Opinion from Rob Humble of Iowa City:
On Thursday the Senate considered an amendment to the fiscal 2016 defense authorization bill. The amendment aimed to ensure that veterans in same-sex marriages would have access to certain spousal benefits, no matter where they live. It failed by a 53-42 vote.
It is worth noting that Senator Joni Ernst (herself a veteran) voted against the amendment. In doing so, she made her position clear- gay veterans are not equal to heterosexual veterans. It is true that yes, later this month the Supreme Court will rule whether the Constitution protects the right to marry, so this vote was largely symbolic. However, it suggests that Senator Ernst feels justified leaving soldiers behind, so to speak.
But it’s not too late. I would applaud Senator Ernst if she apologized and revised her position. Veterans are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for our safety and security. There is no justification to deny recognition of their marriages, or to deny them the benefits that marriage provides. To use Senator Ernst’s own words from her first floor speech, “We can – and must – do better for our veterans.”
I wonder where Senator Ernst is standing in the rift between the Republican National Committee and her money boys – the Koch Brothers? Sounds like some of the intelligent Repubs (is that an oxymoron?) are finally realizing the Koch boys have an agenda and it’s not in anyone’s but their own best interests.
Does anybody out there know what the word hypocrite means? The democrats demonize the koch brothers because they donate to the republican party but what they don’t tell anybody is the koch brothers also donate to the democratic party as well as hundreds of other charities. Soros ONLY donates to the democratic party and the UN or any organization that is for the one world government. Who is the bad guy here?
@maybe-you know how the liberal democratic party came to be, two communist, socialist came up with a way to brainwash the truly ignorant and that is what happened.
Interesting comment on article about veterans?
What branch of the military were you in LVS?
None of your business what I did or do. What about you. What were you in the Girl Scouts?
I just asked simple question and you go all wacko & insulting.
You could have said what branch you were in or simply replied that you were not in the military service.
What the hell is wrong with you?
By the way, I am a retired (26 years) U.S. Marine and if you were not in the service that is fine by me, I was just curious.
You’ve got serious issues.
Weak diversion of the question. Seems like the republicans don’t want to hear about division within the party.
Maybe is not a Republican and neither am I. But, we would much rather be Republicans than sheeple Democrats who have been brainwashed into voting for the worse two Presidents we have ever had. First there was Carter who was bad enough, then you back filled with Old Slick Willy who turned the White house into a Whore House, and then you voted in the Head Muslim in charge of nothing Obama. Sure looks like a lack of intelligence to me.
Have you watched the news lately? There is division in both parties.
You sound like your trying to make a mountain out of a mo-hill. Having listened to Senator Ernst position on gays, she has been supported.
Senator Ernst also is strong supporter of our military men and women at every level.
It “appears” your humble opinion is trying to borrow trouble from tomorrow for political reasons.
@Jusy Saying-Good comment.
More like trying to create level ground, not a mountain.
Not!
No, it’s pretty obvious what’s going on here. Joni Ernst voted against the rights of veterans. It’s plain and simple. Regardless of sexual orientation these Americans fought for their country. They deserve the same benefits as everyone else.
You say Joni Ernst has been “supportive of gays” and she’s “a supporter of our military men and women at every level”. Well then why is she voting against a bill like this? It certainly doesn’t seem like she’s supporting gays or veterans with a no vote.
Ever think that someone inserted something in the bill that she disagreed with that has nothing to do with veterans?
It’s possible, is that the case? Do you know this to be true or are you speculating? I know this happens all of the time, it’s a political tactic used by both sides and I think it’s deplorable.
I am just speculating. She is a vet herself and stands up for us so if she voted against it, there must be something about it that we don’t know.