In a time of crisis: Mitch McConnell blocked $21 billion for veterans

Veterans Group Hits McConnell in New Ad
The Hill
By Martin Matishak
09/02/14

Sep 2, 2014
Charles Erwin is a Vietnam Veteran suffering from a number of debilitating and life-threatening ailments resulting from his exposure to Agent Orange. His courage stands in sharp contrast to the cowardice Mitch McConnell demonstrated when his Republican Senate Caucus blocked improvements to veterans’ health care during the crisis earlier this year.

VoteVets Action Fund is out with a new ad attacking Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) for his role in blocking legislation earlier this year that would have expanded medical benefits and education programs for the nation’s veterans.

The 30-second spot features Vietnam veteran Charles Erwin from Mayfield, Ky., who suffers from multiple ailments due to exposure to Agent Orange, walking toward the camera.

His cane clicks with each step he takes, prompting text to pop up beside him: “He was exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam. Now … Diabetes. A stroke. Heart disease. Cancer. He depends on a veterans hospital for care. In a time of crisis: Mitch McConnell blocked $21 billion for veterans.”

“Senator McConnell ... I did my duty. But after 30 years in Washington ... you’ve failed to do yours,” Erwin says at the end of the ad. “It’s time for you to go.”

In February, Senate Republicans successfully blocked a $21 billion measure that would have, among other things, expanded veterans' healthcare programs and provided advanced appropriations for the Veterans Affairs Department.
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