SUNUNU VOTED AGAINST PROVIDING MANDATORY VETERANS HEALTH BENEFITS AND TO PROTECT TAX BREAKS FOR THE WEALTHY INSTEAD; ONE HOUR

For Immediate Release
May 6, 2008

(Manchester, NH) - John E. Sununu has failed to stand up for America's veterans, on one day voting against guaranteeing health care benefits for vets by rolling back Bush's tax breaks for millionaires and corporations and just one hour later voting to triple health care costs for veterans.

"It is an American and a New Hampshire value to support our brave soldiers and honor their service, but John E. Sununu just doesn't get it," said Alex Reese, press secretary for the NHDP's Coordinated Campaign. "He voted to prolong the war in Iraq twelve times in 2007 alone, while at the same time voting against health care benefits for veterans. Sununu is out of touch, and our veterans are paying the price."

At 3:28pm on March 16, 2006, Senator Debbie Stabenow proposed an amendment to make veterans health care funding mandatory to ensure that the growing health care needs of America's veterans were met. The cost of the proposal was fully offset by rolling back tax breaks for those who make more than $1 million per year and by closing certain corporate tax loopholes. Instead of voting to support health care for veterans, Sununu voted to protect tax breaks for corporations and the wealthy. [Senate Vote # 63, 3/16/06]

Just one hour and eight minutes after that vote, at 4:36pm, Sununu had an opportunity to prevent health care for veterans from tripling in cost. Instead, Sununu again stood up for the Bush position and voted to double or triple health care costs for veterans. [Senate Vote # 67, 3/16/06]

• 3:28 PM on March 16, 2006: Sununu Voted Against Mandatory Veterans Health Benefits Paid for By Rolling Back the Bush Tax Cuts for Millionaires and Closing Corporate Tax Loopholes. [Senate Vote # 63, 3/16/06]