Noriega Earns VFW PAC Endorsement

Rick Noriega (D-Houston) today accepted the endorsement of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Political Action Committee (VFW-PAC) in McAllen.

In a letter of endorsement, Larry W. Rivers, Director of the VFW-PAC praised Rick Noriega’s “strong support for veterans, national security/defense, and military personnel issues.”

From the Noriega press release:

“I am proud to stand up for veterans and to have earned the endorsement of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Political Action Committee,” said Rick Noriega, a lieutenant colonel in the Texas Army National Guard. “When I am the next US Senator from Texas, I will make our veterans a priority, starting with a VA Hospital here in South Texas.”

Unlike Cornyn, Noriega who served in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom, has been a leader on veteran’ issues in the Texas Legislature:

• Joint-authored legislation making it easier for veterans to receive benefits under the Veterans’ Land Program or the Veterans’ Housing Assistance Program.

• Joint-authored legislation allowing municipalities and counties to continue to pay reservist employees while on active duty.

• Co-authored legislation extending college tuition to the children of members of the armed forces of the United States, the Texas National Guard, or the Texas Air National Guard who became disabled as a result of a service-related injury.

• Sponsored legislation to provide more counseling programs and reintegration services to aid veterans and their immediate families in the reintegration process.

Cornyn, on the other hand, has repeatedly voted against veterans’ healthcare, increased funding for body armor and armored humvees, and responsible troop deployment limits.  Cornyn drew particularly intense criticism for his vote against providing a permanent expansion of education benefits for post-Sept. 11 veterans. Rick Noriega was a strong supporter of the 21st Century G.I. Bill and, along with veterans and families across Texas, successfully pressured Cornyn to change his indefensible vote against affordable, quality education for returning troops.

CORNYN’S ANTI-TROOP, ANTI-VETERAN RECORD

Cornyn voted against veterans health care at least SIXTEEN times. John Cornyn voted against veterans’ health care at least sixteen times, including votes to allow veteran’s health care fees to triple, opposing mandating veterans’ health care funding, $10 million for veterans’ counseling and $500 million for veterans’ mental health care. [Vote 67, 3/16/06; Vote 63, 3/16/06; Vote 41, 3/14/06; Vote 15, 2/13/06; Vote 7, 2/2/06; Vote 343, 11/17/05; Vote 251, 10/5/05; Vote 242, 9/22/05; Vote 89, 4/12/05; Vote 90, 4/12/05; Vote 55, 3/16/05; Vote 145, 6/23/04; Vote 40, 3/10/04; Vote 379, 10/14/03; Vote 105, 6/2/04; Vote 81, 3/25/03]

Cornyn voted against expansion of education benefits for veterans. In 2008, Cornyn voted against providing a permanent expansion of education benefits for post-Sept. 11 veterans. [HR 2642, Vote #137, 5/22/08]

Cornyn voted against body armor and armored humvees at least three times. Cornyn voted against increasing funding for the procurement of Army Tactical Wheeled Vehicles in Iraq and Afghanistan by $360.8 million, voted against $213 million for Army Humvees and against $322 million for protective gear for troops. A Senate aide said that the money would go toward add-on armor kits for existing Humvees and new armored trucks for troop and cargo transport. [Vote 248, 10/5/05; Defense Daily, 10/5/05; Vote 108, 4/21/05; CQ Today, 4/21/05; Vote 376, 10/2/03; CQ Today, 10/2/03]

Cornyn twice voted against responsible troop deployment limits. In September 2007, Cornyn voted to block a bipartisan proposal to specify minimum periods between deployments of U.S. troops in Iraq. Specifically, the amendment would extend home stays for troops for periods at least as long as their last combat tours before they can be redeployed. [Vote 341, 9/19/07; Washington Post, 9/19/07]

Cornyn voted against condemning attacks on the honor and integrity of service men and women. In 2007, Cornyn voted against an amendment that would express the sense of the Senate to reaffirm strong support for those in the U.S. armed forces and strongly condemn attacks on the honor, integrity and patriotism of any individual who is serving or has served honorably. [HR 1585, Vote #343, 9/20/07]

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