LITTLE ROCK - Former U.S. Attorney and candidate for the U.S. Senate Conner Eldridge today released a statement emphasizing his support for legislation expanding opportunity and access for veterans and their families' healthcare, education, and job training. Eldridge also criticized his opponent, Sen. Boozman, for his record against veterans, saying his votes against the $1 billion Job Corps Bill for returning veterans and a comprehensive bill for their health care and education show he does not stick up for veterans.
"America’s veterans and military families deserve our unequivocal support for their tremendous service in defense of our country," said Eldridge. "Their sacrifice ensures our liberty, and we must prioritize those who make our nation possible -- this means more than just symbolic gestures and speeches on their behalf. It's the legislation and action that make the substantial difference in veterans' day-to-day lives. Providing quality healthcare, education, and job training for our veterans and their families is an obligation we must fulfill. However, Senator Boozman has a record of voting against legislation that would further this effort."
Sen. Boozman initially supported the 2012 Veterans Job Corps Bill to help unemployed veterans find work, but ultimately reversed course, putting partisanship over the bill, despite bipartisan support for the measure. (Times-Record, 2012) Then, in 2014, Sen. Boozman voted against a comprehensive bill that would have expanded veterans and their families' health care, education and job training. The 2014 bill, S. 1982, would have expanded veterans' healthcare programs, given veterans in-state tuition rates at all schools across the country and provided advanced appropriations for the Department of Veterans Affairs. (The Hill, 2014)
"Despite his talk, Sen. Boozman votes against legislation that would help our veterans plain and simple. We must support those who sacrifice everything for our liberty -- no excuses. Our country has made a promise to our troops: if you serve your country, then we will have your back for life. This includes doing all we can to help veterans find jobs. I will always honor that promise, put country first and fight for the over-250,000 veterans we have here in Arkansas."