This is the third installment of the specific voting records of Empowering Veterans, Inc.s "Worst 10". We need volunteers in Mississippi to join our grass roots effort to unseat Senator Cochran. Please visit EmpoweringVeterans.org and volunteer.
Senator Thad Cochran of Mississippi Another Profile in Hypocrisy
Headline - Soldiers Face Neglect, Frustration At Army's Top Medical Facility
See for yourself the results of the Administration's and this fellow traveler's "Support the Troop" Hypocrisy
http://www.washingtonpost.com/...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/...
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A FORMER NAVAL OFFICER WHO HAS FORGOTTEN THE FUNDAMENTAL NAVY PRECEPT – ALWAYS TAKE CARE OF YOUR SAILORS· Awarded a grade of D in 2006 by the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America· Awarded a rating of 0% in 2004 by the Disabled American Veterans· Awarded a rating of 33% in 2005 by the Disabled American Veterans· Awarded a rating of 40% in 2006 by the Disabled American VeteransThe Lives of Military Personnel OR Tax Cuts for the Rich Cochran voted "NO" to:
$25.41 Billion for increased military procurement of equipment.
(S Roll Call 008, 02/02/2006)
$16.9 Billion for increased Army maintenance funding.
(S Roll Call 008, 02/02/2006)
$4.5 Billion for increased Marine Corps maintenance funding.
(S Roll Call 008, 02/02/2006)
Cochran voted "YES" to $1.35 Trillion in war time tax cuts that benefit the wealthiest Americans.*
(S Roll Call 0170, 05/26/2001) * The top 1% of wage earners (Average $1,171,000) received 25% of the tax benefit according to [need source here].
Depriving the Armed Forces of equipment and resources to stay safe and alive in War Time.
Providing Tax Cuts for the wealthiest Americans in War Time.
Cochran Votes AGAINST Working Families, FOR Corporate Welfare
"NO" to allowing the government to negotiate fair prices for prescription drugs under the Social Security Drug benefit. (S Roll Call 302, 11/03/2005)
"NO" to prosecuting corporations for dealing with sponsors of TERRORISM. (S Roll Call 203, 07/26/2005)
"NO" to consumer protection from price gouging during energy emergencies. (S Roll Call 334, 11/17/2005)
"NO" to oil company excess profits tax to fund energy relief for the poor. (S Roll Call 339, 11/17/2005)
Cochran votes FOR the Wealthiest, AGAINST Working Families "YES" to the Wealthy
$1.35 Trillion in war time TAX CUTS (S Roll Call 0170, 05/26/2001)
$39.7 Billion in Reductions to MEDICARE to sustain war time TAX CUTS for the wealthy (S Roll Call 0363, 12/21/2005)
"NO" to Working Families
Increased Katrina relief for food assistance, bankruptcy relief, and tax help. Many of the Katrina families are veterans. (S Roll Call 234, 09/15/2005)
$5 Billion to increase funding for Elementary and Secondary Education (S Roll Call 269, 10/26/2005)
$4 Billion to increase funding for educational services for children with Disabilities (S Roll Call 273, 10/26/2005)
$836 Million to increase PELL Grants for poor college students (S Roll Call 268, 10/25/2005)
Thad Cochran’s Pandering to Corporate America Endangers Military Personnel Voted "NO" to creating special committee to investigate the awarding of contracts in war zone, looking at:
Bidding, methods of contracting, subcontracting, oversight procedures, allegations of wasteful practices. (S Roll Call 316, 11/10/2005)
"PROFITEERING in WAR TIME is tantamount to TREASON." Harry S. Truman
Cochran consistently votes against the interests of Veterans’ Health CareCochran voted:
"NO" to authorize $21.9 billion for the VA for compensation and pensions; medical care and hospital improvements. (S Roll Call 007, 02/02/2006)
"NO" to $500 million for the VA to increase veterans’ mental health services. (S Roll Call 347, 11/18/2005)
"NO" to increase VA funding for the increased demand for VA services due to the Iraq War. (S Roll Call 251, 10/05/2005)
Cochran’s Voting Record Hurts Veterans & their Families 30% of returning veterans diagnosed with mental health problems and/or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):
82% of New Patients need intensive PTSD treatment.
20% of VA PTSD treatment programs are full.
40% of VA PTSD treatment programs are near full capacity.
42% of VA primary care clinics have NO mental health staff.
VA Advisory Board (Feb. 2006) stated: "VA cannot meet the ongoing needs of veterans of past deployments while also reaching out to new combat veterans (Iraq / Afghanistan) ... within current resources." Increasing Demand for VA Services:
Enrollment since 2002- UP 48% due to Iraq War
VA Patient load since 2002 – UP 28% due to Iraq War
Veterans are experiencing increasing delays for earned services:
Veterans waiting for their first appointment for VA services doubled for the second year in a row.
500,000 Veterans awaiting decisions granting benefits since Jan 2006.
368,000 of these Veterans are awaiting disability determinations.
151,000 appeals are backlogged.
Our Veterans and their families ask,
Our Military and their families ask,
Our National Guard and their families ask,
"Senator Cochran, Where is the Shared Sacrifice?"
More Votes from Thad Cochran:
Here are two more votes by Thad Cochran that harm national security.
Voted against increasing funding for interoperable communications equipment for first responders by $5 billion
-Motion to Waive Budget Act Re: Stabenow Amdt. No. 1687 to H.R.2862
(Science/State/Justice/Commerce Appropriations, 2006) Vote #227 9/14/05
Voted against prohibiting federa; employees who leak classified information from holding a security clearance Reid Amdt. No. 1222 to H.R.2360 (DHS
Appropriations, 2006) Vote #188 7/14/05
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