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Veterans from across country are storming Capitol Hill this week demanding that lawmakers expedite a backlog of veteran's benefits clams.
The numbers are staggering. Nearly 900,000 veterans are waiting for the Department of Veterans Affairs to process their disability claims. On average, it takes 273 days for a claim to be processed by the VA, according to the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. Group founder Paul Rieckhoff says that's not good enough.
"It's a paperwork process," he says. "It's not putting someone on Mars. We should be able to fix this backlog once and for all."
This week, veterans went to more than 100 lawmaker's offices demanding a solution. Members of the group also met with defense officials and the White House chief of staff. Rieckhoff says his group has a simple message.
"We have not heard an adequate response back from the president," he says. "We are calling on the president. Mr. President, we served when we were called. Now we're calling on you to serve. End the VA backlog. End it now."
The VA says the problem will be fixed in 2015, which these veterans say is unacceptable.
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Actor James Gandolfini, 51, has reportedly died. Variety magazine reports that he suffered a "sudden stroke." The cause of death is not yet known with certainty, but HBO says the actor may have suffered a heart attack.And The Winner Of The World Food Prize Is ... The Man From Monsanto
The prize is sometimes called the "Nobel Prize for food and agriculture." And this year's winners include Monsanto executive Robert Fraley, a pioneer in genetically engineered crops. If there's a single person who personifies the company's controversial role in American agriculture, it's probably Fraley.Meet The New Governor: Sharply Partisan And Upwardly Mobile
For years, governors were considered the most pragmatic figures in politics. Now, they're using their states to run ideological experiments.Microsoft Responds To Fan Outcry, Changes Xbox One Policies
Microsoft has changed policies regarding Internet connection and used game capabilities for its upcoming Xbox One gaming console. The company says it is responding to feedback from consumers.Leave a Comment
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