Retired Vice Admiral and U.S. Senate Candidate Michael Franken, who served thirteen months as the Commander of the Joint Task Force, Djibouti, Africa, called on U.S. Senate Republicans to put the needs of the country’s veterans over political partisanship.
“During my time as Commander of the Joint Task Force in Djibouti, toxic burn pits were a daily reality. We didn’t get to choose the environment–especially when there was a southwest wind wafting noxious blue-gray fumes across the base. As a cancer survivor, I am aghast that our service members are being given short shrift in the aftermath of their service to the nation. The Republican political games are nonsense.”
“Let’s not cause undue turmoil, mounting medical bills, and debilitating respiratory illnesses by denying medical care to the countless military veterans who’ve served our country with valor. To the legions of military personnel, aid workers, contractors and service professionals who have been impacted by burn pit toxics, you deserve better than what your government has delivered to you. These political games are shameful and must not be tolerated.”
“Senator Grassley voted right on this bill, but he doesn’t get credit for lacking the leadership and/or stamina to rally his colleagues to do what’s right. It is incumbent upon him to speak out when an injustice is done. He cannot claim to be a supporter of veterans when he only does the bare minimum during an election year. Now, sick veterans continue to wait for their Senators to do their jobs. Reprehensible, in a word.”
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