Issues

KAY’S RECORD OF SUPPORTING VETERANS

“In Texas, there are more than 225,000 active duty, civilian, and guard service members – more than any other state. We are also home to over 1.6 million veterans. Our veterans are part of a long tradition of Texans who bravely fought on the frontlines and are shining examples of the true measure of American character.” – Kay Bailey Hutchison, 11/14/08

“Our nation’s veterans answered the call to serve, and we must honor our promise to care for their needs after they leave the battlefield.” – Kay Bailey Hutchison, 7/25/07

Texas’ veterans are selfless heroes who served their state and their country with courage, dedication and honor. As Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and as a member of the Veterans Affairs Committee, Kay Bailey Hutchison has fought to ensure that our nation fulfills its commitments to those who have served and preserved the freedom of our great country. Fighting for Texas, Hutchison:

Dramatically increased funding for veterans’ services.

Fought to keep veterans hospitals open in Texas.

“Was instrumental” in bringing a new VA Polytrauma Center to San Antonio to treat troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Worked to open new VA clinics in Conroe, Lake Jackson, Katy, Tomball, Richmond and El Paso.

Fought to improve access to health care for veterans in South Texas.

Led the effort establishing the Waco VA Hospital as a Center of Excellence for mental health issues.

Is co-sponsoring legislation to provide more resources for mental health services for our veterans.

Has been a major proponent of research into Gulf War Syndrome.

Passed legislation expanding college benefits for veterans.

Eliminated the Department of Veterans Affair’s authority to collect outstanding debts from families of military members killed in action.

Passed legislation allowing the families of fallen military personnel to collect pensions.

Supported allowing veterans to collect both retirement and disability payments.

THE KAY RECORD…

As A Member Of The Senate Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee, Hutchison Dramatically Increased Funding For Veterans Services:

During Hutchison’s Tenure As A Chair And Now Ranking Member Of The Senate Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee, The Veterans Affairs Department Saw A Significant Increase In Funding From $71 Billion In 2005 To $97.7 Billion In 2009. (Department Of Veterans Affairs, “VA 2010 Budget Fast Facts,” www4.va.gov, Accessed 11/9/09)

Hutchison Fought To Keep Veterans Hospitals Open In Texas:

Due To Hutchison’s Efforts, The Waco VA Hospital Remained Open. (The Associated Press, 12/1/06)

Due To Hutchison’s “Tireless” Efforts, The Big Spring VA Hospital Remained Open. (Rep. Randy Neugebauer, Press Release, 4/20/06)

Hutchison “Was Instrumental” In Locating A New VA Polytrauma Center To San Antonio To Treat Troops Returning From Iraq And Afghanistan:

Hutchison “Was Instrumental” In The Successful Effort To Locate The VA’s Fifth Polytrauma Center To San Antonio. “San Antonio has been selected as the site of a $67 million rehabilitation center to treat veterans and troops returning from Iraq with multiple wounds, Veterans Affairs Secretary Jim Nicholson said Tuesday. The Veterans Affairs Department said the new ‘polytrauma’ facility – one of five nationwide – will be built on the Audie Murphy VA Hospital campus. ‘San Antonio deserves this facility because ... so many active duty service personnel and veterans live in the area,’ said Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas. Hutchison, the ranking Republican on the Senate Appropriations subcommittee for military construction and veterans affairs, was instrumental in writing legislation to create a new, centrally located polytrauma center.” (San Antonio Express-News, 9/12/07)

Hutchison Worked To Open New VA Clinics In Conroe, Lake Jackson, Katy, Tomball, Richmond And El Paso:

In 2008, Hutchison Worked To Open Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) In Lake Jackson, Katy, Tomball, Richmond And El Paso. (Kay Bailey Hutchison, Press Release, 6/26/08)

In 2006, Hutchison Worked To Open A Community-Based Outpatient VA Clinic In Conroe. (Kay Bailey Hutchison, Press Release, 6/23/06)

Hutchison Fought To Improve Access To Health Care For South Texas Veterans:

In 2005, Hutchison Announced Plans For A 30,000 Square Foot Veterans Health Facility in Harlingen. “In December [2005], U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison announced a new, 30,000-square-foot, outpatient facility for veterans would be completed in June 2007 amid a growing cluster of hospital and medical care facilities in Harlingen.” (The Associated Press, 2/27/06)

Hutchison Had Commissioned A Comprehensive Study Of Health Care Needs Of South Texas Veterans, Which Led To The New Harlingen Facility. (The Associated Press, 8/20/07)

This Year, Hutchison Co-Sponsored Legislation With Sen. Cornyn That Would Direct The VA To Construct A VA Medical Center In Far South Texas. (S. 699, Introduced 3/25/09)

Hutchison Worked To Expand Mental Health Services For Texas Veterans:

Hutchison Led The Effort To Establish The Waco VA Hospital As A Designated Center Of Excellence For Mental Health Service. “Citing the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) continued commitment to providing veterans with world-class health care, Secretary R. James Nicholson today announced that three locations - Waco, Texas; San Diego and Canandaigua, NY - have been designated special centers of excellence devoted to advancing research and enhancing care for mental health issues that affect some American veterans. The new centers, established under legislation introduced by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) and passed by Congress during the recent budget-making process, will provide a concentration of expertise on mental health issues.” (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Press Release, 12/8/05)

Hutchison Is A Co-Sponsor Of S. 252, The Veterans Health Care Authorization Act Of 2009, Which Includes Expansion Of Mental Health Care Services. (S. 252, Introduced 1/15/09)

Hutchison Is A Co-Sponsor Of The Women’s Veterans Health Improvement Act Of 2009, Which Includes An Increase In Resources For Mental Health Services For Female Veterans. (S. 597, Introduced 3/16/09)

“A Huge Boon To Veterans And Their Families,” Hutchison Has Been A Major Proponent Of Research Into Gulf War Syndrome:

Hutchison Has Been A Major Proponent Of Research Into Gulf War Syndrome. “While not as often in the headlines, Ms. Hutchison's role in making sure money is allocated toward unraveling the mystery of the debilitating Gulf War Syndrome is a huge boon to veterans and their families.” (The Dallas Morning News, 10/19/06)

Hutchison Passed Legislation Expanding College Benefits For Veterans:

In 2008, Hutchison Introduced The Montgomery GI Bill Educational Assistance Transferability Act of 2008—To Allow Military Personnel To Transfer Education Benefits To Their Spouses Or Children. (S. 2575, Introduced 1/30/08)

Hutchison’s Legislation Was Included In Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act, Which Was Part Of FY2008 Supplemental Appropriations Bill, Which Became Law. (Public Law No: 110-252)

Hutchison Eliminated The VA’s Authority To Collect Debt From Families Of Veterans Killed In Action:

In 2008, The Law Required VA To Collect Debt From Estates Of Military Personnel Who Were Killed In Action. (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1/28/08)

Hutchison Was Outraged And Introduced Legislation To Strip The VA Of Its Authority To Collect Debt Owed From Estates Of Fallen Soldiers. “Rightfully outraged by this development, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas last week filed the Combat Veterans Debt Elimination Act to remove the provision that requires the VA to seek collection of unpaid debt from the families of soldiers who die from combat-related injuries.” (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1/28/08)

Hutchison Introduced The Combat Veterans Debt Elimination Act Of 2008. (S. 2550, Introduced 1/23/08)

Combat Veterans Debt Elimination Act Was Included As Section 1303 Of The FY2008 Supplemental Appropriations Bill, Which Became Law. (Public Law No: 110-252)

Hutchison Passed Legislation Allowing Families Of Fallen Military Personnel To Collect Pensions:

Hutchison Sponsored Legislation To Allow Survivors To Collect Pensions Of Military Personnel Killed In Action. “In part reacting to the deaths of 61 Navy and Army personnel in the Sept. 11 attack on the Pentagon, lawmakers appear likely to adopt a plan by Sens. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, and Joseph I. Lieberman, D-Conn., to allow survivors to collect pension payments under a formula based on the deceased’s time in uniform.” (The Virginian-Pilot, 11/23/01)

Hutchison’s Legislation Was Included In FY2002 Defense Authorization Conference Report, Which Became Law. (Public Law No: 107-107)

Hutchison Supported Legislation Allowing Veterans To Collect Both Retirement And Disability Payments:

Prior To 2004, Veterans Were Prohibited From Collecting Both Retirement And Disability Payments. “Concurrent Receipt means to receive both military retirement benefits and VA disability compensation, and up until 2004 this was forbidden by law. To receive VA disability compensation, disabled military retirees had to waive all or part of their military pay.” (Military.com Website, www.military.com, Accessed 5/14/05)

Hutchison Voted For FY2004 Defense Authorization Conference Report That Allowed Veterans To Collect Both Retirement And Disability, Which Became Law. “Adoption of the conference report on the bill that would authorize $401.3 billion for defense and national security spending in fiscal 2004. It would allow certain disabled military retirees to receive both their retirement and disability benefits simultaneously....” (Public Law No: 108-136)

To read the Hutchison record, please see HERE.