REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES SILENT ON VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILY ISSUES
It’s been one week since Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Michael Kiernan asked the three Republican candidates for governor to stand with Governor Culver in honoring our commitment to Iowa ’s military families and veterans.“This is shameful,” said Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Michael Kiernan.
“Honoring our commitment to military families and to our veterans is how we keep moving Iowa forward. Their silence on this issue is truly telling.”
Terry Branstad and Bob Vander Plaats couldn’t be bothered with the issue on the campaign trail. Rep. Rod Roberts voted against HF 2110, the “trailing spouse” bill that would expand unemployment benefits to Iowans married to a member of the military should they leave their job in efforts to keep their family together.
Not one of the Republican candidates for governor have stood up to explain their position, including Roberts, who voted to stand it its way.
“The bottom line is that we have a commitment to Iowa’s veterans and to their families,” wrote Chairman Kiernan in the letter.
The full text of the letter follows. The Iowa Democratic Party is sending the letter as well as the signatures gathered over the past week to all three Republican campaigns.
Governor Terry Branstad, Representative Rod Roberts, and Mister Bob Vander Plaats,
I travel across Iowa constantly. I hear so many stories about Iowa’s hard-working families and these tough economic times. None of these stories are as inspiring or as heartbreaking to hear as the military families who sacrifice each day in the name of service to our country.
At the end of the year, Iowa will have 3,500 troops deployed overseas. They’ve been a source of strength and relief in the wake of natural disasters here at home in Iowa and abroad.
The bottom line is that we have a commitment to Iowa’s veterans and to their families. We cannot take for granted or forget their service.
House File 2110 has been introduced to ease the burden on military families. It expands unemployment benefits for spouses who are forced to leave their jobs when their spouse is reassigned or deployed. At a time when so many soldiers are being sent overseas, we need to give these families, who are being affected the most, a helping hand.
This morning, Governor Culver asked that House File 2110 be passed by the legislature and enacted into Iowa law.
I urge to you, as candidates for Governor and leaders in your communities, to vocalize your support for this legislation. Send a message to hard-working Iowans that you stand with our military families.
Governor Culver fights everyday for Iowa’s hard-working families, including the families of Iowa’s military. I hope you will join him in supporting this legislation.
Sincerely,
Michael Kiernan
Chair, Iowa Democratic Party
Peggy from Cresco
Darren from Ogden
Greg from Johnston
Kathryn from Ames
Steven from Mt Vernon
Bill from Jefferson
Kay from Cedar Rapids
Darlene from Ottumwa
Hamilton from Ames
George from Silver City
Gail from Washington
Dianne from Readlyn
Forrest from Ames
Mary from Ottumwa
Larry from Cedar Falls
Nicole from Ankeny
Joe from Cedar Rapids
Judith from Des Moines
Dennis from Bettendorf
Steve from Adair
Ronald from Ottumwa
Glen from Fairfield
Ali from Des Moines
Barbara from St. Charles
Wendy from Ames
Charles from West Branch
Marti from Des Moines
Luiz from Hull
Gregory from St. Olaf
Don from Letts
Sandy from Canton, PA
Kenneth from Perry
Rosaliue from Urbandale
Neisha from Cedar Rapids
Robert from Ames
David from Des Moines
John from Britt
Sharon from Pilot Mound
Michael from Cedar Rapids
Randy from Garner
Claudette from Riverside
Matt from Hiawatha
James from Ames
Patrick from Panama
Jackie from Huxley
Michael from Urbandale
Erin from Des Moines
Patricia from Sioux City
Doug from Des Moines
Nader from Johnston
Heidi from Des Moines
Jan from Ames
Brad from Des Moines
Renee from Hampton
Terri from Cedar Rapids
Andrew from Ames
A.B. from Ames
Luiz from Hull
Carol from Mt Vernon
Bill from Pleasantville
Sue from Iowa City
Sharon from Johnston
John from Britt
Pam from Winthrop
Tom from Council Bluffs
Lona from Marshalltown
Charles from Iowa City
Beth from Cedar Falls
Tim from Oelwein
Jerry from Keosauqua
Lynn from Solon
Doug from Des Moines
Betty from Battle Creek
Jenna from Ames
Erin from Des Moines
Jeanne from Maquoketa