Politics

GOP Veterans Bill Pulled Again After Vote Fails

Was this a victory of disabled veterans or a delay of much-needed reforms?

Published 2 hours ago

GOP Veterans Bill Pulled Again After Vote Fails

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Above: Mike Johnson at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on July 15. Image credit: Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg/Getty Images

The Spin

Republican narrative

Opposing groups have put their own institutional interests ahead of combat-wounded veterans and surviving spouses by killing a bill that would have expanded future benefits. Keeping inflated disability ratings for conditions like sleep apnea is indefensible. Blocking reform protects a broken system that wastes taxpayer money and dilutes benefits for those who truly sacrificed.

Dan Crenshaw on X U.S. House Committee on Veterans' Affairs

Democratic narrative

H.R. 9237 would have been the largest cut to veterans' benefits in American history, slashing compensation for conditions like tinnitus and sleep apnea while raising fees on VA home loans. Republicans pushed this bill right after blowing up the debt with tax giveaways to corporations and the wealthy. Pulling it from the floor twice proves the opposition was too broad and too justified to ignore.

Mike Johnson on Chris Deluzio The American Prospect