Campaign 2010

Mar 28, 2011

Fact Check: Representative Ann Marie Buerkle Voted to Cut Veterans Benefits

In a conversation with the Syracuse Post-Standard’s editorial board, Representative Ann Marie Buerkle (NY-25) complained about a lack of attention from the press on her work on veterans issues.  While she is correct that her work has not received the attention it deserves, Representative Buerkle falsely claimed that she believes “we can’t shortchange our veterans.”  In reality, Representative Ann Marie Buerkle has voted to slash benefits for homeless veterans and against helping military families avoid foreclosures. 

 

FALSE Buerkle Claim: “Despite the budget constraints, we can’t shortchange our veterans. We owe them as a nation, as a moral obligation, to give them what they need.” [Post-Standard,3/27/11] 

 

FACT: Homeless Veterans on the streets. Republicans eliminated $75 million from the program that provides assistance to homeless veterans. The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans estimated that more than 100,000 veterans are homeless on any given night. [National Coalition for Homeless Veterans]

 

  • 2,505 vets helped through voucher program. From fiscal years 2008-2010, 2,505 vouchers were distributed to help homeless veterans in New York. [HUD/Vash program via Cardin press release, 3/10/11]

 

  • Budget cuts may hit homeless vets [CNN] Among the more controversial GOP budget cut proposals is an effort to kill $75 million that's slated to house homeless veterans. […] The cuts would hurt some 11,000 homeless veterans who qualify for housing this year but have yet to receive vouchers. [CNN, 3/1/11]

 

·         Budget cuts could prolong veteran homelessness [Yahoo! News] The GOP proposal would slash $75 million from a program that helps homeless veterans find housing. An estimated 11,000 homeless vets would likely lose the vouchers, which give them somewhere to live for a year. Democrats tried unsuccessfully to stop the cuts [Yahoo! News, 3/2/11]

 

FACT: Veterans and Active Services Members Victims of Foreclosure. Representative Ann Marie Buerkle opposed a measure that would have preserved the Emergency Mortgage Relief Program for members of the armed forces, veterans, and Gold Star recipients such as widows, parents, or next of kin. [HR 836, Vote #173, 3/11/11]

 

FACT: Legal-fee aid cut hits vets, elderly. “House Republicans dropped a round instead on low-income veterans and Social Security recipients, making it harder for them to retain counsel when taking on the government. Adopted by 232-197, the budget amendment imposes a seven-month moratorium on all legal fees paid under the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA), a Reagan-era law designed to help the little guy battle Washington by making it easier for him to afford an attorney.” [POLITICO, 2/23/11]

 

  • More than 51,000 Civilian Veterans in NY-25. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, NY-25 has an estimated 51,296 civilian veterans. [Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2005-2009]

 

###

Want the latest updates? Follow the DCCC on Facebook and Twitter: