Here's a blogger with comments re Kerry and his voting record.... Haven't checked the Bills for accuracy...but perhaps if Kerry keeps up his inaccurate remarks, we all will be able to do so....and send our findings to various media who might listen...
February 18, 2004
John Kerry: The Raw Deal
This is a duplicate of the original post from the nikita demosthenes website.
www.command-post.org/oped/2_archives/010427.html - 47k - Mar 6, 2004
Today, John Kerry attacked President Bush for “walking away” from promises to our troops, and not “keeping faith with America’s veterans.”
Kerry accused the President of a series of false charges, including cutting troops’ pay, not providing adequate equipment, and “walking away” from Veteran’s health care.
SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT: John Kerry’s attacks on the President are not supported by the facts or his own record.
The truth is that President Bush has delivered support for our troops fighting in the War on Terror. The Congress passed and President Bush signed an $87 billion supplemental that gave our troops the tools that need to get the job done. President Bush has delivered for America’s troops and veterans:
• The Administration has increased military pay by more than 21 percent over three years, expanded use of targeted pay and bonuses, and improved housing for men and women in uniform.
• The Administration has implemented changes to ensure that veterans receive timely, quality medical care; more than cut in half processing time for claims; and in 2004 will eliminate waiting lists for medical care.
• The President’s FY 2005 budget for VA medical care is more than 40 percent larger than when he took office – enabling a million more patients to receive treatment.
• The President took action to make concurrent receipt benefits law for our veterans.
Senator Kerry voted against the Iraq supplemental that contains the support on which he bases his attack. John Kerry has voted against body armor for troops in combat and health care benefits for active duty Reservists and their families. Additionally, he has a long history of voting against pay increases.
Senator Kerry’s position on the War in Iraq and claims of support for the troops contradict his own voting record. Kerry voted to go to war with Iraq, and then voted against providing the troops with the tools they need to get the job done. The fact is that Sen. Kerry’s position on disarming Saddam was the same as the President’s.
On NPR in March 2003, the OLD Kerry explained his vote this way:
“I think Saddam Hussein’s weapons of mass destruction are a threat, and that’s why I voted to hold him accountable and to make certain that we disarm him.” (NPR’s “All Things Considered,” 3/19/03)
According to the House Appropriations Committee, the funds in the November 2003 supplemental that Kerry voted against included:
Force Protection—The conference report increases funds to purchase body armor Special Armor Plate Insert, to clear unexploded ordnance and to increase production of other force protection measures such as armored HMMVV’s and electronic jammers.
Tricare and Reservist Health Care Benefits—The conference report allows inactive reservist and their family members to become eligible for TRICARE health care coverage if they are receiving unemployment compensation or not eligible for any other health coverage. It also includes provisions that expands eligibility time periods for reservists and provides Medical and Dental Screening and Care coverage where appropriate.
Meal Allowances—Prohibits service members injured in combat or training from being billed for meals during their hospitalization. Makes this benefit retroactive to 9/11/2001 and provides reimbursement for those who have already paid meal charges.
Hazard Pay and Family Support—The mark includes a proposed provision which authorizes continued payment of per diem for travel of family members of military personnel who are ill or injured as result of active duty service and includes a provision to continue the increased monthly rate of Imminent Danger Pay and Family Separation Allowances through September 30, 2004.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time that Kerry has voted against support for our troops. During his time in the Senate, Kerry has voted at least 12 times against pay increases for service members.
• Kerry Voted Against FY 1991 Defense Authorization, Which Included 4.1R0pay raise. (H. R. 4739, CQ Vote #320: Adopted 80-17: R 37-6; D 43-11, 10/26/90, Kerry Voted Nay; “Congress Cuts Bush Defense Request, ” CQ Almanac, 1990, p. 671-687)
• Kerry Voted Against Allowing Defense Pay Increases If President Clinton’s Federal Pay Freeze Proposal Was Not Enacted. (S. Con. Res. 18, CQ Vote #46: Adopted 69-30: R 31-12; D 38-18, 3/23/93)
• In 1993, Kerry Voted Against Increased Defense Spending For Military Pay Raise. Kerry voted to kill an increase in military pay over five years. (S. Con. Res. 18, CQ Vote #73: Motion Agreed To 55-42: R 2-39; D 53-3, 3/24/93, Kerry Voted Yea)
• Kerry Voted Against Allowing Military Employees To Receive Cost-Of-Living Adjustment In FY 1993. (H.R. 1335, CQ Vote #98: Motion Agreed To 51-49: R 0-43; D 51-6, 4/1/93)
• Kerry Voted To Freeze Military Pay Freeze In FY 1994. (S. Con. Res.18, CQ Vote #72: Motion Agreed To 54-44: R 2-40; D 52-4, 3/24/93)
• Kerry Twice Voted Against FY 1996 Defense Appropriations Bill, Which Provided Increase Of At Least 2.4R0In Military Pay. (S. 1087, CQ Vote #397: Passed 62-35: R 48-4; D 14-31, 9/5/95; H.R. 2126, CQ Vote #579: Adopted 59-39: R 48-5; D 11-34, 11/16/95; “Defense Bill Enacted Despite Objections,” CQ Almanac, 1995, pp. 11-25)
• Kerry Voted Three Times Against FY 1996 Defense Authorization Bill. The pay increase of at least 2.4R0was also included in this measure. (H.R. 1530, CQ Vote #399: Passed 64-34: R 50-3; D 14-31, 9/6/95; H.R. 1530, CQ Vote #608: Adopted 51-43: R 47-2; D 4-41, 12/19/95; S. 1124, CQ Vote #5: Adopted 56-34: R 42-3; D 14-31, 1/26/96; “Goal Of Boosting Defense Budget Eludes GOP Lawmakers,” CQ Almanac, 1995, pp. 9-12)
• Kerry Voted Twice Against FY 1997 Defense Authorization Bill, Which Provided 3R0Military Pay Increase. (S. 1745, CQ Vote #187: Passed 68-31: R 50-2; D 18-29, 7/10/96; H.R. 3230, CQ Vote #279: Adopted 73-26: R 50-3; D 23-23, 9/10/96; “Clinton Signs GOP’s Fortified Bill,” CQ Almanac, 1996, pp. 10-33 - 10-38)
Posted By nikita demosthenes at February 18, 2004 12:34 PM | TrackBack
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