Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Call Out Saxby Chambliss For Votes Against Funding Body Armor for Troops in Ad Campaign
By VoteVets.org
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Press Release
PUBLISHED: October 27, 2008
Washington – The largest group of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans, VoteVets.org, announced it is running an ad in Georgia that highlights votes made by Senator Saxby Chambliss against greater funding for body armor for the troops. The ad will run over the next week in the Columbus and Savannah markets.
YOU CAN VIEW THE AD HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeuY6z_gamI
The ad features Peter Granato, Iraq War Veteran. In the ad, Granato fires shots from an AK-47 through the kind of flak jacket troops were given early on in the war, and modern Body Armor, featuring (Stand Alone Protective Insert (SAPI) plates. The shots go through the older vest, but are stopped by the newer armor. Granato explains that Chambliss voted against funding to give American troops the newer armor.
Chambliss did so twice, voting against an amendment offered by Senator Christopher Dodd in 2003 (S.Amdt. 1817), which would have appropriated $300 million more for needed equipment for the troops, including proper Body Armor, to make up for a funding shortfall that did not meet the request of the US Army. He also voted against an amendment by Senator Mary Landrieu ( S.Amdt. 452) in the same year that would have appropriated $1 billion for equipment on a list of priorities from the Marines, also including Body Armor, as Landrieu made clear in her press release on the amendment at the time.
"Senator Chambliss should be held accountable for these votes, and troops and veterans are doing just that," said Jon Soltz, Iraq War Veteran and Chairman of VoteVets.org. "These votes were particularly disturbing, and Senator Chambliss should explain why he voted against this funding for the troops."
VoteVets.org is a pro-military organization committed to the destruction of terror networks around the world, with force when necessary. It represents the Voice of America's 21 Century Patriots - those who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan.
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Paid for by VoteVets.org
Paid for VoteVets Political Action Committee. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. VoteVets Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) organization which primarily focuses on nonpartisan education and advocacy on behalf veterans and their families. VoteVets Political Action Committee is a federal political committee which primarily helps elect Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran candidates and educates about veterans and military issues aimed at influencing the outcome of the next election.