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UPDATE: DID SENATOR KENT CONRAD (D-ND) CUT A DEAL

TO SINK "ATTORNEYS FOR VETERANS" LEGISLATION? --

Capitol Hill buzz hints that Conrad, pressured by special

interests, worked to set up repeal of "Attorneys" bill.

 

            Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND)

 

The latest "rumblings" from Capitol Hill are pointing a finger at Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND) as the person who held up key legislation in an effort the stop "Attorneys for Veterans" bill.

Background here...
http://www.vawatchdog.org/07/nf07/nfJAN07/nf010607-3.htm

And here...
http://www.vawatchdog.org/07/nf07/nfJAN07/nf010407-10.htm

Insiders say that Conrad, pressured by special interests including the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), held up the passage of S.3421 in the 109th Congress because it contained the "Attorneys for Veterans" legislation.

Then, the hold was taken off S.3421 with the understanding that "repealer" legislation would be introduced in the 110th Congress to repeal the "Attorneys for Veterans" portion of the bill.

We know that the "repealer" legislation has been written and is making its way around the Hill.

Look for this "repealer" to be quietly inserted into a "must pass" bill.  The political theory here is that the "must pass" bill is so important that it must be passed...and that the "Attorneys for Veterans" "repealer" is of little consequence and can be sacrificed for the greater good.

Sad.  But, that's the way it goes on The Hill.

As to Senator Conrad and his alleged role in all of this...the DAV denies any "deal" with Conrad while insiders remain steadfast in their assertions that the Senator from North Dakota was behind all of this.

More as all of this develops.

Be sure to watch for the "repealer" to make its way into another piece of legislation in the next few days.

Unless...cooler heads prevail...........................

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Larry Scott

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