DES MOINES – Presidential Candidate Chris Dodd tonight will preview a portion of his upcoming veterans’ policy, outlining the part of his plan which will ensure that America's veterans are honored for their service and that their health, educational, and economic needs are met. Last week, Dodd and State Representative Ray Zirkelbach spoke out against the Bush Administration’s short-changing of benefits for Iowa’s “Ironman Battalion.” Dodd signed on as a co-sponsor to legislation that would end such short-changing and vowed to ensure that such short-changing would not occur if elected President.
Having served in the National Guard and Army Reserves, Dodd has a strong record of providing results for the country's servicemen and women.
Dodd's presidential plan will:
Overhaul the Veterans’ Administration to ensure timely delivery of high-quality medical care and disability benefits
Support our military families through Extended Family and Medical Leave for Military Families
Pass a New G.I. Bill to ensure veterans get the educational benefits that they were promised while allowing them to extend these benefits to immediate family members
"We have few higher priorities than the safety and well-being of our veterans," said Dodd. "But using this Administration's record as a yardstick, you would think just the opposite. Our troops are not receiving the support they need, and are increasingly forced to rely on their loved ones for care. Red tape and bureaucracy are standing in for educational opportunities and timely access to disability benefits. Sweeping changes are necessary to provide for our veterans, and as President I will start working on these reforms immediately."
State Representative Roy Zirkelbach, who has endorsed Dodd, returned to Iowa this summer after nearly two years of deployment as a member of the Iowa National Guard's 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry. Zirkelbach has been critical of this Admistration's treatment of our veterans and has praised Dodd's plan.
"I am immensely proud of the sacrifices my brothers and sisters in the 133rd made to serve our country for nearly two years in Iraq," said Rep. Zirkelbach. "We made a commitment and we honored it. It is unconscionable that this Administration would not honor the commitment they made in return. The brave men and women with whom I served deserve better than being nickeled-and-dimed out of the benefits they were promised - especially when those benefits are supposed to help pay for education."
*At 7 p.m. this evening, Dodd will speak about his plan at a "Results Matter" Community Forum at VFW Post 9127, located at 4029 Urbandale Avenue in Des Moines. The event is open to the press. *
Dodd will unveil his comprehensive Veterans’ policy in Iowa over Veteran's Day weekend.
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