House Speaker Mike Johnson closed Congress ten days ago leaving some important legislation hanging. Among the proposals was the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act which would have made sure that veterans who retired due to a combat related disability would have received their full retirement pay rather than having it cut by their disability payments. In spite of strong support from both sides, Johnson abruptly cancelled all votes and closed Congress until after the midterms.
Known as the Maj. Richard Star Act, it was named for a man forced to medically retire due to the cancer he developed from exposure to toxins during deployments in the Middle East. The cost estimated to be $9.4 billion over a decade were deemed to “too expensive” for the Republican leadership then said okay if Democrats dropped their support for other veterans’ programs, upsetting the rank and file of both parties.
Let’s see, we can spend over $43.6 billion on a useless war in Iran that has cost more lives than the Pentagon is willing to admit, $600 million on the White House vanity project, and at least $100 to $250 million on an arch, but we can’t “afford” to take care of men and women we send off to war? This is a disgrace.
Prayer for the Day
Not even in the spring when kings of old went off to war,
But still in winter when some argued it would be over soon;
Now we wonder, O God, of the cost in lives on all fronts,
Why have our leaders acted as kings of old?
Increase in us, O Lord, the struggle for peace in a world
Fraught with violence and death of our own making.
In the name of the One who helps us bring peace,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
Washington has no business nickel-and-diming veterans who were willing to put their lives on the line for us. Combat-injured veterans have waited long enough.
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC)
Or months, one man decided whether this bill got a vote. That is over, whether Speaker Johnson likes it ot not”
Rep. Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA)
O Lord, wo may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill?
Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right,
And speak the truth from their heart.
Psalm 17-1-2