Veteran Report Card 2008: Who in Washington Really Support Our Troops and Vets? We'll Tell You

From their flag lapel pins to their yellow ribbon bumper stickers, every politician in America wants you to believe they "support the troops." But actions speak louder than words. When veterans' issues actually came to a vote in Washington, what did your representatives do?

Now, it's easy to find out, thanks to IAVA Action Fund's 2008 Congressional Report Card. At IAVA Action Fund, we tracked every bill and vote on veterans' issues. We've crunched the numbers, and today we're releasing letter grades for every single Senator and Representative on Capitol Hill (including McCain, Obama and Biden). In just a few clicks, you can find out how your representatives voted.

How did Congress do this year? Over all, they scored very well. From the passage of the landmark Post-9/11 GI Bill to fully funding the Department of Veterans Affairs, we have tremendous progress to celebrate this year. More than 150 legislators earned a perfect score, a grade of A+.

But some lawmakers failed to vote in support of our troops and veterans. This year, 9 politicians earned Ds or Fs. If you want to ask your Senator or Representative why they failed to show real support for our troops and vets, we've made that easy - just click here.

There are many serious issues at stake this election year. Unfortunately, Iraq and Afghanistan have gotten pushed to the back burner, even as the media have found plenty of time for Paris Hilton and other silliness. For a country at war, this kind of neglect is simply shameful.

Our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan are hard at work every day. It's time that our lawmakers put their money where their mouth is, and show the same devotion to their jobs here in Washington. As we head into tonight's presidential debate, please help keep the needs of our troops and veterans in the public eye. Visit VeteranReportCard.org, and share it with your friends.

Follow Paul Rieckhoff on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PaulRieckhoff

Comments

[jayskew]

It's time to replace C grade Jack "flag pin" Kingston with Lt. Col. Bill Gillespie (Ret.) in GA-01. Here's Bill's current TV ad:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJ_QGgYFXDE

Bill's a veteran running in a district with four major military bases, and he's a better Democrat, too, with a vision on protecting the environment by creating renewable energy jobs for south Georgia.

[sunny123]

This is wonderful. Thank you so much for getting this informationn out before the election. I have daughters, nephews, nieces currently in the Army and Air Force. My uncles and father in law were in WWII. Any representative or senator who doesn't support or troops and our veterans should not be in office and I will be sending this to everyone I know requesting they vote against them.

You rule!

[HairFarmer]

you rule Paul!!! I really appreciate the work you are doing (I'm a navy vet ) Its folks such as yourself who make this a great country Keep it up . should you ever run for office you have my support.

[RepugsOut08]

Thanks, Paul, for your service to your country and to your fellow veterans.
One would think McCain's record concerning veteran's causes would be exemplary, but he seems to prefer the company of corporate fat cats to his fellow brothers in arms.
I was glad to see my reps on the A list, and I am very proud of my Senator, Robert Byrd, for his stand against the Iraq war. I wish more people had listened to him in 02 and 03. To me, keeping our heros out of harms way unless absolutely necessary, is the most important way of supporting the troops. Providing them with nothing but the best strategies and equipment when conflict cannot be avoided, is the next step in supporting them, and taking good care of them when they return to society is an absolute must!
It's pretty evident that the Bush administration, and it's supporters like McCain, have dropped the ball on those three points repeatedly.
Hopefully, a new day is dawning.

[judesedit]

McCain voted against the troops and veterans 8 of 11 times. He's on the D list, while collecting $50,000.00 monthly from the VA. In my view, from all I've learned about him, his service AND interment, he's not the man he'd like you to believe. He's consistently blocked the release of the records of 600 POW's, who served with him, and were as much or more admirable, Their families have been fighting for records since the war ended. There are things he doesn't want known. For verification, check with the POW's themselves and Congressional records. After learning more about him, hearing the lies, such as "country first", his constructive (NOT) plans for the future of this country, including vp pick, knowing his health, watching his narcissistic bragging about himself, while falsifying the background and policies of Barack, I can honestly say I have ZERO respect for the man. My family members served honorably; father and mother in US ARMY WW II, brother US Marines Vietnam, brother US Air Force E Germany, ex-husband US ARMY retired Vietnam 101st Airborne LRPS 2 tours. I was an army wife for some years and feel I served, too. I support IAVA monthly and am extremely proud of our military and each of its members. I am not proud of John McCain. He is demeaning the status of all those who truly gave for their country. McCain is a dishonorable man running a dishonorable campaign, and he does NOT support our troops!

[Berettasskeeter]

Can you cite your source for McCain's $50,000 per month? As a retired Marine, I am unaware of any disability payments that could possibly go that high!
Semper fi

[bdl0715]

I think your $50,000 per month is an error. Maybe $5,000 per month?

[ndolomar]

Thank you, Paul. I champed at the bit for this report card ever since I heard you on "Maddow" last week. As a military "brat," I thank you for your service and your true patriotism -- absolutely.

[ihatefoxnews08]

"I love the troops they know I love them", john McCain NOT!

[RJKruger]

McCain earned a "D" Well, that just about matches his intellectual prowess, too.

[Americatortures]

McCain refused to vote for the new GI Bill,voted to cut billeting allowances for families here at home, voted to cut VA allowances for Veterans,and sent our troops undremanned and without the proper equipment to IRAQ! Yet he insists he supports the troops. HOW???

[Berettasskeeter]

You might remember that the Senate has no authority for the raising of money. That is the House's responsibility. Therefore, McCain could not possibly have sent the troops into Iraq without proper equipment. Further, it is simply not true. The troops went in with the equipment currently authorized and issued. That some of it turned out to be behind the times is important, but immaterial, as that happens in every war!
Semper fi

[chitown8]

Huff this needs to be front page news. I really hope Obama mentions this tonight.

[chitown8]

SENATE “D LIST”
Below you will find a complete list of Senators who earned a D or lower from IAVA Action this year. These legislators must improve their voting records if they are to legitimately claim that they support our troops and veterans.
Tom Coburn OK
Michael Enzi WY
John McCain AZ
Jim DeMint SC

Where is the media?

[debrouillard]

At least now John McCain might actually feel some shame to say "Sen obama can not question his committment to the troops"

The troops themselves are questioning McCains committment

[Cambridge9]

Paul, I applaud you for all the work you do and for the caring way in which you approach the problem. You are a true hero and a credit to the USA and it's military.

THANK YOU!

[circles]

Ron Paul, D list.

[greatbear451]

Nice to see both my senators and my rep got A+'s.

I've never been a single-issue voter, but it's always good when you can find out who puts their votes where their mouths are and who doesn't (coughmccaincough).

[Americatortures]

Where are you from...NOT ARIZONA!!!

[greatbear451]

Pennsylvania

[IzzyCA]

Both my Senators got an A+

Senator Dianne Feinstein: A+
Senator Barbara Boxer: A+