Daines wins vote of four veterans
Given the ongoing challenges and threats we face in the Middle East, it’s critical that we have a strong leader in the U.S. Senate. It’s also important that we have someone who is fighting for our veterans when they return home.
I and the other former officers and enlisted members of the armed forces who signed below have made our choice for U.S. Senate: Steve Daines.
More than a tenth of Montanans are veterans, and Daines’ proven track record of fighting for Montana’s veterans and service members clearly demonstrates that he stands with those who served.
While a lot of politicians talk about supporting our veterans, Steve Daines is putting words into action. He has worked on legislation to open new employment opportunities for returning veterans, improve medical care for our wounded, and expand health services at VA health clinics in Montana.
Most importantly, Steve Daines exhibits the courage to take a stand for our veterans, when most sit on the sidelines.
Daines stood with more than 5.5 million current and former service members, representing 27 military organizations — including The American Legion, AMVETS, the VFW, Vietnam Veterans of America, and Military Officers Association of America — and voted against the Ryan-Murray budget, which would have cut over $6 billion from veteran retirement payments.
Daines stood up against this failed budget proposal, and worked to fix it. It’s a stark contrast with other senators and representatives, who publicly supported this budget, despite the fact they knew it paid for Washington’s spending unfairly on the backs of our veterans.
And in the wake of the Department of Veterans Affairs scandal, which revealed secret waiting lists and abhorrent scheduling practices, Steve Daines was among the first members of Congress, and the first of the Montana delegation, to demand accountability and call for VA Secretary Eric Shinseki’s resignation.
Steve Daines knows that Shinseki’s resignation is only the beginning of solving the problems veterans face. Daines continuously goes to bat for veterans and supports common-sense reforms that bring more accountability to the VA to ensure our veterans receive better care.
We were proud to see Daines vote in support of the bipartisan legislation to ensure senior VA officials are held accountable for poor management. Daines also helped introduce a bipartisan bill that allows veterans to seek private care at the VA’s expense if they are subjected to long wait times or live a lengthy drive from the nearest VA facility — an all-too-common problem in a state like Montana.
Montana’s veterans risked their lives to defend the freedoms we all enjoy, and we deserve a strong voice in the Senate. When faced with tough decisions, Steve Daines steps up for veterans and demonstrates true leadership when it matters most. We’re proud to support Steve Daines for Senate, and urge all Montana veterans to do the same.
Chuck Lewis, of Ronan, a former Marine Corps sergeant, was joined in signing this letter by Gen. Bruce Bramlette (ret.), U.S. Air National Guard; Capt. Sandra Salisbury (ret.), U.S. Army; and George Blackard, U.S. Navy veteran.