Veterans Rally in Support of Congressman McCaul

Press Release

Military veterans from across the 10th Congressional District rallied in Katy in support of Rep. Michael McCaul's bid for a third term in Congress, citing his voting record and his extensive background in national security and foreign affairs.

"These are the brave men and women who have ensured our freedom to vote," said Rep. McCaul. They have dedicated their lives to this country and I am deeply honored to have their support. I will always vote to ensure that we properly care for them."

Last month, Congressman McCaul voted to fully fund our military and our veterans for FY'09. The $72.9 billion for veterans represents the largest funding level in history. The following are highlights of Congressman McCaul's votes for veterans and military in the 110th Congress, second session:

Healthcare

* New VA Clinics in Tomball and Katy: The outpatient clinics will make healthcare more convenient and eliminate long commutes to Houston for veterans seeking routine medical treatment. The clinics are expected to open in 2009???.
* Extended Care Facilities: $175 million in grants for States to construct and renovate VA extended care facilities.
* Veterans Medical Research: $510 million for medical and prosthetic research, including trauma and mental health research. This level is $30 million above the fiscal year 2008 level.
* Veterans Medical Services: Includes funding increases for specialty mental health care, increased travel reimbursement rate to 41.5 cents per mile and greater funding for the homeless veterans grants program.

Disability Benefits

* Co-Sponsored HR 1436 - Concurrent Receipt: Retired Pay Restoration Act - Makes eligible for the full concurrent receipt of both veterans' disability compensation and either military retired pay or combat-related special pay those individuals who were retired or separated from military service due to a service-connected disability.
* Co-Sponsored HR 5868 - Wounded Warrior Retention Act: Authorizes a member of the Armed Forces who would normally be retired, placed on the temporary disability retired list, or separated as the result of a combat-related disability to elect to instead be retained in an active status, as long as the member meets certain requirements.

Education

* Cosponsored and Voted for New GI BILL: Will provide veterans who served on active duty since 2001 with enhanced educational benefits and will not only fully fund the cost of an education, it will also allow service members who stay in the military the opportunity to transfer their education benefits to their spouses and their children. Passed in the House on June 19, 2008.

Defense

* $487 billion in funding to provide for our troops and critical defense and national security programs
* $733 million for troop facility and barracks repairs
* $3.6 billion for Future Combat Systems (FCS)
* $750 million for National Guard and Reserve equipment
* $410 million for advocacy programs to families managing the difficult challenges of military service, such as the loss of the daily presence of a parent.

Congressman McCaul is a member of the Homeland Security Committee, where he serves as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, Science and Technology.

Prior to coming to Congress, McCaul served as Chief of Counter Terrorism and National Security in the U.S. Attorney's office in Texas, and led the Joint Terrorism Task Force charged with detecting, deterring and preventing terrorist activity.

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