Chet Edwards For Congress - On the Issues

Quicklinks

Kat — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 22:35:40 -0700

Quicklinks

Shortcuts to issues and hot topics in the 17^th Congressional District

On the Issues	.	Fighting for the 17^th district
-- 2nd Amendment Rights		-- Bosque County
-- Border Security & Illegal Immigration		-- Brazos County
-- Chet's Legislative Record		-- Burleson County
-- Clean Air, Clean Water		-- Farmers & Ranchers
-- Congressional Earmarks		-- Ft. Hood
-- Economy and Reducing the National Debt		-- Grimes County
-- Energy & Gas Prices		-- Higher Education
-- Ethics Reform		-- Hill County
-- Health Care		-- Hood County
-- Homeland Security		-- Improving Communities
-- National Security		-- Johnson County
-- Privacy and Civil Liberties		-- Limestone County
-- Protecting Children		-- Madison County
-- Quality Education		-- McLennan County
-- Social Security & Medicare		-- National Guard and Reserve
-- Strong National Defense & the War on Terrorism		-- Robertson County
-- Student Financial Aid		-- Rural Texas
-- Tax Relief for Working Families		-- Somervell County
-- Veterans and Military Retirees		-- Texas A&M
		-- Veterans and Military Retirees
		-- Waco
		-- Waco VA Hospital

Making Health Care More Affordable & Accessible

Kat — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 10:51:56 -0700

Making Health Care More Affordable & Accessible

Chet Edwards believes we must maintain our quality health care system in the United States while reducing costs.

He has fought to ensure health care coverage for children of working families and our senior citizens. Chet is a member of the Rural Healthcare Caucus, and works to make certain those living in rural areas have access to the healthcare they deserve.

Chet supports legislation to stop big pharmaceutical drug companies from unfairly charging Americans twice the price for the same drugs sold in Mexico and Canada.

Chet voted for the 2007 Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act, which allows Medicare to use its buying power to negotiate with drug companies to lower drug costs.

Chet thinks seniors should have a prescription drug plan that doesn't force them into HMOs that prohibit their choice of doctors.

Chet favors cracking down on lawyers who file frivolous medical malpractice lawsuits that drive up costs.

Chet has voted for the law that would allow small businesses to join health alliances, so they can reduce high health insurance premiums for employees.

A Strong National Defense & the War on Terrorism

Kat — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 19:00:49 -0700

Supporting a Strong National Defense & the War on Terrorism:

Chet Edwards is a leader in Congress on national defense issues. As Chairman of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee and co-chairman of the bipartisan House Army Caucus, Chet is a recognized leader in Congress on national defense issues and a strong voice for supporting our men and women in uniform and seeing that they have the resources to fight the war on terror and defend our homeland.

Chet is a strong supporter of the war on terrorism and has worked hard to see that our troops in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere around the globe have the equipment and tools they need to do their jobs.

Chet led the effort to stop the Department of Defense from cutting two divisions of the Army - some 40,000 active-duty troops - in 2001.

Chet introduced the Military Retiree Health Care Protection Act to block increases in TRICARE premiums for military retirees and reservists.

Chet led the fight to create a new, innovative public-private partnership to build new housing for military families, a program the Bush Administration has called “the most important military housing program in American history.”

As the Congressman for Fort Hood for 14 years, Chet successfully secured $1 billion in military construction funds for the post, dramatically improving the quality of life for Army soldiers and their families. Chet has continued to work for Fort Hood soldiers and their families, obtaining $ 13.4 million in the last two years for key construction projects, even though the post is now in another congressional district.

Chet served as co-chairman of the bipartisan House/Senate National Security Caucus, which has over 270 members.

Chet has fought for our soldiers when both Democratic and Republican administrations have tried to cut housing allowances, retiree pay, education for military children and danger pay for troops in Iraq.

Chet introduced the bill to double life insurance payments under the Servicemembers Group Life Insurance program.

In recognition of his efforts in support of the military and veterans, Chet has been honored with numerous awards including:

2008 American Legion Distinguished Service Award given to only one member of Congress
2008 Veterans of Foreign War Congressional Award
2007 Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) Award
2006 Military Coalition Award of Merit
2006 National Guard Association Charles Dick Medal of Merit
2006 Exemplary Legislator – National Association of Mental Illness’ Veterans Council
2005 Military Order of the Purple Heart’s National Inspirational Leadership Award for work in Congress on important veterans’ issues.
2005 National Inspirational Leadership Award from the Military Order of the Purple Heart
2004 American Legion Unsung Hero Award
2004 American Legion Meritorious Service Award
2004 “Going to Bat for Veterans” Award –- National Disabled American Veterans
2004 Support of Military Families Award from The National Military Family Association (NMFA). The award recognizes service and dedication to improving the quality of life for uniformed service members and their families.
2004 “Going to Bat for Veterans” Award -- National Disabled American Veterans
2004 Champion for Children -- Military Impacted Schools Association
2003 Legislator of the Year -- Association of the United States Army
2003 Harry S. Truman Award -- National Association of Federally Impacted Schools
2002 USO Quality of Life Award
1998 Legislator of the Year from the bipartisan National Security Caucus
1996 L. Mendel Rivers Award of Excellence from the Air Force Sergeants Association for stopping the plan to reduce military retirement pay
1996 True Champion for Military School Children Award by the National Military Impacted Schools Association (MISA)
1995 FRIEND OF IMPACT AID NATIONAL AWARD from The National Association of Federally Impacted Schools (NAFIS)
1995 National Security Leadership Award from the American Security Council

Securing our Borders & Stopping Illegal Immigration

Kat — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 18:10:19 -0700

Securing our Borders & Stopping Illegal Immigration

Chet believes our nation's first priority is to secure our borders and to protect our homeland and he strongly opposes amnesty in any form. While others have talked about securing our borders, Chet has done something about it.

Chet helped write the law that added 1500 additional border patrol agents and has supported legislation that would add 6000 more, to better police our borders and stop the influx of illegal immigration.

Chet secured $16 million for Waco's L-3 to build P-3 aircraft, a surveillance tool for securing our borders, catching drug smugglers and stopping illegal immigration.

Chet opposes amnesty for illegal immigrants and wants strict enforcement of our illegal immigration laws.

Chet voted to end the practice of “catch and release”, instead requiring all undocumented aliens to be detained until they are removed from the United States.

Chet voted for the Welfare Reform Act in 1996 that prohibits illegal immigrants from receiving any form of welfare benefits.

Chet supports building physical barriers along strategic portions of the U.S./Mexican border.

Chet supported legislation to implement a new mandatory employer verification system, which requires employers to check a job applicant's legal status and tough new penalties on employers who continue to hire illegal immigrants.

Chet opposes earned citizenship for illegal immigrants who have committed serious crimes while in the United States.

Defending our Homeland

Kat — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 12:15:15 -0700

Defending our Homeland

As a member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, Chet is a leader in the Congress on improving our homeland security programs to protect America.

Chet's recent work on the Homeland Security Appropriations Committee has led to: 5,700 additional border patrol agents, $1.69 billion for cargo inspection at our nation's ports, and $400 million for security grants at U.S. ports.

Chet has led the fight to secure nuclear materials in the former Soviet Union so that highly-enriched uranium does not fall into the hands of terrorists.

Chet secured $84 million to install nuclear detection devices at foreign ports to inspect ship containers bound for the United States.

As a member of the Appropriations Committee, Chet helped kill the Dubai Ports deal in 2006.

Chet has led the successful fight against attempts to cut funding for the National Emergency Response and Rescue Training Center (NERRTC) at Texas A&M. Proposed cuts would have meant 30,000 fewer police and firefighters would be trained, but Chet Edwards fought to see that these first responders would be trained to protect our local communities from terrorist attacks and natural disasters.

Chet secured support for Texas A&M to conduct research and collaborate with the U.S. Dept. of Energy and Russian universities to help curb the proliferation of nuclear materials and weapons across the world. This important work led Texas A&M to establish the Nuclear Security Science and Policy Institute .

Energy & Gas Prices

Kat — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 12:11:31 -0700

Energy & Gas Prices

Chet has voted to strip big oil companies of certain tax breaks and subsidies, because he believes that it is wrong, during a time of war, for big oil companies to post record profits while charging consumers over $3.70 a gallon for gas.

Chet voted to halt deposits of oil into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) for the remainder of the year and supports the releasing of oil from the SPR to increase supply on the open market and further help reduce rising gas prices. Chet believes doing so would demonstrate a U.S. commitment to reduce speculation in the oil market which, some energy experts have said accounts for as much as 20-30% of rising gasoline costs.

Chet supported the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which increased fuel mileage to 35 miles per gallon by 2020, the first increase in mileage standards since 1975, and provided $21 billion in tax incentives to increase production of domestic renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar energy.

Chet is leading the fight in Congress to open up the outer continental shelf to natural gas drilling, which would increase natural gas supply, lowering costs for home heating and electricity.

Fighting for America's Veterans and Military Retirees

Kat — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 12:00:56 -0700

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.

In 2007, Chet authored and passed the largest budget increase in the history of the VA:

Historic increases for the VA health care and benefits system

$11.8 billion in overall increases for VA health care and benefits since January 2007
$3.4 billion increase for the VA Fiscal Year 2007 budget
$1.8 billion in Supplemental funding in May 2007 Iraq war spending bill
$6.6 billion increase in Fiscal Year 2008 VA Appropriations bill

Other key increases in the VA budget since January 2007:  

Medical Services $29.1 billion (from $22.5 billion, a 29% increase)
Medical Administration $3.5 billion (from $2.9 billion, a 21% increase)
Medical Facilities $4.1 billion (from $3.3 billion, a 24% increase)
Medical Research $480 million (from $412 million, a 17% increase)
Substance Abuse $428 million (from $358 million, a 20% increase)
Homeless veterans $130 million (from $63.6 million, a 104% increase)

A 240% increase to $1.08 billion in the 2008 VA maintenance budget to improve VA facilities and prevent a Walter Reed-like tragedy from occurring in the VA system

Supporting our rural veterans who live far from VA facilities

Increased the travel reimbursement from 11 cents/mile to 28.5 cents/mile. (First increase since 1979, when gas was 95 cents/gallon.)

Focusing on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury

$2.9 billion on VA mental health care, a 32% increase since 2006
$66 million for a new Level 1 Polytrauma Center in San Antonio
$100 million in the Iraq supplemental for mental health care
$8 million for additional Polytrauma support clinic teams and $5.4 million for additional Polytrauma needs

Focusing on the 400,000 claims backlog by hiring additional claims processors

Added 3,100 new claims processors to the VA
400 new hires funded through FY07 CR
800 new hires funded through Iraq Supplemental
1,800 new hires funded by FY08 Omnibus

Fighting TRICARE Premium Increases for Military Retirees

In March 2006, Chet introduced the Military Retirees' Healthcare Protection Act which would block the Administration's plan to double and triple health care premiums for 3 million enlisted and officer retirees under TRICARE. Parts of Chet's legislation were included in the Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 and 2008.

Eliminating the Disabled Veterans Tax

The only federal retirees that are penalized for collecting VA disability benefits are military retirees, who are taxed a dollar of retirement pay for every dollar of VA disability pay they get. Overcoming a veto threat, Chet and other Members of Congress were able to partially phase out this tax, but there are many veterans left out and the fight is not over.

Opening a State Veterans Cemetery in Central Texas

Chet authored the Field of Honor Act, which was passed by Congress, setting aside land for the new State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen. The cemetery was opened in late 2005, providing an eternal resting place for those who served our nation in uniform.

Nation's Top Veteran & Military Organizations Salute Edwards for Leadership on Veterans and Military Issues

Chet has repeatedly been recognized by top veterans and military organizations for his tireless work on behalf of America's veterans and the men and women who wear the uniform today. Chet has been honored with:

2008 American Legion Distinguished Service Award given to only one member of Congress
2008 Veterans of Foreign War Congressional Award
2007 Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) Award
2006 Military Coalition Award of Merit
2006 National Guard Association Charles Dick Medal of Merit
2006 Exemplary Legislator – National Association of Mental Illness’ Veterans Council
2005 Military Order of the Purple Heart’s National Inspirational Leadership Award for work in Congress on important veterans’ issues.
2005 National Inspirational Leadership Award from the Military Order of the Purple Heart
2004 American Legion Unsung Hero Award
2004 American Legion Meritorious Service Award
2004 “Going to Bat for Veterans” Award –- National Disabled American Veterans
2004 Support of Military Families Award from The National Military Family Association (NMFA). The award recognizes service and dedication to improving the quality of life for uniformed service members and their families.
2004 “Going to Bat for Veterans” Award -- National Disabled American Veterans
2004 Champion for Children -- Military Impacted Schools Association
2003 Legislator of the Year -- Association of the United States Army
2003 Harry S. Truman Award -- National Association of Federally Impacted Schools
2002 USO Quality of Life Award
1998 Legislator of the Year from the bipartisan National Security Caucus
1996 L. Mendel Rivers Award of Excellence from the Air Force Sergeants Association for stopping the plan to reduce military retirement pay
1996 True Champion for Military School Children Award by the National Military Impacted Schools Association (MISA)
1995 FRIEND OF IMPACT AID NATIONAL AWARD from The National Association of Federally Impacted Schools (NAFIS)
1995 National Security Leadership Award from the American Security Council

Protecting our Children

Kat — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 11:34:17 -0700

Protecting our Children

Chet is working to keep children safe online with tougher law enforcement against sexual predators who use the Internet to prey on children.

Chet voted to establish and fund the Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, which has led to over 5700 arrests.

As a father, Chet strongly believes in cleaning up our public airwaves and restricting minors' access to violent and inappropriate video games. Chet has voted to increase fines on broadcasters who violate decency standards and air profane material.

Chet has supported efforts to help local law enforcement crack down on drug dealers, and is particularly concerned with the proliferation of crystal methamphetamine (meth) labs in rural Texas communities.

Tax Relief for Working Families

Kat — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 09:58:12 -0700

Tax Relief for Working Families

Chet has voted for 60 major tax cuts in Congress, totaling over $4 trillion.

Some of the tax cuts Chet voted for include:

A permanent repeal of the unfair Death Tax,
Small business tax cuts to spur research and development,
Work Opportunity Tax Credit,
State Sales Tax Deduction
Relief from the Alternative Minimum Tax,
A permanent repeal of the Marriage Penalty Tax,
Tax cuts for middle class families,
Reduction of capital gains taxes,
Elimination of capital gains taxes on the sale of a home when the appreciation was less than $500,000 and
Faster depreciation on capital purchases for small businesses.
Chet also introduced legislation to stop the IRS from letting accountants sell a person's tax returns and private financial information to marketing companies and data brokers.

Protecting Social Security & Medicare

Kat — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 10:16:18 -0700

Protecting Social Security & Medicare

Chet Edwards knows that Social Security and Medicare have done more for seniors' independence, health and financial security than any other federal initiatives.

Chet helped stop the privatization of Social Security in 2005, because he believes privatizing Social Security or Medicare will erode guaranteed benefits to seniors.

Chet believes we must take strong actions to reduce enormous federal deficits which will undermine future Social Security and Medicare benefits.

Chet supports legislation to stop big pharmaceutical drug companies from unfairly charging Americans twice the price for the same drugs sold in Mexico and Canada.

Chet voted for the 2007 Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act, which allows Medicare to use its buying power to negotiate with drug companies to lower drug costs.

Chet thinks seniors should have a prescription drug plan that doesn't force them into HMOs that prohibit their choice of doctors.