Coburn lifts hold on vet benefits bill

[unhappycamper]

Coburn lifts hold on vet benefits bill
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Nov 18, 2009 9:48:11 EST

One senator’s hold delaying consideration of a veterans caregiver and health benefits bill has been lifted.

A new agreement will allow a final vote on S 1963 after senators consider an amendment that would pay for stipends, health care, counseling and other benefits for people taking care of severely disabled veterans by cutting the U.S. contribution to the United Nations.

As a result of the agreement, the Senate is now expected to take up and pass the bill this week, allowing House and Senate negotiators to begin work on a compromise measure that could become law this year The U.N. amendment will be offered by Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., the person who since Memorial Day has prevented the Senate from taking up veterans legislation because he thinks it is wrong to pass new benefits without paying for them.

Coburn’s hold on the Veterans Caregiver and Omnibus Health Benefits Act of 2009 came to a head before Veterans Day, when Senate Democratic leaders were trying to get the bill passed. Coburn wouldn’t allow the bill to proceed if he wasn’t allowed to offer an amendment, a position that drew sharp criticism from major veterans groups.

The agreement announced Tuesday by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., allots 3½ hours for Senate debate on the veterans’ bill, a half hour for general debate and the rest of the time to debate Coburn’s amendment.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/11/military_coburn_veteransbill_111809w/

[BrklynLiberal]

1. Why do these assholes always seem to get their way in Congress?

I was under the illusion that the Democrats had a majority in both houses....:wtf:

[Tansy_Gold]

2. A majority of wimps

Coburn is such a piece of shit. And that's an insult to shit.

But if the Dems won't/don't stand up to him and adopt an attitude of "You're the shit and I'm the shovel" ain't nothin' gonna change.

Change. Change. Hmmmm, where have I heard that word before?




Tansy Gold

[BrklynLiberal]

3. I share your anger and frustration...

[a la izquierda]

4. I concur

He's my senator...and I'm tired of the ways in which Dems seem to just bend over and take it from the Republican majority. If Dems didn't need support in Oklahoma, I wouldn't even bother.

[Kaleva]

7. Senate rules are archaic,

But it sometimes works for one.

[Orsino]

5. Hostages release peacefully after kidnapper's demands are met. n/t

[bigtree]

6. what a hack

I hope he gets his amendment shoved back up his ass.