Update from U.S. Senator John Cornyn

Statement

On November 5, Texans across the state and around the world were horrified to learn that a gunman, U.S. Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, had opened fire on dozens of his fellow soldiers at Fort Hood, Texas. This brutal rampage led to the senseless deaths of 12 American soldiers and one civilian, and injuries to many others. I traveled to Fort Hood the day after these horrific events unfolded, as well as on Tuesday for the Memorial Service to honor the victims and the 19 children they leave behind. Since the brutal terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the Fort Hood community has played a highly prominent role in the Global War on Terror, deploying more Soldiers overseas than any other U.S. military installation. Fort Hood has answered the call with honor and distinction, and it has paid a steep price, suffering more casualties in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom than any other installation. The "Great Place," as we call the post, is no stranger to sacrifice and loss in overseas theaters of combat, but we never expected that Fort Hood would itself be made a battlefield in the Global War on Terror. Though the Army has formally charged Maj. Hasan with 13 counts of premeditated murder, I assure all Texans that the investigation will not stop here. I remain in constant contact with Lt. Gen. Cone, the commanding officer at Fort Hood, so that we can ensure we investigate to the fullest extent to prevent such a horrific and senseless loss of life from happening on a U.S. military base ever again.

True health care reform was dealt a major setback last weekend when the House passed Speaker Pelosi's drastic and reckless health care bill, which includes the government-run "public option." Despite previous promises to the American people to post the bill's language online for 72 hours, Speaker Pelosi opted to reverse course and force a hasty vote at 11pm on a Saturday night. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission found that the Pelosi bill would cost Texans $24 billion over 10 years and will make Medicaid the only option for millions of Texans. While Washington continues to think it can just charge its reckless spending to future generations, the budget realities in Texas will mean Nancy Pelosi's priorities will crowd out other Texas priorities like education and law enforcement. I continue to believe, as many Texans do, that our health care system needs reform to lower costs for American families and put Medicare and Medicaid on a fiscally sustainable path; however, the proposals we have seen from Washington so far will make our current problems far worse. If the Senate does not put a stop to this government takeover of our health care, Texans will see their taxes go up, their premiums rise, and for many seniors, their Medicare benefits cut. All the while, we'll be shouldering our children and grandchildren with trillions of dollars in unpaid debts. The Senate may begin its consideration of a health care overhaul bill from Majority Leader Harry Reid as soon as next week, and I will be actively engaged to ensure the interests of Texans, from Houston to El Paso, are heard during this historic debate.

When I last wrote you from our nation's capital, I told you about my concern over the Obama Administration's inability to properly manage the distribution of the H1N1 vaccination, and my letter to HHS Secretary Sebelius detailing those concerns. Since then, reports have emerged that detainees currently being incarcerated at Guantanamo Bay have been receiving vaccinations that should be reserved for high priority U.S. citizens, such as pregnant women and children. I, along with Sen. Hutchison and Sen. Vitter, R-La., introduced a Resolution in the United States Senate calling for the immediate postponement of all H1N1 vaccinations to detainees of Guantanamo Bay until high-risk Americans receive them first. Like many of you, I am outraged that individuals suspected of plotting acts of terror against innocent Americans could effectively jump the line to get the vaccination ahead of our citizens who are most susceptible to the virus. The Obama Administration has sorely mismanaged the response to the H1N1 influenza outbreak, and these most recent developments only underscore that fact. I will continue to press Secretary Sebelius for action and work to ensure that Texans receive their fair share of vaccines.

Finally, my favorite part of writing you all is having the opportunity to update you on my travels around Texas. On Veterans Day, I traveled to Natalia, Texas to pay tribute to our veterans in their annual ceremony alongside U.S. Rep. Ciro Rodriguez, Natalia Mayor Ruby Vera, and Medina County Judge Jim Barden. Afterwards, I took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new dormitory that will house and assist homeless veterans in the San Antonio area. Although it would be impossible to ever fully repay our nation's veterans for the countless sacrifices they have made for this country, it is our solemn obligation to support and provide for them and their families. It has been my pleasure to represent a state as supportive and as proud of its troops -- past and present -- as Texas. For that reason I consider it my highest duty to ensure that the Federal Government does everything it can to take care of our veterans and military personnel.

For more information on these and other topics, go directly to my Web site. I also welcome the opportunity to connect through Facebook, where I share updates, articles and videos related to my work in the Senate on a regular basis.To view floor speeches, interviews and other video messages from me, please visit my YouTube Channel. To receive additional updates, please select the issues that interest you listed on the right. It's an honor to serve you in the United States Senate.

Sincerely,

U.S. Senator John Cornyn

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