Chet Edwards For Congress - In the News

Bill would help improve barracks, hospitals

Kat — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:36:08 -0700

Bill would help improve barracks, hospitals

The Army Times
By Karen Jowers | Times staff writer | Monday June 23, 2008

A $72.8 billion bill that would provide better barracks for some Marine and soldier trainees, fix antiquated military medical facilities, hire more veterans claims processors and increase access to care for veterans has cleared its first hurdle in the House of Representatives.

"There are not many lobbyists running around Capitol Hill fighting for better housing for 18- and 19-year-old young men and women who made the decision to serve and sacrifice for our country," noted Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Texas.

Lawmakers have added $200 million for extra troop housing for soldier and Marine trainees to the Pentagon's fiscal 2009 military construction request.

"We want to send the message to soldiers and Marines that we value and respect their decision to serve by improving the barracks they live in when they train," said Edwards, chairman of the House Appropriations subcommittee on military construction and veterans affairs.

The subcommittee passed the bill unanimously by voice vote.

The extra barracks funding is part of the overall $24.8 billion bill for military construction, barracks and family housing, and base realignment and closure actions, which is $400 million more than the Pentagon's fiscal 2009 budget request.

Edwards said lawmakers learned in recent hearings that there is an "enormous" need to refurbish military medical treatment facilities, many of which are old and do not meet current standards for care.

In a Feb. 7 hearing with the senior enlisted advisers, Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth Preston said that while military medical facilities generally are well-maintained and operated, they are old and are not configured or constructed to provide the full range of treatment available in modern medical facilities.

Of the 25 major Army hospitals or medical centers, eight are more than 50 years old, and many others are between 25 and 50 years old.

Edwards said he hoped lawmakers' efforts to provide more funding have brought the issue to the attention of top officials, and that future budget submissions will include funding increases to address the backlog.

The bill also provides funding to hire an additional 1,400 Veterans Affairs claims processors, in addition to the 703 new hires that were included in the VA's 2009 budget submission.

All told, the bill would provide $47.7 billion in discretionary funding for VA. That is $2.9 billion above the White House's 2009 budget request, and $4.6 billion more than this year's VA budget.

The bill includes $3.8 billion for specialty mental health services and $584 million for substance abuse programs. Edwards said lawmakers want to increase their oversight in those areas to ensure VA is able to provide the best care now and in the future for veterans with mental illness and post-traumatic stress disorder, who are struggling with substance abuse or considering suicide, and those suffering from sexual trauma.

"One of the biggest challenges is to make sure VA follows through," said Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Tenn. "The VA is a big bureaucracy. If Congress doesn't lead and direct and hold them accountable, all the money in the world is not going to lead to more efficiency. We're throwing a lot of money at them, [but] it's easier to appropriate or allocate money than it is to hold these agencies accountable."

Lawmakers added $11 million for VA's inspector general to restore a budget cut that was made in the administration's original request, and to provide additional personnel to inspect community-based outpatient clinics and vet centers.

The bill also would provide:

• $200 million to increase access to fee-based care for veterans in areas where VA does not offer services.

• $568 million to increase VA health care enrollment of middle-income veterans.

• $300 million to address a maintenance backlog at VA medical facilities.

• $58 million to restore a cut made by VA for medical research in trauma, mental health and other areas important to veterans .

Vote doubles education benefits for vets

Kat — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:11:13 -0700

Vote doubles education benefits for vets

By Matt Smith | Cleburne Times Review | June 23 2008

The GI Bill of Rights, an amendment to a bill funding the war on terror, passed the U.S. House Thursday by a 416-12 vote. The bill doubles veterans education benefits to fully cover four-year college costs for U.S. service members. The bill is funded by $68.2 billion over 10 years. Another $8.2 billion included in the bill will fund unemployment benefits for veterans for 13 weeks past the regular 26 week period.

President Bush, who initially threatened to veto the bill, has now indicated his intention to sign it into law. The bill must first pass the Senate later this week.

House members voted 268-155 to approve $162 billion in funding for the war on terror. The GI bill was an amendment to that bill. Both will be rolled into one bill for the Senate vote.

The education portion of the bill is tagged to the public university with the highest tuition rate in each state, said Josh Taylor, communications director for U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco. The bill restores the promise of the original GI Bill, passed in 1944, to ensure a full four-year college education for America's veterans, Edwards said. The bill doubles the benefit from about $9,000 to about $18,000 per year.

"Not only will this strengthen our military," Edwards said. "It will also allow the heroes of Iraq and Afghanistan to spur the American economic recovery, just as the original GI Bill did after World War II."

Under the bill, U.S. servicemen and women returning from Iraq or Afghanistan, who have served three years of active duty since Sept. 11, 2001, would receive benefits to cover the costs of a four year education up to the level of the most expensive in-state public tuition. They would also receive a monthly stipend of about $1,000 for living expenses and $1,000 annually for books. Veterans who serve six years or more may also transfer their education benefits to their children and spouses.

Current veteran education benefits only cover about 60 percent of the cost of a public school education, Edwards said.

"This new GI Bill must become the law of the land," Edwards said. "Our veterans deserve no less."

A Promise Fulfilled

Kat — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 22:46:41 -0700

The American Legion Vision | May 28, 2008

A Promise Fulfilled

Rep. Chet Edwards is living up to the legacy of the man known in Washington as "Mr. Veteran."

Texas Democrat Chet Edwards may never have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, but his 18 years in Congress have been shaped by those who did.

Until his district map was redrawn in 2003, U.S. Rep. Edwards counted among his constituents the massive Fort Hood Army community and a strong population of military retirees and veterans who make central Texas their home. He no longer has Fort Hood, but he does represent in Congress Commander-in-Chief George W. Bush's hometown of Crawford, and has fought diligently to keep the Waco VA Medical Center from closing.

On the national level, however, is where Edwards has made his biggest impact on the lives of veterans. He received The American Legion's 2008 Distinguished Public Service Award after shepherding the largest one-year funding increase in the history of VA – $11.8 billion – while serving on the powerful House Appropriations Committee. "Chet went above and beyond in keeping us informed and telling the truth," American Legion National Commander Marty Conatser said when presenting the award in early April.

"To be a politician accused of telling the truth – what a special thing," Edwards quipped in response .

The award, he said, "was an honor I will always cherish. I know the real heroes are our nation's veterans. I am simply fighting to provide the funding and services that our veterans have already earned through their service and sacrifice to our country."

Edwards told Legionnaires gathered during the 48th Washington Conference that morning that his efforts to raise the bar on VA health-care funding are not a one-time shot. "In the new Congress, with your partnership, it will be a new day for America's veterans. We know there is so much more that needs to be done." Edwards recently spoke with The American Legion Magazine.

Q: Your relationship with veterans runs deep. What's the source of that?

A: My political mentor was Olin E. "Tiger" Teague, who earned two Silver Stars and three Bronze Stars in World War II, fighting in Europe. He chaired the VA committee for over a decade, and was known as "Mr. Veteran" in Congress. When he first approached me to run for office in 1978, he asked me to make one promise to him. He asked me to never forget veterans if I got elected. I don't make a lot of promises, but that's one commitment I intend to keep.

My father was a naval aviator in World War II, and having represented Fort Hood for 14 years in Congress, including the first war in Iraq, I have seen up close and firsthand the incredible sacrifices made by our servicemen and women and their families. Those are reasons why I am so passionate about honoring and respecting those who have served our country in uniform.

Q: The Waco VA Medical Center in your district was pegged for closure under the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services plan. Now, it's off the chopping block and looking to pick up patients from other VA facilities in the state. How did that transformation occur?

A: The CARES recommendation to close the Waco VA was based on faulty data – faulty data that did not take into account, among other things, the need for medical care for our returning Iraq and Afghan war veterans. I felt it would have been a moral outrage to close the Waco VA hospital during a time of war, when Fort Hood, with two divisions serving continuously in Iraq, was so close by. One other point: the Waco VA has long been a Center of Excellence for PTSD. It has one of the few in-house long-term PTSD programs in the country, and it's a very respected one. CARES got it wrong. This was an example of democracy working. The local veterans led the fight. Local officials, Sen. (Kay Bailey) Hutchison, and I joined with them. It was a great victory for veterans.

Now, the Waco VA is not just a key resource for Texas veterans. It is a key resource for blind rehab and PTSD all over the country.

Q: Veterans in many areas around the country still await hospitals recommended for construction under CARES. Isn't that an example of the gap between budget promises and actual funding?

A: The congressional budgeting process is confusing to most people. It's a three-step process. First, we have a budget resolution that sets out broad parameters of the federal budget. Then, the appropriations committee divides up the pie and says how much we get for the VA and Military Construction Committee, versus the other subcommittees. That's a critical part of the process that goes largely unnoticed. Then, finally, on my subcommittee, we go to work deciding exactly how those dollars are spent. The battle is won or lost at the budget committee level and at the ... allocation level. That is where the decisions are made about how much money goes into VA programs.

The other part is the authorizing process. Just because a project is authorized does not mean it's funded. There are projects that could have been authorized for decades that were never funded. Appropriations is where the rubber meets the road. When I came in as chairman in January of 2007, my frustration was that the veteran, veterans health care, and benefits programs had been on a treadmill for the past decade. While there were increases in the budget, they seldom kept up with inflation and population growth of veterans. Veterans were on a stationary treadmill at best, and falling backwards at worst.

Q: So you had some catching up to do.

A: We had some catching up to do. That is why I am so excited that we passed in just 12 months an $11.8 billion increase in VA health care and benefits programs.

Q: A few years ago, they revised the appropriations subcommittees, and The American Legion was concerned that VA and DoD would be put into competition with one another in the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee you chair. How is the new subcommittee working out?

A: I think it was a good decision because now we don't have veterans competing with NASA and housing programs. The common bond of our subcommittee is we are fighting for quality of life and health-care programs for our servicemen and women for our veterans and their families. The key to our subcommittee's work is receiving a strong allocation of funding. Credit should be given where credit is due. Speaker (Nancy) Pelosi, along with Congressmen John Spratt and Dave Obey have been real champions in seeing that my subcommittee had an unprecedented amount of funding to spend on troops and our veterans.

Q: That subcommittee seems like one of many examples where VA and DoD are growing more united in government.

A: There is a tie. Jack Murtha's subcommittee on defense appropriations funds DoD operations and maintenance for hospitals. Our subcommittee funds military construction for new hospitals for major improvements for DoD. One of the things Mr. Murtha and I have discussed is pushing VA and DoD toward a more seamless transition in health care.

Q: In 2005, The American Legion and many members of Congress identified a looming shortfall in the VA budget. When it hit and emergency funding was needed, the problem was connected to unanticipated demand growth from Iraq and Afghanistan veterans entering the system. How do you prevent that from happening again?

A: Really good question. First, we adequately fund the VA health-care system. That $11.8 billion increase – about 95 percent of that goes to the VA health-care system. That's the first key step. The second is that I added report language to the VA appropriations bill two years ago to require the VA to report detailed information quarterly to the Congress so that we don't have to wait until the fourth quarter of a fiscal year to find out that the VA health-care system is in a crisis. The third thing I would add to that is I find The American Legion, along with our local hospitals and veterans, play an instrumental role in providing feedback to Congress on what's really happening in the VA system. The American Legion was an instrumental partner in passing the largest increase in VA health-care benefits funding in the 77-year history of the VA. The American Legion really does make a difference. A big difference.

Eleven days after Secretary (Jim) Nicholson was confirmed, he said the VA health-care system had all the money it needed. I said, "Well sir, with all due respect, your staff has not given you the true facts."

I knew that to be the case because I had heard from The American Legion and from our local veterans and from employees working in the VA hospitals. Those three things – adequate budgets, quarterly reports from VA, and constant outreach at the grassroots level– are the way we prevent a repeat of a VA health-care system in crisis.

Q: What has been done to improve VA demand projections, which at times have been outdated by the time the budgets are passed?

A: Demand projections, which were very flawed in the past, have been vastly improved. It's a difficult process. It's an art, not just a science. There have been significant improvements in the modeling for projecting the number of veterans needing VA health care ... plus, we need to be constantly vigilant in reviewing during the year whether the actual numbers meet the projected numbers.

Q: What are some of the most important accomplishments for veterans so far from the 110th Congress?

A: We increased funding for VA more in one year than in the previous six years in Congress. By the end of this year, we will have increased it more in two years than in the previous 12. Most of that funding was focused on improving VA health care. As a result, the VA has hired 1,335 new doctors and 4,968 new nurses and nurse assistants. They are in the process of plussing up medical services personnel by 15,000. What that means to an individual veteran is better health care and shorter waiting times for their medical services.

We provided a huge increase, and an important one, for VA mental health care services because of the needs of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans coming home. We added funding for 3,100 new claims processors to reduce the unfair six-month waiting times for veterans to have their benefits decided. For the first time since 1979, we increased VA gas mileage from 11 cents to 28.5 cents per mile, for veterans who have to drive long distances to receive their care. To some veterans, that may not seem like a lot. For some veterans, it's the difference between being able to afford to go to the VA hospital or not. We increased medical research, in real dollars, above inflation for the first time in over a decade. We committed over $1 billion for major construction projects to ensure we don't have a Walter Reed Annex 18 tragedy at VA. Those are just some of the things.

Q: Why have these funding improvements been so long in coming?

A: At the end of the day, this isn't just about dollars and programs, it's about respect. Veterans have always been respected by Congress, in our hearts and our words. I thought it was time to show our respect through our deeds, as well. When it comes to veterans, the moral principle is very simple. Our nation should keep its promises to those who have kept their promises.

Q: Do you foresee a day when all veterans are once again allowed to use VA health-care services?

A: Yes, I do. We can't do it overnight because it would result in a massive increase in waiting times and a reduction in the quality of health care for veterans. But I am hoping that the unprecedented increases for VA hospitals in our last budget was the first step toward opening up our hospitals to more veterans. It's just flat unfair to say that a veteran in some parts of the country making $30,000 a year is too wealthy to receive VA health care. His neighbor might be making $150,000 a year because he didn't make the sacrifices of service that a veteran did. I am hopeful we can start phasing in higher income thresholds for veterans to receive VA care.

Q: What about mandatory funding for VA health care?

A: The ultimate goal is to adequately fund the VA and to do it on a timely basis. Mandatory funding could be a plus or a minus. If mandatory VA health-care funding had been in place last year, the pay-as-you-go rules would have made it virtually impossible to provide an $11.8 billion increase in VA discretionary spending. The goal of mandatory funding – adequate funding and funding on time – is absolutely laudable, and I support that goal 100 percent. We could continue to have unprecedented increases in VA funding through the appropriations process – and if we could get that funding on time each year – then a case could be made that would be more beneficial to veterans. I am glad The American Legion has pushed the goal of mandatory funding because that puts pressure on Congress to increase VA funding and to do a better job of getting these bills passed on time.

'09 budget increases funding for vets

Kat — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 22:37:32 -0700

'09 budget increases funding for vets

Cleburne Times Review | Jun 10 2008

Edwards: "When it comes to veterans, our nation has a moral obligation to keep its promise to those who kept their promises to serve our nation in uniform. After years of veterans budgets that barely, if at all, kept pace with inflation, leaving America's heroes with inadequate health care and benefits, it is now a new day for our vets."

Final passage of the fiscal year 2009 budget passed the U.S. House Thursday after having passed the U.S. Senate on Wednesday. The budget increases veterans' spending over last year by $4.9 billion.

"When it comes to veterans, our nation has a moral obligation to keep its promise to those who kept their promises to serve our nation in uniform," U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, said. "After years of veterans budgets that barely, if at all, kept pace with inflation, leaving America's heroes with inadequate health care and benefits, it is now a new day for our vets."

Edwards, a senior member of the House Budget Committee, was a member of the House-Senate conference committee that wrote the final budget plan that included the increase in veterans' spending.

"Starting in 2007, the new Congress increased veterans health care and benefits by $11.8 billion, the largest increase in the 77 year history of the Veterans Administration," Edwards said. "Today, I am proud to say that the 2009 budget plan keeps faith with America's veterans by increasing VA funding to $48.2 billion, $3.3 billion above the Bush administration's request and $4.9 billion above the record 2008 level."

Major veterans groups strongly supported the budget, including the Disabled American Veterans, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Paralyzed Veterans of America, Edwards said.

Passage of the 2009 budget resolution puts America on a path to a balanced budget by 2012, Edwards said. The budget passed the Senate by a 48 to 45 vote. It passed the House by a 214 to 210 vote.

Ribbon cut on phase II of Hamm Creek

Kat — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 22:31:26 -0700

Ribbon cut on phase II of Hamm Creek

By Matt Smith | Cleburne Times Review | Jun 02 2008

Edwards: "It shows what happens when good people work together in good faith and what a difference that can make for our own people."

Officials and area residents braved Wednesday's mid-day heat to celebrate the completion of another phase of Hamm Creek Park's renovation.

"A lot of people have a lot of memories of this place," County Commissioner R.C. McFall said. "A lot of them I can't talk about right now. But this project was the dream of George Wood. He worked tirelessly on it.

"Every county city council and chamber signed on to support this, and it's the only such project I know of where that ever happened."

Wood is the Brazos River Park Project chairman.

Hamm Creek Park, located about eight miles west of Rio Vista on the Brazos River, closed about 21 years ago. Plans to re-open and renovate the public park began several years ago. U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, the Johnson County Commissioners Court, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and area governmental entities supported and participated in the project. Phase I of the project, which includes roads, an entrance and a boat ramp, ended last year. Workers installed parking lots and picnic areas in Phase II. Phase III, already under way, will add campsites and other amenities to the park and is expected to be complete by next spring.

Although most know the Corps of Engineers primarily for their heavy construction projects, they are also the No. 1 provider of recreational projects in America, said Charlie Burger, deputy chief of operations for the Fort Worth district. Burger called the project cutting edge as it involved federal, state and local input.

"What this ended up being is not a Corps of Engineers park, not a county park, but a people's park," Burger said. "And we're proud of that."

County Judge Roger Harmon agreed.

"I'm always talking about teamwork, and I don't think there's a better example than this project here," Harmon said. "We live in a very stressful world and people need a place to relax. This park exemplifies a place to get away from the world."

Edwards joked that Harmon stole his speech then pointed out what he called two important aspects of the Hamm Creek project.

"It shows what happens when good people work together in good faith and what a difference that can make for our own people," Edwards said. "This is also a safe, family friendly place where you can get your kids out in nature."

Edwards worked to secure $4 million in federal funding toward the park's construction. Johnson County commissioners agreed to assume upkeep costs once the project is completed.
Ronnie Bruggman, Corps of Engineers Fort Worth district recreational business line manager, said the area rates as one of Texas' best water skiing sites. Other attendees said the park should provide a strong draw for local and out-of-county people.
"Within 75 miles of where we're standing right now, there's 7.5 million people," McFall said. "That's what we have to draw from."

Congress Comes Through With New Farm Bill

Kat — Fri, 30 May 2008 21:48:47 -0700

Congress Comes Through With New Farm Bill

Hillsboro Reporter | May 29, 2008

Edwards: "This bipartisan Farm Bill makes real reforms that will strengthen American agriculture to meet the 21st-century needs of the United States and provide a safe, low-cost food supply for American families."

A new farm bill that will carry the country through 2012 made it through Congress last week.

The conference report on The Food and Energy Security Act of 2007, commonly called the "Farm Bill," was passed by the House of Representatives and Senate on back-to-back days.

Republican Senators John Cornyn and Kay Bailey Hutchison, along with Democratic Congressman Chet Edwards, were among the members of the Texas delegation supporting the bill.

Covered in the bill are programs relating to commodities, sugar, dairy, conservation, exports and trade assistance, food stamps and nutrition, agricultural credit, rural development, rural electrification, agricultural research, forestry, energy, specialty crops and livestock.

The House passed its version of the bill the end of July, and the Senate passed its bill in December.

Since the original legislation expired December 31, Congress was required to pass several extensions before the conference report was released and acted upon.

Edwards said that the bill makes a $289 billion investment in the American food and farm economy.

"This bipartisan Farm Bill makes real reforms that will strengthen American agriculture to meet the 21st-century needs of the United States and provide a safe, low-cost food supply for American families," said Edwards, a member of the House Rural Working Group.

"Our farmers and ranchers are the backbone of America, and despite rising food prices, Americans still spend the lowest percentage of their income in the world for food because of the success of the programs under the Farm Bill.

"If you don't like the high cost of foreign OPEC oil, just imagine how high food prices would be if the U.S. was dependent on foreign farms for its food supply," the congressman added.

Nearly three-fourths of the Farm Bill goes toward nutrition programs that help 38 million American families afford healthy food.

The Farm Bill also invests $1 billion in renewable energy, focusing on new technologies and new sources.

It supports the transition beyond corn ethanol to cellulosic ethanol sources such as sorghum, switch grass, woodchips and corn stalks, which can help lower food prices.

While many of the 2002 Farm Bill programs are continued, there were changes of note, in Edwards' opinion.

The bill reduces the cap for non-farm income by 80 percent to $500,000, and puts in place the first-ever cap for farm income at $750,000 for fixed direct payments.

It also takes another critical step in transitioning biofuels beyond corn by reducing the current tax credit for corn-based ethanol by six cents per gallon and creating a new tax credit to promote the production of cellulosic biofuels.

Senator Cornyn said, "Passage of this bill is an important and long-overdue step for Texas farmers and ranchers, providing them a stable policy moving forward.

"It's not perfect but it represents a carefully-crafted compromise that will protect Texas agriculture, including family farms, strengthen key nutrition programs and fight childhood obesity.

"One in every seven Texans can trace their employment to agriculture. In rural Texas agriculture is the engine that drives much of the economy, so this bill will also help protect and expand Texas jobs."

The senator said that he was particularly pleased that Congress successfully excluded burdensome livestock-ownership regulations.

He added, "There are extraneous spending provisions in this legislation that I would have liked to see excluded, but overall, this is a good bill for Texas.

"It provides our farmers and ranchers with the support they need and will ultimately benefit consumers, particularly as working families struggle with rising food prices. I hope the President will sign it into law quickly."

In addition to a number of key programs in the bill that will benefit Texas, Sen. Cornyn was also successful in adding two amendments to the Farm Bill.

The senator secured one to ensure that taxpayers do not pay for natural disasters twice.

The Senate Farm Bill establishes, for the first time, a standing trust fund to respond to weather-related disasters that are not covered by existing law.

However, as written, the Farm Bill did not provide enough assurance that Congress would not double-bill taxpayers for disasters that would already be covered by the new trust fund.

Sen. Cornyn also secured an amendment to combat childhood obesity through food stamps, the largest federal-nutrition program.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to offer grants to state and local governments and non-governmental organizations to develop ways to fight obesity among all food-stamp recipients.

With a 318 to 106 vote in the House and 81-15 tally in the Senate, the votes should be there to override a threatened veto by President George W. Bush.

Release of the House-Senate conference report brought a disappointing response from the President.

He contended that his administration's Farm Bill would have made wiser use of the people's money by reforming farm programs, funding emerging priorities and providing a safety net that better targets benefits for farmers.

He contended that Congress' claims that the bill would increase spending by $10 billion over the five-year life of the bill really translates into nearly $20 billion.

The President had called on Congress to extend the current law for at least a year in the absence of what he considered a good Farm Bill.

President Bush has 10 days from the vote to veto the measure, sign the bill or let it take effect without his signature.

Reserve Center may be replaced

Kat — Fri, 23 May 2008 22:04:30 -0700

Reserve Center may be replaced

By MATTHEW WATKINS | Bryan-College Station Eagle | Eagle Staff Writer | May 24, 2008

Edwards:"Members of the 420th Engineering Brigade need facilities that effectively train and equip them to carry out their national security responsibilities. This funding is an important first step that will pave the way for a new Army Reserve Center for the 420th Engineering Brigade."

A spending bill that's making its way through Congress is set to give area soldiers a long-awaited Memorial Day gift.

The National Defense Authorization Act for 2009 has been earmarked to include $920,000 to hire architects and planners to design a new Army Reserve Center in Brazos County, according to U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco.

It will replace a building that is home to the 420th Engineering Brigade, a reserve unit that "commands and controls assigned engineer assets," according to the brigade's Web site. The brigade has 22 subordinate units and more than 2,500 reserve soldiers.

Captains at the center did not return calls Friday.

The unit moved to Bryan in 1958 and has remained in the same building on West Carson Street since. Officers at the center have requested improvements for years.

According to Edwards, the building has foundation problems that have caused separation in the walls and cracked floors. The building also doesn't meet current military force protection requirements because it is too close to the street.

"Members of the 420th Engineering Brigade need facilities that effectively train and equip them to carry out their national security responsibilities," said Edwards in a statement announcing the appropriation. "This funding is an important first step that will pave the way for a new Army Reserve Center for the 420th Engineering Brigade."

Edwards chairs the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs.

The bill, H.R. 5658, must be passed by the U.S. Senate and signed by President Bush before it becomes law. It was approved by the House, 384-23, on Thursday.

Edwards said that after completion of the design stage, he would include an additional $12 million for the center's construction in spending bills.

TFB Asked TX Del. To Support Farm Bill Veto Override

Kat — Wed, 21 May 2008 21:40:17 -0700

KWTX TV: Farm Bureau Asked Texas Delegation To Support Farm Bill Veto Override

KWTX TV | May 21, 2008

President Bush made good on his promise Wednesday and vetoed the $300 billion farm bill, calling it a tax increase on regular Americans at a time of high food prices.

Meanwhile, in a letter to the Texas congressional delegation, the Waco-based Texas Farm Bureau called on lawmakers to support efforts to override the veto.

The letter was sent just minutes after the veto Wednesday, the Farm Bureau said.

"Texas farmers and ranchers have been waiting patiently through numerous short-term extensions of the 2002 Act and now have 2008 crops planted and moving toward harvest," said Texas Farm Bureau President Kenneth Dierschke in the letter.

"HR 2419, when enacted, will provide a much-needed safety net during the turbulent times in which we find ourselves with ever-increasing costs for input items."

"While many in the uninformed media area are criticizing the bill, agricultural producers are extremely concerned because of today's high costs of production," Dierschke said.

The U.S. House and U.S. Senate both passed the measure with enough votes last week to override the veto.

Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, and Rep John Carter, R- Round Rock, both voted in favor of the bill.

But Mr. Bush calls the legislation fiscally irresponsible.

He says it gives away too much money to wealthy farmers but his criticism didn't faze lawmakers from both parties who voted for increased crop subsidies, food stamps for the poor and other items to help their districts in an election year.

Vets Champ Edwards Honored with VFW Cong. Award ...

Kat — Mon, 19 May 2008 12:59:38 -0700

Veterans Champion Edwards Honored with National VFW Congressional Award Given to Only One Member of Congress

One of Only Four Texans to Ever Receive Prestigious Award (Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Representative Chet Edwards was honored this week by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) with their national 2008 Congressional Award, given to only one member of Congress annually for outstanding service to veterans, troops, and their families. In his first year as Chairman of the House Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee in 2007, Edwards authored $11.8 billion in increased veterans’ health care and benefits, the largest increase in veterans funding in the 77-year history of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

“It is a privilege to work alongside the VFW to improve health care and benefits for America’s veterans, and I am deeply humbled by this honor,” said Edwards. “There is much more work to do, but this historic $11.8 billion funding increase represents a new day for America’s veterans and their families, who have earned every dime of it through their service and sacrifice for country.”

The VFW Congressional Award has been presented annually to only one member of the House or Senate for significant legislative contributions on behalf of veterans. VFW National Commander George Lisicki presented the award to Edwards at the annual VFW Legislative Conference in Washington D.C. on March 3rd.

"Our military, our veterans, and our families of past and present have no better friend in Congress than Chet Edwards," said Commander Lisicki. "I am honored to present this prestigious VFW national award to him."

Edwards is only the fourth Texan to receive the Congressional Award from the VFW, America's oldest major veterans' organization established in 1899. The others were Rep. Olin Teague (D-6th), Edwards’ former boss and mentor, in 1969, Rep. George H. Mahon (D-19th) in 1974, and Sen. John Tower (R) in 1983.

VFW selects Chet Edwards for National Award

Kat — Mon, 19 May 2008 12:24:57 -0700

January 24, 2008

Waco Trib: VFW Selects Chet Edwards for National Award

Waco Tribune | From staff reports

"...a champion in our corner..." , "... no better friend in Congress than Chet Edwards."

U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, has been selected to receive the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ 2008 Congressional Award for his outstanding service to veterans, servicemembers and their families.

Edwards, who chairs the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, will be presented the award March 3 at the annual Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. Community Service and Legislative Conference at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in northwest Washington.

“This award is extremely important to the VFW,” said VFW National Commander George Lisicki, a Vietnam veteran from Carteret, N.J., “because it recognizes a champion who is in our corner in Congress.”

The VFW Congressional Award has been presented annually since 1964 to one member of the House or Senate for significant legislative contributions on behalf of those who have worn the uniform. Past recipients include strong national security and veterans’ advocates, such as Mississippi’s Sen. John Stennis (D) and Rep. “Sonny” Montgomery (D), and South Carolina Sen. Strom Thurmond (R), among many others. Last year the award went to Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, an independent.

According to a VFW press release: “Edwards, now in his ninth term, has been a staunch supporter of the 50,000 veterans within his district, and for the tens of thousands of soldiers and family members at nearby Fort Hood. His successful fight to keep the Waco VA Medical Center from closing served not only his constituency, but is now benefiting those returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan through a research partnership with the Army to examine post-traumatic stress disorders. He helped block Pentagon efforts to raise military retiree Tricare medical premiums, eliminated the Survivor Benefit Plan reduction for military widows, and is working to ensure every disabled military retiree receives their VA and military pay concurrently without offset.”

According to Lisicki, Edwards was a driving force behind the record $6.6 billion increase to VA’s discretionary budget this year.

“Our military, our veterans, and our families of past and present have no better friend in Congress than Chet Edwards,” said Lisicki. “I am honored to present this prestigious VFW national award to him.”

Edwards is the fourth Texan to receive the VFW Congressional Award. The others were Rep. Olin Teague (D) in 1969, Rep. George H. Mahon (D) in 1974, and Sen. John Tower (R) in 1983.