Cnn To Do Expose On

[Berta]

I also saw this advertised last night and believe they said this will be a two part show this coming Saturday and Sunday night at 8 PM-on CNN-

If anyone can confirm- please do-

email from Jere Berry at ALLVETS

"CNN will be airing a blistering report on the Department of Veterans Affairs and their total failure to meet their commitment to our disabled veterans. I urge everyone to tune-in to see how CNN handles this very sensitive subject. Also, tonight at 8PM on CNN is a Special on Homeless Veterans.

Jere Beery

National Public Relations Director

Operation Firing For Effect

www.offe2008.org "

[buickx]

I have not seen this posted......

Subject: Message from Ranking Member Steve Buyer on $1 Billion Cut in Veterans Benefits

Veteran’s Committee Passes a $1 Billion Cut in Wartime Elderly, Poor, Disabled Veterans’ Benefits

From: Congressmen Steve Buyer, Ranking Member, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs

This mailing was prepared, published and mailed at taxpayer expense.

November 8, 2007

Dear AMVETS member:

The House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, on a party-line vote, passed a democratic amendment in the nature of a substitute that would effectively cut nearly a billion dollars in pension benefits for wartime, elderly, poor, severely disabled or house-bound American veterans to fund new benefits for World War II Filipino veterans.

In the House of Representatives, H.R. 760, the Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2007, as amended, would eliminate special monthly pensions for many severely disabled veterans over 65 who are also receiving pensions for wartime service. It would use nearly all of the $965 million saved by this unprecedented cut in veterans’ benefits eligibility to provide budgetary offsets to fund oversized pensions for non-citizen, non-resident World War II Filipino veterans. Similar legislation, S. 1315 as amended, is being considered in the Senate.

I am proud to report that national leaders of AMVETS have taken a forthright and principled stand for veterans in opposing H.R. 760, as amended that cuts benefits to one group of veterans to pay for another group. AMVETS clearly recognizes that this policy is wrong and is an injustice for all veterans.

Background: In 2006, the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims overturned a Department of Veterans Affairs decision that denied an 86-year-old, legally blind World War II veteran, Robert A. Hartness, a VA benefit called a “special monthly pension” (SMP). The SMP provides an additional payment of up to $2,200 per year to the most severely disabled veterans who are eligible and who apply

The Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims reversed VA’s denial of benefits to Mr. Hartness and required VA to begin paying SMP. The court held that U.S. Law requires an award of SMP to a veteran eligible for VA non-service-connected disability pension if, in addition to being at least 65 years old, he or she has a minimum disability rating of 60 percent or more, or is considered permanently housebound. VA had determined Mr. Hartness to be 70 percent disabled due to loss of vision.

H.R. 760 was introduced by House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Bob Filner in January. In July he amended the bill, adding a section which restricts SMP eligibility. The amended H.R. 760 grants pensions for Filipino WWII veterans living overseas: $8,400 per year for a married veteran, $6,000 per year for a single veteran, and $3,600 per year for surviving spouses. Budgetary offsets are necessary for such spending. In restricting SMP eligibility, Chairman Filner “found” a $965 million offset.

The median annual Filipino family income is about $2,500. Adding insult to injury for those elderly, poor, disabled U.S. Veterans whose benefits would be cut, the average married Filipino WWII veteran would thus receive the U.S. Income equivalent of over $100,000, due to the income disparity between the two countries.

In July, committee Republicans offered an amendment to preserve SMP eligibility. In a nearly party-line vote, committee Democrats refused the amendment, voting to cut these veterans’ benefits by nearly $1 billion. According to VA, more than 20,000 veterans could be affected by this unprecedented cut in benefits.

The valor and courage of the Philippine Army, which fought alongside U.S. Forces to defeat Imperial Japan in World War II, has been demonstrated beyond a shadow of a doubt. Despite claims, no U.S. Official during or immediately after the war was authorized to promise benefits to members of this army or to so obligate the U.S. Government. When the Philippines became an independent, sovereign nation after the war, the Philippine Army became the responsibility of the new government.

It is unbelievable to me that the Democratic proposal would take benefits from elderly, poor, severely disabled or house-bound American veterans – many from WWII – to finance a new entitlement program for Filipino veterans.

We could vote on these bills in late November. Please let me know what you think of this cut of nearly $ 1 billion in benefits from veterans who most need our support by calling (202) 225-3527.

[timetowinarace]

I have not read The amended H.R. 760 so I don't know what it says about SMP.

I do know that Steve Buyer has voted repeatedly against properly funding the VA and has no room to speak about denying veterans benifits. His concern is not about US Veterans losing bennifits, his record proves that. It is about spending additional funds by entitleing others to funds.

I would read the bill myself and draw conclusions before relying on that two faced peice of feces' idea of what is good for veterans or the country.

Time

[Ricky]

Buyer is a crook, liar and a disgrace to the military uniform. Him and all of his herotic acts during the Gulf War my butt...... He should be hung from the highest tree in his district for being a traitor. I only hope that his precious family is stricken as my family has been while he has been on this roller coaster power hunger ride he is on.

Oh! I forgot to mention the most important thig HE IS AN IDIOT!

Edited November 14, 2007 by Ricky

[john999]

CBS is doing an expose on the VA on the 6:30 news. It should be on tonight as well. Everyone should know by now the awful conditions facing American vets and soldiers.

[littlejuniata]

Berta: I saw that, I thought it also said it would be on two other nights, I think this weekend. You can bet Fox news won't show it.

[buickx]

Buyer was a Capt. in Desert Storm.....Why this guy hates vets is beyond me....