VA says veterans' benefits would stop in long shutdown
Washington (CNN) – The Department of Veterans Affairs clarified itself Saturday, saying that if a government shutdown occurs, and lasts at least a month, not all compensation and pension payments would continue.
“Those benefits are provided through appropriated mandatory funding, and that funding will run out by late October. At that point, VA will be unable to make any payments,” spokeswoman Victoria Dillon said in a statement to CNN.
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The agency earlier this week said all payments would be handled.
She said the agency has excepted certain workers - meaning they can work if there is a shutdown. That means claims can be processed and beneficiaries can receive payments during a shutdown that lasts less than a month.
Among the benefits in question would be disability and GI Bill payments.
The change in position came after VA officials briefed staff members of the House and Senate veterans affairs committees Friday and other congressional staff who pushed for more information about the status of benefits if a shutdown occurs, one congressional aide confirmed to CNN.
The Washington Post first reported the call.
“Our nation’s heroes, who are already waiting too long for the benefits they deserve, shouldn’t be held at the mercy of gridlock and dysfunction in Washington, D.C.,” said Sen. Patty Murray (D-Washington), chairman of the Senate Budget Committee.
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Blame the GOP Cruz , Rubio and the goofball teaparty loser lee and the teahage Bachmann!!!!!
Why does the liberally biased press blame Republicans for the shutdown of goveerment? The Republicans do not control the government. The liberal democrats are choosing this course in the belief that it will give them the 2014 elections.
So much for Republican pride in our veterans. Use 'em and forget 'em.
"Why does the liberally biased press blame Republicans for the shutdown of goveerment?"
It is not the press blaming Republicans. It is the majority of American people - including Republicans - who will rightly so blame the Republicans.
Do you think the Right cares about Veterans? No, sir. They've gone after the poor by cutting Food Stamps (so one of their own- Rep. Bachmann, can still receive her $250,000 Agricultural support checks), the are trying to deprive 40 million Americans access to health care, they want to cripple the old by killing Social Security and Medicare. Why should they care about the brave men and women who fight their wars for them?
so if the president refuses to sign the funding bill because the republicans won't raise taxes on only billionaire's who's fault would it be?
if the senate refuses to vote because the republicans added funding for a subsidy for the NFL, who's fault is that.
Republicans can spin it however they want, this shut down will hurt them in 2014, because this is law that they have already figured the savings in their budget, they have already (in some of their states) implemented the exchanges.....so those two facts, seal the deal for who is "shucking" and who is "jiving"......the GOP.
Stuffit
Why does the liberally biased press blame Republicans for the shutdown of goveerment? The Republicans do not control the government. The liberal democrats are choosing this course in the belief that it will give them the 2014 elections.
__________
Probably for the simple reason that this is what the GOP said they were going to do months ago, and it has been their course of action ever since Obama beat McCain. See how simple that was?
Look, you don't negotiate with the insane, the drunk, the mentally ill, or with terrorist- there is a reason for that. We will not negotiate with the GOP. Your move- shut down the government and take the consequences of your insane actions.
As Kipling said, "It's Tommy this and Tommy that when the guns begin to shoot, but when the battlefield falls silent it's cast 'im out the brute!"
To paraphrase Ross Perot... "It's Simple"! We need to vote the GOP TRAITORS out of office in 2014 in order to return to the business of repairing our roads and bridges, taking care of our veterans and moving the economy along.
get the vets, we are an easy sitting target that they can pull the strings on. how about ALL I mean EVERYONE, senators, congressman etc ALL get the same health care.. if it is so great let's ALL have the same thing...fair is fair.
that is going to happen now if the house Rep Do not like any law of the land they shut down the government sounds like they want to run the whole thing if it does not count what the people want, then their not doing their job don't we impeach elected official that don't do their job
Are you sure the orange man and v putin are not brothers
Ted Cruz: a fanatic or a lunatic
Why does it matters who's fault it is. Veterans deserve their benefits. Period. Quit trying to place blame like we're in 3rd grade.
The GOP only cares about creating more veteran through their imperialistic war mongering.
Once you have "served" their purpose, not so much!