Disability Articles |

I think you would need to ask him.
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you forgot to mention all the pork barrel crap that was added to those bills……..bills for vets should be for vets only and no other crap should be added to them
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They were sneaky deceptive bills with very little in them for the vets but millions for special interest pork belly projects that had nothing to do with helping our vets.
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You should probably look at the riders (a.k.a. pork) in the bills. These are precisely the types of bills that greedy politicians (on both sides of the aisle) like to use to get their little lobbyist-directed earmarks through. Then, when someone votes against it, people say “Hey! He’s anti-veteran!” It may very well be that McCain supported the intent of the bill but not the baggage that came with it.

BTW, many of these “non-partisan” groups are actually lobbyists themselves. Don’t buy the hype.
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From McCain, as recorded in the Senate minutes: “This legislation bridges the gap in health care coverage for the severely wounded, and ensures their access to the broadest possible range of health care services. It authorizes additional care and support for families who are caring for the wounded. The bill increases traumatic brain injury care for veterans, and access to mental health evaluations. It requires the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs to develop and implement new policy to better manage the care and transition of our wounded soldiers. It also empowers a special board to review disability ratings of 20 percent or less, and to restore to wounded soldiers, if appropriate, a higher disability rating or retired status. And, it authorizes additional funding for traumatic brain injury and post traumatic stress disorder.” {http://mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressOffice.Speeches&ContentRecord_id=49e7fd34-6d95-429e-bdab-69366247f576}

“I am pleased an agreement has finally been reached to fund our troops. It is unfortunate that for months, the Democrat controlled Congress has placed partisan politics over essential war funding needs, demonstrating an unconscionable lack of concern for the welfare of our combat troops in the field and for the morale of all DOD personnel. Fortunately, it is reported that an agreement between the House, Senate, and Administration is imminent, and urgently needed funding will be enacted shortly not only to aid our troops, but to fund several emergencies throughout our nation, particularly in the Midwest. We need to provide federal assistance to these flood damaged communities as soon as possible. ” {http://mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressOffice.PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=A2277021-073C-4CDA-2D24-BABEEB22F3BB}

In response to a request from Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH), the ranking Minority Member of the Senate Budget Committee, the CBO provided information about the cost of S. 22, including its impact on the retention of military personnel. CBO estimates that enactment of S. 22 could lead to a decrease of 16% in reenlistment rates and increase the Department of Defense costs to maintain current levels of retention.

“I believe we can and must do more to improve education benefits for our veterans and servicemembers,” said Senator McCain. “Congress must enact legislation that will increase education benefits, aid in recruitment and, importantly, encourage continued service in the military.
As our armed forces fight a war on two fronts, we must do everything we can to maintain and encourage reenlistment” said McCain. “Unfortunately, S. 22 could greatly harm retention rates in our All Volunteer Force. I am hopeful that all of us who want to improve the GI Bill education benefits can join forces and that is why I stand ready to work with Senator Webb and others to pass meaningful legislation that works in the best interests of all servicemembers and veterans, including those that remain on duty.” {http://mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressOffice.PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=CF6A6E8B-A0C7-0266-D3F2-06D5B2EB8243}

“Mr. President, I am very pleased to join today with Senator Lindsey Graham, the Ranking Member of the Personnel Subcommittee of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Senator Richard Burr, the Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans Committee, in introducing the Enhancement of Recruitment, Retention, and Readjustment Through Education Act. This legislation, which is designed to greatly enhance veterans’ education benefits, is also cosponsored by Senators Chambliss, Lieberman, Cornyn, Alexander, Hutchison, Martinez, Stevens, Cochran, Collins, Barasso, Domenici, Dole, Wicker, Isakson, and Inhofe….
As my colleagues know, our proposal is not the only measure that has been offered to increase GI education benefits, and I want to commend the efforts of Senators Webb, Hagel, Warner and others on their work to bring this important issue to the forefront in the Senate, by the introduction of S. 22. Each of us supports a revitalized GI program. While I don’t think anyone disagrees with the overall intent of S. 22, I believe we can and should do more to promote recruitment and retention of servicemen and women and to ensure that veterans and their families receive the education benefits they deserve, and in a timely manner. But I remain very hopeful that we can all work together in a bipartisan manner to ensure that Congress enacts meaningful legislation that will be signed into law as soon as possible. ” {http://mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressOffice.PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=9F88E8E7-DCDB-2EE0-38A2-ECCEE8F83FB6}

October 2, 2007

Washington, DC– U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) today applauded the final passage of the National Defense Authorization bill of 2008, which fully funds the troops by providing top-notch healthcare and life-saving equipment for Ameri
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http://mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Search.Results&Keywords=McCain%2C+Veterans&StartRow=1&CFId=274706&CFToken=61668170