Chet Edwards For Congress

Fighting Hard for America's Veterans and Military Retirees

Congressman Chet Edwards believes America has a solemn commitment to America's veterans and military retirees - to see that they are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve, and to see that our government honors their service and sacrifices not just in words, but in deeds.

In 2007, Congressman Edwards became the Chairman of the House Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee. In his first year as Chairman, Chet authored a historic increase of $11.8 billion in veterans' health care funding, the largest increase in the 77-year history of the VA. This groundbreaking funding increase will help improve services, reduce waiting times, ensure proper maintenance at VA hospitals, hire more than 3,100 claims processors to reduce the current 400,000 claim backlog.

Fighting to Save the Waco VA Hospital

Chet Edwards has led the fight to save the VA Hospital since the day the CARES Commission recommended closing the historic, 73 year-old facility in 2003.

Working alongside area veterans, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison and local leaders, Chet spearheaded the fight to keep the Waco VA open, and expand its mission as a National Mental Health Center of Excellence.

Since 2006, Chet has secured $5.7 million for innovative Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) research at the Waco VA. The record level budget also increased the number of employees at the Waco VA by 127, the Waco Regional office by 138, and made possible $49 million for five new construction projects on the Waco VA campus starting in 2008.

Waco Tribune-Herald: Proposed expansion of GI Bill inspired by Waco-area soldier killed in Iraq

Waco Tribune-Herald | Friday, June 12, 2009
By Regina Dennis Staff Writer

A new provision to expand GI Bill education benefits for the children of fallen service members will be named in honor of a Lorena man who was killed while on duty in Iraq.

The Marine Gunnery Sgt. John David Fry Scholarship would cover the full cost of a college education for all children of military members serving after Sept. 11, 2001, who are killed in combat or active duty.

Fort Worth Star-Telegram: VA raising maximum income for nondisabled veterans' benefits

Saturday, Jun 13, 2009
By CHRIS VAUGHN

For the first time in more than six years, a crack has opened in the VA that will allow more middle-income veterans with no disabilities access to primary doctors, hospitals and pharmacies.

B-CS Eagle: Remember our veterans this week

By U.S. Rep. CHET EDWARDS

Bryan-College Station Eagle
Sunday, May 24, 2009

For 141 years, Americans have paused on the last Monday of May to remember and honor those brave Americans who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to country.

This tradition began on May 5, 1868, when the Grand Army of the Republic established Memorial Day as the national day to decorate the graves of the Civil War soldiers with flowers. Gen. and Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant presided over the first observance of Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery, where more than 20,000 Union dead and several hundred Confederate dead had been laid to rest.

Waco Trib Editorial: Filling aching void at VA hospital

Waco Tribune-Herald | Monday, May 18, 2009 |
By JIM McKEOWN Guest column

Four years ago the sprawling campus was on a death watch, wounded and bleeding. Now, the Waco Veterans Affairs Medical Center is back and ready for work.

The developments far exceed the biggest one — creation of the Center for Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans. They include $49 million worth of construction and renovation shepherded through by Congressman Chet Edwards.