Tell John Boehner: 200,000 veterans deserve a vote

Republicans talk a big game about "supporting the troops," but over 200,000 veterans have lost their unemployment benefits due to Congressional Republican inaction. The Senate has advanced an extension, with bipartisan support -- but Speaker Boehner is refusing to even hold a vote. Join with Senator Cory Booker & VoteVets (a veteran's organization fighting for progressive causes), and tell Boehner to hold an up-or-down vote!  (Already took this action? Forward this email to spread the word!) John Hlinko, Left Action When his country called, Rick Hall went to Vietnam. He served and sacrificed, but now that he finds himself out of work — for the first time in over fifty years — all he can do is wait for Congress restore the unemployment benefits he lost late last year. Last month, almost 40,000 veterans, military family members, and VoteVets supporters signed our petition calling on Congress to act on this important issue. And the good news is, the Senate is set to vote on bipartisan, compromise legislation this week that will restore unemployment benefits for over two million Americans who have lost them since December. Unfortunately, Speaker Boehner and his Tea Party Caucus refuse to hold vote on the bill in the House, despite the fact that over 200,000 veterans have lost their benefits since Congress failed to act last year. They deserve a vote. Please join VoteVets, Senator Cory Booker, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and Senator Chris Murphy and sign our joint petition calling on Speaker Boehner to bring an unemployment insurance extension up for a vote. As Rick Hall says, "I have never asked for anything that I have not worked for, but after paying into the system for 55 years and fighting for our country in Vietnam, I believe that I have more than paid my fair share in unemployment insurance … It's not a handout." We received messages and notes from hundreds of veterans like Rick who have lost their benefits since December. Their stories deserve to be heard, and their service to country acknowledged in this debate. Sign our petition and tell Speaker Boehner that Rick Hall and the 200,000 veterans who have lost unemployment insurance deserve a vote in the House. This is an issue of fairness to those who sacrificed so much to serve. They deserve a vote, and we intend to make our voices heard until they get one. All the best, Jon Soltz @JonSoltz Iraq War Veteran and Chairman VoteVets.org