I need some info on Kerry and military votes

[rockymountaindem]

I was talking with a friend of mine a few days ago. She's the daughter of two far-right Repubs, and all she knows is their side of the story (except what she hears from me and our gay mutual friend). The sad thing is, I don't think she wants to be on the right wing anymore, but she doesn't know how to find her way to our side.

So, long story short, she is a reservist who has been deployed to Afghanistan. I mentioned that Kerry and other Democrats forced the Senate to grant expanded health care benefits to Reservists like her, and a larger death benefit for families of KIA reservists. She said "that's the first time I ever heard of the Democrats doing anything for the military". I then explained how the "Kerry voted against ever piece of military hardware currently in use" line was a lie, to which she replied "that's pretty dishonest of them (Repubs) to portray his vote that way".

So anyway, if any of you dilligent researchers out there could direct me toward more info on Kerry, Democrats and pro-military or pro-soldier votes that I could send her, I'd be greatly appreciative.

[MH1]

1. Kerry sponsored and passed in 2005:

S.AMDT.333 to H.R.1268 To extend the period of temporary continuation of basic allowance for housing for dependents of members of the Armed Forces who die on active duty. Sponsor: Sen Kerry, John F. (introduced 4/11/2005) Cosponsors (5) Latest Major Action: 4/13/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 333 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.


S.AMDT.334 to H.R.1268 To increase the military death gratuity to $100,000, effective with respect to any deaths of members of the Armed Forces on active duty after October 7, 2001. Sponsor: Sen Kerry, John F. (introduced 4/11/2005) Cosponsors (9) Latest Major Action: 4/13/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 334 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.


S.AMDT.1502 to S.1042 To make permanent the extension of the period of temporary continuation of basic allowance for housing for dependents of members of the Armed Forces who die on active duty. Sponsor: Sen Kerry, John F. (introduced 7/25/2005) Cosponsors (1) Latest Major Action: 11/8/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 1502 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.


S.AMDT.2027 to H.R.2863 To provide that, of the amount made available under title IV for the Navy for research, development, test, and evaluation, up to $1,000,000 may be made available for Marine Corps assault vehicles for development of carbon fabric-based friction materials to optimize the cross-drive transmission brake system of the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle. Sponsor: Sen Kerry, John F. (introduced 10/4/2005) Cosponsors (1) Latest Major Action: 10/5/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 2027 as modified agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote

[MH1]

2. Republican-controlled Senate blocked this:

Tax relief for low income and military

S.AMDT.2616 to S.2020 To accelerate marriage penalty relief for the earned income tax credit, to extend the election to include combat pay in earned income, and to make modifications of effective dates of leasing provisions of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. Sponsor: Sen Kerry, John F. (introduced 11/17/2005) Cosponsors (1) Latest Major Action: 11/17/2005 Amendment SA 2616 ruled out of order by the chair.

(think it would've been ruled "out of order" by a Dem chair?)

[ProSense]

3. More info!

12/10/2004

John Kerry Calls on Rumsfeld to Investigate Why Troops Lack

When American Companies Insist They Can Provide It

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Continuing his long-standing commitment to ensuring American troops have the equipment they need and deserve, Senator John Kerry today sent the following letter to the Pentagon: December 10, 2004
Dear Secretary Rumsfeld:

The recent reports of inadequate armor for U.S. military vehicles in Iraq have been followed by statements from suppliers that they could be doing more to provide armor for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In the last two days, Armor Holdings, Inc. stated it is capable of immediately expanding its production by 22%. ArmorWorks has indicated they are only at 50% of capacity in their manufacturing of armor kits. AM General, the manufacturer of Humvees, also indicated it had excess production capacity.

Yesterday, my staff heard from Protective Armored Systems (PAS) of Massachusetts. PAS manufactures bullet-resistant windows and has previously provided kits for Humvees. Foster-Miller, another Massachusetts company, has already provided add-on armor for Humvees to the Marine Corps. Both firms stand ready to assist your efforts to give America’s soldiers and Marines the best gear and protection available.

I know you agree that no soldier should be put in harm's way without adequate armor. I urge you to investigate immediately why troops are going without the equipment they need when American companies say they can provide it.

We must never spare any expense when it comes to the lives and safety of our troops. I encourage you to reach out to American manufacturers, like those in Massachusetts, who are ready and able to contribute to meeting the immediate needs of our men and women in uniform. If I can be of any assistance in this regard, please let me know.

Sincerely,

John F. Kerry

###

http://kerry.senate.gov/v3/cfm/record.cfm?id=230006&


John Kerry on Marine Corps Report on Equipment Shortages

IG Report Shows Shortages in Vehicle Armor, Guns, Communications Gear

June 21, 2005
Dear Secretary Rumsfeld:

I read with great concern the article in today’s Boston Globe detailing shortages of equipment that continue to plague the United States Marine Corps. The Globe’s reporter, citing a report by the Marine Corps’ inspector general, wrote:

The Marine Corps leadership has “understated” the amount and types of ground equipment it needs, according to the investigation, concluding that all of its fighting units in Iraq “require ground equipment that exceeds their current supplies, “particularly in mobility, engineering, communications, and heavy weapons.”

The report detailed shortages of vehicle armor, a variety of weapons-including .50-caliber, M240G, and MK19 machine guns-as well as communications gear. The report also found a need for additional main battle tanks to replace those worn-out by their use in Iraq.

Over the last two years, Congress has provided more than $200 billion in supplemental appropriations for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan-that in addition to the more the $400 billion we spend each year on defense. It is unbelievable, and quite frankly unacceptable, that American personnel face shortages of anything at this point. Reports like this, if not met with urgent action by you, are sure to further complicate recruiting efforts.

The men and women of the American military have a remarkable can-do spirit. They will execute their missions to the best of their ability with whatever gear they have. But it is our responsibility in Washington to make sure they receive everything they need to succeed.

In the next two weeks, I ask you to provide Congress with information on the Department’s plans to meet the equipment and supply needs identified in this report. As you know, the Senate will soon begin debate on the defense authorization and appropriations bills. Your timely response will ensure our ability to respond to these needs with any necessary legislation.

Congress has spared no expense in providing resources to fund the war effort. When the needs of our personnel in the field are not being met, it suggests either the requirements reported to Congress are faulty, or the Department is failing to execute. In either case, I urge your immediate attention to this issue.

Sincerely,

John Kerry

# # #

http://kerry.senate.gov/v3/cfm/record.cfm?id=239244&



1/14/2005 STANDING BY OUR TROOPS AND MILITARY FAMILIES
2/2/2005 Statement by John Kerry on State of the Union Address
2/3/2005 Statement by John Kerry on the Nomination of Alberto Gonzales for Attorney General
2/11/2005 Senator John Kerry to Discuss Strengthening America's Military at Annual Worcester Telegram & Gazette Visions Ceremony
2/14/2005 John Kerry Says America Must Stand By Our Military
2/15/2005 John Kerry: Military Families Must be Part of Supplemental
2/15/2005 John Kerry: Military Families Must be Part of Supplemental
2/17/2005 John Kerry Calls for Election Reform
2/24/2005 John Kerry on U.S.-Russia Nuclear Agreement
2/28/2005 Our military needs a better ally at home
3/2/2005 Working to Strenthen the American Military
3/17/2005 Senate Passes Landrieu-Kerry Reserve Fund For Reservists and Small Businesses
4/12/2005 John Kerry Fights to Add Troop Benefits to Supplemental
4/13/2005 Kerry pushes military initiative
4/13/2005 Senate Passes Two John Kerry Amendments for Troops
4/14/2005 Channel 5
4/18/2005 Senate OKs death benefit boost for families of active-duty troops
5/13/2005 Statement by John Kerry On Pentagon’s Base Closure List
5/13/2005 Statement by John Kerry On Pentagon’s Base Closure List
5/27/2005 Senator Kerry Honors Massachusetts War Heroes on Memorial Day Weekend, 2005
6/9/2005 SENATOR KERRY CONGRATULATES OUTSTANDING NCO OF THE YEAR STAFF SERGEANT ADAM BERG
6/21/2005 John Kerry on Marine Corps Report on Equipment Shortages
6/28/2005 New York Times The Speech the President Should Give
7/6/2005 SENATOR JOHN KERRY FIGHTS FOR MASSACHUSETTS BASES AT PUBLIC BRAC HEARING
7/14/2005 Statement of Senator John Kerry: White House Claim that Too Much is Being Spent On Veterans’ Health Care is “Outrageous”
7/14/2005 Statement of Senator John Kerry: White House Claim that Too Much is Being Spent On Veterans’ Health Care is “Outrageous”
7/19/2005 STATEMENT FROM SENATOR JOHN KERRY ON BRAC COMMISSION HEARING TODAY
8/10/2005 Kerry, Kennedy, Romney and Delahunt Say New Calculations Show Defense Department Overstates Savings from Closing Otis ANGB by $500 Million Dollars
8/26/2005 Senator John Kerry on BRAC Commission’s Decision on Otis and Barnes Air National Guard Bases
8/26/2005 STATEMENT FROM SENATOR JOHN KERRY ON BRAC VOTES ON HANSCOM
9/6/2005 Senator Kerry Applauds Fight to Keep Otis Open, A-10s at Barnes
9/13/2005 OTIS REMAINS OPEN FOR NEW MISSION
9/15/2005 Senate Passes Kerry Legislation to Provide Tax Relief, Help Guard and Reserve Troops Hurt By Katrina
10/26/2005 Senator John Kerry Lays Out Path Forward in Iraq
11/5/2005 Leahy Joins Kerry’s Call for 20,000 Troops Home from Iraq by the Holidays
11/10/2005 Kerry Introduces Strategy for Success in Iraq Act in United States Senate
11/10/2005 Remarks By Senator Kerry
11/10/2005 Senate Passes Kerry Amendment Demanding Accountability on Secret Prisons
11/11/2005 Senator Kerry Honors Massachusetts War Heroes at Veterans Day Ceremony
11/14/2005 Kerry Responds to Bush Attacks: White House Misleading Public on Prewar Iraq Intelligence
11/17/2005 Kerry Amendments Pass Senate, Keep Promise To Troops, Military Families, Small Businesses
12/23/2005 Statement by John Kerry on U.S. Troop Withdrawals From Iraq


http://kerry.senate.gov/v3/cfm/specifictopic.cfm?code=TroopsAndMilitaryFamilies
http://kerry.senate.gov/v3/issue/veterans.html

[MH1]

4. Voted FOR Health Care for Veterans Amendment

http://www.vote-smart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?vote_id=3643&can_id=S0421103


Bill Number: HR 2863 (S Amdt 1937 )
Issue: Veterans Issues
Date: 10/05/2005
Sponsor:Amendment: Sen Stabenow, Debbie ; Original Bill: Rep Young, C. W. Bill


Roll Call Number: 251
Motion Failed (Senate)
How members voted

Senator John Forbes Kerry voted YES.
Read statements Senator Kerry made in this general time period.

Official Title of Legislation:

S Amdt 1937 to HR 2863: To ensure that future funding for health care for former members of the Armed Forces takes into account changes in population and inflation.

[MH1]

5. GI Educational Benefits

Kerry statement on this topic, October 07, 2005:

http://www.vote-smart.org/speech_detail.php?speech_id=129348&keyword=&phrase=&contain=

[MH1]

6. Kerry was rated 100 by NCOA in 2001 and 2002

(0 in 2003 but that is almost certainly due to missing votes.)

http://www.vote-smart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=S0421103&type=category&category=Military%2BIssues&go.x=8&go.y=14

[MH1]

7. Military Reservist Tax Credit - Stalled in Repub-controlled Senate

S.240 : A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow small business employers a credit against income tax with respect to employees who participate in the military reserve components and are called to active duty and with respect to replacement employees and to allow a comparable credit for activated military reservists who are self-employed, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Kerry, John F. (introduced 2/1/2005) Cosponsors (6)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 2/1/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.


gee I wonder why the Repubs don't want to vote on any of these military friendly bills?

Although, to be fair, there may have been competing bills that were acted on.

[MH1]

8. Here's an interesting one for equipment:

S.AMDT.2027 to H.R.2863 To provide that, of the amount made available under title IV for the Navy for research, development, test, and evaluation, up to $1,000,000 may be made available for Marine Corps assault vehicles for development of carbon fabric-based friction materials to optimize the cross-drive transmission brake system of the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle.
Sponsor: Sen Kerry, John F. (introduced 10/4/2005) Cosponsors (1)
Latest Major Action: 10/5/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 2027 as modified agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.


(anyone have any frickin' clue why there would need to be an amendment for such a specific purpose? I'd think we'd just tell the Pentagon "git 'er done" and give them some money in broadly defined buckets. Shows what I know.)

On edit - forgot this one was included in my first post. Oops.

[ProSense]

9. Itemized by Senator Reid on Senate floor

Snip…
Senator John Kerry supported more than $4.4 trillion in defense spending, including for 16 of the last 19 Defense authorization bills. In fact, he voted for the largest increase in defense spending since the early 1980s.

John Kerry is a strong supporter of the U.S. armed services and has consistently worked to ensure the military has the best equipment and training possible. In 2002, as an example, Senator Kerry voted for the largest increase in the history of the defense budget. This increase provided more than $355 billion in the Defense Department for 2003, an increase of $21 billion over the previous year. This measure includes $71.5 billion for procurement programs, such as $4 billion for Air Force's F-22 fighter jets which are now going to be stationed at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas; $3.5 billion for Joint Strike Fighter which will also be stationed in Las Vegas at Nellis Air Force Base, and $279.3 million for the E-8C Joint Stars aircraft.

Senator Kerry's vote also funded a 4.1-percent pay increase for military personnel; $160 million for the B-1 bomber defense system upgrade; $1.5 billion for a new attack submarine; more than $630 million for Army and Navy variants of the Black Hawk helicopter; $3.2 billion for additional C-17 transports; $900 million for R&D of the Comanche helicopter; and more than $800 million for the Trident submarine conversion.

For someone who has served in the Senate for 20 years--this is just one Senator's opinion--it speaks well of him that he is not a rubberstamp for requests submitted to us by the Defense Department. That is what we are. We are a separate, equal branch of Government, the U.S. Congress, and our part of it is the Senate. We have an obligation to review very closely what is given to us by the Pentagon and given here. They always ask for more than they deserve, knowing that we are going to turn down some requests. We have budgets to meet also. It speaks well of Senator Kerry if he did not rubberstamp everything they asked for.

As to the Bradley fighting vehicle, which was mentioned in the previous speech, Senator Kerry supported $8.5 billion for the Bradley program. That is not bad. Senator Kerry, for the M-1 Abrams tank, has supported at least $21.5 billion in defense authorization for that tank.

He has supported all five new aircraft carriers since he joined the Senate. Since 1985, John Kerry has voted to start work on each of the five new aircraft carriers: the USS Stennis, USS Truman in 1988, the USS Reagan in 1993, the USS Bush in 1998, and the newest yet unnamed carrier in 2001. So these aircraft carriers, the Stennis, Reagan, Bush, and formerly the CVNX, he voted for all of those.

The F-15 fighter jets, Senator Kerry supported almost $20 billion in Defense authorizations for the F-15. For the F-16, Senator Kerry supported at least $25 billion in Defense authorization.

Snip…

It is also important to note that Senator Kerry has supported at least $10.3 billion in Defense authorizations for the B-1 bomber.

The Kerry record on the B-2 bomber. He supported $17 billion in Defense authorization for the B-2. Mr. Cheney proposed cuts to the B-2 program. I am sure there were times when he supported it, as did Senator Kerry. There were times when Senator Kerry thought there was too much being spent, as did Secretary CHENEY.

I also say that for someone who opposed the MX missile system, I do not think that makes him a bad guy. We in Nevada did not like the system. It was eventually stopped. If somebody does not support the missile defense system--I think there is probably somebody sitting in the Presiding Officer's chair today, which can only be presided by those on the majority, who does not support the missile defense system. So the fact that people pick and choose what they support for the military does not make them bad.

Senator Kerry's record is very good, and I have gone over some of the things he supported. I am not going to belabor the point, other than to say that Senator Kerry supported the F-18, and he supported the $60 billion defense for that instrument of war. The Cheney F-18 record, he asked for cutbacks on that.



Snip….

Incidentally, John Kerry has supported a great amount of this country's defense: the Apache helicopter, Aegis, The Bradley, Black Hawk, B-2 bomber, C-17 cargo jets, F-16, F-18, Tomahawk missiles, C-130s, and I could go on and on and on. Billions, tens of billions, yes, trillions of dollars for defense Senator Kerry has voted for.

http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getpage.cgi?dbname=2004_record&page=S10408&position=all

[MH1]

10. Oooohh. Beautiful post!

:yourock:

And Harry Reid,

:yourock:

too!

[ProSense]

11. No!

:yourock:

[TayTay]

12. On the bankruptcy bill this year

The amendments failed due to REPUBLICAN opposition. Sen. Kerry voted FOR bot of these.

00013 01-Mar S. 256 On the Amendment S.Amdt. 16 Rejected Durbin Amdt. No. 16, As Modified.; To protect servicemembers and veterans from means testing in bankruptcy, to disallow certain claims by lenders charging usurious interest rates to servicemembers, and to allow servicemembers to exempt property based on the law of the State of their premilitary residence.

00040 10-Mar S. 256 On the Amendment S.Amdt. 112 Agreed to Durbin Amdt. No. 112; To protect disabled veterans from means testing in bankruptcy under certain circumstances.

[Dr Ron]

13. Easy to distort votes

First of all, the claims that "Kerry voted against X" are typically taken from votes on the final budget. If a candidate votes yes on the final budget, they could spin it to say the voter supports everything in the budget, or if they vote no, they can claim they voted against every weapons system mentioned in the budget. Another common way to distort reports on votes occurs when a Senator votes no on a bill for reasons unrelated to the item they are talking about. A bill might have money for a piece of military hardware, but a Senator might vote no because they object to a totally unrelated ammendment, or even because they are supporting an alternate bill which provides more money for weapons system.

I also recall during the campaign that when some of these votes were analyzed it came out that Dick Cheney opposed some of the same weapons systems which Kerry opposed. It is not necessary (or even desireable) to support every weapons system proposed in order to support a strong defense.

I had hoped to be able to link to more specific information, but it appears that the Kerry Reference Library is down. I fear that long weekends are not condusive to web sites and networks being adequately maitained. (Even my office network went down last night so I cannot connect remotely to finish up some work I planned to do today unless I give in and drive to the office to restore it).