Reid: Fighting to create jobs, deliver for our troops and veterans
As the right-wing continues their desperate attacks on Harry Reid’s long record of delivering for Nevada, Dick Cheney’s daughter has joined the fray with a ridiculous new ad filled with false claims about Sen. Reid's commitment to our troops and creating jobs.
The truth is that no one fights harder than Harry Reid to create jobs, and deliver for our troops and veterans.
Senator Reid has led the way in passing the GI bill of rights, providing funding for our military and ensuring we keep our promise to our country's veterans.
Senator Reid has also led the fight to diversify Nevada’s economy and bring jobs back to our state. When Republicans attacked Reid for stating the widely known fact that job losses were far less than economists had predicted, two of Nevada’s top political reporters called those who were taking Reid’s comments out of context “idiots” and “embarrassing.” [Slash Politics, 3/7/10], [Las Vegas Sun, Jon Ralston Column, 3/7/10], [Steve Sebelius via Twitter, 3/5/10]
A LONG RECORD OF DELIVERING FOR TROOPS AND VETERANS
REID HAS CONSISTENTLY STOOD WITH OUR TROOPS, FIGHTING FOR ADEQUATE FUNDING, PAY RAISES
As Majority Leader, Reid Made Sure Troops Received Pay Increases. In January 2008, Reid voted for a defense authorization bill containing a 3.5 percent pay increase for all uniformed personnel for Fiscal Year 2008. In September 2008, Reid voted for a defense authorization bill containing a 3.9 percent across-the-board pay increase for Fiscal Year 2009. In October 2009, Reid led the Senate in passing a defense authorization bill that gave our men and women in uniform a 3.4% pay increase, which is an even larger increase than President Obama originally proposed. [Vote 1, 1/22/08; Vote 201, 9/17/08; Vote 327, 10/22/09; Washington Post, 10/26/09]
Reid-Led Senate Passed Defense Authorization Bill That Also Made It Easier For Our Troops To Vote. In October 2009, the Washington Post reported, “The defense authorization bill, which funds Pentagon operations but historically includes several other unrelated provisions, passed by a vote of 68 to 29.” For members of the military, “voting will get easier for them, thanks to a provision requiring states to provide military voters with ballots no later than 45 days before an election. States must also provide ballots electronically.” [Washington Post, 10/26/09]
Reid Worked With Other Nevada Leaders To Bring A USO Lounge To McCarran Airport. In January 2010, the Review-Journal reported, “McCarran International Airport will get a USO lounge for military personnel after years of stalled attempts. USO leaders announced plans today to open a $1.5 million airport ‘hospitality center’ where members of the military can congregate, wash up and rest. They said their goal was to finish it by summer … USO chief executive Sloan Gibson and Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., trumpeted the future lounge at a news conference today in Washington D.C. … Sisolak brought together veterans’ advocates and politicians in November to make a concerted effort at developing the lounge. He agreed it didn’t hurt that Reid is in an election year. ‘It shows you how much the majority leader of the Senate can get done,’ Sisolak said.” [Review-Journal, 1/28/10]
October 2009: Reid-Led Bill To Extend The Homebuyer Tax Credit Also Made More Families Eligible For The Credit And Included Protections For Members Of The Armed Forces. According to a November 2009 press release, the bill Senator Reid led the Senate in passing that extended and expanded the homebuyer tax credit also “Increases the dollar limits for eligibility for both credits from $75,000 for singles and $150,000 for married couples to $125,000 for singles and $225,000 for married couples … Waives repayment of the credit for Members of the Armed Forces and others on sent away from home on extended duty” and “Extends the credit for an additional year for Members of the Armed Forces and others away from home on extended duty.” [Reid Press Release, 11/4/09]
May 2009: Senate Passed Spending Bill That Funded Troops, Provided For Additional Forces In Afghanistan. In May 2009, The Hill reported, “A $91.3 billion supplemental budget measure easily passed the Senate Thursday night after it was untangled from two of its most controversial elements. Senators voted 86-3 for the budget, which will provide about $85 billion to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan through Sept. 30 and including the addition of an extra 21,000 U.S. troops to Afghanistan.” [The Hill, 5/22/09; Vote 202, 5/22/09]
September 2007: Reid Fought Make Sure Troops Were Given Adequate Time Between Deployments. In a 2007 speech, Reid called on the Senate to pass Senator Webb’s dwell time amendment. Reid said, “The Webb amendment is simple: It states that if a member of the active military is deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, they are entitled to the same length of time back home before they can be redeployed. It also states that members of the Reserves may not be redeployed within three years of their original deployment – which will not only give them time to recover from deployment, but will restore our reserve forces ability and availability to respond to emergencies here at home.” [Remarks by Senator Reid, 9/19/07]
June 2004: Reid Voted To Reimburse Troops For Out-Of-Pocket Spending For Equipment. In June 2004, Reid voted for an amendment that would require the Defense Department to reimburse troops headed to Iraq and Afghanistan for certain protective, safety pr health equipment they purchase or that others purchase for them. [Vote 112, 6/14/04]
October 2003: Reid Voted For $322 Million For Protective Gear For Troops. In October 2003, Senator Reid voted for a proposal to take $322 million from Iraqi prison building and witness protection funds and use it for vests and other protective gear for troops. [Vote 376, 10/2/03; CQ Today, 10/2/03]
July 2003: Reid Voted To Limit National Guard Deployments. In July 2003, Senator Reid voted for a proposal to limit the overseas missions of National Guard and Reserve forces to six months, once a year [Vote 277, 7/15/03; Associated Press, 7/15/03]
April 2003: Reid Voted For $1 Billion In Equipment Funding For Troops. Just weeks after the Iraq war began, Senator Reid voted for a proposal to provide $1 billion for National Guard and Reserve equipment. [Vote 116, 4/2/03; Associated Press, 4/2/03]
REID HAS ALSO STOOD WITH NEVADA’S VETERANS, FIGHTING TO MAKE SURE THEY RECEIVE THE RESPECT AND THE BENEFITS THEY’VE EARNED
Reid Was Instrumental In Delivering More Than $540 Million In Funding For The New Southern Nevada Veterans Hospital. In 2005, Reid helped secure $199 million in funding for the new Southern Nevada veterans hospital. In 2007, he led the Senate in passing an appropriations bill that contained $341.4 million he secured for the hospital. [Review-Journal, 9/7/07; FY 2008 Military Construction & Veterans Affairs Bill; Review-Journal, 11/19/05; FY 2006 Military Construction & Veterans Affairs Bill]
Nevada American Legion Presented Reid With Award Recognizing Efforts For Veterans. On April 1, 2008, the Nevada American Legion presented Senator Harry Reid with the Nevada American Legion Award to recognize his leadership on veterans’ care. According to the release, “Nevada Senator Harry Reid was presented with the Nevada American Legion Award to recognize his leadership and tireless efforts to ensure that veterans receive the care they need and deserve … Over the past year, under the leadership of Reid, Senate Democrats passed the largest budget in the history of our country for the Department of Veterans Affairs, which included $341 million for a new Veterans Administration hospital in Southern Nevada.” [American Legion Press Release, 4/2/08]
Retired Army General: “[Reid] Does Everything Possible From His Leadership Position” To Make Sure Veterans Get What They Need. In an April 2007 Op/Ed, Reno Republican and Retired Army Brigadier General Frank Parlow wrote, “While Sen. Reid and I have had some serious defense policy differences, there is no daylight between us regarding veterans. We both believe that veterans should be cared for by the nation they served. He does everything possible from his leadership position to assure that care. Unlike others, Sen. Reid understands real veteran’s issues caused by the ongoing war on terror.” [Gazette-Journal 7/16/07]
American Legion Named Reid An “Unsung Hero” In Congress. In 2004, American Legion Commander John Brieden presented Senator Reid with an “Unsung Hero” award. The citation praised Reid “For commendable leadership on the issue of concurrent receipt of military retired pay and Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation for thousands of disabled military retirees.” Brieden said “I commend Senator Reid for taking a leadership role in making that happen." [States News Service, 3/10/04]
American Legion Commander Applauded Reid’s Work To Protect Veterans’ Retirement Pay. In 2003, American Legion National Commander Ronald F. Conley said: “The American Legion applauds both Senator Reid and Rep. Mike Bilirakis for introducing legislation that would allow military retirees with service-connected disabilities to collect every dime this nation owes them.” [American Legion Press Release, 3/27/03]
AMVETS Backed Reid’s Work To Restore Retiree Pay For Disabled Veterans. In an April 2001 statement, AMVETS National Commander Arthur C. Stahl said, "AMVETS fully supports the efforts of Sens. Harry Reid (D-Nev.), Tim Hutchinson (R-Ark.) and John Warner (R-Va.) to sufficiently fund the enactment of S. 170, the Retired Pay Restoration Act, which will end this penalty against retired, disabled veterans." [AMVETS Press Release, 4/6/01]
Under Reid’s Leadership, The Senate Passed An Expansion Of The GI Bill That Increased Benefits For Veterans. In June 2008, the Senate passed legislation “[doubling] GI bill college benefits for troops and veterans,” according to the Chicago Tribune. According to the report, “The new GI bill offers troops and veterans free tuition to the equivalent of the most expensive school in their state and a housing stipend. Those who have served three years in the military are eligible.” The bill also contained language allowing veterans to transfer their GI Bill benefits to their spouses or children. [Vote 162, 6/26/08; Chicago Tribune, The Swamp, 6/30/08]
2010: Reid Passed The Recovery Act, Which Included $1.4 Billion In Funding For Veterans Affairs, More Than $5 Million For Reno Veterans Hospital. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, "In putting Americans back to work through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the Department of Veterans Affairs has been allocated $1.4 billion. That money is set to target programs across the country which are of most interest to Veterans." More Than $5 million of that funding is headed to the Reno Veterans Administration Hospital to fund important improvements that increase patient safety and improve the quality of care for Northern Nevada veterans. [Department of Veterans Affairs Website; Reid Release, 2/22/10; Reid Release, 3/20/09]
2009: Reid Led The Senate In Passing A Budget That Included An 11.7% Increase In Veterans Funding. In April 2009, Reid led the Senate in passing a budget that, according to the Senate Budget Committee, “honors our veterans by providing a $5.6 billion, 11.7 percent, increase over the 2009 level in veterans’ health care and other services. It follows the President’s budget in ending the Bush administration’s ban on enrolling modest-income veterans for Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) health care. It provides more funding than 2009 for VA to research and treat mental health, post-traumatic stress disorder, and traumatic brain injury. It also assumes VA’s current policy of paying for the treatment of veterans’ service-connected conditions and billing private insurance companies only for treatment of non-service-connected conditions.” [Senate Budget Committee, Overview of Budget Conference Report; Vote 173, 4/29/09]
2009: Reid Led The Senate In Passing Defense Bill That Included His Provision To Recognize The Work Of Air America Veterans. In May 2009, Reid introduced a bill that would begin the process of granting federal retirement benefits to veterans of Air America, a secret CIA-controlled company from the 1970s whose employees have been unable to receive retirement benefits because of the secret nature of their work. In October, Reid led the Senate in passing a Defense Authorization bill that some of his language to begin that process. [Reid Press Release, 5/21/09; Reid Press Release, 10/22/09]
2008: Reid Fought To Pass A Budget That Made Up For President Bush’s Failure To Adequately Fund Veterans’ Programs. In March 2008, Senator Reid voted for the Senate’s version of the FY 2009 budget, which included $3.2 billion for discretionary veterans’ programs, including veterans’ health care, beyond what President Bush allocated in his budget. Paralyzed Veterans of America National President Randy L. Pleva Sr. urged members of Congress to close the shortfall in the Bush Budget, saying, “President Bush’s 2009 budget is short by $3 billion for our veterans and this means our seriously injured veterans will not get all the services they have earned and deserve.” [Vote 85, 3/14/08; Chairman’s Mark of FY 2009 Budget Resolution, 3/6/08; Paralyzed Veterans of America Press Release, 3/6/08]
2007: Reid Led The Senate In Passing A Budget That Included An Increase In Veterans’ Funding. In March and May 2007, Senator Reid voted for both the initial and final versions of the Fiscal Year 2008 budget resolution, which according to Congressional Quarterly “would mark the first year that appropriators met the request of the veterans’ groups.” The bill included “a $3.6 billion increase in discretionary funding for the VA over the president’s fiscal 2008 request. The budget resolution also expressed a ‘sense of Congress’ that additional benefits claims processors are needed, as is increased funding to treat post-traumatic stress disorder and brain and spinal cord injuries.” [Vote 114, 3/23/07; Vote 172, 5/17/07; Congressional Quarterly, 5/22/07]
Reid: Fighting to create jobs, deliver for our troops and veterans
As the right-wing continues their desperate attacks on Harry Reid’s long record of delivering for Nevada, Dick Cheney’s daughter has joined the fray with a ridiculous new ad filled with false claims about Sen. Reid's commitment to our troops and creating jobs.
The truth is that no one fights harder than Harry Reid to create jobs, and deliver for our troops and veterans.
Senator Reid has led the way in passing the GI bill of rights, providing funding for our military and ensuring we keep our promise to our country's veterans.
Senator Reid has also led the fight to diversify Nevada’s economy and bring jobs back to our state. When Republicans attacked Reid for stating the widely known fact that job losses were far less than economists had predicted, two of Nevada’s top political reporters called those who were taking Reid’s comments out of context “idiots” and “embarrassing.” [Slash Politics, 3/7/10], [Las Vegas Sun, Jon Ralston Column, 3/7/10], [Steve Sebelius via Twitter, 3/5/10]
A LONG RECORD OF DELIVERING FOR TROOPS AND VETERANS
REID HAS CONSISTENTLY STOOD WITH OUR TROOPS, FIGHTING FOR ADEQUATE FUNDING, PAY RAISES
As Majority Leader, Reid Made Sure Troops Received Pay Increases. In January 2008, Reid voted for a defense authorization bill containing a 3.5 percent pay increase for all uniformed personnel for Fiscal Year 2008. In September 2008, Reid voted for a defense authorization bill containing a 3.9 percent across-the-board pay increase for Fiscal Year 2009. In October 2009, Reid led the Senate in passing a defense authorization bill that gave our men and women in uniform a 3.4% pay increase, which is an even larger increase than President Obama originally proposed. [Vote 1, 1/22/08; Vote 201, 9/17/08; Vote 327, 10/22/09; Washington Post, 10/26/09]
Reid-Led Senate Passed Defense Authorization Bill That Also Made It Easier For Our Troops To Vote. In October 2009, the Washington Post reported, “The defense authorization bill, which funds Pentagon operations but historically includes several other unrelated provisions, passed by a vote of 68 to 29.” For members of the military, “voting will get easier for them, thanks to a provision requiring states to provide military voters with ballots no later than 45 days before an election. States must also provide ballots electronically.” [Washington Post, 10/26/09]
Reid Worked With Other Nevada Leaders To Bring A USO Lounge To McCarran Airport. In January 2010, the Review-Journal reported, “McCarran International Airport will get a USO lounge for military personnel after years of stalled attempts. USO leaders announced plans today to open a $1.5 million airport ‘hospitality center’ where members of the military can congregate, wash up and rest. They said their goal was to finish it by summer … USO chief executive Sloan Gibson and Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., trumpeted the future lounge at a news conference today in Washington D.C. … Sisolak brought together veterans’ advocates and politicians in November to make a concerted effort at developing the lounge. He agreed it didn’t hurt that Reid is in an election year. ‘It shows you how much the majority leader of the Senate can get done,’ Sisolak said.” [Review-Journal, 1/28/10]
October 2009: Reid-Led Bill To Extend The Homebuyer Tax Credit Also Made More Families Eligible For The Credit And Included Protections For Members Of The Armed Forces. According to a November 2009 press release, the bill Senator Reid led the Senate in passing that extended and expanded the homebuyer tax credit also “Increases the dollar limits for eligibility for both credits from $75,000 for singles and $150,000 for married couples to $125,000 for singles and $225,000 for married couples … Waives repayment of the credit for Members of the Armed Forces and others on sent away from home on extended duty” and “Extends the credit for an additional year for Members of the Armed Forces and others away from home on extended duty.” [Reid Press Release, 11/4/09]
May 2009: Senate Passed Spending Bill That Funded Troops, Provided For Additional Forces In Afghanistan. In May 2009, The Hill reported, “A $91.3 billion supplemental budget measure easily passed the Senate Thursday night after it was untangled from two of its most controversial elements. Senators voted 86-3 for the budget, which will provide about $85 billion to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan through Sept. 30 and including the addition of an extra 21,000 U.S. troops to Afghanistan.” [The Hill, 5/22/09; Vote 202, 5/22/09]
September 2007: Reid Fought Make Sure Troops Were Given Adequate Time Between Deployments. In a 2007 speech, Reid called on the Senate to pass Senator Webb’s dwell time amendment. Reid said, “The Webb amendment is simple: It states that if a member of the active military is deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, they are entitled to the same length of time back home before they can be redeployed. It also states that members of the Reserves may not be redeployed within three years of their original deployment – which will not only give them time to recover from deployment, but will restore our reserve forces ability and availability to respond to emergencies here at home.” [Remarks by Senator Reid, 9/19/07]
June 2004: Reid Voted To Reimburse Troops For Out-Of-Pocket Spending For Equipment. In June 2004, Reid voted for an amendment that would require the Defense Department to reimburse troops headed to Iraq and Afghanistan for certain protective, safety pr health equipment they purchase or that others purchase for them. [Vote 112, 6/14/04]
October 2003: Reid Voted For $322 Million For Protective Gear For Troops. In October 2003, Senator Reid voted for a proposal to take $322 million from Iraqi prison building and witness protection funds and use it for vests and other protective gear for troops. [Vote 376, 10/2/03; CQ Today, 10/2/03]
July 2003: Reid Voted To Limit National Guard Deployments. In July 2003, Senator Reid voted for a proposal to limit the overseas missions of National Guard and Reserve forces to six months, once a year [Vote 277, 7/15/03; Associated Press, 7/15/03]
April 2003: Reid Voted For $1 Billion In Equipment Funding For Troops. Just weeks after the Iraq war began, Senator Reid voted for a proposal to provide $1 billion for National Guard and Reserve equipment. [Vote 116, 4/2/03; Associated Press, 4/2/03]
REID HAS ALSO STOOD WITH NEVADA’S VETERANS, FIGHTING TO MAKE SURE THEY RECEIVE THE RESPECT AND THE BENEFITS THEY’VE EARNED
Reid Was Instrumental In Delivering More Than $540 Million In Funding For The New Southern Nevada Veterans Hospital. In 2005, Reid helped secure $199 million in funding for the new Southern Nevada veterans hospital. In 2007, he led the Senate in passing an appropriations bill that contained $341.4 million he secured for the hospital. [Review-Journal, 9/7/07; FY 2008 Military Construction & Veterans Affairs Bill; Review-Journal, 11/19/05; FY 2006 Military Construction & Veterans Affairs Bill]
Nevada American Legion Presented Reid With Award Recognizing Efforts For Veterans. On April 1, 2008, the Nevada American Legion presented Senator Harry Reid with the Nevada American Legion Award to recognize his leadership on veterans’ care. According to the release, “Nevada Senator Harry Reid was presented with the Nevada American Legion Award to recognize his leadership and tireless efforts to ensure that veterans receive the care they need and deserve … Over the past year, under the leadership of Reid, Senate Democrats passed the largest budget in the history of our country for the Department of Veterans Affairs, which included $341 million for a new Veterans Administration hospital in Southern Nevada.” [American Legion Press Release, 4/2/08]
Retired Army General: “[Reid] Does Everything Possible From His Leadership Position” To Make Sure Veterans Get What They Need. In an April 2007 Op/Ed, Reno Republican and Retired Army Brigadier General Frank Parlow wrote, “While Sen. Reid and I have had some serious defense policy differences, there is no daylight between us regarding veterans. We both believe that veterans should be cared for by the nation they served. He does everything possible from his leadership position to assure that care. Unlike others, Sen. Reid understands real veteran’s issues caused by the ongoing war on terror.” [Gazette-Journal 7/16/07]
American Legion Named Reid An “Unsung Hero” In Congress. In 2004, American Legion Commander John Brieden presented Senator Reid with an “Unsung Hero” award. The citation praised Reid “For commendable leadership on the issue of concurrent receipt of military retired pay and Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation for thousands of disabled military retirees.” Brieden said “I commend Senator Reid for taking a leadership role in making that happen." [States News Service, 3/10/04]
American Legion Commander Applauded Reid’s Work To Protect Veterans’ Retirement Pay. In 2003, American Legion National Commander Ronald F. Conley said: “The American Legion applauds both Senator Reid and Rep. Mike Bilirakis for introducing legislation that would allow military retirees with service-connected disabilities to collect every dime this nation owes them.” [American Legion Press Release, 3/27/03]
AMVETS Backed Reid’s Work To Restore Retiree Pay For Disabled Veterans. In an April 2001 statement, AMVETS National Commander Arthur C. Stahl said, "AMVETS fully supports the efforts of Sens. Harry Reid (D-Nev.), Tim Hutchinson (R-Ark.) and John Warner (R-Va.) to sufficiently fund the enactment of S. 170, the Retired Pay Restoration Act, which will end this penalty against retired, disabled veterans." [AMVETS Press Release, 4/6/01]
Under Reid’s Leadership, The Senate Passed An Expansion Of The GI Bill That Increased Benefits For Veterans. In June 2008, the Senate passed legislation “[doubling] GI bill college benefits for troops and veterans,” according to the Chicago Tribune. According to the report, “The new GI bill offers troops and veterans free tuition to the equivalent of the most expensive school in their state and a housing stipend. Those who have served three years in the military are eligible.” The bill also contained language allowing veterans to transfer their GI Bill benefits to their spouses or children. [Vote 162, 6/26/08; Chicago Tribune, The Swamp, 6/30/08]
2010: Reid Passed The Recovery Act, Which Included $1.4 Billion In Funding For Veterans Affairs, More Than $5 Million For Reno Veterans Hospital. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, "In putting Americans back to work through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the Department of Veterans Affairs has been allocated $1.4 billion. That money is set to target programs across the country which are of most interest to Veterans." More Than $5 million of that funding is headed to the Reno Veterans Administration Hospital to fund important improvements that increase patient safety and improve the quality of care for Northern Nevada veterans. [Department of Veterans Affairs Website; Reid Release, 2/22/10; Reid Release, 3/20/09]
2009: Reid Led The Senate In Passing A Budget That Included An 11.7% Increase In Veterans Funding. In April 2009, Reid led the Senate in passing a budget that, according to the Senate Budget Committee, “honors our veterans by providing a $5.6 billion, 11.7 percent, increase over the 2009 level in veterans’ health care and other services. It follows the President’s budget in ending the Bush administration’s ban on enrolling modest-income veterans for Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) health care. It provides more funding than 2009 for VA to research and treat mental health, post-traumatic stress disorder, and traumatic brain injury. It also assumes VA’s current policy of paying for the treatment of veterans’ service-connected conditions and billing private insurance companies only for treatment of non-service-connected conditions.” [Senate Budget Committee, Overview of Budget Conference Report; Vote 173, 4/29/09]
2009: Reid Led The Senate In Passing Defense Bill That Included His Provision To Recognize The Work Of Air America Veterans. In May 2009, Reid introduced a bill that would begin the process of granting federal retirement benefits to veterans of Air America, a secret CIA-controlled company from the 1970s whose employees have been unable to receive retirement benefits because of the secret nature of their work. In October, Reid led the Senate in passing a Defense Authorization bill that some of his language to begin that process. [Reid Press Release, 5/21/09; Reid Press Release, 10/22/09]
2008: Reid Fought To Pass A Budget That Made Up For President Bush’s Failure To Adequately Fund Veterans’ Programs. In March 2008, Senator Reid voted for the Senate’s version of the FY 2009 budget, which included $3.2 billion for discretionary veterans’ programs, including veterans’ health care, beyond what President Bush allocated in his budget. Paralyzed Veterans of America National President Randy L. Pleva Sr. urged members of Congress to close the shortfall in the Bush Budget, saying, “President Bush’s 2009 budget is short by $3 billion for our veterans and this means our seriously injured veterans will not get all the services they have earned and deserve.” [Vote 85, 3/14/08; Chairman’s Mark of FY 2009 Budget Resolution, 3/6/08; Paralyzed Veterans of America Press Release, 3/6/08]
2007: Reid Led The Senate In Passing A Budget That Included An Increase In Veterans’ Funding. In March and May 2007, Senator Reid voted for both the initial and final versions of the Fiscal Year 2008 budget resolution, which according to Congressional Quarterly “would mark the first year that appropriators met the request of the veterans’ groups.” The bill included “a $3.6 billion increase in discretionary funding for the VA over the president’s fiscal 2008 request. The budget resolution also expressed a ‘sense of Congress’ that additional benefits claims processors are needed, as is increased funding to treat post-traumatic stress disorder and brain and spinal cord injuries.” [Vote 114, 3/23/07; Vote 172, 5/17/07; Congressional Quarterly, 5/22/07]
