Where Bob Dole Stands on Veterans' Issues

Bob Dole is a Decorated Veteran of World War II
Bob Dole spent 3 years and nine surgeries recovering from the massive injuries he received while leading a platoon of the 10th Mountain Division in Italy. He was awarded the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster and two Purple Hearts. He went to college because of the GI Bill of Rights. And he has been a longtime leader for veterans' rights in the Senate.

Bill Clinton Has Not Stood Up For Veterans
Bill Clinton has alienated veterans. Whether it's veteran's hiring preferences, funding for VA programs, or it's handling of foreign policy, the Clinton Administration has shown a general disrespect for the men and women who have served our nation:

• Clinton's 1995 budget called for 5,300 personnel cuts in the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Clinton's 1997 budget proposal would cut spending on veterans' medical care by 33 percent between 1997 and 2000.
  
  Even Bill Clinton's own Secretary of Veterans' Affairs had to admit that "the President's numbers [would] . . . devastate the VA." (Secretary Jesse Brown, Testimony before the U.S. House Veterans' Affairs Committee, March 29, 1996)
  
  Bob Dole Has Fought For Fair and Equitable Funding for Veterans Programs
  Bob Dole has been committed to America's veterans. While championing fiscal responsibility, Bob Dole has insisted on fair and equitable funding for veterans programs. During his career, he has:
• Insisted that veterans' compensation be increased and pensions not be shortchanged.
• Protected the veterans' health care budget from the deep cuts experienced by most other domestic programs.
• Made veterans' educational benefits, such as the GI Bill, a top priority.
• Supported prompt resolution of the questions surrounding veterans' exposure to Agent Orange and ionizing radiation.
• Pledged not to rest until there is the fullest possible accounting of the MIAs and POWs in Vietnam and Laos.
• Given high recognition to the bravery and devotion to duty of all our nation's veterans.
• Supported efforts to improve opportunities for veterans to start, own and operate businesses. He endorsed efforts to upgrade current services and programs to provide comprehensive assistance to veterans starting their own businesses.
• Developed programs to address the health care needs of our women veterans.
  
  Bob Dole Will Continue to Fight for Veterans
  As President, Bob Dole will:
• Promptly develop and implement the necessary strategic plan to ensure that veterans have access to the health care they will need well into the future.
• Bring the decisive leadership and managerial skills to the VA that are necessary to resolve the backlog of 380,000 compensation and other claims cases.
• Actively support a Constitutional Amendment protecting the American flag from desecration.
• Support timely, equitable COLAs for military retirees.
• Provide strong policy direction to increase employment of veterans in all federal departments and agencies.
• Work towards a substantial increase in G.I. Bill benefits.
• Continue his demand for the fullest possible accounting of all our POW/MIAs.
• Provide leadership and continue to support programs to assist victims suffering from the Persian Gulf War Syndrome.
• Support a demonstration program to determine the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of Medicare reimbursing the Department of Defense for treatment of military beneficiaries age 65 and older.
  
  A Better America
  With Bob Dole as President, the government will carry out its obligation to provide for those who have protected America's interests. Families of MIAs and POWs will know that the government is more committed than ever to accounting for all of our Vietnam veterans. And veterans will be assured that their pensions will be safe.

Source: Bob Dole 1996 Official Campaign Web Site