From the Padgett campaign:
ALTAMONT – Senator Alexander showed how out of touch he is with the priorities of Tennesseans Thursday when he voted against better education benefits for veterans and those suffering from the economic downturn and for sending billions more to Iraq, U.S. Senate candidate Mike Padgett said.
“Once again, Senator Alexander stepped right in line with President Bush, voting to send him another $165 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan,” Padgett said during a campaign stop in Grundy County. “His answer to out-of-work Tennesseans who need a few more weeks of help while they look for a job? An icy no.”
Senator Alexander voted against a domestic measure that included, among other things:
• Senator Jim Webb’s GI bill guaranteeing college tuition for veterans.
• A 13-week extension of unemployment benefits beyond what the state pays.
• Money for LIHEAP, which helps lower-income people with high heating bills.
He then cast a no vote on a bill that would bring troops home from Iraq by June 2009 and require Baghdad to use its oil revenues to match what the United States is spending on rebuilding Iraq. The bill also included war funding.
Democrats agreed to strip everything from the Iraq bill except the money for war, which then passed – with Alexander’s support. That bill was paired with the domestic measure that Alexander voted against, and both are being sent to the House.
“I have seen communities in rural Tennessee the last couple of days that rely on well water,” Padgett said. “We ought to be spending money repairing our own infracture, not Iraq’s.
“But I commend the Senate for recognizing that our military heroes deserve an education when they come home. And because of Thursday’s action, folks who are hurt by our troubled economy may get a little more help with basic needs – no thanks to Senator Alexander.
“If Tennesseans will stand with me, I won’t miss the chance to help turn things around – the way Senator Alexander did Thursday.”
