When the Cameras Aren't Rolling, Republicans and Veterans

May 26,2011- Maria Meacham and her husband were watching a session of the House of Representatives from the Gallery.  Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-Oregon) was speaking about repealing a 2003 amendment that cut combat pay for troops by $180.  H3737 was put to a vote and Republicans issued forth a mighty "nay" and afterward engaged in a hearty round of self-congratulatory cheering and pats on the back.  Representatives Ben Quayle (R-Arizona) and Rep. David Schweikert  (R-Arizona) high-fived each other after their successful vote to refuse to increase our troop's combat pay.  Mrs. Meacham, who had just said goodbye to her son as he shipped out for his third tour of duty in Afghanistan, found the behavior of the representatives of (ironically) her home state "hurtful" and "insensitive" and she shouted from the gallery, "Pay the soldiers or bring them home." twice. She also shouted, "Why don't you take a pay cut to help the soldiers?"  The Republican self congratulations stopped and all eyes from the floor were on Maria Meacham.  A security guard tapped her on the shoulder and told her she couldn't shout from the gallery.  Mrs. Meacham complied and sat quietly.  

The acting Speaker Pro Tempore continued to stare at her and then announced  from the floor of the House, "The Sargent of Arms needs to take control of the gallery now"  long after Meacham had quieted herself.  Maria was then approached by an officer, told she had to go with him and her husband was told he had to remain seated.  Outside the gallery, Maria was then arrested by two Capitol Police officers and two Congressional security guards.  She was handcuffed and put into a freight elevator and taken a few blocks away to a detention center where she was fingerprinted, her mug shots were taken and she was questioned about alcohol and drug use.  She would be given three drug screens in the weeks to come.  Meacham was asked several times what her political party affiliation was, what group she belonged to and what group was taking responsibility for her actions.  She repeatedly told them that she was not part of a group. A couple of hours after she was removed, Meacham's husband was finally told he could leave the gallery.  When at last he found her, he was told she would be detained for a "couple more hours."  The charge of "disorderly conduct" leveled against her was eventually dropped, although she was barred from the gallery of the House for six months.  

When Maria Meacham was arrested outside the gallery in the Capitol building, she overheard officers say that she was put in the freight elevator to keep members of the media from seeing her.  It seems that having the mother of a soldier currently deployed arrested for disorderly conduct because she dared protest when Republicans celebrated denying combat troops a pay increase doesn't fit with their image as supporters of our troops.  However, if you take a look at the record of Republicans in Congress, you'll find that they're not very supportive of our troops at all.  

This past September, Senate Republicans blocked the Veterans Job Corps Act that provided one billion dollars to help employ Veterans in Federal conservation jobs at National Parks, National cemeteries as well as in police and fire departments across the country.  It fell two votes short of the needed 60 to overcome an objection by Senator Jeff Sessions (R-Alabama) that the measure would put the VA over the limit set by last year's Budget Control Act.  Sessions was quoted as saying that he was "as concerned as anyone about unemployed veterans"  but doesn't "see the need to add one billion in spending."  As a point of reference, the US spends one billion dollars in about four days in Afghanistan.  

In the same month, an anonymous Republican in the Senate placed a hold on the Cost of Living Adjustment for Disabled Veterans and the surviving spouses of veterans who gave their lives in service to their country.  The hold was eventually removed, but only after it was too late for the Senate to vote on, thereby pushing the vote until after the election this month.  This measure is usually passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, but because of the election, someone decided to play partisan politics with the lives of Veterans and their families.  The Republican responsible is still enjoying the veil of anonymity and is too much of a coward to step forward and take responsibility for his or her actions.  The party leadership has, of course, closed ranks and is protecting the identity of one of their own.  

Republicans are quick to commit our troops to war, but slow to stand beside them when they return home.  Their voting records are thick with betrayal--but when the cameras are on and the country is watching, they pin on their yellow ribbons and sing their hollow songs about standing with our vets.  Sadly, it's a pack of lies and when it becomes politically convenient, Republicans are more than happy to throw our men and women who protect our freedom under the bus of politics.  

Today is Veteran's Day and I would like to thank the men and women who are willing to put themselves in harms way whenever the country asks.  I encourage everyone who reads this to take the time to find out how their representatives in Congress vote on issues pertaining to Veterans and write, call or e-mail them and insist that they support our troops while they're deployed and when they come home.  You can also get in touch with your local VA hospital and find out about volunteer opportunities there as well.  Our veterans face many unique challenges when they come home.  One third of homeless adults in the United States are veterans.  Of their number, 70% suffer from substance abuse problems after returning home and 45% of them suffer from some form of mental illness.  The leading cause of homelessness for veterans?  Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  The unemployment rate for vets is approximately 12%--far above the national average.  These men and women served our country with honor.  They are the bravest and most courageous among us.  They deserve far better than to be made a partisan football to toss about in election years.  We must honor, respect and be thankful for their service.  Not just on holidays, but every day.  Especially by those whom we have elected to represent us all.