Supporting our Troops:

On 14 February, House Democrats introduced the New GI Bill of Rights for the 21st Century. According to one congressman, “The New GI Bill will repeal unfair tax burdens on military families, provide Veterans with the benefits they deserve like affordable health care, education and job training, strengthen our support for our men and women in uniform and improve benefits for our National Guard/Reservists.” I applaud their efforts!

I have reviewed that proposal and believe that legislation like this has been long overdue. Some of the more notable provisions of that bill include: improving veterans’ health care; improving mental health for returning soldiers; ending the Disabled Veterans’ Tax; increasing survivor benefits for families with minor children; improving pay for those in a combat theater; modernizing and enhancing the GI Bill Education and Job Training Programs; providing additional funds to assist homeless veterans with employment; protecting bonuses and special pay for the permanently injured, and continuing combat pay or additional compensation for those recovering from combat injuries; expanding military health care for National Guard/Reservists; ensuring recruitment incentives and bonuses for National Guard/Reservists; and improving educational benefits.

As your congressman, I would support measures like this which helps those who are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to our country. I would hope that my fellow Republicans will stand with the Democrats in supporting bills like this. Partisan politics and useless political infighting has been at the forefront of my opponent’s service in Congress. We need a representative that will fight for the people - not for political and personal ambitions. It is time for a change.

McHenry Lacks Direction; Flip Flops on Support; Accuses Huckabee of Being Selfish

From the Washington Post, February 12, 2008:

“At a private meeting of conservatives in the House of Representatives last month, Rep. Patrick T. McHenry (N.C.) ridiculed Sen. John McCain (Ariz.), asking why his fellow right-wing activists ‘shouldn't be physically ill at the prospects of a President McCain.’

“On Monday, McHenry -- apparently feeling fine -- joined the chorus of voices calling for conservatives to unify around McCain as the likely Republican nominee, and he accused former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee of waging a pointless nomination battle because he is ‘in there for himself.’”

It takes courage and maturity to stand up for what you believe. Both Sen. McCain and Gov. Huckabee possess these qualities—our current congressman does not. Bowing to peer pressure in an effort to be liked or to be one of the “insiders” is not the type of representative our District needs. We need someone that will take a stance for the voters and fight for what he believes—not what the audience expects.

My opponent has been in Congress for over three years and has consistently used his position to attack others, including our next President, and arguably one of our most conservative candidates this year. Given these antics, it is little wonder that our District’s reputation has significantly declined over that last three years. McHenry’s ability to get the job done has been seriously compromised by his own actions. I will bring courage and maturity to Congress.