NY-26: Tom Reynolds Talks the Talk, Jon Powers Walks the Walk

by: robert.harding

Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 16:21:32 PM EST

From an e-mailed press release:

Tom Reynolds Talks the Talk, Jon Powers Walks the Walk

Reynolds makes empty promises at Veterans Affairs Western New York Healthcare System

Tom Reynolds has once again displayed his willingness to say anything to get elected, even if it means speaking out against his own voting record.  On Monday, Reynolds visited the Veterans Affairs Western New York Healthcare System and talked about his "leadership" on veterans' issues, however his voting record sets a far different example.

Apparently, supporting veterans is not all that important to him.  Last election cycle, Reynolds displayed an embarrassing voting record with regard to veterans issues.  In 2006 Reynolds received a 50% rating from the non-partisan group, Disabled American Veterans; a miserable grade of C from the non-partisan group, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America; and a disgraceful 7% rating from the non-partisan group, The Retired Enlisted Association.  But wait, it gets worse, while casualties of war increased in 2004 and 2005, Reynolds received an abysmal 0% rating from the Disabled American Veterans.

"Tom Reynolds' record on veterans' issues speaks for itself: it is a disgrace," said Powers' Campaign Manager, John Gerken.  "The fact that he is trying to re-invent himself as someone who is an advocate for veterans is disgusting.  As an Iraq War Veteran, Jon Powers knows firsthand the challenges facing veterans and has pledged to honor those who served, not just talk about it like his opponent."  This is another example of Reynolds, a career politician who has been running for office for 35 years, habitually saying one thing in the district and voting another way in Washington, DC.

The question Reynolds must now answer is whether or not he will oppose the Bush Budget.  Reynolds career is defined by his 90% voting record with George Bush.  Bush has proposed a budget with draconian cuts to veterans healthcare.  Will this be the one time Reynolds votes against Bush or one of the nine times he supports him?

For a look at President Bush's budget numbers for the VA and for Reynolds poor voting record for veterans, click for more.  

Facts from the Veterans Administration about the Bush Budget:

·         The budget proposal calls for $20 Billion in cuts to veterans' healthcare over 5 years.

·         The budget proposal increases the cost of healthcare for 1.4 million veterans.

·         Although the President is claiming to increase benefits for Veterans this year, this budget also increases co-pays and fees.  This translates to a slashing of $2 Billion for fiscal year 2009.

·         The VA is spending an average of $7,100 for each veteran in 2009, but only $3,900 for veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan.

·          There is a large discrepancy between the number of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans who will be treated in 2009 - the Department of Defense claims that only 33,000 will be treated while the VA admits the number is closer to 333,000.

Reynolds' Record on Veterans' Issues

   * 2007 - Voted against a $6.6 Billion (18.3% increase) increase in funding for veterans' healthcare and services.
   * 2007 - Voted against legislation to enhance medical services for active duty forces, mobilized personnel, and their family members.  This legislation also included $1.7 Billion for improvement of healthcare facilities and treatment at places like Walter Reed.
   * 2006 - Voted for a budget that will, over time, triple healthcare fees for retired officers, double healthcare fees for retired senior enlisted personnel, and increase healthcare fees by 40% for junior enlisted retirees.
   * 2005 - Voted in favor of cutting funding to veterans' healthcare by $13.5 Billion over 5 years.
   * 2005 - Voted against $8 million for combat-related trauma care, $6 million for poly-trauma centers to support wounded troops once they return to their homes, $9 million for VA medical and prosthetic research, and $7 million for 100 additional staff who process claims for compensation and pension benefits.
   * 2005 - Voted against a proposal to the budget to increase funding for military healthcare by $100 million and transitional job training for military personnel by $50 million.
   * 2003 - Voted for a budget that called for cutting $15 Billion from veterans' benefits, including veterans' pensions, compensation, education and other benefits over 10 years.

Reynolds has a record of voting against our men and women in uniform. While he will boast endlessly about saving the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, his record of voting against our veterans is deplorable.

We need a representative in Congress that supports our troops and supports the Veterans Administration. There is no one better qualified to do that than Jon Powers.

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Recent Firedoglake chat with Powers, Eric Massa and Dan Maffei.