Coburn named as senator holding up vets bill

Coburn named as senator holding up vets bill
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Nov 3, 2009 17:23:29 EST

Thirteen major military and veterans groups have joined forces to try to force one senator — Republican Tom Coburn of Oklahoma — to release a hold that he has placed on a major veterans benefits bill.

Coburn has been identified by Senate aides as the lawmaker preventing consideration of S 1963, the Veterans’ Caregiver and Omnibus Health Benefits Act of 2009, by using an informal but legal practice of putting a hold on a bill.

Coburn’s staff did not respond to questions, but Senate aides said the first-term senator has expressed concern about creating new and unfunded benefits and wants the opportunity to amend the measure.

One of Coburn’s suggestions is to divert money from unspent economic and job stimulus programs to cover costs of new benefits for veterans and their families, according to sources who have discussed the issue with Coburn’s staff.

So far, at least, Senate leaders don’t want to let Coburn offer any amendments because of the precedent that would set to delay other legislation. Actual funding for benefits traditionally is handled separately from the bills that authorize the benefits, Senate aides said.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/11/military_veteransbill_coburnhold_110309w/



unhappycamper comment: If you're so inclined, I'm sure Mr. Coburn would love to hear from you --> http://coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactSenatorCoburn.Home

He's my Senator. I have NO REPRESENTATION from him.

I will call today and let him know, but I'm certain he won't care.

when people on here say "Call your Senators"...I wonder exactly what the point of that would be in Oklahoma.

At any rate, there's a rally at the Capitol on Friday re: that ridiculous abortion bill.

He is a blue dog. I am a yellow dog.