With the July 27, 2010 enactment of the FY2010 Supplemental Appropriations Act (H.R. 4899/P.L. 111-201) Congress has approved a total of $1.121 trillion for military operations, base security, reconstruction, foreign aid, embassy costs, and veterans’ health care for the three operations initiated since the 9/11 attacks: Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) Afghanistan and other counter terror operations; Operation Noble Eagle (ONE), providing enhanced security at military bases; and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF).
Of this $1.121 trillion total, CRS estimates that Iraq will receive about $751 billion (67%), OEF $336 billion (30%) and enhanced base security about $29 billion (3%), with about $5 billion that CRS cannot allocate (1/2%). About 94% of the funds are for DOD, 5% for foreign aid programs and embassy operations, and 1% for medical care for veterans.
link: http://www.fas.org/...
So, let me get this straight. Tom Coburn has decided in his infinite wisdom that it's perfectly find to spend $1.121 trillion dollars in one year funding the "war on terror" - including spending $751 billion in Iraq, which wasn't even involved in the 9/11 attacks...
...but it isn't okay to spend $6.2 billion on the health care of the emergency workers who were there on 9/11, saving bodies, locating the dead for grieving relatives, because of what now?
Oh right...
The Oklahoma Republican senator and physician — known in the Senate as "Dr. No" for his penchant for blocking bills — told POLITICO on Monday night that he wouldn't allow the bill to move quickly, saying he has problems with parts of the bill and the process Democrats are employing.
link: http://www.politico.com/...
The process.
Uh-huh.
So, when Dr. Coburn is confronted with a dying patient he doesn't lift a finger until "the process" meets with his satisfaction?
Seriously?
I'm sorry, but that's inhuman. These heros who helped us need help now. They need healthcare. They need all of us as Americans to stand up with them in their time of need, just as they stood up when we needed them.
What kind of cold-hearted imbicile looks at this human tragedy four days before Christmas and says, "Sorry, I can't help you - I have a problem with the process."
Good lord.
Congratulations, Tom Coburn: in this modern day parable of the good Samaritan you've just cast yourself in the role of the 21st century Senate Priest who walks past the man lying on the side of the road, broken and bloodied and in need of help, because you were worried about "the process".
Merry Christmas, indeed.