Topics in the News: Veterans

Seth Moulton on War & Peace : Jul 10, 2019
AdWatch: Don't send troops back to Iraq

Who is this Seth Moulton?
Four tours in Iraq--a war he opposed but didn't want another to go in his place.
And he doesn't want to send troops back there now.
Running for Congress, unafraid to take on the radicals who threaten to shut down our government.
He'll stand up to them, to protect Social Security, Medicare, and the rights of women.
And no one will fight harder for our veterans.
Seth Moulton: His fight is for our values.

Click for Seth Moulton on other issues. Source: OnTheIssues.org AdWatch: 2020 Democratic primary

Kamala Harris on Immigration : Jun 27, 2019
Immediately reinstate DACA protection, including parents

Immediately on January 20, 2021, I will reinstate DACA protection to those young people. I will further extend protection for deferral of deportation for their parents and for veterans, who we have so many who are undocumented and have served our country and fought for our democracy. I will also immediately put in place a meaningful process for reviewing the cases for asylum. I will release children from cages. I will get rid of the private detention centers. Click for Kamala Harris on other issues. Source: June Democratic Primary debate (second night in Miami)

Beto O`Rourke on Abortion : Jun 24, 2019
VA must cover full spectrum of women's reproductive care

His plan emphasizes care for female veterans, pledging to "cover the full spectrum of women's reproductive health care, and include the provision of contraception with no out-of-pocket costs, in vitro fertilization without regard to marital status or sexual orientation, and abortions to the extent they are provided by other federal programs." VA hospitals would also be required to provide free child care. Click for Beto O`Rourke on other issues. Source: CNN coverage of 2020 Democratic primary

Beto O`Rourke on Civil Rights : Jun 24, 2019
Upgrade records of LGBTQ vets who were discharged

O`Rourke also says he would require the Defense Department to upgrade the service records of LGBTQ veterans who were discharged due to their sexual orientation. Click for Beto O`Rourke on other issues. Source: CNN coverage of 2020 Democratic primary

Beto O`Rourke on Health Care : Jun 24, 2019
Expand health care benefits and support for veterans

O`Rourke was the lead sponsor of a measure that expanded mental health care for veterans with "other-than-honorable" discharge. He successfully pushed for a measure that requires mental health examinations for those leaving military service. O'Rourke's plan includes requiring the public reporting and display of staffing rations and wait times, expanding telehealth offerings, pushing for an industry-wide standardization of electronic health care data, and mandating a new focus on mental health, addiction treatment and suicide prevention. O`Rourke is also calling for National Institutes of Health spending on Alzheimer's research to double to $5 billion per year "to confront risks stemming from" military service. Click for Beto O`Rourke on other issues. Source: CNN coverage of 2020 Democratic primary

Beto O`Rourke on Tax Reform : Jun 24, 2019
War tax on non-military households to support vet healthcare

Non-military households would pay a "war tax" to help cover the health care of veterans under a plan O`Rourke's campaign unveiled. Money collected would go into a new trust fund for veterans. Households making less than $30,000 per year would pay $25; less than $40,000 would pay $57; less than $50,000 would pay $98; less than $75,000 would pay $164; less than $100,000 would pay $270; less than $200,000 would pay $485; and those making more than $200,000 would pay $1,000. Click for Beto O`Rourke on other issues. Source: CNN.com coverage of 2020 Democratic primary

Joe Sestak on Budget & Economy : Jun 23, 2019
Championed fiscally accountable "pay-as-you-go" legislation

In Congress, Joe championed fiscally accountable "pay-as-you-go" legislation to help ensure its passage. He advanced educational legislation, from pre-K through retraining; seniors' quality of life - including authoring and passing the first Elder Abuse Victims legislation in 17 years--and veterans' educational and healthcare expansion.

He sponsored small business legislation for access to start-up capital, tax and regulatory relief, and workforce development, including initiating and passing legislation for a 35% increase in funding for Women's Business Centers.

Click for Joe Sestak on other issues. Source: 2020 presidential campaign website JoeSestak.com

Joe Sestak on Families & Children : Jun 23, 2019
Authored successful increase in funding for autism

In Congress, Joe pursued healthcare issues ranging from pediatric cancer to mental health parity, as well as autism as he authored the first successful increase in funding for autism in 12 years.

He advanced seniors' quality of life - including authoring and passing the first Elder Abuse Victims legislation in 17 years--and veterans' educational and healthcare expansion.

Click for Joe Sestak on other issues. Source: 2020 presidential campaign website JoeSestak.com

Joe Sestak on Health Care : Jun 23, 2019
Add public option to ObamaCare

Restore the Affordable Care Act and advance it with a public option to expand access to health insurance.
Let the success of the public option in cost and quality serve as incentive for the eventual transition of choice to a national healthcare system and begin laying the groundwork for a credible approach to such a system, modeled after the Veterans Health Administration, to establish comprehensive and integrated care across the country.
Allow Medicare to bargain for the best drug prices directly with the pharmaceutical industry.
Permit re-importation of less expensive drugs from Canada, while stopping big drug companies from "paying-for-the-delay" of cheaper generic drugs.
Fix our broken mental health system beginning with full enforcement of the Mental Health Parity Act and key provisions of the Affordable Care Act.
Remedy our shortage of nurses & doctors, particularly primary care physicians, as we change to integrated national healthcare..

Click for Joe Sestak on other issues. Source: 2020 presidential campaign website JoeSestak.com

Joe Sestak on Homeland Security : Jun 23, 2019
More funding for veterans and for cyberspace

Re-join the Iranian nuclear deal to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
Modernize our military by focusing on the capability of cyberspace and no longer measuring our prowess by force structure numbers alone.
Emphasize the importance of dominating cyberspace, in the realms of both cyber-security & cyber-warfare.
Support all of our military servicemembers, including LGBT heroes.
Provide better services and opportunities for our returning veterans..

Click for Joe Sestak on other issues. Source: 2020 presidential campaign website JoeSestak.com

Seth Moulton on Health Care : Jun 2, 2019
Treat mental health like physical care with regular checkups

It's just like when you get a physical, and the doctor says you should go to the gym, you should go on runs, you should eat healthy. That's exactly what I believe about mental health care. That's why I'm introducing these policy goals to talk about making sure that every soldier, sailor, airman, and Marine gets regular mental health care checkups, just like they get physicals, that it becomes routine, both for active duty and for veterans at the VA. I hope that that will be a model for the rest of the country. I will make sure that every high schooler in America gets a checkup with a mental health care professional and learn how to proactively take care of themselves mentally. Click for Seth Moulton on other issues. Source: CNN SOTU 2019 interview of presidential hopefuls

Amy Klobuchar on Drugs : May 5, 2019
Fund treatment & mental health with opioid tax

That means enough beds in this country for people with mental health problems if they're facing a crisis. That means doing something about our mounting suicide rate for farmers, for veterans, for LGBTQ youth. That means actually putting the money into treatment. I have a proposal for [a] 2 cents-per-milligram fee on these opioid pharma companies that have made tons of money off the backs of people who got addicted. You can also use it for these other drugs, as well as mental health. Click for Amy Klobuchar on other issues. Source: CNN SOTU 2019 interview of presidential hopefuls

Donald Trump on Drugs : May 2, 2019
Opposed allowing vets access to legal cannabis

The House Veterans' Affairs Committee held a hearing on three bills. One bill would allow VA healthcare providers to write state-legal medical cannabis recommendations for veterans who qualify. A separate bill would direct the VA to conduct a clinical study on the risks and benefits of medical marijuana. A third would prevent the VA from stripping veterans of their benefits because they consume state-legal cannabis.

The Trump administration opposed all three.

Not too long ago, veterans could lose their lifelong military benefits if a drug test turned up evidence of cannabis use, no matter how legal. The VA reformed that policy in late 2017--but it's a policy subject to easy change, not a protection codified by law. President Trump opposes codifying it into law.

Click for Donald Trump on other issues. Source: Bruce Barcott in Leafly.com on 2020 presidential hopefuls

Seth Moulton on Homeland Security : Apr 28, 2019
Veterans deserve the best health care in the world, period

Q: What about privatizing?

A: If we can't do it through the VA, then that should be an option. That should be an option. I believe what President Obama advocated for. What he wanted was to have a public option that competes with private options as well. What some people in our party want to do is force everybody onto a health care plan designed in 1963. I think we can do better than that.

Click for Seth Moulton on other issues. Source: CNN SOTU 2019 interview of presidential hopefuls

Amy Klobuchar on Health Care : Apr 22, 2019
Ensure vets get equal support for mental health

Being sick physically should be treated the same as being sick mentally. That means having the type of psychiatrists and psychologists and counselors that we need. Insurance companies have got to handle mental health things just like they handle physical health things.

When it comes to the veterans, a lot of them go home to small towns. Sometimes they don't have the kind of access especially if they're in the reserve. So they're just coming back sporadically to our V.A. facilities. We have to do a lot better job when they're coming back to evaluate them, to see what they need, to touch base with them.

Click for Amy Klobuchar on other issues. Source: CNN Town Hall 2020: 5 candidates back-to-back

Mike Gravel on Health Care : Apr 9, 2019
VA4A: Veterans Administration healthcare for all

The United States should offer a fully socialized, National Health Service-style single-payer healthcare system for all Americans, covering everything that could conceivably be covered by a private insurer, including dental, vision, and hearing services. This would involve the abolition of private insurance companies. This plan might be called "Veterans Administration healthcare for all," or "VA4A" for short. Click for Mike Gravel on other issues. Source: 2020 Presidential campaign website MikeGravel.com

Marianne Williamson on Homeland Security : Apr 8, 2019
Make suicide prevention a top priority for veterans & VA

Every day, an average of 20 U.S. veterans commit suicide. We must not stop working until every veteran and service member has access to the best mental health care and community support. I will direct my VA Secretary to make suicide prevention a top priority.

When our service members come home from service, it is critical that they get the support they deserve. As our brave women and men of the military are transitioning out of service and reintegrating back into society, the right support can make all the difference during their transition and in the ensuing months and years. Many veterans don't even know about the variety of services that are available to support them, nor do they know how to take advantage of them. Solving this lack of outreach to veterans will involve coordinating efforts between the military, the veteran's administration, and outside non-profit groups and community centers.

Click for Marianne Williamson on other issues. Source: 2020 presidential campaign website Marianne2020.com

Andrew Yang on Homeland Security : Mar 29, 2019
Military spending on modern threats, not decades-old ones

Problems to be solved:

The military budget makes up 54% of all discretionary spending, much of which is focused on defending against threats from decades ago as opposed to the threats of 2020.

As President, I will...

Invest in the treatment of veterans, and ensure that soldiers are treated with care and respect upon returning home by a system that recognizes them as assets and contributors.
Identify areas where military spending is going to programs that aren't making us safer in the context of modern warfare that can be eliminated or are redundant.
Appoint a new Secretary of Cybersecurity to lead our efforts to secure our country's vital systems from cyberterrorism, which is one of the leading threats to our ongoing prosperity.
Invest heavily in counterproliferation efforts to identify and secure sources of weapons-grade nuclear material, including offering to buy such material for exorbitant prices.

Click for Andrew Yang on other issues. Source: 2020 presidential campaign website Yang2020.com

Julian Castro on Welfare & Poverty : Mar 27, 2019
Government can help needy families get back on their feet

As the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, I worked to expand the promise of opportunity to Americans all over the nation. Together, my team and I made housing more accessible, lessened homelessness among our nation's veterans and even offered internet access to families in public housing. We set out to help families get back on their feet and achieve more than they thought possible. Click for Julian Castro on other issues. Source: 2020 Presidential campaign website JulianForTheFuture.com

Howard Schultz on Corporations : Mar 13, 2019
Achieve profit with humanity & pathway to middle class

I became the CEO of Starbucks when the company had just six stores. By the time I left last year, it had almost 30,000 stores in 77 countries--and over the years, Starbucks has provided a job for nearly 3 million people. Along the way, I sought to build a different kind of American company: one that would achieve profit with humanity. We provided first jobs for tens of thousands of young people. We hired more than 20,000 veterans and military spouses. We provided our front-line baristas a pathway to the middle class. We offered all of our employees, even part-timers, healthcare and stock ownership. At each juncture, people said that these kinds of investments shouldn't and couldn't be done in a for-profit company. That it would not work. But we refused to listen to the skeptics. Instead, we put our people first and found a way to give them access to healthcare, ownership and education while building a profitable company. Click for Howard Schultz on other issues. Source: 2020 Presidential Campaign website HowardSchultz.com

Beto O`Rourke on Government Reform : Mar 13, 2019
Supports term limits for Congress

One of O'Rourke's campaign promises was to limit the number of terms he served. Term limits were an issue O'Rourke believed in, but it weakened his hand as a freshman in Congress, where long-term ambition translates to seats on powerful committees.

O'Rourke was initially appointed to the Veterans Affairs Committee. He would come to dislike Washington. O'Rourke tried defining himself as an independent voice in Congress, willing to buck party orthodoxy.

Click for Beto O`Rourke on other issues. Source: Joe Hagan in Vanity Fair on 2020 Democratic primary

Bill Weld on Drugs : Feb 15, 2019
Accept benefits of cannabis; allow vets and seniors to use

Veterans should be permitted to receive health care from hospitals and health care providers outside the exclusive network of V.A. hospitals. They should be permitted to use cannabis for the relief of post-traumatic stress disorder without losing their veteran's benefits, as is the case under current V.A. law. The elderly must be permitted to have full access to non-addictive drugs which are useful for the relief of pain, including cannabis and CBD. Click for Bill Weld on other issues. Source: Speech in New Hampshire by 2020 presidential hopefuls

Howard Schultz on Health Care : Feb 12, 2019
President must take responsibility for V.A.

The U.S. government does some great things but the V.A. isn't one of them. I will fix the V.A. and I will be personally accountable if I run for president and I'm fortunate enough to win. No one in decades has fixed the V.A. with an annual budget of $200 billion. It is criminal. We have layers and layers and layers of government bureaucracy. No one knows who's in charge. There's no transparency of records. Veterans are waiting weeks and months for prescription drugs. There's all kinds of problems. Click for Howard Schultz on other issues. Source: CNN Town Hall: 2020 presidential hopefuls

Pete Buttigieg on Homeland Security : Feb 12, 2019
Recognize Vietnam Veterans Day, as late honor

At the Vietnam Welcome Home event, I said: "At the end of my tour in Afghanistan, the reception couldn't have been better. At the airport, people lined up to shake our hands, waving flags." A little choked up, I continued to the point. "Many of you did not get that welcome home. And it's a shame. These days, as a society, we have learned how to separate how we feel about a policy and how we treat the men and women sent overseas to serve. That wasn't true for Vietnam veterans. I'm sorry that not everyone thanked you properly. I'm sorry that this is coming late: Thank you. And welcome home."

Recognizing Vietnam Veterans Day has only begun in the last few years, but it quickly became another occasion for me to see how important a symbolic act can be. Some of the vet's eyes water. It's clear to them the honor however late in their lives, is meaningful. One of them tells me he was 18 when he went, "They called me a baby-killer when I got back," he says, staring into the distance.

Click for Pete Buttigieg on other issues. Source: Shortest Way Home, by Pete Buttigieg, p.258-9

Steve Bullock on Education : Jan 31, 2019
Freeze college tuition; college credit for veterans

For our veterans, we've expanded opportunities to get college credit for prior learning gained through their military service. In 2013, states around the country were slashing university budgets and saddling students with steep tuition increases. Instead, we have increased investments in higher education while freezing college tuition four of the last six years; leading to Montana having the fourth lowest tuition and fees in the nation. Let's once again freeze in-state college tuition and prevent what is effectively a tax increase on 28,000 Montana students and their families. And let's finally join 49 other states providing state-funded, need-based financial aid for students and adult learners. These investments will determine for decades to come the economic success of Montana students, workers and families. Click for Steve Bullock on other issues. Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Montana legislature

Larry Hogan on Jobs : Dec 1, 2018
Hire a Veteran program: state agency workforce assistance

Governor Larry Hogan signed an official proclamation designating November as "Hire A Veteran" Month in Maryland. The month-long observance raised awareness of veteran employment opportunities, and familiarized citizens, business, and others with the many workforce services available to veteran jobseekers and employers.

"Maryland's 380,000 veterans are a tremendous asset to our workforce," said Governor Hogan. "Throughout the month of November, we encouraged both veteran jobseekers and employers to explore the many workforce services, programs, and incentives our state offers to help employ this highly skilled part of our workforce."

Throughout November, Maryland agencies increased employers' awareness of the services & incentives available for hiring veterans, and veterans' awareness of Maryland's workforce development programs that can help them build and grow in their civilian careers. More than nine percent of Maryland's adult population have served in the U.S. military.

Click for Larry Hogan on other issues. Source: Dec. 2018 newsletter (MD Governor's office press release)

John Delaney on Homeland Security : May 29, 2018
National service program, plus community & veterans' service

We should launch a national service program to unify the next generation of Americans.
We must craft policies that encourage more philanthropy, more community service, and more investment in solving challenging issues such as disparities in health and education.
We must back up our words with action. A truly grateful nation cannot allow its veterans to go homeless and live without health care.

Click for John Delaney on other issues. Source: The Right Answer, by Rep. John Delaney, p.141-4

Bernie Sanders on Homeland Security : Apr 1, 2018
Don't privatize the Veterans Administration

Q: Will you support Dr. Ronny Jackson as the nominee for the Veterans Administration?

SANDERS: Well, we know nothing about Dr. Jackson's vision for the VA. But what concerns me is that, right now in Washington, we have a family called the Koch brothers--with a few of their other billionaire friends--their view has been we have got to privatize, privatize, and privatize. And Dr. Shulkin [the previous DVA chief], who Trump fired this week, said the reason for his firing is that he resisted privatization of the Veterans Administration. I work very closely with the major veterans organizations, and what they say is they want to strengthen the VA, not dismember it, not privatize it.

Q: Well, the White House says, at this time, they have no intent to privatize the VA.

SANDERS: They have been putting more money into the private sector with VA money. I do not believe them on that issue. I think they are listening to the Koch brothers. And I think that that is a very, very bad idea.

Click for Bernie Sanders on other issues. Source: CBS Face the Nation 2018 interviews of 2020 hopefuls

Donald Trump on Health Care : Jan 30, 2018
The cruel ObamaCare individual mandate is gone

We eliminated an especially cruel tax that fell mostly on Americans making less than $50,000 a year--forcing them to pay tremendous penalties simply because they could not afford government-ordered health plans. We repealed the core of disastrous ObamaCare--the individual mandate is now gone.

And we are giving our veterans choice in their healthcare decisions.

Click for Donald Trump on other issues. Source: 2018 State of the Union address

Donald Trump on Homeland Security : Jan 30, 2018
Fire 1,500 VA employees who failed to serve veterans

We are serving our brave veterans, including giving our veterans choice in their healthcare decisions. Last year, the Congress passed, and I signed, the landmark VA Accountability Act. Since its passage, my Administration has already removed more than 1,500 VA employees who failed to give our veterans the care they deserve--and we are hiring talented people who love our vets as much as we do. I will not stop until our veterans are properly taken care of, which has been my promise to them from the very beginning of this great journey.

All Americans deserve accountability and respect--and that is what we are giving them. So tonight, I call on the Congress to empower every Cabinet Secretary with the authority to reward good workers--and to remove Federal employees who undermine the public trust or fail the American people.

Click for Donald Trump on other issues. Source: 2018 State of the Union address

John Kasich on Homeland Security : Dec 27, 2017
Improve veteran healthcare with more options & fewer delays

The same kinds of policies that John Kasich has deployed successfully in Ohio to support veterans will be a model for the veterans policies he pursues as president. A particular focus will be health care, where he supports improving the current system as well as giving veterans new flexibilities and options to eliminate delays for needed care.

Prioritizing Veterans as a Ready Workforce: Reforms Gov. Kasich pursued in 2014 made it easier for veterans to transfer their skills to receive licensure credit.
Providing Property-Tax Relief to Disabled Veterans: Ohio doubled the homestead exemption for veterans with full service-related disabilities to make sure they are able to stay in their homes and better manage property tax bills.
Creating an Online Career Center for Veterans: Ohio created OhioMeansVeteranJobs.com--an online resource offering veterans a host of services to help them get a job.

Click for John Kasich on other issues. Source: 2016 presidential campaign website, JohnKasich.com

John Kasich on Homeland Security : Dec 27, 2017
Easier licensing for veterans; and more job services

Veterans have advanced training and experience in many of the skills that Ohio job creators are seeking. Reforms Gov. Kasich pursued in 2014 made it easier for veterans to transfer their skills to receive licensure credit so they can quickly begin applying their skills in good-paying jobs that support their families. Further, Ohio's state licensing boards and commissions have adopted consistent military definitions and made changes to their applications and policies to make certain that veterans and spouses are identified and prioritized.

Ohio created OhioMeansVeteranJobs.com--an online resource offering veterans a host of services to help them get a job. The website has a "military skills translator" that helps map military experience to job skills to build a resume from military service. For businesses looking for qualified workers, Ohio created the Veterans Business Support Center to assist employers in locating qualified veteran candidates for job openings.

Click for John Kasich on other issues. Source: 2016 presidential campaign website, JohnKasich.com

John Kasich on Principles & Values : Apr 23, 2017
Focus on common humanity and fix problems where we live

Q: You want people to read your book "to understand their responsibility and their ability to bring this country together and stop waiting" because politicians won't "get it right until they get a message from us." So what can people do?

KASICH: A lot of it is to focus on common humanity. Why don't we focus on the things that pull us together? Are we concerned about drug addiction in our neighborhoods? Of course, we are. It's not Republican or Democrat. Are we worried about veterans who come home and can't get a job? Can we look out for them? Of course. What about a senior citizen that lost their spouse? You know, what about the issue of human trafficking? Can we keep our eyes open? There are families that are in war with one another over politics. It's ridiculous. There are more things that bring us together. If we can focus on common humanity and sit down and fix problems where we live and believe in ourselves, it will open our ears to people who might not think like us.

Click for John Kasich on other issues. Source: CBS Face the Nation 2017: Two Paths, by John Kasich

Donald Trump on Homeland Security : Feb 28, 2017
More tools so our military can fight and win

To keep America safe, we must provide the men and women of the United States military with the tools they need to prevent war and--if they must--to fight and to win.

I am sending the Congress a budget that rebuilds the military, eliminates the Defense sequester, and calls for one of the largest increases in national defense spending in American history.

My budget will also increase funding for our veterans. Our veterans have delivered for this Nation--and now we must deliver for them.

Click for Donald Trump on other issues. Source: 2017 State of the Union address to Congress

Bernie Sanders on Homeland Security : Nov 15, 2016
Care for our veterans, even if we disagree about wars

While serious people can have legitimate differences of opinion about when our country should go to war, there should never be a debate as to whether we fulfill the promises made to the men and women who served this country in the military. As a nation, we have a moral obligation to provide the best-quality care to those who have put their lives on the line to defend us. But we have often fallen short of that obligation. Click for Bernie Sanders on other issues. Source: Our Revolution, by Bernie Sanders, p. 414

Donald Trump on Tax Reform : Oct 4, 2016
OpEd: Can't release tax returns while under audit? Nixon did

KAINE: Trump started this campaign in 2014 and he said, "If I run for president, I will absolutely release my taxes." He's broken his first promise. Second, he stood on the stage last week and when Hillary said, "you haven't been paying taxes," he said, "That makes me smart." So it's smart not to pay for our military? It's smart not to pay for veterans? It's smart not to pay for teachers? And I guess all of us who do pay for those things, I guess we're stupid.

PENCE: [Trump] is going to release his tax returns when the audit is over.

KAINE: Richard Nixon released tax returns when he was under audit.

FACTCHECK: When asked about Trump's assertion, the IRS said in a statement, "Nothing prevents individuals from sharing their own tax information." But while tax law does not prevent Trump from releasing his returns, waiting until his audit is completed may be beneficial, experts said.

Click for Donald Trump on other issues. Source: TheHill.com FactCheck on 2016 Vice-Presidential Debate

Donald Trump on Health Care : Sep 7, 2016
Let vets see private doctors or VA: that's not privatization

CLINTON: I will not let the V.A. be privatized. And I do think there is an agenda out there, supported by my opponent, to do just that.

TRUMP: I never said take the Veterans Administration private. I wouldn't do that. But I do believe, when you're waiting in line for six, seven days, you should never be in a position like that. You go out, you see the doctor, you get yourself taken care of. The V.A. is really almost a corrupt enterprise. So we are going to make it efficient and good. And if it's not good, you're going out to private hospitals, public hospitals, and doctors.

FACT-CHECK: Trump's campaign published a "Veterans Plan" last October. It doesn't call for the VA to be completely privatized, but allows veterans to get care at any non-VA medical center that accepts Medicare. Trump stuck to the idea when he released his "Ten Point Plan To Reform The VA" in July, giving "every veteran the choice to seek care at the VA or at a private service provider of their own choice."

Click for Donald Trump on other issues. Source: USA Today Fact-check on 2016 NBC Commander-in-Chief forum

Donald Trump on Health Care : Sep 7, 2016
Create V.A. mental health division to reduce veteran suicide

Q: What is your plan to stop 20 veterans a day from killing themselves?

A: It's almost impossible to conceive that this is happening in our country, 20 to 22 people a day are killing themselves. A lot of it is they're killing themselves over the fact that they're under tremendous pain and they can't see a doctor. We're going to speed up the process. We're going to create a great mental health division. I have a powerful plan that's on my website. One of the problems is the wait time. Vets are waiting six days, seven days, eight days. Under my plan, if they have that long wait, they walk outside, they go to the local doctor, they choose the doctor, they choose the hospital, whether it's public or private, they get themselves better. We will pay the bill.

Click for Donald Trump on other issues. Source: 2016 NBC Commander-in-Chief forum with Matt Lauer

Hillary Clinton on Homeland Security : Sep 7, 2016
Move V.A. into 21st century, but not by privatizing

TRUMP: Hillary Clinton six months ago said the vets are being treated essentially just fine, there's no real problem, it's over-exaggerated. She said she was satisfied with what was going on in the Veterans Administration.

Q [to Clinton]: Last October you said that surveys of veterans show that they're overall satisfied with their treatment and that the problems with the V.A. aren't as widespread as they're made out to be.

CLINTON: Look, I was outraged by the stories that came out about the V.A. And I have been very clear about the necessity for doing whatever is required to move the V.A. into the 21st century, to provide the kind of treatment options that our veterans today desperately need and deserve. And that's what I will do as president. But I will not let the V.A. be privatized. And I do think there is an agenda out there, supported by my opponent, to do just that. I think that would be very disastrous for our military veterans.

Click for Hillary Clinton on other issues. Source: 2016 NBC Commander-in-Chief forum

Kamala Harris on Homeland Security : Aug 31, 2016
Champion a robust VA for our Veterans

With more than two million Veterans, California has more Veterans than any other state, and we owe them the support and care they earned while wearing our nation's military uniform. Over the years, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has been plagued by scandal and budget crises, resulting in disgraceful levels of service and irresponsible delays in providing medical care and disability benefits.

As Attorney General, Kamala formed a working group to fight scams and other predatory conduct uniquely targeting service members, and secured enhanced protections for active-duty and Veteran homeowners during the foreclosure crisis.

In the Senate, Kamala will champion a robust VA for our Veterans. She will fight to ensure that when Veterans leave military service, they have the support they need to readjust to civilian life, including proper physical and mental health care. It's unconscionable that 22 Veterans take their own lives each day.

Click for Kamala Harris on other issues. Source: 2016 California Senate campaign website, KamalaHarris.org

Mike Pence on Homeland Security : Jul 20, 2016
We see promise after promise to our veterans forgotten

We have seen borders that go unrespected, a military that has been diminished, promise after ringing promise to our veterans promptly forgotten. Then Donald Trump came along and started saying what practically everybody was thinking anyway, that our leaders need to be stronger.

Under Donald Trump, our deals will be stronger. Under Donald Trump, our deals will be smarter, our soldiers will have what they need, and our veterans will have what they earned.

Click for Mike Pence on other issues. Source: Speech at the 2016 Republican National Convention

Mike Pence on Homeland Security : Mar 22, 2016
Supported expanding benefits and opportunities for veterans

Pence signed more than a dozen bills he says will expand benefits and opportunities for Indiana's military servicemembers and veterans. [One veteran's spokesperson], who led the Indiana National Guard for 11 years, says he's particularly pleased with one that expands the Military Family Relief Fund. That program was originally created to help post-9/11 veterans pay food, housing, utility, transportation and medical bills. Umbarger says the legislation extends that help to all veterans. Click for Mike Pence on other issues. Source: WFYI news "Pence Signs 13 Bills," 2016 Indiana Governor race

Bernie Sanders on Social Security : Feb 11, 2016
Lift cap on wealthy: at $250,000 program lasts 58 years

We should lift the cap on taxable income coming into the Social Security Trust Fund, starting at $250,000. We expand Social Security by $1,300 a year for people under $16,000, and we extend the life of Social Security for 58 years. The wealthiest people will pay more in taxes. I will do everything I can to expand Social Security benefits, not just for seniors, but for disabled veterans, as well. Click for Bernie Sanders on other issues. Source: 2016 PBS Democratic debate in Wisconsin

Hillary Clinton on Homeland Security : Feb 4, 2016
Fight the idea of privatizing the V.A.

Q: You will likely face a Republican opponent who wants to privatize or even abolish big parts of the V.A. It's a newly popular idea in conservative politics.

CLINTON: First of all, I'm absolutely against privatizing the V.A. I am going do everything I can to build on the reforms that Senator Sanders and others in Congress have passed to try to fix what's wrong with the V.A. There are a lot of issues about wait times & services that have to be fixed because our veterans deserve nothing but the best. Yes, let's fix the V.A., but we will never let it be privatized, and that is a promise.

SANDERS: Republicans give a lot of speeches about how much they love veterans. But when it came to put money on the line [in my comprehensive veterans bill], to protect our veterans, frankly, they were not there. Secretary Clinton is absolutely right, there are people, a group called Concerned Veterans of America, funded by the Koch brothers, yes, there are people out there who want to privatize it.

Click for Hillary Clinton on other issues. Source: MSNBC Democratic primary debate in New Hampshire

Hillary Clinton on Homeland Security : Feb 4, 2016
Promise to never privatize V.A.

Q: You will likely face a Republican opponent who wants to privatize or even abolish big parts of the V.A. It's a newly popular idea in conservative politics.

CLINTON: I'm absolutely against privatizing the V.A. And I am going do everything I can to build on the reforms that Senator Sanders and others in Congress have passed to try to fix what's wrong with the V.A. There are a lot of issues about wait times and services that have to be fixed because our veterans deserve nothing but the best. Yes, let's fix the V.A., but we will never let it be privatized, and that is a promise.

SANDERS: Republicans give a lot of speeches about how much they love veterans. But when it came to put money on the line [in my comprehensive veterans bill], to protect our veterans, frankly, they were not there. Secretary Clinton is absolutely right, there are people, Koch brothers among others, who have a group called Concerned Veterans of America, who want to privatize.

Click for Hillary Clinton on other issues. Source: MSNBC Democratic primary debate in New Hampshire

Bernie Sanders on Homeland Security : Feb 4, 2016
Strengthen the V.A.; don't privatize the V.A.

CLINTON: I'm absolutely against privatizing the V.A. I am going do everything I can to build on the reforms that Senator Sanders and others in Congress have passed to try to fix what's wrong with the V.A. .

SANDERS: Republicans give a lot of speeches about how much they love veterans. I work with the American Legion, the VFW, the DAV, the Vietnam Vets, and virtually every veterans organization to put together the most comprehensive piece of the veterans legislation in the modern history of America. Every Democrat voted for it; I got two Republicans. That is pathetic. So Republicans talk a good game about veterans, but when it came to put money on the line to protect our veterans, frankly, they were not there. Secretary Clinton is absolutely right, there are people, Koch brothers among others, who have a group called Concerned Veterans of America, funded by the Koch brothers, yes, there are people out there who want to privatize it. We've got to strengthen the V.A. We do not privatize the V.A.

Click for Bernie Sanders on other issues. Source: MSNBC Democratic primary debate in New Hampshire

Bernie Sanders on Homeland Security : Feb 4, 2016
Promise to never privatize V.A.

Q: You will likely face a Republican opponent who wants to privatize or even abolish big parts of the V.A. It's a newly popular idea in conservative politics.

SANDERS: Republicans give a lot of speeches about how much they love veterans. But when it came to put money on the line [in my comprehensive veterans bill], to protect our veterans, frankly, they were not there. There are people, Koch brothers among others, who have a group called Concerned Veterans of America, who want to privatize it.

Click for Bernie Sanders on other issues. Source: MSNBC Democratic primary debate in New Hampshire

Hillary Clinton on Health Care : Nov 10, 2015
The VA has failed our veterans & needs to be revamped

Supporting our military veterans is a sacred responsibility, yet the Veterans Administration has systematically failed to uphold its core mission. We need a new initiative similar to the post-WWII Bradley Plan. We need to synchronize the VA with Medicare & ACA, and also expand services such as childcare, reproductive services, mental health care, and substance abuse treatment. Privatization of our medical system will only undermine veterans' ability to get the unique care that only the VA can provide. Click for Hillary Clinton on other issues. Source: Bloomberg.com News, "Oppose Veteran System Privatization"

Donald Trump on Homeland Security : Nov 3, 2015
VA is one of the most incompetently-run agencies

The Department of Veterans Affairs ( VA) is probably the most incompetently run agency in the United States government. And that's saying something. The problem is that there are too many political people involved within its operation.

The taxpayers pay more than $150 billion a year for the VA, and what do we get for that? Right now, the VA is being run by people who don't know what they're doing. They're getting more money from the government than ever before and yet the care gets worse. The list of men and women waiting for care is growing and their wait times are longer. How can the VA possibly be so inefficient? We need to put people in charge who know how to run big operations. We have to get the best managers and give them the power, the money, and the tools to get the job done. We owe our veterans nothing less.

Click for Donald Trump on other issues. Source: Crippled America, by Donald Trump, p.106-7

Bernie Sanders on Homeland Security : Oct 13, 2015
I pushed bill for $15B for veterans' healthcare services

What we did is pass a $15 billion dollar piece of legislation which brought in many new doctors and nurses into the V.A. so that veterans could get health care when they needed it, and not be on long waiting lines. The other part of that legislation said that if a veteran is living more than 40 miles away from a V.A. facility, that veteran could get health care from the community health center or the private sector. Click for Bernie Sanders on other issues. Source: 2015 CNN Democratic primary debate in Las Vegas

Bernie Sanders on Social Security : Oct 13, 2015
Defend against chained CPI, and expand Social Security

Q [to CLINTON]: Senator Sanders would expand Social Security. What's wrong with that?

CLINTON: I fully support Social Security, and will defend it against continuing Republican efforts to privatize it.

Q: Do you want to expand it?

CLINTON: I want to enhance the benefits for the poorest recipients of Social Security.

SANDERS: When the Republicans in the Congress and some Democrats were talking about cutting Social Security and benefits for disabled veterans, for the so-called chained CPI, I q founded a caucus called the Defending Social Security Caucus. When you have millions of seniors in this country trying to get by--and I don't know how they do on $13,000 a year--you don't cut Social Security, you expand it. And the way you expand it is by lifting the cap on taxable incomes so that you do away with the absurdity of a millionaire paying the same amount into the system as somebody making $118,000. You do that, Social Security is solvent until 2061 and you can expand benefits.

Click for Bernie Sanders on other issues. Source: 2015 CNN Democratic primary debate in Las Vegas

Donald Trump on Tax Reform : Sep 22, 2015
OpEd: One-time wealth tax could cause stock market collapse

Political veterans such as Dick Morris observed that Trump was publishing a new book, The America We Deserve, which might get a boost in sales from the author/candidate's appearances on TV talk shows such as "Larry King Live" (CNN), "The Early Show" (CBS), and the "Tonight" show (NBC), which invited him to talk politics. Many of his ideas were dismissed as unworkable. For example, a onetime tax on the rich was labeled "harebrained" by economist and securities analyst David Jones, who said it could cause a stock-market collapse. (A former IRS commissioner called it "wacky, constitutionally.") A few of Trump's proposals did show he was both forward-looking and ideologically flexible. Click for Donald Trump on other issues. Source: Never Enough, by Michael D`Antonio, p.250

John Kasich on Homeland Security : Sep 20, 2015
Expand voucher program for veterans' healthcare

Q: Dr. Ben Carson has called for essentially closing the VA and folding in most health care for veterans into the Pentagon. Do you think that plan would work? What would you do?

A: I first of all think that we need to expand the voucher program so a veteran can get the health care they need as soon as they can possibly get it and should not be just limited to the VA hospitals. Secondly, my sense is you're going to have to decentralize the VA.

Click for John Kasich on other issues. Source: CNN SOTU 2015 interview series: 2016 presidential hopefuls

Donald Trump on Homeland Security : Sep 20, 2015
Fix veteran's hospitals, and pay private doctors for them

Q: You said that you would build more hospitals for veterans--is there anything else you would do?

A: One of the things I would do is fix the hospitals. What I'm going to do is make sure that they will be able to go out and use private doctors and we will pay the private doctors. We're going to do a bit of a free market thing so that veterans can get immediate service and good treatment.

Click for Donald Trump on other issues. Source: CNN SOTU 2015 interview series: 2016 presidential hopefuls

Bernie Sanders on Welfare & Poverty : Sep 5, 2015
3.5 million Americans homeless is unacceptable

It is unacceptable that in one of the wealthiest countries in the world as many as 3.5 million Americans experience homelessness over the course of a year. In 2013, the Department of Housing and Urban Development estimated that on any given night, over 600,000 Americans are homeless. It is unacceptable that so many Americans are living on the streets. We must increase affordable housing and work to reduce homelessness among veterans. Click for Bernie Sanders on other issues. Source: 2016 grassroots campaign website FeelTheBern.org, "Issues"

Amy Klobuchar on Homeland Security : Aug 24, 2015
Offer troops care for traumatic brain injury

[After my 2007 visit to Iraq, I said in a national speech]: "Between the Gulf War in the early 1990s and our invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan, our country had spawned a generation of young veterans with unique needs. All too often they had traumatic brain injuries (the signature injury coming out of these wars) or mental health issues or a lack of gainful employment when they returned home. As I said at dozens of deployment and welcome home ceremonies, we owed it to our troops to do the right thing--despite major disagreements about the policy in Iraq, our nation simply could not make the same mistake that so many made during the war in Vietnam. This time, we would agree to disagree about the war but still respect and support the warriors. When our troops signed up to serve our country there wasn't a waiting line, and when they come home to our country and they need a job or a house or health care or an education, there should never be a waiting line in the United States of America. Click for Amy Klobuchar on other issues. Source: The Senator Next Door, by Amy Klobuchar, p.233-4

Donald Trump on Families & Children : Jun 16, 2015
Stress importance of a strong family, & a culture of Life

Trump has over 7 million followers on social media. He frequently uses this platform to advocate for Conservative causes, Republican candidates and to educate the public on the failures of the Obama administration. Trump appears on "Fox and Friends" on Monday mornings & devotes much of his time to media interviews in order to promote a Free Market, the importance of a strong family, a culture of Life, a strong military and our country's sacred obligation to take care of our veterans and their families. Click for Donald Trump on other issues. Source: 2016 presidential campaign website, DonaldJTrump.com

Donald Trump on Homeland Security : Jun 16, 2015
Increased Veterans Day parade audience from 100 to 1 million

Trump has long been a devoted supporter of veteran causes. In 1995, the fiftieth anniversary of World War II, only 100 spectators watched New York City's Veteran Day Parade. It was an insult to all veterans. Approached by Mayor Rudy Giuliani and the chief of New York City's FBI office, Trump agreed to lead as Grand Marshall a second parade later that year. Mr. Trump made a $1 million matching donation to finance the Nation's Day Parade. On Saturday, November 11th, over 1.4 million watched as Trump marched down Fifth Avenue with more than 25,000 veterans, some dressed in their vintage uniforms. A month later, Trump was honored in the Pentagon during a lunch with the Secretary of Defense and the entire Joint Chiefs of Staff. Click for Donald Trump on other issues. Source: 2016 presidential campaign website, DonaldJTrump.com

Howard Schultz on Homeland Security : Nov 9, 2014
Volunteer army means 98% of us have no skin in the game

Q: You wrote a book, "For Love of Country," about these veterans that are coming home. There's been a lot of talk about trying to help them get back into civilian life. What is the one thing that you think the public needs to understand about helping these folks back into civilian life?

HOWARD SCHULTZ: Two and a half million extraordinary young men and women have served for the last ten, 15 years in an all-volunteer service. As a result of that, most of America, 98% have not had real skin in the game. We need to have a conversation, be empathetic, be understanding, and do everything we possibly can across the country, in rural America and every town, to hire a veteran.

Click for Howard Schultz on other issues. Source: Meet the Press 2014 interview by Chuck Todd

Kirsten Gillibrand on Homeland Security : Sep 9, 2014
Address backlog of veterans' claims & chronic underfunding

Once, a veteran who lost a limb in Vietnam told me, "When I strap on my leg, I strap on my patriotism. Why isn't the VA supporting me?" Those two sentences moved my office to work until we got him $60,000 in benefits and back pay. This story also opened my eyes to the backlog of veteran's claims caused by the chronic underfunding of the Veterans Administration. Click for Kirsten Gillibrand on other issues. Source: Off the Sidelines, by Kirsten Gillibrand, p. 60

Seth Moulton on Homeland Security : Sep 1, 2014
Better funding and services for veterans

Congress is failing our veterans. As a veteran myself, I see it firsthand. We have never had fewer veterans in Congress in our nation's history, so it's not surprising that so few Members of Congress understand the urgency of the problem. There are three things Congress can do to improve how we treat our veterans today:

Improve VA health care quality
Properly fund the VA to eliminate the claims backlog
Expand educational opportunities in the GI Bill.

Click for Seth Moulton on other issues. Source: 2014 House campaign website, SethMoulton.com

Bernie Sanders on Homeland Security : May 25, 2014
V.A. doesn't have resources to accommodate 2 million vets

Q: All of a sudden we're learning of these wait times, of veterans who are dying while waiting.

SANDERS: Clearly, there are incompetent administrators. But I think one point that sometimes gets lost in the shuffle. If you speak to veterans organizations, they will tell you that, by and large, the quality of care that veterans receive in VA hospitals around this country is good to excellent.

Q: Sure, but, if you can't get in, it doesn't do any good that it's great care.

SANDERS: That is quite right. The VA has established a self-imposed goal of getting people into the system in 14 days. That's pretty ambitious. That's more ambitious in general than the private sector. And I think there are places around the country where they simply do not have the resources to accommodate the fact that two million more people have come into the system in recent years. And I think some people may be cooking the books to make it look like they're accommodating people in 14 days.

Click for Bernie Sanders on other issues. Source: CNN SOTU 2014 interview series: 2016 presidential hopefuls

Steve Bullock on Homeland Security : Jan 30, 2013
Wrap-around services to reintegrate heroes to civilian life

This morning, I went to the airport and welcomed home 45 soldiers from the Montana National Guard who had just spent a year in Afghanistan. I told them I would ensure that we live up to the promise all of us made the day they signed up.

That's why I asked this Legislature to invest in our university system and make certain that we are providing the services and the space to meet veterans' needs-- the wrap-around services that will reintegrate these heroes back into civilian life and on our college campuses. When I got back from the airport, I found out that, while I was gone, a legislative committee cut the funding for these critical services for returning vets. I urge you to restore these funds, live up to the promises we've made and welcome these warriors home with more than just words.

Click for Steve Bullock on other issues. Source: 2013 State of the State Address to Montana legislature

John Hickenlooper on Homeland Security : Jan 10, 2013
Make hiring veterans a priority

Make hiring veterans a priority Let's not forget our veterans and those on active duty. This week, we welcomed home 208 of our National Guard men and women. Click for John Hickenlooper on other issues. Source: 2013 Colorado State of the State address

Eric Swalwell on Homeland Security : Nov 6, 2012
More benefits for veterans' valiant sacrifices

The valiant sacrifices made by our veterans, and their families, on behalf of our county need to be remembered and rewarded; they have made great sacrifices so we can enjoy the freedoms we take for granted. There are many proposals in Congress to reduce their benefits or to require veterans to pay more for the benefits we have promised them for their service to our Country. I do not support reducing benefits that have already been promised to current veterans and active duty military.

I convened a roundtable discussion with area veterans to learn how we can best support them upon their end of military service. I pledged to continue fighting to keep the Livermore VA Hospital open in some fashion, to serve local Vets.

Veterans are concerned about their ability to hold meaningful jobs. We must help veterans find job opportunities once they complete their service and I support new tax credits to encourage businesses to hire unemployed and disabled veterans.

Click for Eric Swalwell on other issues. Source: 2012 House campaign website, swalwellforcongress.com

Barack Obama on Budget & Economy : Oct 22, 2012
After 10 years of war, it's time for nation-building at home

After a decade of war, it's time to do some nation-building here at home. And what we can now do is free up some resources to, for example, put Americans back to work, especially our veterans, rebuilding our roads, our bridges, our schools, making sure that, you know, our veterans are getting the care that they need when it comes to post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury, making sure that the certifications that they need for good jobs of the future are in place.

The first lady has done great work with an organization called Joining Forces putting our veterans back to work. And as a consequence, veterans' unemployment is actually now lower than general population, it was higher when I came into office. So those are the kinds of thtwings that we can now do because we're making that transition in Afghanistan.

Click for Barack Obama on other issues. Source: Third Obama-Romney 2012 Presidential debate

Barack Obama on Tax Reform : Oct 16, 2012
It's unfair for a nurse to pay a higher tax rate than Romney

Romney was asked: Is it fair for somebody like you, making $20 million a year, to pay a lower tax rate than a nurse or a bus driver, making $50,000 year? He said, "Yes, I think that's fair." Not only that, "I think that's what grows the economy." I think what grows the economy is when you get that tax credit that we put in place for your kids going to college. I think what grows the economy is when we make sure small businesses are getting a tax credit for hiring veterans who fought for our country. Click for Barack Obama on other issues. Source: Second Obama-Romney 2012 debate

Joe Biden on Corporations : Oct 11, 2012
Same rules for Wall Street as for Main Street

BIDEN: Governor Romney said 47% of the American people are unwilling to take responsibility for their own lives. These people are my mom and dad, the people I grew up with, my neighbors. They are elderly people who in fact are living off of Social Security. They are veterans and people fighting in Afghanistan right now who are "not paying any taxes." I've had it up to here with this notion that 47%--it's about time they take some responsibility here. And instead of signing pledges to Grover Norquist not to ask the wealthiest among us to contribute to bring back the middle class, they should be signing a pledge saying to the middle class, we're going to level the playing field. We're going to give you a fair shot again. We are going to not repeat the mistakes we made in the past by having a different set of rules for Wall Street and Main Street, making sure that we continue to hemorrhage these tax cuts for the superwealthy. Click for Joe Biden on other issues. Source: 2012 Vice Presidential debate

Joe Biden on Homeland Security : Oct 11, 2012
Caring for veterans is our only sacred obligation

BIDEN: We only have one truly sacred obligation as a government. That's to equip those we send into harm's way and care for those who come home. That's the only sacred obligation we have. Everything else falls behind that. [Veterans] should be honored; not be thrown into a category of the 47% who don't pay their taxes. Click for Joe Biden on other issues. Source: 2012 Vice Presidential debate

Barack Obama on Free Trade : Jun 14, 2012
Skeptical on whether China feels bound by global trade rules

Obama was skeptical about the degree to which China felt bound by the rules of the global trading system in general and the rules of the World Trade Organization in particular. Obama made it plain to veterans of the Clinton administration that he felt they had allowed China to enter into the World Trade Organization under terms that weren't tight enough-- thus allowing China to become a trading giant and leaving Obama with too little leverage when China flouted the trading rules.

There was also a certain Asian quality to the president's negotiations with China. "They push and push and push until you say no," Obama told those around him. "And then they stop pushing."

Click for Barack Obama on other issues. Source: The Obamians, by James Mann, p.179-180

Barack Obama on Corporations : Sep 8, 2011
$4,000 tax credit for companies who hire unemployed workers

The purpose of the American Jobs Act is simple: to put more people back to work and more money in the pockets of those who are working. It will create more jobs for construction workers, more jobs for teachers, more jobs for veterans, and more jobs for the long-term unemployed. It will provide a tax break for companies who hire new workers, and it will cut payroll taxes in half for every working American and every small business. It will provide a jolt to an economy that has stalled, and give companies confidence that if they invest and hire, there will be customers for their products and services. You should pass this jobs plan right away.

Pass this jobs bill, and starting tomorrow, small businesses will get a tax cut if they hire new workers or raise workers' wages. Pass this jobs bill, and companies will get a $4,000 tax credit if they hire anyone who has spent more than six months looking for a job. We have to do more to help the long-term unemployed in their search for work.

Click for Barack Obama on other issues. Source: Pres. Obama's 2011 Jobs Speech

Barack Obama on Budget & Economy : Sep 26, 2008
Spending freeze is like a hatchet where you need a scalpel

Q: In the middle of a huge financial crisis that is yet to be resolved, how this is going to affect you not in small ways, but in major ways, and the approach you would take to the presidency.

McCAIN: How about a spending freeze on everything but Defense, Veterans Affairs and entitlement programs? We ought to seriously consider, with the exceptions of caring for our veterans, national defense and several other vital issues.

OBAMA: The problem with a spending freeze is you�re using a hatchet where you need a scalpel. There are some programs that are very important that are currently underfunded. I want to increase early childhood education. We�re currently spending $10 billion a month in Iraq when they have a $79 billion surplus. It seems to me that if we�re going to be strong at home as well as strong abroad, that we�ve got to look at bringing that war to a close.

Click for Barack Obama on other issues. Source: 2008 first presidential debate, Obama vs. McCain

Barack Obama on Principles & Values : Aug 27, 2008
We�re more decent & compassionate than last 8 years

America, we are better than these last eight years. We are a better country than this. This country is more decent than one where a woman in Ohio, on the brink of retirement, finds herself one illness away from disaster after a lifetime of hard work. Thi country is more generous than one where a man in Indiana has to pack up the equipment he�s worked on for twenty years and watch it shipped off to China. We are more compassionate than a government that lets veterans sleep on our streets and families slid into poverty; that sits on its hands while a major American city drowns before our eyes. To the American people across this great land: Enough! This moment, this election--is our chance to keep, in the 21st century, the American promise alive. The same party that brought you two terms of Bush and Cheney will ask this country for a third. And we are here because we love this country too much to let the next four years look like the last eight. On November 4th, we must stand up and say: �Eight is enough. Click for Barack Obama on other issues. Source: Speech at 2008 Democratic National Convention

Jesse Ventura on Civil Rights : Apr 1, 2008
Don't amend Constitution to outlaw flag-burning

Sometimes, of course, speaking my mind proved a bit controversial. I told the veterans gathered at an American Legion post that I opposed any constitutional amendment to outlaw flag-burning. The point was that we have the freedom to do something like that in America, and the flag is only a symbol. Besides, I told them, flag-burners usually get the crap kicked out of them by construction workers, anyhow. Click for Jesse Ventura on other issues. Source: Don`t Start the Revolution, by Jesse Ventura, p. 43

Jesse Ventura on War & Peace : Apr 1, 2008
Bush violated Constitution by misleading US into Iraq War

George Bush violated the Constitution by going to war under false premises. He and others in his administration did everything they could to ensure that the American people were misled. What are the Democrats going to do now, nothing? For fear of being unpatriotic?

By the time he leaves office, Bush will have spent more than a trillion dollars on his military adventures. While more than 20 retired American generals have come out strongly opposed to what we're doing in Iraq, our veterans are receiving shameful treatment. In the course of this war, more than 20,000 soldiers have been discharged with so-called "personality disorder," meaning that they're often being denied disability and medical benefits.

Now, I ask you: Who are the real dysfunctional personalities here? Maybe a president who thinks he's getting messages straight from God? Or a vice president so delusional he believes we can "bunker-bust" Iran's supposed nuclear sites without opening up a whole new front in this madness?

Click for Jesse Ventura on other issues. Source: Don`t Start the Revolution, by Jesse Ventura, p.274

Barack Obama on Homeland Security : Feb 21, 2008
Unacceptable to have veterans drive 250 miles to a hospital

The incredible burden that has been placed on the American people, starting with military families, and the fact that we still are not doing right by our veterans, that we still don�t honor their service, that there are still homeless veterans, that we still don�t screen properly for post-traumatic stress disorder and make sure that they�re getting mental services that they need, that we are still having veterans in south Texas have to drive 250 miles to access a veterans hospital. That�s unacceptable. Click for Barack Obama on other issues. Source: 2008 Democratic debate at University of Texas in Austin

Barack Obama on Homeland Security : Feb 2, 2008
Improve veterans� mental health treatment & PTSD benefits

AT A GLANCE

Improved Mental Health Treatment: Obama will improve mental health treatment for troops and veterans suffering from combat-related psychological injuries.

THE PROBLEM

There is a Shortage of Care for PTSD: Veterans are coming home with record levels of combat stress, but we are not adequately providing for them.

OBAMA�S PLAN

Improve Mental Health Treatment: Obama will improve mental health care at every stage of military service. He will recruit more health professionals, improve screening, offer more support to families and make PTSD benefits claims fairer.

OBAMA RECORD

Obama led a bipartisan effort in the Senate to try to halt the military�s unfair practice of discharging service members for having a service-connected psychological injury.
Obama passed legislation to stop a VA review of closed PTSD cases that could have led to a reduction in veterans� benefits.

Click for Barack Obama on other issues. Source: Campaign booklet, �Blueprint for Change�, p. 56-57

Hillary Clinton on Homeland Security : Jan 15, 2008
Passed legislation to treat veterans� traumatic brain injury

We have to do everything necessary to help returning veterans get the health care and the support that they need. This new signature wound called traumatic brain injury is something that I am really upset about, because we�ve only begun to recognize it and diagnose it. I was able to pass legislation to begin to provide the physical and mental evaluations so we could treat this. They�re now getting these exams because we�ve got to track what happens to the veterans and provide the services for them. Click for Hillary Clinton on other issues. Source: 2008 Democratic debate in Las Vegas

Hillary Clinton on Health Care : Sep 13, 2007
A plan is necessary; but consensus is more necessary

Q: You have been involved with health care for a long time. Because of your long involvement, you should have been first out of the gate on health care.

A: Well, I�ve been at the gate and out of it for 14 years, and you know when we weren�t successful with the overall reform, I moved ahead and was one of the people responsible for the children�s health-insurance program and trying to make sure drugs were safe for kids, and dealing with aftereffects the Gulf War veterans suffered. So, I�ve stayed consistently focused on health care and am engaged right now in this battle with the president over his threatened veto of the children�s health-insurance program. But I learned, among other things, that we�ve got to build a consensus. A plan is necessary but not sufficient. We�ve got to have a political consensus in order to withstand the enormous opposition from those interests that will have something to lose in a really reformed health-care system.

Click for Hillary Clinton on other issues. Source: Huffington Post Mash-Up: 2007 Democratic on-line debate

Barack Obama on Homeland Security : Aug 26, 2007
Support veterans via the Dignity for Wounded Warriors Act

Following reports of neglect at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Obama introduced the Dignity for Wounded Warriors Act. The bill improves the condition of troop housing, streamlines the process for seeking care, provides greater information to recovering servicemembers, requires the hiring of more caseworkers, and provides more support to family members who care for injured troops:

Sheltering and Rehabilitating Homeless Veterans
One in three homeless males is a veteran.
Fighting for Disability Benefits
Obama forced the VA to notify veterans about their right to review past claims.
Treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) & Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Easing the Transition of Veterans into Civilian Life
Obama�s legislation would require that the military provide new veterans with electronic medical and service records & monitor health trends.

Click for Barack Obama on other issues. Source: 2008 Presidential campaign website, BarackObama.com �Flyers�

Joe Biden on Homeland Security : Aug 9, 2007
Don�t Ask Don�t Tell is antiquated & unworkable

Q: Would you support a repeal of the �Don�t Ask, Don�t Tell� policy which would allow gay, lesbian, and bisexual soldiers the right to serve openly in the military?

A: Sen. Biden supports ending the Don�t Ask, Don�t Tell policy. It is antiquated and unworkable. According to recent polls, 3/4 of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan said that they had no problem serving with openly gay people. 24 of the nations serving alongside US forces in Iraq permit open service which has had no negative impact on these forces or the morale of our brave soldiers. Finally, the US does not have enough troops to fulfill our current missions--it is ridiculous to turn away brave and patriotic Americans who volunteer to serve solely because of their sexual orientation--especially in light of the Defense Department�s recent decision to extend tours of duty in Iraq. Sen. Biden believes that we should treat everyone serving in the military by the same standards regardless of orientation.

Click for Joe Biden on other issues. Source: 2007 HRC/LOGO debate--written questionnaire

Barack Obama on Homeland Security : Jun 3, 2007
Address the deficiencies in the VA system

We don�t have a full-service VA system, so a lot of troops that have been injured are having to travel elsewhere, and that�s something that we have to address. There are important efficiencies that we can obtain by having a VA hospital system; for example, prescription drugs. But we have to have a VA that serves everybody. In some rural communities that the veterans don�t have access to the services needed, we�ve got to make sure that they do have the option for a private hospital that is close by Click for Barack Obama on other issues. Source: 2007 Dem. debate at Saint Anselm College

Barack Obama on Homeland Security : Jun 3, 2007
Make sure the outpatient facilities work for veterans

I visited Walter Reed repeatedly. Typically what would happen is we would go to visit troops in the medical facility, and people will acknowledge that the medical facility at Walter Reed does great work. Unfortunately, it turned out that the outpatient facilities were disastrous. That�s why we now have legislation to make sure not only that we�re just painting over some of the mold in there, but also making it easier for families & veterans to negotiate the system once they�re outpatients. Click for Barack Obama on other issues. Source: 2007 Dem. debate at Saint Anselm College

Barack Obama on War & Peace : Jun 3, 2007
Spending on the Cold War relics should be for the veterans

Keep in mind that there is a difference between the Pentagon budget and the size of the military. So it may be that, for example, there are weapon systems that are outmoded relics of the Cold War; but what I want to make certain of is, is that our troops are not going on these repeated tours, lengthy tours, that we are providing them with all the support they need when they�re on the ground. And we can�t do that currently. When they come home we are treating them with the dignity and honor that they deserve. Whether you were for the war or against the war, we can all agree to, and the Bush administration has not done that because they tried to do it on the cheap. Folks who have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, folks who have disability payments that are due are not getting the kinds of services they deserve. I have some specific plans to address that. Click for Barack Obama on other issues. Source: 2007 Dem. debate at Saint Anselm College

Barack Obama on Homeland Security : Mar 27, 2007
America must practice the patriotism it preaches

I think it is unconscionable for us to stand by our troops and hoist the flag and suggest how patriotic we are at the same time as the veterans� budget is being effectively cut.

I�m going to monitor very closely how we are treating 100,000+ veterans wh are coming home, to make sure the VA has the capacity to provide transition services for veterans who are leaving the service and reentering civilian life--particularly the National Guardsman and Reservists who did not expect to be fighting in Iraq.

Click for Barack Obama on other issues. Source: In His Own Words, edited by Lisa Rogak, p.155

Barack Obama on Homeland Security : Mar 14, 2007
Comprehensive plan for our veterans healthcare

Washington says that they support the troops. They give long speeches about valor and sacrifice. But when it comes time to sending our troops into battle with the proper equipment and ensure that veterans have what they need when they get home, they don�t do anything except slap a yellow ribbon on the back of their SUV. That�s how come our men and women have to use scrap metal to protect their Humvees.

Our veterans end up living among mice and mold. They stare at stacks of paperwork. They thought they left the frontline in Iraq but they came home to a new frontline of red tape and bureaucracy.

This is unacceptable. When our veterans come home, I don�t want them crawling around a dumpster for a meal or a box for shelter. I don�t want them drowning in whiskey to silence the PTSD. I don�t want that for our veterans. We know they deserve more.

So let�s make a promise today--and say that, right here and right now, is when we begin to put together a comprehensive plan for our veterans.

Click for Barack Obama on other issues. Source: 2007 IAFF Presidential Forum in Washington DC

Mike Gravel on Homeland Security : Dec 25, 2006
Raze Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib prisons to the ground

Raze Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib prisons to the ground;
End the war against America�s veterans; and
Organize and leading an intelligence and police organization of willing nations, similar to NATO, to root out terrorism and addressing its causes through aggressive diplomacy.

Click for Mike Gravel on other issues. Source: 2008 Presidential campaign website, gravel2008.us, �Issues�

Kirsten Gillibrand on War & Peace : Nov 7, 2006
Iraq: exit strategy & redeploy troops

Establish an end point and an exit strategy
Redeploy troops to focus on fighting terrorism

Increase the resources available to first responders
Invest in antiterrorism measures, including increased infrastructure, port, air and rail security

Reform the G.I. Bill of Rights to take care of those who have served honorably
Supports a comprehensive healthcare and education benefits plan for all veterans

Click for Kirsten Gillibrand on other issues. Source: 2006 Senate campaign website, gillibrand2006.com, �Issues�

Bob Corker on Homeland Security : Jan 20, 2006
We can never adequately repay our military troops

As Senator I will support measures to provide appropriate compensation for military service. We can never adequately repay our military troops, but we can take steps to make their service less of a financial sacrifice. We owe our freedom to the veterans of our military. When they need to access the medical benefits they have been promised, those services must be easily accessible and provided promptly. Click for Bob Corker on other issues. Source: 2006 Senate campaign website, www.bobcorkerforsenate.com

Amy Klobuchar on Homeland Security : Jan 18, 2006
Our troops need the best equipment and intelligence

I will fight for our government to do all we can to protect our brave men and women who are serving our country abroad. They need the best equipment and intelligence to keep them as safe as possible. And when they return, we must honor their service and bravery by giving them the education and health care benefits they were promised. I am committed to ensuring that our veterans and their families, particularly those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, receive all they deserve. Click for Amy Klobuchar on other issues. Source: 2006 Senate campaign website, www.amyklobuchar.com, �Issues�

Donald Trump on Homeland Security : Oct 27, 1997
1994 Veteran's parade: Such high-quality people led military

[After a poorly-attended Veteran's Day parade], a group of veterans wanted to do it differently the following year. Those veterans asked me to lead it as Grand Marshal--essentially they wanted my stamp of approval. They needed dollars. They knew I could raise lots of money and get additional donors. They also knew I would attract a lot of press.

I agreed. I thought it would be fun, and I knew it was important. Mayor Giuliani was pledging the support of the city. I put up money; others matched it. I always knew there was a military out there, but I had no idea such high quality people led it. This is something I got to know, and know very well, over the next few months.

Click for Donald Trump on other issues. Source: The Art of the Comeback, by Donald Trump, p.168-72

Hillary Clinton on Social Security : Sep 25, 1996
Respect unique power of government to meet social needs

Competing visions of the role of government and the rights of individuals exist all along the political spectrum. Most of us hold a point of view that exists somewhere between the extremes. We may grumble about taxes, but we generally support programs like veterans� benefits, Social Security, and Medicare, along with public education, environmental protection, and some sort of social safety net for the poor. We are wary of government interference with private initiative or personal belief and the excessive influence of special interests on the political system. We respect the unique power of government to meet certain social needs and acknowledge the need to limit its powers.

In times of profound social change like the present, extreme views hold out the appeal of simplicity. By ignoring the complexity of the forces that shape our personal and collective circumstances, they offer us scapegoats. Yet they fail to provide a viable pathway from the cold war to the global village.

Click for Hillary Clinton on other issues. Source: It Takes A Village, by Hillary Clinton, p.286

Additional quotations related to Veterans issues can be found under Homeland Security. Click here for definitions & background information on Homeland Security.
*Candidates on Homeland Security:*
*Related issues:* Benghazi Gays in Military Guantanamo Iranian Nukes Iraq Israel & Palestine Nuclear Energy & Weapons SDI Missile Defense Terrorism War on Terror WMD	*2020 Presidential primary contenders:* ~~State Rep.Stacey Abrams~~ (D-GA) Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO) V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE) ~~Mayor Mike Bloomberg~~ (I-NYC) Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN) Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ) Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX) Rep.John Delaney (D-MD) Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK) Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA) Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO)	Gov.Larry Hogan (D-MD) Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA) Gov.John Kasich (R-OH) Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA) Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX) Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA) Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT) Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC) Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA) ~~CEO Howard Schultz~~ (I-WA) CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA) ~~Rep.Eric Swalwell~~ (D-CA) Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN) V.C.Arvin Vohra (L-MD) Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) Gov.Bill Weld (L-MA) Marianne Williamson (D-CA) CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)	*2016 Presidential contenders:* Pres.Donald Trump (R-NY) V.P.Mike Pence (R-IN) Secy.Hillary Clinton (D-NY) Sen.Tim Kaine (D-VA,VP) Gov.Gary Johnson (L-NM) Dr.Jill Stein (G-MA) Ajamu Baraka (G-VP) Evan McMullin (I-UT)
Please consider volunteering for OnTheIssues! Click for details -- or send donations to: 1770 Mass Ave. #630, Cambridge MA 02140 E-mail: submit@OnTheIssues.org (We rely on your support!)

Page last updated: Jul 22, 2019

Topics in the News: Veterans

Seth Moulton on War & Peace : Jul 10, 2019 AdWatch: Don't send troops back to Iraq

Kamala Harris on Immigration : Jun 27, 2019 Immediately reinstate DACA protection, including parents

Beto O`Rourke on Abortion : Jun 24, 2019 VA must cover full spectrum of women's reproductive care

Beto O`Rourke on Civil Rights : Jun 24, 2019 Upgrade records of LGBTQ vets who were discharged

Beto O`Rourke on Health Care : Jun 24, 2019 Expand health care benefits and support for veterans

Beto O`Rourke on Tax Reform : Jun 24, 2019 War tax on non-military households to support vet healthcare

Joe Sestak on Budget & Economy : Jun 23, 2019 Championed fiscally accountable "pay-as-you-go" legislation

Joe Sestak on Families & Children : Jun 23, 2019 Authored successful increase in funding for autism

Joe Sestak on Health Care : Jun 23, 2019 Add public option to ObamaCare

Joe Sestak on Homeland Security : Jun 23, 2019 More funding for veterans and for cyberspace

Seth Moulton on Health Care : Jun 2, 2019 Treat mental health like physical care with regular checkups

Amy Klobuchar on Drugs : May 5, 2019 Fund treatment & mental health with opioid tax

Donald Trump on Drugs : May 2, 2019 Opposed allowing vets access to legal cannabis

Seth Moulton on Homeland Security : Apr 28, 2019 Veterans deserve the best health care in the world, period

Amy Klobuchar on Health Care : Apr 22, 2019 Ensure vets get equal support for mental health

Mike Gravel on Health Care : Apr 9, 2019 VA4A: Veterans Administration healthcare for all

Marianne Williamson on Homeland Security : Apr 8, 2019 Make suicide prevention a top priority for veterans & VA

Andrew Yang on Homeland Security : Mar 29, 2019 Military spending on modern threats, not decades-old ones

Julian Castro on Welfare & Poverty : Mar 27, 2019 Government can help needy families get back on their feet

Howard Schultz on Corporations : Mar 13, 2019 Achieve profit with humanity & pathway to middle class

Beto O`Rourke on Government Reform : Mar 13, 2019 Supports term limits for Congress

Bill Weld on Drugs : Feb 15, 2019 Accept benefits of cannabis; allow vets and seniors to use

Howard Schultz on Health Care : Feb 12, 2019 President must take responsibility for V.A.

Pete Buttigieg on Homeland Security : Feb 12, 2019 Recognize Vietnam Veterans Day, as late honor

Steve Bullock on Education : Jan 31, 2019 Freeze college tuition; college credit for veterans

Larry Hogan on Jobs : Dec 1, 2018 Hire a Veteran program: state agency workforce assistance

John Delaney on Homeland Security : May 29, 2018 National service program, plus community & veterans' service

Bernie Sanders on Homeland Security : Apr 1, 2018 Don't privatize the Veterans Administration

Donald Trump on Health Care : Jan 30, 2018 The cruel ObamaCare individual mandate is gone

Donald Trump on Homeland Security : Jan 30, 2018 Fire 1,500 VA employees who failed to serve veterans

John Kasich on Homeland Security : Dec 27, 2017 Improve veteran healthcare with more options & fewer delays

John Kasich on Homeland Security : Dec 27, 2017 Easier licensing for veterans; and more job services

John Kasich on Principles & Values : Apr 23, 2017 Focus on common humanity and fix problems where we live

Donald Trump on Homeland Security : Feb 28, 2017 More tools so our military can fight and win

Bernie Sanders on Homeland Security : Nov 15, 2016 Care for our veterans, even if we disagree about wars

Donald Trump on Tax Reform : Oct 4, 2016 OpEd: Can't release tax returns while under audit? Nixon did

Donald Trump on Health Care : Sep 7, 2016 Let vets see private doctors or VA: that's not privatization

Donald Trump on Health Care : Sep 7, 2016 Create V.A. mental health division to reduce veteran suicide

Hillary Clinton on Homeland Security : Sep 7, 2016 Move V.A. into 21st century, but not by privatizing

Kamala Harris on Homeland Security : Aug 31, 2016 Champion a robust VA for our Veterans

Mike Pence on Homeland Security : Jul 20, 2016 We see promise after promise to our veterans forgotten

Mike Pence on Homeland Security : Mar 22, 2016 Supported expanding benefits and opportunities for veterans

Bernie Sanders on Social Security : Feb 11, 2016 Lift cap on wealthy: at $250,000 program lasts 58 years

Hillary Clinton on Homeland Security : Feb 4, 2016 Fight the idea of privatizing the V.A.

Hillary Clinton on Homeland Security : Feb 4, 2016 Promise to never privatize V.A.

Bernie Sanders on Homeland Security : Feb 4, 2016 Strengthen the V.A.; don't privatize the V.A.

Bernie Sanders on Homeland Security : Feb 4, 2016 Promise to never privatize V.A.

Hillary Clinton on Health Care : Nov 10, 2015 The VA has failed our veterans & needs to be revamped

Donald Trump on Homeland Security : Nov 3, 2015 VA is one of the most incompetently-run agencies

Bernie Sanders on Homeland Security : Oct 13, 2015 I pushed bill for $15B for veterans' healthcare services

Bernie Sanders on Social Security : Oct 13, 2015 Defend against chained CPI, and expand Social Security

Donald Trump on Tax Reform : Sep 22, 2015 OpEd: One-time wealth tax could cause stock market collapse

John Kasich on Homeland Security : Sep 20, 2015 Expand voucher program for veterans' healthcare

Donald Trump on Homeland Security : Sep 20, 2015 Fix veteran's hospitals, and pay private doctors for them

Bernie Sanders on Welfare & Poverty : Sep 5, 2015 3.5 million Americans homeless is unacceptable

Amy Klobuchar on Homeland Security : Aug 24, 2015 Offer troops care for traumatic brain injury

Donald Trump on Families & Children : Jun 16, 2015 Stress importance of a strong family, & a culture of Life

Donald Trump on Homeland Security : Jun 16, 2015 Increased Veterans Day parade audience from 100 to 1 million

Howard Schultz on Homeland Security : Nov 9, 2014 Volunteer army means 98% of us have no skin in the game

Kirsten Gillibrand on Homeland Security : Sep 9, 2014 Address backlog of veterans' claims & chronic underfunding

Seth Moulton on Homeland Security : Sep 1, 2014 Better funding and services for veterans

Bernie Sanders on Homeland Security : May 25, 2014 V.A. doesn't have resources to accommodate 2 million vets

Steve Bullock on Homeland Security : Jan 30, 2013 Wrap-around services to reintegrate heroes to civilian life

John Hickenlooper on Homeland Security : Jan 10, 2013 Make hiring veterans a priority

Eric Swalwell on Homeland Security : Nov 6, 2012 More benefits for veterans' valiant sacrifices

Barack Obama on Budget & Economy : Oct 22, 2012 After 10 years of war, it's time for nation-building at home

Barack Obama on Tax Reform : Oct 16, 2012 It's unfair for a nurse to pay a higher tax rate than Romney

Joe Biden on Corporations : Oct 11, 2012 Same rules for Wall Street as for Main Street

Joe Biden on Homeland Security : Oct 11, 2012 Caring for veterans is our only sacred obligation

Barack Obama on Free Trade : Jun 14, 2012 Skeptical on whether China feels bound by global trade rules

Barack Obama on Corporations : Sep 8, 2011 $4,000 tax credit for companies who hire unemployed workers

Barack Obama on Budget & Economy : Sep 26, 2008 Spending freeze is like a hatchet where you need a scalpel

Barack Obama on Principles & Values : Aug 27, 2008 We�re more decent & compassionate than last 8 years

Jesse Ventura on Civil Rights : Apr 1, 2008 Don't amend Constitution to outlaw flag-burning

Jesse Ventura on War & Peace : Apr 1, 2008 Bush violated Constitution by misleading US into Iraq War

Barack Obama on Homeland Security : Feb 21, 2008 Unacceptable to have veterans drive 250 miles to a hospital

Barack Obama on Homeland Security : Feb 2, 2008 Improve veterans� mental health treatment & PTSD benefits

Hillary Clinton on Homeland Security : Jan 15, 2008 Passed legislation to treat veterans� traumatic brain injury

Hillary Clinton on Health Care : Sep 13, 2007 A plan is necessary; but consensus is more necessary

Seth Moulton on War & Peace : Jul 10, 2019
AdWatch: Don't send troops back to Iraq

Kamala Harris on Immigration : Jun 27, 2019
Immediately reinstate DACA protection, including parents

Beto O`Rourke on Abortion : Jun 24, 2019
VA must cover full spectrum of women's reproductive care

Beto O`Rourke on Civil Rights : Jun 24, 2019
Upgrade records of LGBTQ vets who were discharged

Beto O`Rourke on Health Care : Jun 24, 2019
Expand health care benefits and support for veterans

Beto O`Rourke on Tax Reform : Jun 24, 2019
War tax on non-military households to support vet healthcare

Joe Sestak on Budget & Economy : Jun 23, 2019
Championed fiscally accountable "pay-as-you-go" legislation

Joe Sestak on Families & Children : Jun 23, 2019
Authored successful increase in funding for autism

Joe Sestak on Health Care : Jun 23, 2019
Add public option to ObamaCare

Joe Sestak on Homeland Security : Jun 23, 2019
More funding for veterans and for cyberspace

Seth Moulton on Health Care : Jun 2, 2019
Treat mental health like physical care with regular checkups

Amy Klobuchar on Drugs : May 5, 2019
Fund treatment & mental health with opioid tax

Donald Trump on Drugs : May 2, 2019
Opposed allowing vets access to legal cannabis

Seth Moulton on Homeland Security : Apr 28, 2019
Veterans deserve the best health care in the world, period

Amy Klobuchar on Health Care : Apr 22, 2019
Ensure vets get equal support for mental health

Mike Gravel on Health Care : Apr 9, 2019
VA4A: Veterans Administration healthcare for all

Marianne Williamson on Homeland Security : Apr 8, 2019
Make suicide prevention a top priority for veterans & VA

Andrew Yang on Homeland Security : Mar 29, 2019
Military spending on modern threats, not decades-old ones

Julian Castro on Welfare & Poverty : Mar 27, 2019
Government can help needy families get back on their feet

Howard Schultz on Corporations : Mar 13, 2019
Achieve profit with humanity & pathway to middle class

Beto O`Rourke on Government Reform : Mar 13, 2019
Supports term limits for Congress

Bill Weld on Drugs : Feb 15, 2019
Accept benefits of cannabis; allow vets and seniors to use

Howard Schultz on Health Care : Feb 12, 2019
President must take responsibility for V.A.

Pete Buttigieg on Homeland Security : Feb 12, 2019
Recognize Vietnam Veterans Day, as late honor

Steve Bullock on Education : Jan 31, 2019
Freeze college tuition; college credit for veterans

Larry Hogan on Jobs : Dec 1, 2018
Hire a Veteran program: state agency workforce assistance

John Delaney on Homeland Security : May 29, 2018
National service program, plus community & veterans' service

Bernie Sanders on Homeland Security : Apr 1, 2018
Don't privatize the Veterans Administration

Donald Trump on Health Care : Jan 30, 2018
The cruel ObamaCare individual mandate is gone

Donald Trump on Homeland Security : Jan 30, 2018
Fire 1,500 VA employees who failed to serve veterans

John Kasich on Homeland Security : Dec 27, 2017
Improve veteran healthcare with more options & fewer delays

John Kasich on Homeland Security : Dec 27, 2017
Easier licensing for veterans; and more job services

John Kasich on Principles & Values : Apr 23, 2017
Focus on common humanity and fix problems where we live

Donald Trump on Homeland Security : Feb 28, 2017
More tools so our military can fight and win

Bernie Sanders on Homeland Security : Nov 15, 2016
Care for our veterans, even if we disagree about wars

Donald Trump on Tax Reform : Oct 4, 2016
OpEd: Can't release tax returns while under audit? Nixon did

Donald Trump on Health Care : Sep 7, 2016
Let vets see private doctors or VA: that's not privatization

Donald Trump on Health Care : Sep 7, 2016
Create V.A. mental health division to reduce veteran suicide

Hillary Clinton on Homeland Security : Sep 7, 2016
Move V.A. into 21st century, but not by privatizing

Kamala Harris on Homeland Security : Aug 31, 2016
Champion a robust VA for our Veterans

Mike Pence on Homeland Security : Jul 20, 2016
We see promise after promise to our veterans forgotten

Mike Pence on Homeland Security : Mar 22, 2016
Supported expanding benefits and opportunities for veterans

Bernie Sanders on Social Security : Feb 11, 2016
Lift cap on wealthy: at $250,000 program lasts 58 years

Hillary Clinton on Homeland Security : Feb 4, 2016
Fight the idea of privatizing the V.A.

Hillary Clinton on Homeland Security : Feb 4, 2016
Promise to never privatize V.A.

Bernie Sanders on Homeland Security : Feb 4, 2016
Strengthen the V.A.; don't privatize the V.A.

Bernie Sanders on Homeland Security : Feb 4, 2016
Promise to never privatize V.A.

Hillary Clinton on Health Care : Nov 10, 2015
The VA has failed our veterans & needs to be revamped

Donald Trump on Homeland Security : Nov 3, 2015
VA is one of the most incompetently-run agencies

Bernie Sanders on Homeland Security : Oct 13, 2015
I pushed bill for $15B for veterans' healthcare services

Bernie Sanders on Social Security : Oct 13, 2015
Defend against chained CPI, and expand Social Security

Donald Trump on Tax Reform : Sep 22, 2015
OpEd: One-time wealth tax could cause stock market collapse

John Kasich on Homeland Security : Sep 20, 2015
Expand voucher program for veterans' healthcare

Donald Trump on Homeland Security : Sep 20, 2015
Fix veteran's hospitals, and pay private doctors for them

Bernie Sanders on Welfare & Poverty : Sep 5, 2015
3.5 million Americans homeless is unacceptable

Amy Klobuchar on Homeland Security : Aug 24, 2015
Offer troops care for traumatic brain injury

Donald Trump on Families & Children : Jun 16, 2015
Stress importance of a strong family, & a culture of Life

Donald Trump on Homeland Security : Jun 16, 2015
Increased Veterans Day parade audience from 100 to 1 million

Howard Schultz on Homeland Security : Nov 9, 2014
Volunteer army means 98% of us have no skin in the game

Kirsten Gillibrand on Homeland Security : Sep 9, 2014
Address backlog of veterans' claims & chronic underfunding

Seth Moulton on Homeland Security : Sep 1, 2014
Better funding and services for veterans

Bernie Sanders on Homeland Security : May 25, 2014
V.A. doesn't have resources to accommodate 2 million vets

Steve Bullock on Homeland Security : Jan 30, 2013
Wrap-around services to reintegrate heroes to civilian life

John Hickenlooper on Homeland Security : Jan 10, 2013
Make hiring veterans a priority

Eric Swalwell on Homeland Security : Nov 6, 2012
More benefits for veterans' valiant sacrifices

Barack Obama on Budget & Economy : Oct 22, 2012
After 10 years of war, it's time for nation-building at home

Barack Obama on Tax Reform : Oct 16, 2012
It's unfair for a nurse to pay a higher tax rate than Romney

Joe Biden on Corporations : Oct 11, 2012
Same rules for Wall Street as for Main Street

Joe Biden on Homeland Security : Oct 11, 2012
Caring for veterans is our only sacred obligation

Barack Obama on Free Trade : Jun 14, 2012
Skeptical on whether China feels bound by global trade rules

Barack Obama on Corporations : Sep 8, 2011
$4,000 tax credit for companies who hire unemployed workers

Barack Obama on Budget & Economy : Sep 26, 2008
Spending freeze is like a hatchet where you need a scalpel

Barack Obama on Principles & Values : Aug 27, 2008
We�re more decent & compassionate than last 8 years

Jesse Ventura on Civil Rights : Apr 1, 2008
Don't amend Constitution to outlaw flag-burning

Jesse Ventura on War & Peace : Apr 1, 2008
Bush violated Constitution by misleading US into Iraq War

Barack Obama on Homeland Security : Feb 21, 2008
Unacceptable to have veterans drive 250 miles to a hospital

Barack Obama on Homeland Security : Feb 2, 2008
Improve veterans� mental health treatment & PTSD benefits

Hillary Clinton on Homeland Security : Jan 15, 2008
Passed legislation to treat veterans� traumatic brain injury

Hillary Clinton on Health Care : Sep 13, 2007
A plan is necessary; but consensus is more necessary

Barack Obama on Homeland Security : Aug 26, 2007
Support veterans via the Dignity for Wounded Warriors Act