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Cuellar votes to support our troops

Friday, June 20th, 2008

Special to Texas Border Business

Bill includes critical domestic provisions for aiding veterans, combating drugs and violence, and increasing unemployment benefits

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Henry Cuellar voted yesterday to support both amendments of the bi-partisan Iraq/Afghanistan Supplemental Appropriation bill, H.R. 2642. This legislation will provide $161.8 billion to fund our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan through Fiscal Year 2009 and addresses critical dome stic issues.

The supplemental spending measure also provides a new G.I. bill for our veterans, extends aid to unemployed workers, and funds new initiatives to combat drug trafficking and crime from Mexico and Central America. The U.S. House of Representatives voted on this measure in two parts: Amendment 1, passed by a vote of 268-155, contained funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan , and Amendment 2, passed by a vote of 416-12, contained funding for dome stic provisions.

One key domestic provision included for veterans in this measure was the G.I. Bill for the 21st century. Fashioned after the G.I. Bill of 1944 that provided for college or vocational education for returning World War II veterans, the new G.I. Bill will not only restore four-year college scholarships to veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan war, it will also allow service members who stay in the military the opportunity to transfer their education benefits to their spouses and to their children.

"We have an obligation to the brave men and women who serve our county in the armed forces," Congressman Cuellar said.  "While in combat, we must provide them with the provisions they need to remain safe, and once home, we must continue to provide our veterans and their families with the resources necessary for access to our nation’s finest institutions."

The supplemental bill also addresses the threats of drug trafficking and transnational crime from Mexico and Central America . This provision, known as the Merida Initiative, commits $400 million as a joint cooperative strategy with Mexico and $65 million for Central America to reduce drug demand and associated violence. As part of the initiative, the United States and Mexico will work together to train and strengthen law enforcement institutions, implement new technologies to improve the collection and distribution of law enforcement sensitive information, purchase helicopter and surveillance aircraft to support interdiction efforts, and train canine units for Mexican customs to intercept illegal drugs and firearms. 

Additionally, the legislation addresses concerns for the U.S. economy and the national unemployment rate by extending unemployment benefits for 13 weeks in every state to workers who have exhausted their 26 weeks of regular benefits.

“This bill is an important example of Democrats and Republicans working together in a bi-partisan effort for the betterment of our nation,” Congressman Cuellar noted. “With this legislation, we will provide for our troops and address important dome stic needs for our veterans, our economy, and our efforts to eradicate drug trafficking and violence.”

The legislation also places a moratorium on Medicaid regulations that would cut services to seniors, families, and those with disabilities, and provided monies to aid flood damaged regions of the Midwest .  The legislation is the product of negotiations between House Democrats and Republicans, and is backed by the White House and Republican leaders.

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