Tulsa World: Veterans and supporters ask Coburn to drop hold on bill

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Veterans and supporters ask Coburn to drop hold on bill

LONE HOLDOUT
Tom Coburn: His Senate Web site states that he believes the bill would discriminate against some veterans and duplicate services.

By JIM MYERS World Washington Bureau
Published: 11/7/2009 2:25 AM
Last Modified: 11/7/2009 5:02 AM

WASHINGTON — Veterans and their supporters called on U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn on Friday to drop his hold and allow a vote on a bill to offer assistance and improve benefits to wounded veterans and their caregivers.

The Oklahoma Republican declined to respond.

Without identifying Coburn by name, Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, said a single senator is delaying vital benefits for veterans.

"I would say that we cannot now turn our backs on the obligation to care for those who fought,'' Akaka said.

"When we, as a body, vote to send American troops to war, we are promising to take care of them when they return. I firmly believe the cost of veterans' benefits and services is a true cost of war and must be treated as such.''

Key provisions of the legislation would provide a stipend and other support for caregivers of severely disabled veterans, improve health care offered by the Veterans Administration, expand service for those in rural areas, ensure equal access to female veterans and address homelessness among veterans.

Akaka mentioned Oklahoma as one of the states that would benefit from the provisions targeting veterans in rural areas.

He also singled out the provisions on caregivers, saying that in some cases they have to quit their jobs to care for a disabled veteran. That can lead to depression and lack of health care for the caregivers, Akaka said.

Sen. Mark Begich, D-Alaska, said providing support

for veterans is an obligation of lawmakers.

"Yet, even as Veterans Day approaches, a member of the Senate has placed a hold on this bill, denying better service for our veterans,'' Begich said, adding there is no excuse for not supporting veterans and their caregivers.

"Colleagues, I cannot imagine why this hold has been placed on this legislation.''

Begich identified Coburn by name and urged that he allow the Senate to proceed with the bill.

Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., noted the legislation was approved unanimously months ago in committee and has strong bipartisan support.

"Our veterans are too important to play politics with,'' Tester said.

The American Legion, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Wounded Warrior Project and other groups have launched an effort to get a vote scheduled on the bill.

Steve Robertson, legislative director of The American Legion, said he understands Coburn has the right to place a hold on any bill under the Senate's customs.

Robertson said, however, putting a hold on this particular bill seems to be an abuse of that system.

If lawmakers can support billion-dollar bailouts, he said, they should be able to support a bill that is so important to the nation's veterans and their families.

"No one can ever fully repay these veterans or their families for the hardships, pain and suffering sustained from their military service,'' stated a Nov. 2 letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., which was signed by officials from more than a dozen organizations.

"However, at minimum, we must ensure that VA provides high-quality health care services for this nation's sick and disabled veterans, including the unique health care needs of women, as well as support the family caregivers on whom they depend.''

Although Coburn did not respond to a request for a comment, his Senate Web site had a post stating he believes the bill would discriminate against veterans from previous wars and duplicate an existing program that helps veterans care for themselves.

It also stated that Coburn has an amendment that deals with benefits for all veterans.

Jim Myers (202) 484-1424
jim.myers@tulsaworld.com By JIM MYERS World Washington Bureau

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Some reader comments for this story were copied from "Veterans ask Coburn to drop hold on bill," which was published on 11/6/2009.

	Report Comment Daven, Tulsa (11/6/2009 3:43:06 PM) Turn it around and if a dem was holding it up every repub would be saying he is not patriotic and hates soldiers. If its a minute he wants to take to read the bill I agree. But dont stall it just cause you are a bone head. Both sides are guilty of this sort of crap.
	Report Comment zzx375, BA (11/6/2009 1:17:42 PM) Why does Coburn employ the Senates own procedural rules?
	Report Comment Few Clothes, America (11/6/2009 6:14:42 PM) Begich noted Veterans Day will be observed next week. Well DOH, it has always been on the 11th genius.
	Report Comment Few Clothes, America (11/6/2009 6:23:04 PM) Thank you to all of you veterans. I wish I could shake your hands. Thank you for being true to your country.
	Report Comment Few Clothes, America (11/7/2009 12:30:59 PM) Thank your Dr. Tom for looking out for the Vets best interests.
	Report Comment calloy, T-town (11/6/2009 12:33:35 PM) i don't know what kind of doctor he is but he's a shameful excuse for a senator.
	Report Comment calloy, T-town (11/6/2009 12:37:13 PM) hey hmmmm, do you need some cheese with that whine?
	Report Comment calloy, T-town (11/6/2009 12:54:31 PM) well i'm a vet too, and coburn holding this up is a travesty. this is from the marine times, a website i trust a lot more than coburn's on this matter: ---------------------------------------------- One of Coburn’s suggestions is to divert money from unspent economic and job stimulus programs to cover costs of new benefits for veterans and their families, according to sources who have discussed the issue with Coburn’s staff. So far, at least, Senate leaders don’t want to let Coburn offer any amendments because of the precedent that would set to delay other legislation. Actual funding for benefits traditionally is handled separately from the bills that authorize the benefits, Senate aides said. Earlier this fall, Coburn placed holds on S 252, the Veterans Health Care Authorization Act of 2009, and S 728, the Veterans’ Insurance and Benefits Enhancement Act of 2009, which led to the introduction of S 1963, which combines key provisions of the two earlier bills in an effort to get around Coburn’s opposition. In a letter sent Monday night to the Senate majority leader, Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., the 13 military and veterans groups ask the Senate to get on with it. “It is essential that Congress act on this comprehensive measure without further delay,” the letter reads. “Thousands of disabled veterans with serious medical conditions and the family members who care for them are counting on this additional support.”
	Report Comment calloy, T-town (11/6/2009 12:55:35 PM) nunyerbisness, Tulsa (11/6/2009 12:52:57 PM) gosh hmmmm glad Coburn's done all the thinkin for ya. yeah, somebody had to do it.
	Report Comment calloy, T-town (11/6/2009 1:04:17 PM) i'm an army vet. are you correct about anything? you are ofer today.
	Report Comment calloy, T-town (11/6/2009 3:11:25 PM) shooting the messenger...how quaint.
	Report Comment calloy, T-town (11/6/2009 4:30:10 PM) good point, faith. i guess we all can't be a doctor a priest AND an economical wizard like coburn. taking money out of the stimulus is a terrible idea and vets don't need to be surviving on the crumbs from other programs like that anyway.
	Report Comment calloy, T-town (11/6/2009 7:10:00 PM) ooooh! we'll all be waiting with baited breath for your illustrious analysis from coburn's website! should be a hoot!
	Report Comment calloy, T-town (11/7/2009 9:49:27 PM) coburn will tell you to go to the nearest church or file for bankruptcy so you can get on welfare. he's a real prince.
	Report Comment calloy, T-town (11/8/2009 7:41:17 AM) i have faith oklahoma will move into the 21st century one day, mich. always is a long time.
	Report Comment FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (11/6/2009 6:05:35 PM) Hottie Hunt. How do you apply? Oh, yea, the Mr. Hottie Hunt part.
	Report Comment FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (11/6/2009 6:21:19 PM) Justin's in charge eh. OK Justin I need one of those cards. Though I've quickly moved though a few generations, I think I still got it.
	Report Comment FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (11/6/2009 6:22:25 PM) I got one. And steaming hot at that. To much for me to handle. Running low on my nitro glycrin.
	Report Comment FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (11/6/2009 6:24:31 PM) Alright. But I'm serious. I don't want anything to hot now. At my age, a little bit warm is OK for me.
	Report Comment FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (11/6/2009 6:29:07 PM) Well dusty, this ain't lukewarm. And I don't have enough nitro glycrin tabs to share buddy. so your on your own.
	Report Comment FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (11/6/2009 6:39:20 PM) Oh yea Dusty, you might won't to wait for Health Care reform and receive your free implant first.
	Report Comment FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (11/6/2009 6:45:47 PM) With a empty bottle of nitro at his side.
	Report Comment FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (11/6/2009 6:47:14 PM) I have a rule. Over 50 with under 40 keep glycrin at your side.
	Report Comment FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (11/6/2009 6:50:39 PM) Yea she won't even cook. Just wants performance. I got to step out a minute and take care of dinner. C U Later on guys.
	Report Comment Justun, tulsa (11/6/2009 4:58:30 PM) Maybe she has a reallllllyyyy Biiiigggg hammmmer!

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