SHAHEEN VOTE FOR BUDGET DEAL THAT CUTS MILITARY RETIREE BENEFITS

For Immediate Release: December 17, 2013
Contact: Matt Mowers, (603) 225-9341

NHGOP STATEMENT ON SHAHEEN VOTE FOR BUDGET DEAL THAT CUTS MILITARY RETIREE BENEFITS

Concord – New Hampshire Republican State Committee Chairman Jennifer Horn released the following statement today on Senator Jeanne Shaheen’s vote to end debate on a budget deal that will cut military retiree benefits for New Hampshire’s veterans:

“Cutting benefits for the brave men and women who have sacrificed the most for our country is the wrong approach. Military retirees have earned their benefits, and out of touch Washington politicians should not attempt to roll back the commitments we have made to our veterans.

“Senator Shaheen had a chance to speak out against these unfair cuts and pledge to vote against any deal that includes them. But instead of standing up for New Hampshire veterans, Senator Shaheen has accepted her marching orders from her liberal party leadership and is blindly supporting this legislation.

“Senator Shaheen’s vote reminds Granite Staters that she is nothing but a loyal foot soldier for her party leadership who lacks the independence that New Hampshire expects from its elected officials.”

BACKGROUND INFO:

There Are 9,511 Military Retirees In New Hampshire. (Department Of Defense, Office Of The Actuary,Statistical Report On The Military Retirement System, Fiscal Year 2012, May 2013)

The Military Officers Association of America Predicts A Retiree Could See An Average Loss Of More Than $3,700 A Year From The Budget Deal – Or About $83,000 By The Time He Or She Hits 62. (The Washington Post, 12/16/13)

The Veterans Of Foreign Wars Estimated The Budget Would Reduce The Benefits For A Typical Enlisted Person Who Retires At Age 40 By $80,000 By Age 62. “The Veterans of Foreign Wars estimated it would reduce the benefits for a typical enlisted person who retires at age 40 by $80,000 by age 62.” (The Washington Post, 12/16/13)