legislation are corrected. Moreover, I’m hopeful the Democratic leadership does the right thing and schedules a vote on a clean troop funding bill as soon as Congress returns from the Memorial Day recess. Our troops literally cannot wait any longer for Congress to act.”

So...once again, our Democrat friends are not telling you the whole truth. Surprised? I'm not...