BURR DISHONORS SERVICE MEMBERS – SHOULD RETURN CONTRIBUTIONS!!!

BURR DISHONORS SERVICE MEMBERS – SHOULD RETURN CONTRIBUTIONS

Crosses the line when he offers his financial supporters the opportunity to "enlist"
and buy a military rank in exchange for a campaign contribution.
A fundraising letter from Richard Burr sent to contributors and obtained by the Cal Cunningham for Senate Campaign shows a blatant disregard for the sacrifice of members of the military, veterans and their families by purporting to sell military rank in exchange for campaign contributions.

“Richard Burr’s offensive letter dishonors our men and women in uniform by offering anyone the military ranks of "Private," "Sergeant," or even "Colonel" in exchange for a campaign contribution,” said Major General (Ret.) Hubert Leonard, former Adjutant General of the North Carolina National Guard and co-chairman of Veterans for Cunningham.

“Unlike Cal Cunningham, Richard Burr hasn't served a day in the military. Maybe that's why he doesn't understand that you don't buy a military rank -- you earn it. Richard Burr should immediately return all contributions received from this dishonorable solicitation and apologize to the thousands of military men and women, veterans and their families whose sacrifice he has demeaned.”

Richard Burr’s record has previously shown disregard for our men and women in uniform:

Burr Voted against Pay Raises and Body Armor for Our troops. Burr voted against funding for body armor, armored vehicles and equipment needed to keep our troops safe. Burr also voted against providing our military men and women a well-deserved pay increase. [Vote 384, 12/19/09]

Burr Voted against the GI Bill. Burr was part of a small group that worked to oppose the new GI Bill that would make college affordable to veterans returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan. Burr argued that the new GI Bill was "too generous and would draw troops away from re-enlisting." This argument and Senator Burr's alternative bill was defeated in a bipartisan vote with veteran's organizations arguing that "patriotic troops would continue to serve their county, and that a new benefit would encourage thousands of college-bound young people to join the military." [Vote 161, 6/26/08; Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of American, 2008 Congressional Report Card]

Burr Voted Against Supplying our Troops. After voting to send additional troops to Iraq, Burr voted against funding to support them. The bill provided necessary vehicles, equipment and training for our military men and women serving overseas. [Vote 181, 5/27/07]

Burr Voted Twice Against Protecting Soldiers’ Salaries When Forced to Take Leave From Work For Iraq Deployment. In 2005, Burr tried to kill a proposal to require that federal employees who take leave without pay to serve as a member of the military or National Guard be reimbursed for the difference between their salary and the pay and allowances they receive while on duty. [Vote 91, 4/13/05]

Burr Twice Voted Against Funding for Armored Vehicles. In October 2005, Burr voted against a bi-partisan amendment to the Defense Appropriations Bill for $360.8 million to provide armored vehicles to Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. In April of the same year, Burr voted against another bi-partisan amendment which would provide an addition $213 million to ensure that Humvee production remained at its maximum level through the fiscal year. The amendment passed 61-39 [Vote 248, 10/5/05; Vote 108, 4/21/05]

Burr Voted Against $50 Million to Repair Military Equipment. In February 2006, Burr voted to place tax cuts for the wealthy ahead of military equipment repair by voting against a conference instruction. Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), who sponsored the motion and who served in the Army at Fort Bragg in the 1970s, urged that $50 million immediately be spent to repair military equipment, arguing, “Because they depend upon this equipment for their lives, we can’t tolerate equipment that won’t operate properly.” [Vote 18, 2/14/06; Congressional Record, 2/13/06]

Burr Voted Against Funding for Military Equipment Repairs. In February 2006, Burr voted to defeat a proposal to provide $44 billion to improve and repair military equipment. According to sponsor Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), “$47 billion worth of equipment which they have used in Iraq and Afghanistan needs to be repaired and reconditioned.” The funding would have been offset by repealing capital gains and dividends tax cuts, while extending protections for middle-class taxpayers. [Vote 8, 2/2/06; Congressional Record, 2/2/06]

For more information and to view the letter, please visit www.CalForNC.com/burrletter.