U.S. Sen. Patty Murray said Friday in Tacoma that the government must continue to take care of the nation’s military servicemen and women even while focusing on helping the economy recover.
Murray, D-Wash., said military families are suffering from the nation’s economic problems like all Americans are.
“It’s going to be our top priority to get our economy moving again so that people feel secure,” Murray said. “While we do that, we also have to work on making sure our troops get what they need – both while they’re serving us and when they come home.”
Speaking to a conference for military families, Murray spotlighted two issues she plans to address in Washington, D.C.
One concern is making sure soldiers have enough time between deployments “to regroup and reconnect” with their families.
“And,” she added, “we need to make sure for once and for all that when our troops come home they always get the world-class care that they have earned.”
Murray’s press secretary, Matt McAlvanah, later said that the senator supports the Army’s goal of increasing time between tours to 15 months or more. The minimum home time is currently 12 months.
Murray believes that while the Department of Veterans Affairs provides exceptional care, improvements must be made in some areas, McAlvanah said. They include:
• Decreasing long wait times for benefits.
• Improving services for those with post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury.
• Ensuring the VA is prepared for the growing number of women veterans who need services.
In Tacoma, Murray gave welcoming remarks to about 300 military family members and groups that assist them at the second annual Washington State Military Kids and Families Summit.
Murray said she was delighted to hear soon-to-be first lady Michelle Obama say that taking care of military families would be at the top of her agenda.
Americans “know the sacrifice you make and they want to reach out and help,” Murray said told the crowd at the Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center. “Sometimes they don’t know how to.”
Murray talked about her father, Army Pvt. Dave Johns, who was injured in World War II. He came home, got married and raised seven children. He was later diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and over time could not work.
Her mom, Beverly, had to be a mother, take care of her husband, and work.
“For a time my family had to go on food stamps to get by,” Murray said. “I know that so many military parents are in the same position that my mom was in.”
In an interview prior to her talk, Murray downplayed speculation that she could be in line to chair the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee if party leaders demote Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman.
The Senate’s Democratic Caucus will discuss Tuesday whether Lieberman, an independent, should be removed as chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee because of his support for Republican John McCain in the presidential race.
Murray said she had no position on Lieberman’s status. She acknowledged speculation that Sen. Daniel Akaka of Hawaii would move from chairman of Veterans Affairs to Homeland Security if Lieberman is removed, resulting in Murray chairing Veterans Affairs because she’s next in seniority.
Murray said she doesn’t foresee Akaka leaving the veterans post.
“It doesn’t matter to me,” Murray said. “Whatever position I am in in the VA (committee), it is my top priority.”
Steve Maynard: 253-597-8647
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