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AZProgressive

(29,322 posts)
Fri Mar 19, 2021, 11:07 PM Mar 2021

Congressman calls for service members, veterans who stormed the Capitol to be stripped of benefits [View all]

WASHINGTON — Rep. Ruben Gallego, a Marine Corps combat veteran, is calling on Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough and other top officials to strip benefits from active-duty service members, veterans and military retirees who took part in the deadly siege of the Capitol.

“Many of the veterans and service members who attacked their own government actively and enthusiastically enjoy special benefits given to them by their fellow citizens,” Gallego, D-Ariz., wrote to McDonough in a letter dated March 18.

“This situation is unjust. Any veteran or service member who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6 forfeited their moral entitlement to privileged benefits at the expense of the people of the United States,” wrote Gallego, a member of the House Armed Services Committee.

Benefits afforded by the VA include disability compensation, educational benefits, access to health care, employment opportunities and access to veteran-affiliated state programs.

https://www.stripes.com/news/us/congressman-calls-for-service-members-veterans-who-stormed-the-capitol-to-be-stripped-of-benefits-1.666505

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Absofuckingloutely! SheltieLover Mar 2021 #1
+111111111111111111111111111 sheshe2 Mar 2021 #6
Hi She! SheltieLover Mar 2021 #8
Hey Sheltie. sheshe2 Mar 2021 #13
Yup, with full prosecutions to the max! SheltieLover Mar 2021 #16
Yes. sheshe2 Mar 2021 #20
Indeed! SheltieLover Mar 2021 #28
They already will if they get a felony. jimfields33 Mar 2021 #27
Not necessarily true. Tommymac Mar 2021 #82
Interesting. I guess it's not cut and dry. jimfields33 Mar 2021 #85
He's absolutely right FoxNewsSucks Mar 2021 #2
addition to that : recalled and put on trial , stripped of rank and bennies . AllaN01Bear Mar 2021 #3
This!👆 SheltieLover Mar 2021 #9
If I may add. sheshe2 Mar 2021 #26
Yes! SheltieLover Mar 2021 #29
Yes! Any poor soul who gets caught smoking pot in the army gets tossed out and loses everything Walleye Mar 2021 #4
That is exactly what should happen. madaboutharry Mar 2021 #5
Sounds reasonable to me. lpbk2713 Mar 2021 #7
Kickin' with gusto! Faux pas Mar 2021 #10
Yes. sheshe2 Mar 2021 #11
Yes! Ananda62 Mar 2021 #12
Thank you for your -- continuing -- service, Rep. Gallego Hekate Mar 2021 #14
At the very least. 2naSalit Mar 2021 #15
I said this two months ago kimbutgar Mar 2021 #17
This!👆 SheltieLover Mar 2021 #30
Any "lifers" should lose their pensions ...they are traitors ashredux Mar 2021 #18
Pensions to,... yes.... magicarpet Mar 2021 #86
Sir, yes, SIR Leghorn21 Mar 2021 #19
I prefer they be recalled and handled in the military court system. But stripping them of PrinceHakeem Mar 2021 #21
If you commit a felony your benefits can be reduced AZProgressive Mar 2021 #22
Reduced, but completely taken away? Especially if you saw battle... I just don't PrinceHakeem Mar 2021 #23
I don't think it is. nt Phoenix61 Mar 2021 #25
If they were wounded in combat... Enter stage left Mar 2021 #33
Those people are TRAITORS to the oaths they swore. What do you think should happen to niyad Mar 2021 #64
They should enlist in the Russian army. AZ8theist Mar 2021 #88
Welcome to our DU family. niyad Mar 2021 #62
I get why this feels like the right thing to do but Phoenix61 Mar 2021 #24
Yes but this is different. We are talking about sedition and treason. Irish_Dem Mar 2021 #47
The law doesn't change based on our feelings. Phoenix61 Mar 2021 #51
I beg to differ, laws are changed based upon popular sentiment all the time. Irish_Dem Mar 2021 #63
Exactly, they are changed through legislation. Phoenix61 Mar 2021 #68
I entered into service with the understanding I'd have schooling paid for, i.e., the G.I. Bill. Ligyron Mar 2021 #75
Yes, why do people want more than just the usual criminal penalties? treestar Mar 2021 #72
Charges alone wont do it, if you spend more than 60 days in jail or prison it could affect benefits Shanti Shanti Shanti Mar 2021 #31
I hope we hear more about this effort msfiddlestix Mar 2021 #32
The veteran household couldn't agree more. KewlKat Mar 2021 #34
Standing ovation from this veteran. soldierant Mar 2021 #36
K&R for the sentiment, but veterans are civilians, not active duty military. Civilians possess UTUSN Mar 2021 #35
Absolutely.... but any congress member proven to have been involved should get no less..... usaf-vet Mar 2021 #37
... Lucinda Mar 2021 #38
Start with T***p. Baked Potato Mar 2021 #39
But this could hurt innocent family members, such as long-term-care benefits for widows, Liberty Belle Mar 2021 #40
+1 North Shore Chicago Mar 2021 #45
+100 nitpicker Mar 2021 #84
If active duty, they should be court martialed. nt SunSeeker Mar 2021 #41
They should be. Solly Mack Mar 2021 #42
Can that actually be done? druidity33 Mar 2021 #43
I don't think it can be done. Solly Mack Mar 2021 #56
VA follows the law as to who gets and loses benefits. Congress would have to change the laws. Kaleva Mar 2021 #44
Absolutely right. Owl Mar 2021 #46
Yes beemerphill Mar 2021 #48
NOT ENOUGH!!!!!!!! Grins Mar 2021 #49
I get it. But as a liberal, borderline anarchist Vet, it's a bad idea. marble falls Mar 2021 #50
Why? sarge43 Mar 2021 #55
Active duty personel is a whole different thing. When you and I enlisted we signed away ... marble falls Mar 2021 #61
Hell yes. nt Hotler Mar 2021 #52
This retired Zoomer stands with you, sir. sarge43 Mar 2021 #53
This old AF K9 handler agrees wholeheartedly Handler Mar 2021 #54
Welcome to our DU family. niyad Mar 2021 #67
My two cents for what it is worth..... NHvet Mar 2021 #57
Needs to apply to police as well. we can do it Mar 2021 #58
Absolutely! Rebl2 Mar 2021 #59
The same should be done to every Congress person who supported the insurrection in any way, Martin68 Mar 2021 #60
THIS malaise Mar 2021 #65
I love this suggestion! I especially love how it will really hurt these people and be a huge liberalla Mar 2021 #66
Now that is a good plan. Swede Mar 2021 #69
this llashram Mar 2021 #70
Forward this idea to our Reps. Handler Mar 2021 #71
Active duty and reserve insurrectionists should already be in Leavenworth. pecosbob Mar 2021 #73
actions have consequences demtenjeep Mar 2021 #74
Until actions have consequences this shit will continue. This is a good idea. Evolve Dammit Mar 2021 #76
The Constitution does not allow that. former9thward Mar 2021 #77
I do not think that the details of a veteran's retirement benefits should be changed ex post facto. mahatmakanejeeves Mar 2021 #78
Not only because they absolutely deserve this ToxMarz Mar 2021 #79
They should be they're Cha Mar 2021 #80
Sure hope this includes Michael Flynn CanonRay Mar 2021 #81
I disagree with this. If you want to charge them with a crime, then charge and convict them. Calista241 Mar 2021 #83
Any government employee should be, in my opinion. BobTheSubgenius Mar 2021 #87
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