House Republicans on Sunday poked fun at the idea of an investigation into President Biden’s Department of Veterans Affairs for “shamelessly lying” about the impact their debt ceiling bill would have on Americans retiring from the military.
Tensions ran high among Republican lawmakers at a press conference held Sunday.
“We have to find a way to calmly talk to him,” said Mike Bost, chairman of the Veterans Affairs Commission, Republican, Illinois, when he spoke to McDonough that day, citing a Biden official. He said he was “disappointed” by the Republican allegations. The bill cuts veterans’ budgets by 22 percent, he says.
“Joe Biden and the Democrats, desperate to hide Joe Biden’s weaknesses and absolute failure in debt ceiling negotiations, shamelessly lie about veterans benefits and do so,” Stefanik said. We’re politicizing veterans for the sake of it.” “Unfortunately, this is nothing new for Democrats.”
Texas Army veterans marvel at town parade celebrating 95th birthday: ‘I’m not a hero, I’ve only served my country’
Republicans say Veterans Affairs Secretary Dennis McDonough is lying, saying the Republican debt ceiling bill will dramatically cut benefits for veterans.(Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc.) via Getty Images)
The bill would cut discretionary spending to 2022 levels and raise the debt limit to $1.5 trillion or March 2024. Its cost-cutting measures include ending Biden’s student loan forgiveness program, increasing labor requirements for federal benefit recipients, and capping annual growth thereafter to 1. % over 10 years.
The White House is launching a massive campaign against Republican legislation, releasing estimates that suggest various agencies would be significantly less efficient if implemented. The VA was no exception, issuing a press release earlier this month claiming the bill “threats critical services for veterans.”
A 91-year-old Arizona Army veteran was robbed of $7,000 in cash while pumping gas.now his community is on its feet
Rep. Elise Stefanik speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) March 4, 2023 in Oxon Hill, Maryland. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
“I told him how disappointed I was. The conversation was nothing more than that. He said, ‘OK.'” Your boss told you to do that.” And I said, ‘Still, I shouldn’t have done it,'” Bost said of the discussion with McDonough on Sunday.
Georgia Republican Rep. Andrew Clyde suggested Congress should take action. “You know, when I heard what the VA was putting out, I saw his 18 USC Chapter 47, Section 1001, Fraud and False statement statute, and that’s it,” he said. Told.
The House passed McCarthy’s debt ceiling bill by two votes, with four Republicans voting against it.
“This is nothing but a scare tactic. When the Democrats have no facts on their side, they use lies, sentiment, and hyperbole. President Biden is abusing veterans again. Congress should investigate this.” I think so,” Clyde said. The Republican on the call did not pursue the idea further.
President Joe Biden has refused to combine negotiating spending cuts with raising the debt ceiling. (Celal Gunes/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Bost also pointed out that House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R, California) had previously promised not to affect spending on veterans’ programs.
“We made a promise not to come from there,” he said. “I can’t answer because of the military.”
