By Bob Katzen

The House 27-129, rejected an amendment that would prioritize honorably discharged homeless veterans for eligibility for placement in the shelter assistance program.

“Massachusetts is widely recognized as a national leader for the programs and services we provide to our veterans and our shelter system should be reflective of that,” said amendment sponsor GOP Minority Leader Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading). “No individual who has served their country with valor and dedication should ever be forced to sleep on the street. Ensuring the well-being of homeless veterans, who have sacrificed so much for our country and our commonwealth, is not a policy decision; it’s a moral imperative.”

Opponents of the amendment said it is a political stunt designed to make it appear that Democrats are against helping veterans and noted that nothing could be further from the truth. They noted this shelter assistance funding was designed to protect women, children and families. They noted that the Bay State proudly already has some of the best veterans’ benefits in the nation and pointed to increased veterans benefits in the House budget.

Rep. Gerard Cassidy (D-Brockton), House chair of the Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs, previewed a veterans bill being prepared by his committee for consideration in May and said it will provide even more benefits for veterans.
“This is not a veterans’ bill. This is basically a political ploy,” said Cassidy.

(A “Yes” vote is for the amendment giving priority to homeless veterans. A “No” vote is against it.)

Rep. Christine Barber No Rep. Mike Connolly No Rep. Paul Donato No Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven No