Nolan calls vote against VA funding a protest
A Minnesota Congressman was one of only four House members to vote against a bill funding Veterans Affairs programs and construction projects.
Democrat Rick Nolan calls his no vote a protest of a bill he says leaves veterans health programs underfunded while spending billions on military construction overseas.
He was pretty lonely in his opposition, though. 241 of Nolan's colleagues voted in favor of the $73 billion bill.
The National Republican Congressional Committee called Nolan's vote inexplicable and accused him of playing politics with the health of veterans.
Nolan told the Star Tribune he hoped his opposition would contribute to a better outcome when the House bill is reconciled with one the Senate passed.
MinnPost notes Nolan is a longtime critic of American military involvement overseas.
Minnesota Eighth District is home to three Veteran's Administration hospitals and an estimated 61,000 veterans.
