McCain Source: Homefront

John McCain Is Out Of Touch

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0700

"This is for checking out?"

- George H. W. Bush, after seeing an electronic scanner at a National Grocers Association convention. The New York Times reported, "[T]he devices have been in general use in American supermarkets for a decade." [New York Times, 2/5/92]

Campaign Trail Rhetoric: McCain Indifferent To Concerns Of Everyday Americans

GAS PRICES: McCain Said "I Don't Remember" How Much Gas Costs. During an interview with a reporter with the OC Register, McCain was asked, McCain said, "When was the last time you pumped your own gas and how much did it cost?" McCain said, "I don't remember. Now there's Secret Service protection. But I've done it for many, many years. I don't recall and frankly, I don't see how it matters." [Total Buzz Blog, OC Register, 6/24/08]

Average Gallon Of Gas Is $4.09, The Highest Recorded Price. According to the AAA Daily Fuel Gauge Report, the average cost of a gallon of unleaded gas was $4.086 on June 30, 2008. It is the highest recorded price. [AAA, Daily Fuel Gauge Report, Accessed 6/30/08]

TRADE: McCain Said Job Loss Oversees as a Result of NAFTA Is "Good for America." When asked by Maria Batriromo during a conversation on NAFTA, "What do you tell people who feel displaced by what's been going on with the rest of the world? They've lost their job to India, to China, to other places around the world?" McCain said, "Sure. First of all, I tell them that unilaterally re-negotiating any agreement with another sovereign nation is a serious threat to the entire fabric of international relations, particularly with China ... I tell them that I believe that it's good for America and I believe American workers are the most productive, but I also tell them that I'm going to have a program for education and retraining of workers that works." [CNBC, 6/15/08, emphasis added]

Over 1 Million Jobs Have Been Lost Due To NAFTA. A study by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) found, "The rise in the U.S. trade deficit with Canada and Mexico through 2004 has caused the displacement of production that supported 1,015,291 U.S. jobs since the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was signed in 1993." [EPI, NAFTA's Cautionary Tale, Issue Brief #214, 7/20/07]

WAR IN IRAQ: McCain Said Bringing The Troops Home Was "Not Too Important." During an appearance on NBC's "Today Show," John McCain was asked, "[D]o you now have a better estimate of when American forces can come home to Iraq?" He said, "No. But that's not too important. What's important is the casualties in Iraq. Americans are in South Korea, Americans are in Japan, American troops are in Germany. That's all fine. American casualties and the ability to withdraw." [NBC, "Today Show," 6/11/08]

Over 4 Thousand US Troops Have Died In Iraq. According to the Iraq Coalition Casualty Count, 4,113 United States troops have died in Iraq. [Iraq Coalition Casualty Count, 6/30/08]

HEALTH: McCain Said He Sees His Doctor "Fairly Frequently." In discussing his cancer and health, John McCain said, "Everything's fine ... Like most Americans, I go see my doctor fairly frequently." [Associated Press, 3/10/08]

47 Million Americans Had No Health Insurance In 2006. According to the Census Bureau,47 million Americans, including 8.7 million children, lacked health insurance in 2006 [Census Bureau, Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2006 report, accessed 4/3/08]

Lifestyle: McCain's Wealth Makes It Hard To Identify With The Concerns Of Everyday Americans

Cindy McCain Is "An Executive Whose Net Worth May Exceed $100 Million." According to the Associated Press, "As heiress to her father's stake in Hensley & Co. of Phoenix, Cindy McCain is an executive whose worth may exceed $100 million." [Associated Press, 4/3/08]

John & Cindy McCain Own At Least Ten Houses In Arizona, California, and Virginia Worth an Estimated $13,823,269. John and Cindy McCain own a plethora of houses spread throughout the United States, including: two beachfront condos in Coronado, California, condo in La Jolla, California, a two-unit condominium complex in Phoenix, Arizona, three ranch houses located outside of Sedona, Arizona, a high-rise condo in Arlington, Virginia, a rental loft, and, according to GQ, a loft they bought for their daughter, Meghan. The value of their houses is an estimated $13,823,269. [San Diego County Property Records; Maricopa County Property Records; Yavapai County Property Records; Arlington County Property Records; GQ, 3/18/08]

McCain Was The Eighth Wealthiest Senator In 2006 Based On His 2006 PFD. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, John McCain was the eighth wealthiest Senator in 2006, based on his 2006 personal financial disclosure. McCain's minimum net worth was listed at $ 27,817,187 and his maximum net worth was listed at $45,045,011. [Center For Responsive Politics via Opensecrets.org, accessed 4/2/08]

McCain's Campaign "Gave Itself An Advantage By Using A Corporate Jet Owned By A Company Headed By His Wife." The New York Times reported, "[O]ver a seven-month period beginning last summer, Mr. McCain's cash-short campaign gave itself an advantage by using a corporate jet owned by a company headed by his wife, Cindy McCain, according to public records. For five of those months, the plane was used almost exclusively for campaign-related purposes, those records show. Mr. McCain's campaign paid a total of $241,149 for the use of that plane from last August through February, records show. That amount is approximately the cost of chartering a similar jet for a month or two, according to industry estimates." [The New York Times, 4/27/08]

Cindy McCain Employs A Personal Assistant. According to the Associated Press, "McCain reported paying $136,572 in wages to household employees in 2007. Aides say the McCains employ a caretaker for a cabin in Sedona, Ariz., child care for their teenage daughter, and a personal assistant for Cindy McCain." [Associated Press, 4/18/08]

In 2006, McCain Owned A Parking Lot Worth Over A Million Dollars. According to McCain's Senate Personal Finance Disclosure, the McCain family owns a parking lot worth over $1 million. [2007 Executive Branch Personnel Public Financial Disclosure]

The Average Family's Home Is Worth $217,800. According to a report by the National Association of Realtors, the average sale price for American homes in the final quarter of 2007 was $217,800. [National Association of Realtors, "Single Family 4^th Quarter 2007," accessed on 3/27/08]

McCain's Children Attended Expensive Private Schools. According to his campaign website, McCain's children have attended various private schools in the Phoenix area, including Christ Lutheran Elementary, Phoenix Country Day School, Brophy College Preparatory, and Xavier College Preparatory. Below are the tuition figures for these schools:

Brophy College Preparatory: $11,150 annually (2007-2008)

Xavier College Preparatory: $11,961 annually (2007-2008)

Christ Lutheran Elementary: $5,725 annually (2007-2008)

Phoenix Country Day School: $18,800 to $20,700 annually (2007-2008)

[Brophy College Preparatory website, accessed on 4/4/08; Xavier College Preparatory website, accessed on 4/4/08; Christ Lutheran Elementary website, accessed on 4/4/08; Phoenix Country Day School, accessed on 4/4/08]

McSame Energy Plan

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0700

"The next president must be willing to break with the energy policies not just of the current Administration, but the administrations that preceded it, and lead a great national campaign to achieve energy security for America."

-- John McCain, 6/17/08

Headlines: McSame As Bush

Houston Chronicle: "Bush Repeats McCain's Call For Offshore Drilling" [Houston Chronicle, 6/17/08

Associated Press: "Bush To Urge Congress To Allow Offshore Drilling" [Associated Press, 6/18/08

Washington Post: "McCain Seeks to End Offshore Drilling Ban" [Washington Post, 6/17/08]

Wall Street Journal: "Bush Urges Offshore Drilling" [Wall Street Journal, 6/18/08]

Wall Street Journal: "McCain Would Relax Drilling Ban" [Wall Street Journal, 6/17/08]

McSame On Drilling Off The Shores Of America

MCCAIN PLAN: "There Are Areas Off Our Coasts That Should Be Open To Exploration And Exploitation." During a media availability in Arlington, Virginia, John McCain said, "I also believe that lifting the moratoria from off-shore drilling or oil and natural gas exploration is something that we should place as a very high priority... I certainly think that there are areas off our coasts that should be open to exploration and exploitation. And I hope we can take the first step by lifting the moratoria in order to do so." [McCain Media Availability in Arlington via CQ Transcriptions, Virginia, 6/16/08]

BUSH PLAN: Bush Called For Oil Drilling In the Outer Continental Shelf. President Bush said, "This morning, I asked Democratic Congressional leaders to move forward with four steps to expand American oil and gasoline production. First, we should expand American oil production by increasing access to the outer continental shelf or OSC. Experts believe that the OCS could produce about 18 billion barrels of oil. That would be enough to match the current oil production America for almost 10 years. The problem is that congress has restricted access to key parts of the OCS since the early 1980's. Since then, advances in technology have made it possible to conduct oil exploration in the OCS that is out of sight, protects coral reefs and habitats, and protects against oil spills. With these advances, and a dramatic increase in oil prices, Congressional restrictions on exploration have become outdated and counterproductive. Republicans in congress have proposed several promising bills that would lift the legislative ban on oil exploration in the OCS. I call on the House and Senate to pass good legislation as soon possible." [President Bush statement, 6/18/08]

McSame On Building Oil Refineries In American Cities

MCCAIN PLAN: McCain Called To Reduce Government Regulations To Allow For Construction Of More Oil Refineries. McCain said, "At the very least, one might assume, America had surely been building new refineries to achieve a more efficient delivery of gasoline to market, and thereby to lower the prices paid by the American people -- especially in the summer season. But the policymakers in Washington haven't got around to that, either. There's so much regulation of the industry that the last American refinery was built when Jerry Ford was president." [McCain Remarks on Energy Security, 6/17/08]

BUSH PLAN: Bush Called To Change Regulations To Expedite Construction Of More Oil Refineries. President Bush said, "We need to expand and enhance our refining capacity. Refineries are the critical link between crude oil and the gasoline and diesel fuel that drivers put in their tanks. Recent changes in the makeup of our fuel supply, upgrades in our refining capacity are urgently needed. Yet it has been nearly 30 years since our nation built a new refinery, and lawsuits and red tape have made it extremely costly to expand and modify existing refineries ... So today I am proposing measures to expedite the refinery permitting process. Under the reform process that I propose, challenges to refineries and other energy projects permits must be brought before the DC circuit court of appeals within 60 days of the issuance of a permit decision. Congress should also empower the secretary of energy to establish binding deadlines for permit decisions and to ensure that the various levels of approval required in the refinery permitting process are handled in a timely way." [President Bush statement, 6/18/08]

John McCain Requested and Received Over $60 Million In Pork Projects

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0700

Rhetoric: McCain Claims To Have Never Accepted An Earmark Or Pork Barrel Project

Today McCain Said: John McCain claimed, "I am proud never to have sought or obtained an earmark for my state of Arizona, and my state of Arizona is proud of me for it and I'm grateful for that." [McCain Remarks To The National Federation of Independent Businesses; 6/10/08]

Not the First time ... In March John McCain said, "In 24 years as a member of the United States Congress, I have never asked for nor received a single earmark or pork barrel project for my state" [CNN, "Lou Dobbs This Week," 3/16/08]

Reality: McCain Has Asked For Multiple Pork Projects

New York Times: McCain Got $56 Million for Project. In 2000, the New York Times reported, "Senator Robert C. Byrd, Democrat of West Virginia, and a number of Republicans who have been criticized by M r. McCain said he had also advanced his own wasteful projects in Arizona, including a $56 million authorization for an environmental and habitat restoration project along the Salt River." [New York Times, 2/18/00]

New York Times: McCain Got $3 Million for Road Project. In 2000, the New York Times reported, "Senator Robert C. Byrd, Democrat of West Virginia, and a number of Republicans who have been criticized by M r. McCain said he had also advanced his own wasteful projects in Arizona, including...$3 million for the Turquoise Trail, a joint effort of the Navajo and Hopi tribes." [New York Times, 2/18/00]

New York Times: McCain Got $4.2 Million for Tucson Center. In 2000, the New York Times reported, "Senator Robert C. Byrd, Democrat of West Virginia, and a number of Republicans who have been criticized by Mr. McCain said he had also advanced his own wasteful projects in Arizona, including...$4.2 million to create a national mediation center in Tucson." [New York Times, 2/12/00]

McCain Criticized Same Pork Process He Took Credit For At Home

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0700

McCain defines earmarks strictly to deflect criticism of his own pork-laden legislative activity, but uses a broad definition to stretch his ability to cut the budget via "wasteful spending" practices. McCain can't have it both ways - his defense for opposing the Everglades restoration funding caught him in the middle of his own double-talk.

MCCAIN OPPOSED EVERGLADES FUNDING BECAUSE OF INCLUSION IN WATER BILL...

McCain Claimed He Voted Against Everglades Restoration Because It Was Part of Water Resources Development Act; Called for "Standalone Appropriation." The Palm Beach Post reported on McCain's defense of his opposition to the water bill, "McCain said he would support spending billions to restore the Everglades but opposed the $23 billion Water Resources Development Act last year because it included projects he considered wasteful, including a 'Lower Mississippi River Museum and Riverfront Interpretive Site.' 'I'd love to see a standalone (Everglades) appropriation on the floor of the Senate that at least matches what the governor and legislature has done here in the state of Florida," said McCain." [Palm Beach Post, 6/7/08]

...BUT MCCAIN TOOK CREDIT FOR ARIZONA RESTORATION PROJECT INSERTED IN PREVIOUS WATER BILLS

New York Times: McCain Got $56 Million for Project. In 2000, the New York Times reported, "Senator Robert C. Byrd, Democrat of West Virginia, and a number of Republicans who have been criticized by Mr. McCain said he had also advanced his own wasteful projects in Arizona, including a $56 million authorization for an environmental and habitat restoration project along the Salt River." [New York Times, 2/18/00]

Union Leader: McCain Got $56 Million for Project. In a 2000 editorial, the Union Leader's editorial page editor wrote that McCain "collected more than $56 million for the Rio Salado environmental and habitat restoration project along the Salt River in Arizona." [Union Leader, 1/12/00]

McCain Claimed Credit for Project In 2000 Press Release. In a press release issued by his presidential campaign, McCain included securing an authorization for the Rio Salado Environmental Restoration Project in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 1999 in a list of "more than twenty initiatives either sponsored or co-sponsored by Senator John McCain" that were signed into law during the 106^th Congress or were awaiting the president's signature. Water projects, such as this project championed by McCain, cannot receive earmarks until they are authorized in the WRDA Bill. [Presidential Campaign Press Materials, 11/23/99]

McCain's $56 Million Project Was Flood Control Project - Common Among Earmarks. An examination of S. 507, the Water Resources Development Act of 1999, shows that the project pushed for by McCain was described as follows: "Rio Salado (Salt River), Phoenix and Tempe, Arizona - The project for flood control and environmental restoration, Rio Salado (Salt River), Phoenix and Tempe, Arizona: Report of the Chief of Engineers dated August 20, 1998, at a total cost of $88,048,000, with an estimated Federal cost of $56,355,000 and an estimated non-Federal cost of $31,693,000." [S. 507, Water Resources Development Act of 1999, accessed 4/8/08]

Fiscal Year 2000 Energy & Water Development Appropriations Bill Contained Earmark for Salt River. In the Fiscal Year 2000 Energy & Water Development Appropriations Bill, the Appropriations Committee "provided funds to conduct reconnaissance level reviews of two additional reaches of the Salt River in Phoenix, Arizona. These reaches, extending to the east and west of the Rio Salado, Arizona, project as currently proposed, are to be studied for environmental restoration and related purposes." [Fiscal Year 2000 Energy & Water Development Appropriations Bill, accessed 4/7/08]

Fiscal Year 2003 Omnibus Appropriations Bill Contained $1.097 Million Earmark for West Salt River. The Fiscal Year 2003 Omnibus Appropriations bill contained an earmark for "$1,097,000 for the South/Central Arizona Investigations program, including $300,000 for the West Salt River Valley Water Management Study." [Fiscal Year 2003 Omnibus Appropriations Bill, accessed 4/7/08]

Fiscal Year 2006 Energy & Water Development Appropriations Bill Included Earmarks for Salt River. The Fiscal Year 2006 Energy & Water Development Appropriations bill contained earmarks for the Salt River: "$109,000 is available to complete the final report of phase II of the central Arizona salinity study and $250,000 for the West Salt River Management Study." [Fiscal Year 2006 Energy & Water Development Appropriations Bill, accessed 4/7/08]

MCCAIN PLEDGED TO ELIMINATE ALL "EARMARKS" AND "PORK-BARREL" PROJECTS

McCain Pledged To Eliminate Earmarks and Pork-Barrel Spending. During an interview on CNN, McCain proclaimed, "I wanna eliminate this wasteful and outrageous earmark and pork-barrel spending." [CNN, "Newsroom," 3/13/08]

McCain Pledged To Veto "Every Single Bill" That "Has An Earmark or Pork Barrel Project." During a town hall meeting in Houston, Texas, McCain said, "I will veto, I will veto every single bill that comes across my desk as President of the United States, that has an earmark or pork barrel project on it." [McCain Town Hall Meeting in Houston, Texas, 3/4/08]

McCain: "I Will Not Sign A Bill With Earmarks In It, Any Earmarks In It." During a speech in Washington, D.C., McCain proclaimed, "I will not sign a bill with earmarks in it, any earmarks in it." [McCain Speech in Washington, D.C., 2/7/08; emphasis added]

McCain Pledge To Veto "Every Single Bill" Containing Pork-Barrel Projects. During an appearance on ABC's This Week, McCain said, "I'll veto every single bill that comes across my desk and make the authors of those pork-barrel projects famous." [ABC, "This Week," 8/5/07]

McCain: "The First Pork-Barrel Bill That Crosses My Desk, I'm Going To Veto It." During a Republican Presidential debate in Simi Valley, California, McCain said, "The first pork-barrel bill that crosses my desk, I'm going to veto it and make the authors of those pork-barrel items famous all over America. We're going to stop it." [MSNBC, Republican Debate in Simi Valley, California, 5/3/07]

MCCAIN EXAGGERATES EARMARKS, ACCORDING TO THE EXPERTS

INDEPENDENT ESTIMATES OF FY2008 EARMARKS:

Organization	Estimated Value of FY 2008 Earmarks
Taxpayers for Common Sense	$14.8 Billion
OMB	$16.87 Billion
Citizens Against Government Waste?	$17.2 Billion
Washington Post, 4/16/08	$18 Billion
The Economist, 4/19/08	$18 Billion
Wall Street Journal	$16.8 Billion

McCain: "I Disagree With The Experts." During an interview on MSNBC, Andrea Mitchell said to McCain, "You've added up and you've talked about some $300 billion in savings, pork barrel savings. Independent experts say that your tax cuts would cost at least $100 billion more than you say, and that the savings would not materialize." McCain replied, "I disagree with the experts. I disagree. I disagree. I disagree with the experts. I have experts of my own." [MSNBC, 4/16/08]

McCain: Eliminating Earmarks Could Save $100 Billion. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported, "On Wednesday, McCain said eliminating congressional 'earmarks' for specific projects in the budget could mean $100 billion in savings -- $35 billion in recent spending bills, $65 billion still in the budget from earlier projects." [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 4/17/08, emphasis added]

McCain Claimed The Budget Included $100 Billion Worth Of Earmarks. During an appearance on ABC's This Week, McCain said, "Here's $100 billion right here for you, George. Two years in a row, last two years, the president of the United States has signed in a law, two big-spending, pork-barrel-laden bills worth $35 billion. That increases the budget, the baseline of the budget. In the years before that, $65 billion. You do away with those, there's $100 billion right there, before you look at any agency of government." [ABC, "This Week," 4/20/08]

McCain Claimed There Were $35 Billion Of Earmarks In 2007. During an interview on CNN's American Morning, McCain said, "I will have every Town Hall across this country talk about earmark and pork barrel spending. I'll make it clear what $35 billion dollars in earmark/pork barrel projects last year meant to the American people which was a thousand dollar tax credit for every child in America..." [CNN, "American Morning," 3/14/08]

McCain: "I Am Here To Cut Hundreds Of Billions Of Dollars Out Of Wasteful And Unnecessary Spending." During an appearance on ABC's This Week, "I am here (ph) to cut hundreds of billions of dollars out of wasteful and unnecessary spending in America, whether they be ethanol subsidies, whether they be sugar price supports, whether they be payments to the wealthiest farmers, whether they be the loopholes that are out there worth I don't know how many billions and billions of dollars." [ABC, "This Week," 4/20/08]

John McCain and Veterans

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0700

Throughout his career, McCain has routinely voted against measures to ensure that America's bravest men and women are taken care of after serving our nation. McCain is eager to send American troops into harm's way, but unwilling to do what it takes to take care of them once they return. The veterans of every generation deserve a President who will make it a top priority to guarantee that those who risk everything to defend this country are not left behind.

Top Hits:

McCain has voted against healthcare for Veterans at least 27 times.
McCain voted against an increase in Veterans' funding two days after the U.S. invaded Iraq.
McCain voted to withhold benefits from mentally disabled veterans.
McCain opposes new GI bill, a top priority for veterans.

Healthcare for Veterans

McCain Has Voted To Cut, Eliminate, or Gut Veterans Health Care Funding At Least 27 Times. [HR 4939, Vote #98, 4/26/06; SCR 83, Vote #70, 3/16/06; SCR 83, Vote #67, 3/16/06; SCR 83, Vote #63, 3/16/06; SCR 83, Vote #41, 3/14/06; HR 4297, Vote #15, 2/13/06; HR 4297, Vote #7, 2/2/06; S 2020, Vote #343, 11/17/05; HR 2863, Vote #251, 10/5/05; HR 2528, Vote #242, 9/22/05; HR 2361, Vote # 165, 6/29/05; HR 2361, Vote # 166, 6/29/05; HR 2361, Vote # 168, 6/29/05; HR 1268, Vote #90, 4/12/05; HR 1268, Vote #89, 4/12/05; SCR 95, Vote #40, 3/10/04; S 1689, Vote #379, 10/14/03; SCR 23, Vote #81, 3/25/03; S 2168, Vote #185, 7/7/98; S 936, Vote #168, 7/10/97; HR 3666, Vote #276, 9/5/96; HR 3666, Vote # 275, 9/5/96; HR 2099, Vote #466, 9/27/95; HR 4624, Vote #256, 8/4/94; HR 1335, Vote #97, 4/1/93; S 2884, Vote #226, 8/4/90; HR 2519, Vote #132, 7/17/91]

McCain Was One of 13 Senators To Vote Against Increase In Veterans' Healthcare. In 2006, McCain was one of 13 senators to vote against an amendment to add $430 million for outpatient and inpatient health care and treatment for veterans. Amendment passed 84-13. [HR 4939, Vote #98, 4/26/06]

McCain Voted To Cut Funding For Veterans' Healthcare. In 2006, McCain voted against an amendment to strike a provision in the 2007 Budget that will hold farm programs, veterans, Social Security, and Medicaid hostage to rising health care costs by creating automatic cuts once an arbitrary level of spending is reached in the Medicare program. The amendment failed 50-50. [SCR 83, Vote #70, 3/16/06]

McCain Voted Against Increasing Veterans' Funding By $10 Billion. In 2006, McCain voted against an amendment to eliminate a tripling of fees for veterans in the TRICARE health care program by raising the discretionary spending limit by approximately $10 billion. The provisions would have been fully offset by eliminating certain corporate tax breaks. The amendment failed 46-53. [SCR 83, Vote #67, 3/16/06]

McCain Voted Against Veteran's Healthcare Program. In 2006, McCain voted against an amendment to make veterans' health benefits a mandatory program, spending $104 billion over five years. The funding would have been offset by closing corporate tax loopholes and rolling back the Bush tax cuts for millionaires. Amendment rejected 46-54. [SCR 83, Vote #63, 3/16/06]

McCain Voted Against A $1.5 Billion Increase In Healthcare For Veterans. In 2006, McCain voted against an amendment that increased the discretionary spending limit by $1.5 billion to $874.5 billion to provide an increase in funding for veterans' medical services. It would be offset by ending certain corporate tax breaks. Amendment rejected 46-54. [SCR 83, Vote #41, 3/14/06]

McCain Failed To Vote To Support Healthcare For Veterans In Lieu of Tax Breaks For Millionaires. In 2006, McCain failed to vote on a motion to instruct conferees to insist that the tax reconciliation conference report includes funding to support health needs of veterans and military personnel in lieu of an extension of capital gains or dividends tax breaks for individuals with incomes of more than $1 million. Motion failed 40-53. [HR 4297, Vote #15, 2/13/06]

McCain Voted Against $19 billion For Military And Veterans' Hospitals. In 2006, McCain voted against an amendment that provided $19 billion for military and veterans' hospitals, offset by limiting the dividend and capital-gains tax rates to individuals earning less than $1 million. Amendment failed 44-53. [HR 4297, Vote #7, 2/2/06]

McCain Voted Against Mental Healthcare For Veterans. In 2005, McCain Voted against an amendment that provided an additional $500 million per year for the next five years for mental health services for veterans. The funding would be offset by deferring tax cuts for those making $1 million per year. Amendment rejected 43-55. [S 2020, Vote #343, 11/17/05]

McCain Voted Against Considering Inflation In Veterans Funding Formula. In 2005, McCain voted against an amendment that would establish a future funding formula for health care for former members of the Armed Forces takes into account changes in population and inflation. Amendment failed 48-51. [HR 2863, Vote #251, 10/5/05]

McCain Voted Against A $10 Million Increase In Readjustment Counseling for Veterans. In 2005, McCain voted against an amendment that would provide an additional $10 million for the Readjustment Counseling Service, offset with a $10 million reduction in the HealthVet account. The amendment failed 48-50. [HR 2528, Vote #242, 9/22/05]

McCain Failed To Vote For A $1.5 Billion Increase In Veterans' Healthcare. In 2005, McCain failed to vote for an amendment that would add $1.5 billion of funding to the Department of Veterans' Affairs for medical services provided by the Veterans Health Administration. Amendment passed 96-0. [HR 2361, Vote # 165, 6/29/05; HR 2361, Vote # 166, 6/29/05; HR 2361, Vote # 168, 6/29/05]

McCain Voted Against $1.9 Billion In Emergency Funding For Veterans' Hospitals. In 2005, McCain voted against an amendment that designated $1.9 billion in emergency funding for veterans' hospitals. The $1.9 billion provided for the VA by the underlying amendment will help the VA to cover the costs of caring for these new veterans, and ensure that the VA is able to provide them with the care they deserve. The amendment failed 46-54. [HR 1268, Vote #90, 4/12/05]

McCain Voted Against A $2 Billion Increase In Veterans' Funding. In 2005, McCain voted against an amendment that would increase funding for the Veterans Affairs Department by $1.98 billion and designate it as emergency spending. It would stipulate that $840 million be used for veterans' regional health networks; $610 million be used to address the needs of service members deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan; and $525 million be used to provide mental health care and treatment. Amendment failed 46-54. [HR 1268, Vote #89, 4/12/05]

McCain Voted Against Creating A Reserve Fund For Veterans' Health Care. In 2004, McCain voted against an amendment that would create a reserve fund to allow for an increase in veterans medical care by $1.8 billion, the amount determined by Veterans' Affairs Committee to meet existing needs; and is fully offset by closing tax loopholes. Amendment rejected 46-51. [SCR 95, Vote #40, 3/10/04]

McCain Voted Against A $1.3 billion Increase In Veterans' Health Benefits. In 2003, McCain voted to table an amendment that included a $1. Billion increase in funding for health benefits. The amendment would reduce the amount provided for Iraqi reconstruction by $5.03 billion, and redirect that funding for domestic programs, including $1.8 billion for veterans' health benefits, $1 billion for school reconstruction, renovation and repair and class size reduction, and $1.5 billion for capital improvements for federal highways. It also would express the sense of the Senate that Congress should consider an additional $5.03 billion in funding for Iraqi reconstruction during the fiscal 2005 budget and appropriations process. The motion to table passed 59-35. [S 1689, Vote #379, 10/14/03]

McCain Voted Against Increasing Veterans' Health Care Program. In 2003, McCain voted against an amendment that would increase spending on the TRICARE program by $20.3 billion over 10 years to give members of the National Guard and Reserves and their families greater access to the health care program. The increase would be offset by a reduction in tax cuts. Amendment rejected 46-51. [SCR 23, Vote #81, 3/25/03]

McCain Voted Against Increasing Veterans' Health Administration By $1 Billion. In 1998, McCain voted against an amendment that would add $1 billion for Veterans' Health Administration Medical Care. The funding would budget neutral and would come from the termination of the space station program. The amendment failed 33-66. [S 2168, Vote #185, 7/7/98]

McCain Voted Against $400 Million In Veterans' Funding. In 1997, McCain voted to table an amendment that would permit $400 million in DOD funds to be transferred to Department of Veterans' Affairs to provide health benefits under laws administered by Secretary. Motion to table agreed to 58-41. [S 936, Vote #168, 7/10/97]

McCain Voted Against Covering Spina Bifida For The Children of Veterans. In 1996, McCain voted against the germaneness of an amendment that would extend veterans health care and related benefits to the children of Vietnam Veterans suffering from spina bifida, a spinal cord birth defect that causes neurological damage. The amendment was judged germane 62-35. [HR 3666, Vote #276, 9/5/96]

McCain Voted Against Preventing Cuts In Veterans' Healthcare Funding. In 1996, McCain voted to table an amendment that would prohibit the Department of Veterans' Affairs from reducing funds to any state for health care facilities in fiscal 1997 below the fiscal 1996 funding level. Motion to table passed. [HR 3666, Vote # 275, 9/5/96]

McCain Voted Against Increasing Veterans' Healthcare Funding By $511 Million. In 1995, McCain voted against an amendment which would increase the funding for veterans' medical care by $511 million; and offsets the cost of this amendment by limiting any tax cut to families with incomes of less than $100,000. Amendment failed 51-49. [HR 2099, Vote #466, 9/27/95]

McCain Voted To Restrict Funding For Veterans' Care Facilities. In 1994, McCain voted against tabling an amendment that the amendment would prohibit the construction of three inpatient facilities, located in Hawaii, California, and Tennessee. The projects in Hawaii and California will provide access to acute care for large numbers of veterans in the areas to be served, without which they would not have access to VA inpatient services. The project in Tennessee involves the correction of serious seismic deficiencies in the Memphis VA facility, which is located in a dangerous earthquake area. Motion to table passed 62-36. [HR 4624, Vote #256, 8/4/94]

McCain Voted To Cut $25 Million From Veterans' Health Programs. In 1993, McCain not to table an amendment that transferred $25 million of veterans' health funding to programs for the Veterans Department to occupation conversion and employment training programs for veterans. Motion to table passed 57-43. [HR 1335, Vote #97, 4/1/93]

McCain Voted Against Increasing Veterans' Healthcare & Research Funding By $431 Million. In 1991, McCain voted against an amendment to increase veterans' program funding by $378 million for medical care and $53 million for medical and prosthetic research. Amendment failed 35-64. [HR 2519, Vote #132, 7/17/91]

McCain Voted Against $200 Million For Veterans' Healthcare. In 1990, McCain voted to table an amendment that transferred $200 million to the Department of Veterans' Affairs medical account. The money would be transferred from the Strategic Defense Initiative. Motion to table passed 54-43. [S 2884, Vote #226, 8/4/90]

Funding for Veterans' Programs

McCain Voted To Gut, Eliminate, or Cut Funding for Veterans Programs At Least 18 Times. [SCR 21, Vote #114, 3/23/07][SCR 18, Vote #55, 3/16/05][HR 2673, Vote #3, 1/22/04][SCR 23, Vote #74, 3/21/03][S 2400, Vote #136, 6/23/04][HR 2861, Vote #449, 11/12/03][SCR 23, Vote #83, 3/25/03][HR 2620, Vote $334, 11/8/01][HR 2620, Vote #269, 8/2/01][HR 4635, Vote #272, 10/12/00][HR 2684, Vote #328, 10/15/99][SCR 57, Vote #115, 5/16/96][HR 2099, Vote #470, 9/27/95][HR 2099, Vote #465, 9/27/95][SCR 13, Vote #226, 5/25/95] [S 1, Vote #76, 2/22/95][S 869, Vote #259, 11/20/91][HR 4624, Vote #306, 9/27/94]

McCain Voted Against A $3.5 Billion Funding Increase For Veterans' Healthcare. In 2007, McCain voted against the 2008 Budget Resolution that included at $3.5 billion increase in funding for veterans' healthcare programs. The bill passed 52-47. [SCR 21, Vote #114, 3/23/07]

McCain Voted Against Increasing FY 2006 Veterans' Health Care Funding By $2.8 Billion. In 2005, McCain voted against an amendment that would increase funding for veterans health care by $2.8 billion for fiscal 2006 and reduce the deficit by $2.8 billion. Amendment rejected 47-53. [SCR 18, Vote #55, 3/16/05]

McCain Voted Against $62 Billion In Funding For Veterans Affairs. In 2004, McCain voted against an appropriations bill that would provide $62 billion for the Department of Veterans' Affairs. The bill passed 65-28. [HR 2673, Vote #3, 1/22/04]

Two Days After Iraq Invasion, McCain Voted Against A $1 Billion Increase In Veterans' Programs. Two days after the invasion of Iraq in 2003, McCain voted against an amendment that would increase spending on veterans' programs by approximately $1 billion and put the same amount toward deficit reduction. The amount would be offset by a decrease in tax cuts. The amendment failed 49-51. [SCR 23, Vote #74, 3/21/03]

McCain Voted Against Modernizing Retirement Packages For National Guardsmen And Army Reservists. In 2004, McCain voted against an amendment that would reduce from 60 to 55 the age at which certain members of the National Guard and Army Reserves could receive retirement benefits. Motion rejected 49-49. [S 2400, Vote #136, 6/23/04]

McCain Voted Against $122.7 Billion For Department of Veterans' Affairs. In 2003, McCain voted against an appropriations bill that included 122.7 billion in fiscal 2004 for the Department of Veterans' Affairs, Housing and Urban Development and other related agencies. The motion failed 44-49. [HR 2861, Vote #449, 11/12/03]

McCain Voted Against A $13 Billion Funding Increase For Veterans' Programs. In 2003, McCain voted against an amendment that would provide an additional $13 billion for veterans' programs. The substitute amendment would reduce all tax cuts in the resolution by $1.24 trillion, fund President Bush's proposed $75 billion war supplemental bill, and increase homeland security spending by $80 billion, spending for a Medicare prescription drug benefit by $194 billion, spending on veterans' programs by $13 billion and spending on transportation and infrastructure by $71 billion. The amendment failed 43-56. [SCR 23, Vote #83, 3/25/03]

McCain Voted Against $51 Billion In Veterans' Funding. In 2001, McCain was one of seven senators to vote against the adoption of the conference report to provide 51.1 billion for the Department of Veterans' Affairs; $30.1 billion for the Department of Housing and Urban Development; $7.9 billion for the Environmental Protection Agency; $3.1 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency; and $14.8 billion for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The conference report was approved 87-7. [HR 2620, Vote $334, 11/8/01]

McCain Voted Against $51 Billion For The Department of Veterans' Affairs. In 2001, McCain was one of five senators to vote against approval of a bill including $51.1 billion for the Department of Veterans' Affairs; $31.0 billion for the Department of Housing and Urban Development; $7.8 billion for the Environmental Protection Agency; $14.6 billion for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; and $3.2 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The bill passed 94-5. [HR 2620, Vote #269, 8/2/01]

McCain Failed To Voted For $47 Billion In Veterans' Funding. In 2000, McCain failed to vote for a bill that would appropriate $47 billion to the Department of Veterans' Affairs as well as $23.6 billion for the Energy Department and Army Corps of Engineers, and other independent agencies. The bill passed 85-8. [HR 4635, Vote #278, 10/19/00]

McCain Voted Against $47 Billion In Funding For Department of Veterans' Affairs. In 2000, McCain was one of eight senators to vote against an appropriating bill that provided $47 billion for the Department of Veterans' Affairs. It included $453 million for new rental assistance vouchers and language that incorporates a slightly amended version of the fiscal 2001 energy and water appropriations bill. The bill passed 87-8. [HR 4635, Vote #272, 10/12/00]

McCain Voted Against $44.3 Billion For Veterans' Programs. In 1999, McCain was one of five senators to vote against an appropriations bill that provided $44.3 billion for the Department of Veterans' Affairs, $26.0 billion for the Department of Housing and Urban Development, $7.6 billion for the Environmental Protection Agency, $3.4 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and $13.7 billion for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The bill passed 93-5. [HR 2684, Vote #328, 10/15/99]

McCain Voted Against A $13 Billion Increase In Funding For Veterans' Programs. In 1996, McCain voted against an amendment to increase veterans' spending by $13 billion in fiscal 1997-2002 to be offset by closing corporate tax preferences and reinstating expired taxes. Amendment Rejected 45-53. [SCR 57, Vote #115, 5/16/96]

McCain Voted To Underfund Department of Veterans' Affairs. In 1995, McCain voted for an appropriations bill that underfunded the Departments of Veterans' Affairs & Housing and Urban Development by $8.9 Billion. The bill passed 55-45. [HR 2099, Vote #470, 9/27/95]

McCain Voted To Withhold Benefits From Mentally Disabled Veterans. In 1995, McCain voted against an amendment striking the provision that withholds benefits to mentally incompetent veteran who does not have spouse, children, or dependent parents, and has estate valued in excess of $25,000. Amendment failed 47-53. [HR 2099, Vote #465, 9/27/95]

McCain Voted Against Closing Tax Loopholes To Increase Veterans' Funding By $74 Million. In 1995, McCain voted against an amendment eliminating tax breaks and closing tax loopholes in order to provide revenue to restore some of the proposed cuts in Veterans' Affairs spending. Amendment failed 45-55. [SCR 13, Vote #226, 5/25/95]

McCain Voted Against Protecting Veterans' Benefits From Budget Cuts. In 1995, McCain voted to table an amendment to exempt current veterans' benefits from cuts required by the balanced-budget amendment. Motion to table passed 62-33. [S 1, Vote #76, 2/22/95]

McCain Voted Against Funding The Department of Veterans' Affairs. In 1994, McCain was one of nine senators to vote against appropriating $90,118,186,061 in budget authority for the Veterans' Affairs and the Housing and Urban Development departments. The bill passed 90-9. [HR 4624, Vote #306, 9/27/94]

McCain Voted Against Providing Automatic Cost of Living Adjustments To Veterans. In 1991, McCain voted against an amendment to provide automatic annual cost of living adjustments (COLA) for certain veterans' benefits. Amendment failed 24-71. [S 869, Vote #259, 11/20/91]

McCain Has Failed To Support New GI Bill

RHETORIC: McCain Claimed To Be A "Tireless Advocate" For Our Military And Armed Services. "John McCain has been a tireless advocate of our military and ensuring that our forces are properly postured, funded, and ready to meet the nation's obligations both at home and abroad." [www.JohnMcCain.com 05/12/08]

REALITY: But McCain Has Refused to Endorse Webb's GI Education Bill. "Yet the former Navy pilot and Vietnam POW makes himself a target by refusing to endorse Webb's new GI education bill and instead signing on to a Republican alternative that focuses more on career soldiers than on the great majority who leave after their first four years." [Politico, 4/30/08]

Webb's GI Bill The Top Legislative Priority For Veterans Groups. According to The Hill, "Webb's bill is the top legislative priority for several veterans' groups, including the nonpartisan Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA). Its projected cost to the federal treasury is about $4 billion per year.Webb has argued his bill is necessary because the current GI bill cannot pay for today's cost of higher education. [The Hill, 4/22/08]

Current GI Benefit Woefully Inadequate to Meet Educational Needs of GI's. "The most a veteran can receive now is approximately $9,600 per year for four years. Those who served combat tours with the National Guard or Reserves are eligible for even less - typically just $440 per month, or $5,280 a year. By contrast, the College Board reports that the average four-year public college costs more than $65,000, or about $16,250 a year, for an in-state student. A private university costs on average about $133,000 for four years." [The Hill, 4/22/08]

McCain & Katrina

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0700

All Talk, No Action

McCain Acknowledged Public Demand for Oversight. A week after Hurricane Katrina, McCain commented on the public's demand for accountability. McCain said, "There's clearly a mood for aggressive oversight on this issue, because people are demanding it. It's a national catastrophe ... I don't know if it affects the general mood of Congress on every issue, but there's a strong desire...to find out what went wrong and what went right." [Dallas Morning News, 9/7/05]

But, McCain Voted Against a Commission to Examine Government Response to Katrina. In 2005, McCain voted against creating a congressional commission to examine the federal, state and local response to Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Region. Senators Obama and Clinton both voted in favor of creating the commission. The motion failed 44-54. [H.R. 2862, Vote #229, 9/14/2005]

McCain Again Voted Against Katrina Commission in 2006. In 2006, McCain again voted against establishing a commission to investigate the response to Hurricane Katrina, including the federal government's role and the impact of the disaster. Both Senators Obama and Clinton voted in favor of the commission. The motion failed 44-53. [H.R. 4297, Vote #6, 2/2/2006]

McCain Voted Against Investigating Waste, Fraud, and Abuse. In 2005, McCain voted against an amendment that would establish a committee to investigate waste, fraud and abuse in the awarding contracts in Iraq and Afghanistan, and for the reconstruction after hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The amendment failed 44-54. [HR 3058, Vote #259, 10/19/05; HR 2862, Vote #228, 9/14/05; S 1042, Vote #316, 11/10/05; S 2766, Vote #176, 6/20/06]

McCain Said Americans Should "Come to the Aid" of Katrina Victims. In his statement following Hurricane Katrina, McCain said, "American citizens have proven time and again how generous and selfless a people we are, and now we have an opportunity to come to the aid of those in need." [Statement of Sen. John McCain, U.S. Fed News, 9/1/2005]

But, McCain Voted Against Expanding Unemployment Benefits in Wake of Katrina. In 2005, just two weeks after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, McCain voted against allowing up to 52 weeks of unemployment benefits to an individual as a result of a major disaster under the Disaster Unemployment Assistance Program. Both Senators Obama and Clinton voted in favor of extending the benefits. The motion failed 43-52. [H.R. 2862, Vote #234, 9/15/2005]

McCain Voted Against Granting Katrina Victims Access to Medicaid. In 2005, McCain voted against granting access to Medicaid to victims of Hurricane Katrina for up to five months. The amendment would also provide full federal funding for Medicaid in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama for up to one year and provide $800 million to compensate providers caring for Katrina evacuees. Both Senators Obama and Clinton voted in favor of assisting the Katrina victims. [S. 1932, Vote #285, 11/3/2005]

It's About Time

39 Senators Visited Post-Katrina New Orleans Before McCain. According to The Hill and the Associated Press, 39 senators had visited Post-Katrina New Orleans before John McCain and Lindsey Graham visited in March of 2006. [The Hill, 3/8/06; Associated Press, 3/10/06]

McCain Only Visited New Orleans After A Critical Article Was Published In The Hill. On March 8, 2006, The Hill wrote, "Not visiting the sites of one of the nation's worst natural disasters could prove to be a political liability." The paper added that McCain was among six senators who were considering running for president who had "found time to visit Iowa, New Hampshire or South Carolina - key states in the 2008 primary races" but not New Orleans. The Associated Press noted the report when McCain made his first trip to the region two days later. [The Hill, 3/8/06; Associated Press, 3/10/06]

FEMA Wal-Mart

McCain: I'll Fix FEMA by Privatizing It. During a campaign event, John McCain said, "FEMA is broken. I'm gonna give you some straight talk today. There's some things you don't wanna hear. FEMA is broken. We're gonna fix it. What's one of the ways we're gonna fix it? We're gonna go to the business sector, the private enterprise sector that are used to distributing goods and services and supplies to people and we're gonna hire them. We're gonna say, ‘You got a distribution system.' Don't rely on some federal bureaucrat. Rely on FedEx or Wal-Mart or Home Depot or those people that know where--we're never gonna have a truck full of ice end up in the state of Maine when we've got a crisis in Louisiana. My friends, I'll fix FEMA." [Town Hall Meeting, Sun City Center, FL 01/26/08]

Katrina Timeline

Saturday, August 27:

Federal Emergency Was Declared, DHS And FEMA Given Full Authority To Respond To Katrina. [White House, 8/27/05]

Sunday, August 28:

Katrina Was Upgraded To A Category 5 Hurricane. [CNN, 8/29/05] Thousands Upon Thousands Of Evacuees Gathered At Superdome With Roughly 36 Hours Worth Of Food. [Times-Picayune, 8/29/08]

McCain Appeared On Face The Nation To Promote Progress In The War In Iraq. On Sunday, August 28^th, 2005, McCain appeared on Face the Nation via satellite from Cottonwood, Arizona; just minutes from his vacation home in Sedona. During the interview, McCain said of the war in Iraq, "I think it's clear that a premature withdrawal would be catastrophic in its consequences... we've made progress in many areas of Iraq." [CBS, "Face the Nation," 8/28/05]

Monday, August 29:

Several Levees Were Breached Throughout New Orleans Which Caused Pumping Stations To Go Down. [NBC, "Today Show," 8/29/05; Times-Picayune, 8/30/05]

On the Morning Katrina Struck New Orleans, and Hours After the Levee Breach, McCain Was Enjoying Birthday Cake With President Bush. From the White House Website: "President George W. Bush joins Arizona Senator John McCain in a small celebration of McCain's 69th birthday Monday, Aug. 29, 2005, after the President's arrival at Luke Air Force Base near Phoenix. The President later spoke about Medicare to 400 guests at the Pueblo El Mirage RV Resort and Country Club in nearby El Mirage. White House photo by Paul Morse" [The White House, Accessed 4/20/08]

McCain Appeared On Late Night With Conan O'Brien. On Monday, August 29^th, 2005, John McCain appeared on Late Night with Conan O'Brien along with actress Amber Tamblyn and the band Alkaline Trio. [Kansas City Star, 8/29/05]

Tuesday, August 30:

With 80% Of The City Flooded, Mass Looting Occurred Throughout The City With Rescue Efforts Still Underway. [Associated Press, 8/30/05]

Wednesday, August 31:

16,000 People Were Still Stranded In The Superdome, With Almost 500 Taken Away By Helicopter For Medical Emergencies. [Los Angeles Times, 9/1/05]

Thursday, September 1:

McCain's Senate Office Released A "Statement Of Senator John McCain Regarding Hurricane Katrina." On September 1, 2005, McCain's office released a statement saying, "U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) today extends his condolences to the victims of Hurricane Katrina who are dealing with a natural disaster of epic proportions. I urge Arizonans and all Americans to reach out to those affected by this tragedy. American citizens have proven time and again how generous and selfless a people we are, and now we have an opportunity to come to the aid of those in need. Our thoughts and prayers are with our fellow Americans as they struggle to cope with this emergency." [McCain Senate Release, 9/1/05]

Friday, September 16, 2005:

"Deficit Hawk" McCain was skeptical of federally-funded reconstruction efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, yet he insisted his tax cuts for the wealthy are more important than reducing the deficit.

McCain Warned Of Excessive Government Spending In Response To Hurricane Katrina. According to The New Leader, "An objection of a different sort was raised by Arizona Republican Senator John McCain, who is pondering a run for the Presidency in 2008. He maintains conservatives want to "do whatever is necessary to address this national disaster." Then he adds: "We also have to be concerned about future generations of Americans. We're going to end up with the highest deficit, probably, in the history of this country." [Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 9/17/05]

McCain Said He Would Proceed With Tax Cuts Even If Spending Isn't Cut. During an appearance on ABC's This Week, George Stephanopoulos asked McCain, "If Congress does not give you the spending cuts you say you can get, will you hold off on signing the tax cuts?" McCain said, "No, of course not, because we want to increase people's taxes during a recession?" [ABC, "This Week," 4/20/08]