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Veteran registration added to military bill
Aug 2, 10:50 AM
Waterbury Republican American
BY PAUL HUGHES
REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN
HARTFORD — State officials battling with the Veterans Administration over voter registration drives are closer to getting some help from Congress.
The U.S. House approved an amendment to a military appropriations bill to permit nonpartisan groups to hold voter registration drives at federal veterans homes, hospitals and other veterans facilities.
U.S. Rep. Christopher S. Murphy, D-5th District, offered the amendment in response to a controversy back home in Connecticut.
In May, Veterans Affairs Secretary James P. Peake issued a directive suspending registration drives. He said the move was made to avoid disruptions and because a law prohibits federal employees from engaging in political activities on government time.
In Connecticut, Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz and Attorney General Richard Blumenthal protested and challenged Peake’s directive.
The two state officials helped launch a nationwide effort to overturn the rule. Murphy is working with fellow lawmakers from Pennsylvania and California to pass legislation to achieve that goal.
The House approved Murphy’s amendment to the military appropriations bill on a voice vote. House members later passed the legislation 404-9 early Friday morning.
