Late Tuesday, the Pentagon released a 2003 memo from the Department of Justice on the treatment of detainees. The Justice Department memo, dated March 14, 2003, outlines legal justification for military interrogators to use harsh tactics against al-Qaida and Taliban...
Gen. Richard A. Cody, the Army's vice chief of staff, says that heavy deployments are inflicting "incredible stress" on soldiers and their families, and that they pose a "significant risk" to the nation's all-volunteer army. Gen. David Petreaus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, will testify next week.
Today's McCain Myth: John McCain would fight for America's service members and veterans.
"On this solemn anniversary, Americans around the country are asking themselves: how much longer will President Bush and John McCain keep our troops in Iraq? How many more brave Americans must die? And how many more trillions of dollars will we borrow and spend before our troops come home?"
"It is shameful that George Bush and John McCain lack the courage to ban torture," said Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean. "And it is reprehensible that McCain changed his position on torture just to win an election. That's not the kind of leadership Americans want, and it's exactly the reason why voters will reject John McCain in November. The last thing we need is another president who will put politics over principle."
One year ago today, the American people first learned about the dreadful conditions at military hospitals and outpatient facilities treating wounded soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Amid the national outrage sparked by those reports, John McCain saw an opportunity to bolster his presidential campaign. Days after the story broke, McCain blamed the scandal on former Secretary of Defense Don Rumsfeld, saying "the fruits of Rumsfeld's policy were on display at Walter Reed military hospital in Washington." [Atlanta Journal Constitution, 2/22/2007]
After casting himself as a "Maverick" in 2000, the new John McCain is walking in lockstep with President Bush, pandering to the right wing of the Republican Party, and embracing the ideology he once denounced. On the campaign trail McCain has callously abandoned many of his previously held positions, even contradicted himself, in a blatant attempt to remake himself into a candidate Republicans can accept in 2008. So just who is the real John McCain? The Democratic National Committee will present a daily fact aimed at exposing the man behind the myth.
This week, President Bush signed the $152 billion economic stimulus package approved by Congress. Seniors and veterans are eligible for the rebates that could arrive as early as May.
Shortly after signing the defense authorization, President Bush issued signing statements on four provisions, including measures on oversight of private contractors and permanent bases in Iraq.
Senators Jim Webb (D-Virginia) and Claire McCaskill (D-Missouri) spoke about the need for a "modern day Truman Commission," and last year introduced an amendment to that effect. The commission was signed into law by the President as part of the...
Today, the Supreme Court heard arguments on Indiana's undemocratic voter identification law. While there has never been a report of voter impersonation fraud in Indiana, real voters - seniors, students, veterans, minorities and low-income families -have been disenfranchised at the polls because of this restrictive requirement.
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean today issued the following statement honoring America's veterans and military families this Veterans Day:
Heading into the Veterans Day holiday weekend, President Bush is in Texas today to visit an Army medical center in San Antonio.
Senator Patty Murray of Washington delivers this week’s Democratic Radio Address. After years of this Administration under-funding our veterans, and as Veterans Day approaches, Murray calls on...
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement after President Bush announced his nomination of retired Lt. General James Peake to head the Department of Veterans Affairs.
This is pretty stunning. The Republican leader in the House had this to say today to Wolf Blitzer:
Top Pentagon generals are expected to tell Bush that they have deep concerns about his continued escalation in Iraq today, as yet another grim report is released about the state of Iraqi security forces.
Lt. Gen. Kevin Kiley, the man responsible for the horrific neglect of veterans at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, is still on the Pentagon payroll.
As President Bush prepares to address the 108th annual convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Kansas City tomorrow, Democrats today called on the President to offer more than the same empty rhetoric and broken promises on the issues that matter to America's veterans and military families.
Undeclared GOP Presidential candidate Fred Thompson was in Kansas City, Missouri today to address the 108th National Convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. But like his unofficial campaign Thompson's record on veterans' issues raises a lot of questions.
Washington, DC - After months of demonstrating his lack of understanding of the challenges facing America's veterans and military families and refusing to outline a plan for Iraq, smooth talking Mitt Romney has elected to skip this week's 108th annual convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Kansas City. According to a VFW spokesperson, Romney "was invited but declined" to participate in the annual conference of one of America's largest veteran's organizations. [Associated Press, 8/18/07]
Today Senate Democrats passed legislation to upgrade the military health care that our active-duty soldiers and veterans receive. The bill also includes new resources for traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder, and a 3.5% pay raise for soldiers and their families.
With President Bush receiving the report of a special commission on improving care for our wounded soldiers today, the Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean and DNC’s Veterans and Military Families Council Chairman Don Fowler demanded that President Bush...
Governor Dean responded today to Bush's false claim that the Democratic Congress doesn't want to give the troops a pay raise--despite the fact that his own administration "strongly opposed" the raise.
Last May, the Bush administration "strongly opposed" a 0.5 percent pay raise for the troops, calling the raise "unnecessary," even though many military families depend on food stamps to survive. Now Bush is falsely claiming that Congress did not want to increase soldiers' pay.
Following the resignation of Veterans Affairs Secretary Jim Nicholson, Democratic National Committee Veterans and Military Families Council Chairman Don Fowler called on President Bush to appoint a successor who can be trusted...
U.S. Representative Chet Edwards (TX-17), Chair of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee, will deliver the Democratic Radio Address Saturday June 23rd
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean today issued the following statement honoring America’s fallen war heroes this Memorial Day: "Memorial Day is always a solemn time of reflection, but never more so than when our armed forces are engaged overseas....
The Bush Administration has done everything in its power to block the distribution of emergency birth control to women. From delaying over-the-counter sales of the emergency contraception pill known as "Plan B," to overruling the decision [...]
McCain's campaign strategy may include buying endorsements, but no speeches or campaign cash can hide the fact that McCain voted six times in the last Congress to deny critical funding for our veterans.
Maura Satchell, member of the Democratic National Veterans and Military Families Council--and mother of two Iraq war veterans--publishes an op-ed about the human cost of war without an exit strategy.
Speaker Pelosi: "Rather than sending more troops into the chaos that is the Iraqi civil war, we must be focused on bringing the war to an end. We can do that by passing this bill that transforms the performance benchmarks that have already been endorsed by President Bush and the Iraqi government, into requirements…Benchmarks without deadlines are just words. Four years of this war, words are not enough."
The Walter Reed travesty is a Katrina moment for the Bush Administration because it shows how the administration has completely failed in their duty to care for the troops who have served so bravely and their families back home.
It's appalling to think that, while President Bush had a high-level team in place to sell the Iraq war and viciously smear its critics, it has not given that same attention to plan for postwar Iraq or ensuring that our troops and veterans receive the care they deserve.
After news reports exposed the deplorable conditions at the outpatient facilities at Walter Reed Army Hospital, it has been further revealed that a number of services for our veterans were privatized, leading to serious problems at the hospital. According to a letter written by Rep. Henry Waxman, Walter Reed awarded a five-year, $120-million contract to IAP Worldwide Services, a company criticized for failing to properly execute a contract to deliver ice to areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina. The company is also run by former Halliburton official Al Neffgen who defended the company's gas price gouging in Iraq in testimony before Congress.
The Democratic National Committee called on John McCain to apologize to American troops and their families who've served in Iraq for telling David Letterman on the Late Show last night that "American lives" are being "wasted" there.
The Democratic Party understands the need to honor those who have sacrificed on behalf of this nation. Fixing the disability compensation program so that those with disabilities can collect their pensions, along with their disability payments, is an important step.
Both the Oversight Committee and Appropriations Committee are holding hearings today on the conditions at Walter Reed. Our troops and Veterans who fought for us on the battlefield should not have to fight their own government for the care they earned and deserve when they come home.
Nearly 90 percent of Army National Guard units in the United States are rated "not ready" -- largely as a result of shortfalls in billions of dollars' worth of equipment -- jeopardizing their capability to respond to crises at home and abroad, according to a congressional commission that released a preliminary report yesterday on the state of U.S. military reserve forces.
Via NYT: In a small but growing sign of dissent, a group of active-duty military personnel and reservists, including many who have served in Iraq, is denouncing the war and asking Congress for the prompt withdrawal of troops. The service...
This weekend, The Washington Post blew the whistle on the "Other Walter Reed" - the one that you don't see when the President is in need of a photo op - the one where soldiers are left to fend for...
Yesterday Speaker Pelosi and Leader Reid wrote a letter to the President expressing their concern over his decision to send additional troops to Iraq when the Pentagon is not prepared to provide them with the equipment they need to safely do their jobs. Today The New York Times chimes in with an editorial entitled, "Not Supporting Our Troops".
Yesterday, during a hearing before the House Armed Services Committee, two top military officials offered up testimony that directly contradicts one of the administration's favorite talking points: that a debate over the Iraq war hurts troop morale. Joint Chiefs of...
Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry spoke out last week on the increasing reliance on National Guard troops to fight the war in Iraq. His remarks came after it was announced that Oklahoma National Guard troops were part of a four state...
A resolution was adopted by the DNC Resolutions Committee at its meeting on February 1, 2007.
The following letter to the editor was written to the Scranton Times-Tribune by Vietnam veteran Hal Donahue.
The Politico has taken notice of the Democratic Party's commitment to veterans, with an article featuring freshman member of Congress and retired command sergeant major Tim Walz.
The Democratic National Committee's Veterans and Military Families Council today warned that America's military families will pay a heavy price for President Bush's escalation of the war in Iraq.
"By choosing to escalate the crisis in Iraq, President Bush continues to ignore the lessons of history, ignore the advice of military experts, ignore the recommendations of the bipartisan Iraq Study Group and the will of the American people. The...
As President Bush prepares to address the nation and make the case for sending more troops to Iraq he does so without the support of the majority of the American people, his own advisers and military leaders. A look back at past escalations show a series of failures that continue to further burden our troops, and their families, who are being asked to sacrifice even more for the President's failed policies. Democrats in Congress will not allow the President to stay this course, and are prepared to use their constitutional authority of oversight to prevent further escalation of the war in Iraq.
In less than 12 hours the President is going to address the nation from the White House and talk about the situation in Iraq. All indications are that he is going to try and convince the American people to support...
Senator Kennedy will introduce legislation today that, if passed, will prohibit escalation in Iraq without express Congressional approval of a plan and budget.
Today, Don Fowler, co-chair of the Democratic National Committee's Veterans and Military Families Council, issued the following statement commemorating Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean today issued the following statement commemorating Veterans' Day: "Today, Americans are united in honoring the almost 27 million veterans of our country's Armed Forces. For generations, Americans of all backgrounds, from all across the...
There are a special group of Democrats who first sign up to serve their country, often in wars half way around the world, and then return home and continue to fight for the values they hold dear in the Democratic...
Formed in the spring of 2006, the Democratic National Veterans and Military Families Council aims to further strengthen outreach to our troops and families who have given so much in defense of our country.
The Democratic Party's "Get Out the Vote" drive to push voters to the polls has begun. Election Day is Tuesday, November 7. Be a part of the new direction. Volunteer with your state Democratic Party and help get Democrats out to vote.
WSJ: "If there is one House race that captures the struggle between Republican power in Congress and a grass-roots demand for change, it is here in Minnesota's First District."
This week, Democratic Senatorial candidate Jim Webb of Virginia delivered the Democratic Radio Address.
Patrick Murphy, Democratic Congressional candidate in Pennsylvania's 8th district, delivers this week's Democratic Radio Address. In his remarks, Murphy criticizes the Bush Administration's open-ended commitment to failed foreign policies.
This week, Tammy Duckworth of Illinois delivered the Democratic Radio Address.
That's what Tony Snow, the White House Press Secretary said today. I have a bit of trouble following that logic. You see, the President doesn't have such a great track record when it comes to telling truth or dealing with...
The recently declassified National Intelligence Estimate shows how the President's war of choice in Iraq, and his failed leadership, have fueled global terrorism. The overall estimate is bleak. It depicts a movement that is likely to grow more quickly than the West's ability to counter it over the next five years.
Senator Reid: “There was a time when events like today’s hearing were commonplace in the halls of Congress—especially during war. Unfortunately in this Congress—for the war in Iraq—meaningful hearings have been few and far between. The 109th Congress has sat...
Tammy Duckworth is the real thing: During an election debate at the weekend in the outskirts of Chicago, Peter Roskam, the Republican candidate for Illinois's sixth district, trotted out the familiar line that his Democratic opponent wanted America to "cut...
More news of escalating violence in Iraq: Suicide bombers killed at least 34 people in attacks in western and northern Iraq on Monday, underscoring the continuing violence throughout the country as U.S. and Iraqi forces focus on tamping down attacks...
Yesterday: The Senate Armed Services Committee defied President Bush on Thursday, with four Republicans joining Democrats in approving a plan for the trial and interrogation of terrorism suspects that the White House has rejected as unacceptable. The Republican rebellion was...
John Murtha blogs over at HuffPo: Today I introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives calling for the immediate resignation of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. The President must show the American people and the world that there is...
Today, two Democratic Congressional candidates who are veterans of our armed forces and former Democratic National Committee Chairman Don Fowler blasted the Bush Administration and the Bush Republicans in Congress for breaking their promise to America’s veterans and military families.
The DNC's Veterans Council passed a resolution seeking to protect the families who have lost loved ones on the battlefield by deploring "cruel and inappropriate protests at military funerals" and calling for laws that support those families’ right to privacy and dignity by insuring "a respectful distance" between those funerals and protesters.
This week, Vice President Cheney and Defense Secretary Rumsfeld will appear at the 107th annual convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Las Vegas, with Cheney gave the keynote address today.
After opining for the need to "stay the course" Tom Friedman admits it's time for a new strategy in an piece in The New York Times: When our top commander in Iraq, Gen. John Abizaid, tells a Senate Committee, as...
Yesterday Secretary Rumsfeld claimed that he had “never painted a rosy picture” of the sitution in Iraq. He claimed one would have a "dickens of a time trying to find instances where I have been overly optimistic.” Well we looked...
The newest target of a swift boat attack? Rep. John Murtha, who is being sued for speaking out against some of the worst atrocities in Iraq. As Glen Greenwald writes: The lawsuit filed yesterday against Murtha based on his comments...
A bloody day yesterday in Iraq, as more died: From Reuter's: A boy, about 12 years old, stood in the street sobbing and tearing his shirt after seeing his dead mother. "My mother, my mother, my mother," he screamed, as...
United States Senate candidate Jon Tester may not have served in the military, but that has not stopped veterans from throwing their support his way. Jed C. Fitch, 32, of Butte, is a Marine Corps captain who served in Iraq....
This week, Jim Webb, candidate for United States Senate in Virginia, delivered the Democratic Radio Address, where he discussed military service and the July 4th holiday.
Democratic National Committee Press Secretary Stacie Paxton issued the following release on the House Republicans' playing political games with the Iraq War.
This week, Senator Daniel Akaka of Hawaii delivered the Democratic Radio Address. To listen to the audio, click here. Good morning. This is Senator Daniel Akaka, United States Senator from Hawaii. On Monday, our nation observes a sacred holiday-Memorial Day....
Today, the New York Daily News reports that a fourth former General, this time Maj. Gen. John Batiste, who led an Army Division in Iraq until last November, has publicly called for Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's resignation.
As part of the Democratic National Committee's commitment to reaching out to and supporting America's veterans and military families, DNC Chairman Howard Dean yesterday announced the appointment of regional members of the Democratic National Veterans and Military Families Council and unveiled the Council's new website highlighting the campaigns of more than two dozen Democratic veterans running for Congress.
As part of the Democratic National Committee’s commitment to reaching out to and supporting America's veterans and military families, DNC Chairman Howard Dean today announced the appointment of regional members of the Democratic National Veterans and Military Families Council and unveiled the Council’s new website highlighting the campaigns of more than two dozen Democratic veterans running for Congress.
Democratic leaders across the country joined House and Senate Democrats in unveiling a comprehensive plan for providing the American people with real security. The agenda stands in stark contrast to the dangerous incompetence of the Republican leadership.
An op-ed by former U.S. Representative and Fox News contributor Martin Frost highlights the disastrous impact President Bush's severe cuts in key veterans' health programs will have on the economic security of the brave men and women who have served in our country's armed forces.
Three years after Vice President Cheney said that American troops would be greeted as liberators, the American military today is engaging in the largest air strikes since the war began.
Army General Wesley Clark and Lt. Colonel Andrew Horne, a Marine who served two tours in Iraq, today held a conference call with reporters to discuss the President’s speech in Louisville
Speaking on veterans' issues at the American Legion convention today, President Bush said that members of Congress have learned a powerful message over the years: "Don't mess with America's veterans."
Republicans in Washington once again rejected a Democratic effort to provide a crucial boost to veterans' health care.
For the second time in a week, the Bush Administration will deliver a major address to the nation’s largest veterans’ group the day after the Associated Press revealed drastic cuts to veterans’ benefits in the President’s budget.
Associated Press: The Bush administration wants many military retirees to pay more for health care, a proposal that could force the Republican-run Congress to choose between savvy politics and budget discipline. Only in a Republican controlled congress would funding the...
Forty Democratic candidates for U.S. Congress - all veterans - gathered between the U.S. Capitol and the Washington Monument to tell the American people that this "Band of Brothers" was coming together to take "The Hill" ... again.
This will probably make your blood boil ... absolutely shameful. The Charleston, West Virginia Gazette: The last time 1st Lt. William "Eddie" Rebrook IV saw his body armor, he was lying on a stretcher in Iraq, his arm shattered and...
Today, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, former Secretary of Defense William Perry, and Senator Jack Reed unveiled a report entitled, "The US Military: Under Strain and at Risk."
While in Denver last week, the Governor met with a group of veterans who are working closely with the Colorado state party to get out the vote and get some more democrats elected across the state. What they had to say was pretty interesting and some of the work that they are doing is quite extraordinary.
By now, most everyone has either read the transcript or seen the video of Congresswoman Jean Schmidt calling Congressman John Murtha's courage into question through a surrogate -- Colonel Danny Bubp. Schmidt's attacks on the integrity of one Marine after another for political gain is a pattern that raises serious questions about the priorities and values of Republican leaders.
"Stay the course" is not a plan, it's a slogan.
And in the absence of any plan to secure Iraq other than "stay the course," it shouldn't surprise anyone to see the public and Members of Congress begin to question that course.
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean today issued the following statement honoring America's veterans and urging Republicans in Congress to join Democrats in fighting for the brave men and women who have served our country: "Today, our nation honors the...
Associated Press: "Lawyer Patrick Murphy and five other veterans of the Iraq war are asking questions about President Bush's policies in Iraq as part of their broader Democratic campaigns to win congressional seats in next year's elections."
It is a crime -- literally -- that the Pentagon has not reimbursed the troops for their body armor and other vital equipment. It is equally reprehensible that our troops and their families are still purchasing this equipment themselves.
I met with Cindy Sheehan and three activist supporters here in my office at the DNC (two of whom were involved in the Presidential race) on Saturday after the rally. Some of you have met her, but for those who...
