VFA News Analysis: May 7, 2008

Our troops and their families are now in the middle of the Pentagon vs. Congress showdown over an emergency war funding bill with Defense Department officials threatening that soldier payrolls will be empty after June 15 without Congressional action. Rep. John Murtha, the Pennsylvania Democrat who chairs the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, chided the Pentagon for making an empty threat and said military paychecks are not at risk.

One item in the emergency war funding bill with bipartisan Congressional support calls for expanding benefits for veterans of the post-9/11 era, including boosting pay for college along the lines of the G.I. Bill.  ”This is an effort to say ‘Thank you,’” said Rep. David Obey, a Wisconsin Democrat who is chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.

Nonetheless, there are opponents of the measure, including President Bush.

Across Capitol Hill, officials with the Department of Veterans Affairs met severe criticism for their handling of suicidal veterans in their care.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates agrees that the Purple Heart should be considered for those who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.

There are some signs a new round of massive civil upheaval is approaching in Baghdad as targeted assassination attempts and migration by residents out of their neighborhoods are on the rise. A continued rise in violence could spell problems for the current surge and pause strategy.