According to Dana Bash of CNN, Lieberman was not offered a subcommittee by Reid as was earlier reported, but rather Chairmanship of Veteran’s Affairs.

Now, it’s beyond the pale that Lieberman should have a gavel at all. But particularly in light of his record on veteran’s issues:

Lieberman Opposed Cutting Welfare Spending to Increase Funding for Veterans Health Care

S Con Res 57 Senate Vote 116 R 52-0; D 23-23 5/16/96

Lieberman voted against the Bond, R-Mo., amendment to the Exon, D-Neb., substitute amendment, to increase veterans spending by $13 billion in fiscal 1997-2002, to be offset by reductions in welfare spending. The Senate adopted the amendment 75-23.

Lieberman Opposed $400 Million in Funding for Veterans Benefits

S 936 Senate Vote 168 R 50-5; D 8-36 7/10/97

Lieberman voted for the Thurmond, R-S.C., motion to table the Wellstone, D-Minn., amendment to require the Defense secretary to transfer $400 million to the secretary of Veteran’s Affairs in fiscal 1998 for veteran’s benefits. The Senate agreed to the motion 58-41.

Lieberman Opposed $329 Million for Veterans Health Care

S 2057 Senate vote 175 R 5-47; D 33-8 6/25/98

Lieberman voted against the Harkin, D-Iowa, amendment that transferred $329 million from defense accounts to the Veterans Affairs Department for health care programs. The amendment ordered the secretary of Defense to transfer the funds from defense programs that would result in the "least significant harm" to armed forces readiness and military personnel quality of life. The Senate rejected the amendment 38-55.

Lieberman Opposed Cutting Funds for the International Space Station to Fund Veterans’ Health Care

S 2168 Senate Vote 185 R 12-43; D 21-23 7/7/98

Lieberman voted against the Bumpers, D-Ark., amendment to the VA-HUD Appropriations Bill that eliminated the bill’s $2.3 billion appropriation for the international space station. The amendment provided $850 million to terminate the program, $1 billion for veterans’ health care programs and $450 million for low-income housing. The Senate rejected the amendment 33-66.

Lieberman Opposed Increasing Funding for Veterans’ Medical Care by $650 Million

HR 2620 Senate Vote 263 R 8-41; D 16-34 8/1/01

Lieberman voted against the Wellstone, D-Minn., motion to waive the Budget Act with respect to the Bond, R-Mo., point of order against the Wellstone amendment to the Mikulski, D-Md., substitute amendment. The Wellstone amendment increased the amount available for veterans’ medical care by $650 million. The substitute provided $84.1 billion for the departments of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and related agencies. The Senate rejected the motion 25-75.

Lieberman Missed a Vote on Supplemental Spending for Veterans Health Care

HR 2361 Senate Vote 165 R 52-0; D 43-0 6/29/05

Lieberman was absent for the vote on the Santorum, R-Pa., amendment to the Murray, D-Wash., amendment. The Santorum amendment appropriated $1.5 billion in supplemental fiscal 2005 funding to the Department of Veterans Affairs for medical services provided by the Veterans Health Administration. The Murray amendment appropriated $1.42 billion in supplemental fiscal 2005 funding for the same purpose. The Senate adopted the amendment 96-0.

Lieberman Missed a Vote on Providing $1.5 Billion in Funding for Veterans Health Care

HR 2361 Senate Vote 166 R 52-0; D 43-0 6/29/05

Lieberman was absent for the vote on the Murray, D-Wash., amendment to the Interior-Appropriations Bill. The amendment provided $1.5 billion in fiscal 2005 supplemental appropriations to the Department of Veterans Affairs for medical services provided by the Veterans Health Administration. The Senate adopted the amendment 96-0.

Lieberman Opposed $20 Million in Funding for Veterans Health Care to be Offset by Cuts to Americorps

HR 4939 Senate Vote 111 R 35-19; D 4-39 5/4/06

Lieberman voted against the Thune, R-S.D., amendment to the supplemental appropriations bill that added $20 million for veterans’ health care facilities. It offset the additional spending by striking $20 million in the underlying bill for AmeriCorps. The Senate rejected the amendment 39-59.