Chet Edwards For Congress

American Legion: House passes VA funding bill

American Legion | August 02, 2008

The House of Representatives passed its fiscal year 2009 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill on Aug. 1 in a strong bipartisan vote of 409 to 4. The 2009 legislation (H.R. 6599) builds on historic increases for veterans and troops passed into law last year, which saw the largest funding increase in VA's 77-year history.

"This bipartisan bill builds on the historic increases in the fiscal year 2008 bill and sends a clear message to America's troops, veterans and their families that we honor and respect their service and sacrifice," said Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Texas, chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs.

"This is about the moral responsibility of keeping our promises to those who have kept their promise to serve. The humility of this bill is our knowing that we can never fully repay the debt of gratitude we owe (to) all who have served in uniform to protect the American family."

House bill brings $60M to Fort Hood

Special to the Daily Herald | Killeen Daily Herald | August 02, 2008

WASHINGTON – Before speeding for the exits Friday to begin a five-week recess, House lawmakers passed the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill, which includes more than $60 million for projects at Fort Hood.

'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.

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.

Edwards: House Passes 21st Century GI Bill of Rights to Cover Veterans’ Cost of College Education

(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Representative Chet Edwards, Chairman of the House Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee, today supported House passage of a historic new GI Bill for the 21st Century that covers the cost of a college education for U.S. service men and women.

“For the 1.7 million brave men and women who have served in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, this legislation will make a college education a reality, not a dream,” said Rep. Edwards. “This new GI Bill for the 21st Century restores the promise of the GI Bill to pay for a full four-year college education for America’s veterans by doubling the current benefit from approximately $9,000 per year to $18,000 per year. Not only will this strengthen our military, it will also allow the heroes of Iraq and Afghanistan to be part of spurring the American economic recovery -- just as the original GI Bill did after World War II.”