Rep. Steve Stockman (R-TX) accused Democrats of “curb-stomping veterans” because the Washington D.C. World War II Memorial had been closed after Republicans forced a government shutdown over President Barack Obama’s health care reform law.

The controversy over the over the memorial began on Tuesday after Reps. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) and Louie Gohmert (R-TX) had taken photos with a number of elderly veterans who were denied entry due to the shutdown. By Wednesday, the National Park Service announced that the World War II Memorial would remain open to veterans only.

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But that did not stop Stockman from insisting that “Democrats are curb-stomping veterans” in a fundraising letter sent out on Thursday.

“There is no other way to put it. Democrats are curb-stomping veterans,” he wrote. “Obama set up this confrontation, and even had Park Police warn wheelchair-bound 90-year-old vets may be arrested for seeing it before they die, because he hoped the mainstream media would blame Republicans.”

“What kind of person intentionally attacks disabled heroes because he’s certain his allies in the media will falsely blame his opponents?” the Texas Republican asked. “Barack Obama and the Democrats intentionally set up this government shutdown by refusing to pass a budget and then blocking continuing resolutions.”

“We know [sic] see why,” Stockman continued. “Obama and Democrats are curb-stomping veterans because they believe their allies in the mainstream media will falsely blame it on Republicans, even though orders to kill funding and close war memorials come on the letterhead of Democrat leaders and the White House.”