The Great Smoky Mountain Journal
Staff, Wire Reports
Posted: Sunday, January 21, 2018 06:34 PM
Florida Democrat Who Slammed President Trump For Being "Insensitive" To Widow Of U.S. Soldier Has Voted Against Vets Many Times
The Florida Democrat who criticized
President Donald Trump this week for being "insensitive" toward the
widow of a U.S. soldier slain in Africa might be facing similar
criticism herself.
It turns out that U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson has frequently voted
against measures intended to help veterans and their families, according
to VoteSmart.org, a vote-tracking site whose founding board members
included former presidents Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford.
The measures that Wilson opposed included a bill that could have ensured
that families of four soldiers slain in Afghanistan in 2013 received
death and burial benefits.
Donald J. Trump ✔@realDonaldTrump
Democrat Congresswoman totally fabricated what I said to the wife of a
soldier who died in action (and I have proof). Sad!
In fact, Wilson’s voting record on veterans issues may call into
question the sincerity of her recent defense of U.S. service members and
their families.
Despite Wilson's claim to be “committed to honoring our service members,
not only with words but with deeds,” she has voted against most bills
ensuring continued funding for veteran benefits, including payments to
widows of fallen soldiers, the vote-tracking site shows.
She has also opposed measures designed to improve the Department of
Veterans Affairs.
In March 2013, Wilson opposed the “Consolidated and Further Continuing
Appropriations Act,” which prevented a government shutdown and provided
funds for the U.S. military and the VA.
The bill, which passed with bipartisan support and was signed into law
by the Obama administration, provided funding to the military and the VA
until the next government shutdown showdown.
Later in the year, Wilson again voted against a resolution aimed at
ensuring benefits paid to the veterans and their families would not be
affected by the government shutdown in October that year.
The motion was particularly important in the wake of reports that the
families of four soldiers slain in Afghanistan in 2013 had been deprived
of benefits due to the shutdown in Washington.
The families of slain soldiers were denied burial benefits and up to
$100,000 to each family, among other benefits, the New York Times
reported. Wilson voted against the resolution ensuring that the benefits
reached the families.
Defense Department spokesman Carl Woog said the department did not have
“the authority to pay death gratuities and other key benefits for the
survivors of service members killed in action” due to the government
shutdown.
The congresswoman also opposed numerous bills aimed at improving VA
services provided the veterans and their families.
Wilson's office has not responded to a Fox News request for a comment.
The former elementary school principal, who first came to Congress in
2011, has been portrayed this week as a staunch defender of the military
and military families after accusing the president of being
“insensitive” toward Myeshia Johnson, widow of Sgt. La David Johnson,
one of four service members who were killed last week in the African
nation of Niger.
According to Wilson, Trump told the grieving widow that her husband
“knew what he signed up for ... but when it happens, it hurts anyway.”
But Trump, in a response on Twitter, said Wilson had “totally fabricated
what I said.”
White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said Wednesday that Wilson’s
attack on the president using the soldier’s widow was “appalling and
disgusting.”
The congresswoman has stood by her account of the call.
Lukas Mikelionis is a reporter for FoxNews.com. Follow him on Twitter @LukasMikelionis.