Stutzman: Democrats Vote Against Veterans' Funding

Press Release

U.S. Congressman Marlin Stutzman issued the following statement this evening after House Democrats voted down legislation to fund the Veterans Benefits Administration during the government shutdown.

"House Democrats have rejected a common sense compromise to fund critical veterans' benefits during President Obama's shutdown. Instead of accepting common ground with House Republicans, 164 Democrats chose to play political games with funding for our nation's heroes. These men and women answered the call of duty and put their lives on hold to defend our freedoms. They deserve better. The American people deserve better."

Background:

·Although the Senate has passed and President Obama has signed the House-passed bill, H.R. 3210 the Pay Our Military Act, to pay the salaries and allowances of members of the Armed Forces, House Democrats voted to kill legislation that would provide short-term funding for the Veterans Benefits Administration's General Operating Expenses account.

·H.J. Res 72, Honoring Our Promises to America's Veterans Act, was defeated by a vote of 264-164. Given the bipartisan nature of the legislation, the bill was brought to the floor under a suspension of the rules which requires a 2/3 majority to pass.

Source