Vets blast Warren’s silence over hero help
Members of a local veterans’ advocacy group stepped up their criticism of U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren yesterday, slamming her for a slow response to their plea to have her do more for war heroes.
“After 113 days since our open letter, published in the Boston Herald, (Veterans Assisting Veterans) has received an official response from Senator Warren,” wrote John MacDonald, a spokesman for the group, in an email.
“Warren sights (sic) specific issues that she has worked on relative to veterans and proclaims to fight for veterans. However she does not address the specific questions we asked of her in our letter, which is ‘ Why is she running to the microphone to fight for illegals and not holding a rally for our nation’s veterans?’ ” MacDonald wrote.
In a four-page response to the group, Warren doesn’t mention illegal immigration, but does lash out at President Trump’s budget cuts to Medicaid and food stamps, which she said would be “devastating for Massachusetts’ military families.” She also railed against proposed Trump budget cuts to Veterans Affairs benefits.
“I know that we disagree on many issues,” Warren wrote in her reply, “but like you, I believe Washington must do more for our veterans and servicemembers.”
MacDonald said he believes Warren hasn’t done enough to try to end veteran homelessness or push for ailing vets to receive the same health care she and others in Washington receive.
“Especially when most veterans have risked and done more for their country than most members of Congress or the Senate,” said MacDonald, who is from Lowell.
The group’s open letter in February blasted other Democrats, including Mayor Martin J. Walsh for offering to house illegal immigrants inside City Hall, but not making the same gesture for veterans.
In her response, Warren did list a series of accomplishments since being elected to the Senate in 2012 and insisted veterans’ affairs is a top priority.
“From the start of my career in public service, I have worked to honor, protect and care for the servicemembers and veterans who have sacrificed so much for us,” wrote Warren.
MacDonald said his group will continue to “demand that our public officials put veterans and Americans first.”