Congressman Benishek told a reporter this week he’s frustrated by VA officials who “talk the talk but don’t walk the walk” while conveniently failing to disclose the fact that he’s spent the last three terms in Congress doing exactly that.
Case in point: While serving on the House Veterans Affairs Committee, Benishek voted to prevent millions of dollars from going to veterans health care, valuable research in prosthetics, suicide prevention, and PTSD treatment. Benishek helped defeat an amendment that would have doubled the number of VA claims processors, to speed up the backlog in disability claims. Most recently, Benishek voted for a budget that provided an estimated $1.9 billion less than what veterans groups asked for.
Oh, and lest we forget about a little thing called a term limit pledge, Benishek also failed to “walk the walk” on his promise to only serve three terms.
Pot, meet kettle.
“Congressman Benishek’s proclaimed ‘frustrations’ with the VA might be solved if he actually ‘walked the walk’ and didn’t repeatedly vote against veterans’ interests,” said DCCC Communications Director Matt Thornton. “It’s clear Benishek will say just about anything to keep his Washington job, but he’s in for a rude awakening if he thinks Michiganders will put up with his record of lip service and false promises.”
BACKGROUND:
Benishek Voted To Underfund The Department Of Veterans Affairs By An Estimated $19 Billion Over Ten Years. The House Republican Budget Benishek voted for called for funding of the Department of Veterans Affairs below the president’s request by $1.4 billion in 2016 and $19 billion over ten years. “The Independent Budget veterans service organizations (IBVSOs) are pleased to see that the Administration has committed to investing significant new resources to the VA, particularly for health care. . . . The revised budget request for FY 2016 is especially welcome because the IBVSOs had been concerned that the funding levels previously provided through advance appropriations for FY 2016 were not sufficient to meet clearly increasing demand.” [H.CON.RES 27, Vote #142, 3/25/15; Budget Committee Democrats, FY16 Republican Budget; IBVSO Press Release, 2/2/15; Military Times, 5/1/15]
Benishek Voted Against An Additional Funding For Veterans Medical Services. On April 30, 2015, Benishek voted against an amendment to H.R. 2029, making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs would strengthen support services for America’s veterans in the Mil Con-VA Appropriations by providing an additional $15 million for Veterans Medical Services, which includes funding for long-term veterans care, support for Caregivers, Homeless Veterans assistance, and drug treatment. [H.R. 2029, 4/30/15; Democraticleader.gov, 4/30/15]
Benishek Voted Against Quicker Disability Claims Processing To Alleviate Backlog For Veterans. In 2013, Benishek voted against an amendment that would help reduce the backlog of disability claims for veterans. The amendment would add $9.2 million in funding (double the funds in the underlying appropriations bill) to hire an additional 94 claims processors to help reduce the veterans disability claims backlog. The amendment failed 198-227. [HR 2216, Vote #192, 6/04/13]
Benishek Voted Against Millions In Additional Funding For Suicide Prevention And PTSD For Veterans. In 2011, Benishek voted against an amendment which would have provided an additional $20 million for veterans’ medical service to help with post-traumatic stress disorder and suicide prevention. “Rep. Bill Owens offered an amendment to a military appropriations bill in the House of Representatives that would increase spending on veterans’ mental health services by $20 million.” The motion failed 184-234. [HR 2055, Vote #417, 6/14/11; Watertown Daily Times, 6/14/11]
Benishek Voted Against Additional $28.3 Million For Medical And Prosthetic Research And Development For Veterans’ Care. In May 2012, Benishek voted against increased funding for medical and prosthetic research and development by $28.3 million. The amendment would have reduced the amount provided for the Defense Base Closure Account by $56.7 million and used $28.3 million to invest in veteran’s health and prosthetic research and development. The motion failed, 188-230. [CQ; HR 5854, Vote #304, 5/31/12; Congressional Record, H3358, 5/31/12]