As the federal government shutdown continues, Republicans are turning to a congressman from the Panhandle to push back against President Barack Obamas claims on veterans issues.
With the shutdown continuing, the nations eyes are increasingly turned to veterans issues. In Washington, D.C., veterans from across the country have occupied national monuments on the Mall which have been closed due to the federal shutdown.
Obama has been focusing on veterans issues as he recites the negative impact of the federal shutdown.
Of all the responsibilities the Constitution endows to Congress, two should be fairly simple: pass a budget, and pay America's bills, Obama said on Monday. But if the United States Congress does not fulfill its responsibility to pass a budget today, much of the United States government will be forced to shut down tomorrow. And I want to be very clear about what that shutdown would mean. ... Veterans, who've sacrificed for their country, will find their support centers unstaffed.
In his remarks on Monday and on Tuesday, after the shutdown took effect, Obama blamed Republicans for the impasse.
With veterans issues in the spotlight, Republicans in control of the U.S. House have turned to U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla., the chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee to push back against Obama on the matter.
The potential effects of a government shutdown are grave enough without President Obama adding fuel to the fire with misleading statements about how a shutdown might impact VA, Miller said on Tuesday. The presidents statements this afternoon are in direct contradiction with the information his own administration is providing to Congress and the public, and its disappointing he is now resorting to scare tactics and using veterans in a cynical attempt to score political points.
Miller returned fire at Obama. Americas veterans and American taxpayers deserve to hear the truth about whats at stake in the debate over the continuing resolution, Miller said. Theyre not getting it from President Obama.
As the shutdown continues, veterans have won national attention for their protests against the shutdown. Earlier this week, veterans crossed barricades to occupy the World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington. The World War II Memorial was closed due to the federal shutdown.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com.
