A small but growing number of Republicans have a new, disturbing target for their war on welfare. The Veteran’s Benefits Administration.
For those who don’t know, the VBA is an extension of the federal VA system which handles payouts to veterans with service connected (i.e. acquired/worsened during their time in the military) disabilities. They also handle military pensions and a handful of vet programs like the special business and housing loans that vets can get.
It was, until now, something no conservative would dare touch. Even while they gutted the VA.
Now, leading voices, particularly from the Koch backed Heritage Foundation and Trump’s former VA secretary have called for the dismantling of a program that helps millions of disabled veterans across the country. Many of these vets have disabilities that prevent them from normal functioning in the private sector, and rely on their benefits as supplement to stay afloat while they work on therapy and treatment, or as a lifeline given their possible inability to work a normal job.
These are men and women who were injured during their time in the service, dropped back into civilian life with a promise that the government has their back. And now some conservatives, the “proud” Patriots(TM) that they are, want to take that away from them.
And yes I take this personally. Both of my parents are service connected Vets, and myself and several family members work for the VA system. Read whatever bias you want into that, I’m just doing a full disclosure.