Standard News

Hide Advertisement
  • Business
  • Culture
  • News
  • Technology
  • Trending
Site logo
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

The American Legion Slams White House VA Budget

By Jason Owen 2 min read
Advertisement - Continue reading below
Source: Pixabay

WASHINGTON, May 26, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — National Commander Charles E. Schmidt of The American Legion expressed extreme disappointment in the Trump administration’s fiscal year 2018 budget for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

“The administration’s budget for the VA would effectively lower the earnings of our most vulnerable veterans by reducing or eliminating disability payments from veterans who are the most in need,” Schmidt said. “This is absolutely unacceptable to us.”

Advertisement

If approved by Congress, the President’s budget would stop higher disability payments to veterans once they become minimally eligible for Social Security. Veterans currently enrolled in the Individual Unemployability program, which is available to those who cannot work and receive the maximum disability compensation from VA, would see their benefits slashed by nearly two-thirds in some instances.

Another disturbing provision caps working age unemployability at age 62. Schmidt pointed out that many members of Congress continue to work past 70.

“This plan breaks faith with veterans,” Schmidt added. “Moreover, it’s an assault on TRICARE benefits, which were earned by veterans who spent decades of their lives serving and defending the Constitution of the United States. We are also alarmed by the cannibalization of services needed for the Choice program. It is a ‘stealth’ privatization attempt which The American Legion fully opposes. Choice should not be advanced to the detriment of cost of living increases for veterans. We hope all veterans, families and supporters of veterans call their elected officials and demand a well-functioning, properly-funded, transparent, and accountable Department of Veterans Affairs, and a Presidential budget that fully supports veterans’ needs.”

With a current membership of 2.2 million wartime veterans, The American Legion, www.legion.org, was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and youth programs. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through more than 13,000 posts across the nation.

 

SOURCE The American Legion

Advertisement - Continue reading below

Twelve Days of Slayings: Murders Committed During Christmas and New Year’s
Crime
loren 13 min read

Twelve Days of Slayings: Murders Committed During Christmas and New Year’s

‘Game of Thrones’, ‘Veep’ win Emmys again, newcomers also feted
Entertainment
Reuters 3 min read

‘Game of Thrones’, ‘Veep’ win Emmys again, newcomers also feted

FBI detects breaches against two state voter systems
News
Reuters 3 min read

FBI detects breaches against two state voter systems

Fiat Chrysler recalling 1.9 million cars for new air bag defect
News
Reuters 2 min read

Fiat Chrysler recalling 1.9 million cars for new air bag defect

Ralph Stanley, U.S. bluegrass music pioneer, dies at 89
Entertainment
Reuters 2 min read

Ralph Stanley, U.S. bluegrass music pioneer, dies at 89

These 10 Places In New York Are Very Dangerous
Trending
David Clarke 2 min read

These 10 Places In New York Are Very Dangerous

Exclusive: LVMH considers creative director change at Louis Vuitton – sources
Entertainment
Reuters 3 min read

Exclusive: LVMH considers creative director change at Louis Vuitton – sources

Smart and casual on offer as London wraps men’s catwalk shows
Entertainment
Reuters 1 min read

Smart and casual on offer as London wraps men’s catwalk shows

GM not protected from ignition switch claims: U.S. appeals court
News
Reuters 4 min read

GM not protected from ignition switch claims: U.S. appeals court

Hollywood stars pose for 2017 Pirelli Calendar
Entertainment
Reuters 1 min read

Hollywood stars pose for 2017 Pirelli Calendar

load more Loading posts...

sidebar

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

sidebar-alt

  • About Us
  • Imprint
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • For Advertisers