Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, made clear the leadership styles of former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. For Veterans of America Varia during the campaign in Johnstown, Pennsylvania Saturday
The rally for the Republican vice presidential nominees was held at JWF Industries, which provides “reliable, on-time manufacturing and subassembly for major Department of Defense contractors,” according to its website.
Vance, a Navy veteran himself, asked the crowd, “When our own citizens suffer and our veterans are at the top of the list, do you know what a big difference it is? Between Donald Trump And Kamala Harris (what)?
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“Donald Trump wants to put American citizens and American veterans first. He thinks the government of this country exists to serve the people of this country, not people who shouldn't be here in the first place,” Vance said. “That’s the biggest difference between the leadership of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.”
Vance's comments Pennsylvania, which has the fourth-highest rate of senior homelessness, responded to a reporter's question about how the Trump-Vance ticket would prioritize ending senior homelessness in America.
Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. Rep. JD Vance, R-Ohio, arrives at a campaign event at JWF Industries in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, on Saturday. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
In late August, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it would award more than $800 million in grants nationwide. Support services for elderly families Grants and per diems for homeless providers program, with $17 million of the overall grant going to Pennsylvania.
According to the nonprofit Mission Roll Call, an average of 35,574 seniors were experiencing homelessness per day in 2023. According to the VA, experienced homelessness increased 7.4% from 2022 to 2023 during the Biden administration .
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“Let’s be honest here, $17 million,” Vance said. “While this helps, it is not enough to address the challenges of this country’s homeless elderly population.
“These guys went to war. Some of them came back with scars, some of them with scars you couldn't see. But they all came back proud that they had served their country and done what our country asked them to do,” he said. . added “How shameful is it that millions of our elderly are left behind in one way or another and thousands of them are homeless? Accommodating illegal aliens in a first-class hotel is a disgrace.”
In New York City alone, 119 immigrant shelters contracted by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are hotels and motels. Another 38 hotels are contracted through various agencies.
Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. Rep. JD Vance, R-Ohio, arrives at a campaign event at JWF Industries in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, on Saturday. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
Veterans 4 America First Institute (V4AF), a self-described nonprofit, grassroots political organization, responded to Vance's comments about Trump and Harris' differing views on veterans.
“Senator Vance is 100% correct, we need to do more for homeless veterans, especially under Vice President Harris when the Department of Veterans Affairs dropped the ball because the number of homeless veterans increased by more than 7% last year,” Darin Selnick, founder of V4AF and Air Force veteran, told Fox News Digital.
“Meanwhile, the VA gives special treatment to illegal immigrants by processing and paying their medical claims from ICE and special interests on veterans, like what is happening at the West LA campus, where the VA turned away homeless veterans while offering illegal rentals. UCLA, Brentwood School and the Oil Companies,” Selnick continued.
A lawsuit in Los Angeles recently ruled against the VA after it was discovered that the agency “quietly sold” land donated in 1888 as an Old Soldiers' Home to private interests rather than building housing units for veterans.
Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, makes the gesture while speaking at a campaign event Saturday (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
U.S. Representative Mike Bost, R-Ill. Last December, a bill was introduced that would block VA funding for illegal immigrants nationwide, called the “VA Non-Resources for Illegal Aliens Act.” ICE detention.
Selnick added, “It’s time for Vice President Harris to do the same, instead of just talking the talk, and do what’s right for veterans instead of using them as political props.”
The Republican National Committee's official platform for 2024 includes a subsection titled “Care for Our Veterans,” “Republicans will end luxury housing and tax benefits for illegal immigrants and use those savings to house and treat homeless veterans.”
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“We will restore the Trump administration's reforms to expand veterans' health care options, protect whistleblowers, and hold officials accountable for failing to give our veterans the care they deserve,” the document continues.
Representatives for Vance and the Trump campaign did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
