Principled, Gutsy Wisconsin Republican U.S. Senator Singlehandedly Kills Military Pay ‘Double-Dipping’

Gotta hand it to Ron Johnson for actually voting to cut your taxes when the alternative would have been much easier.

The Republican senator from Wisconsin just killed a bill designed to let certain veterans collect, in essence, two retirement salaries.

Under current federal law, roughly 54,000 medically-retired veterans can’t collect both retirement pay and disability compensation.

Instead, the benefits are offset against each other.

A proposed revision aimed to change that.

The legislation would allow combat-injured veterans with fewer than 20 years of service to receive both benefits.

Veterans in his state are blasting Johnson, and of course they are. They won’t be allowed to double dip.

But Johnson says he’ll die on this hill to cut taxes.

He blocked the bill all by himself on a procedural motion.

While still expressing appreciation for veterans, Johnson addressed the Senate floor saying his decision was tied to concerns about federal spending.

“We can’t just come down here and talk about how much we love vets and how we want to support them,” Johnson said. “We also have to look at the reality of the situation, the dollars and cents. We’re $39 trillion in debt.”

That’s called principle.

“I voted for the man twice,” said one of his constituents, a veteran. “I assure you, I will not be voting for him next time.”

That’s why the U.S. is $39 trillion in debt – because most politicians cave to those kind of threats from voters.

Hats off to Ron Johnson of Wisconsin for honoring principle when his own paycheck – and political future – is on the line.