End John Cornyn's Silence

I am honored to have served side by side with courageous members of the armed forces in Afghanistan. Having served our country for almost thirty years, I've seen my friends risk their lives day after day for our nation -- and all they ask for in return is to have their sacrifices recognized with the benefits promised to them.

Senator Jim Webb from Virginia has introduced an expanded version of the GI Bill, called the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Act, to increase education benefits for veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. It's time our troops received some support from the lawmakers who are keeping them in Iraq and Afghanistan and that our senator was aware of their needs. The bill already has 57 co-sponsors -- but unfortunately, John Cornyn isn't one of them.

In the Texas Legislature, I worked for our troops by helping members of the Texas National Guard obtain federal health services and by making college more affordable for our veterans.

Contrast this to my opponent, who is once again turning his back on our veterans. John Cornyn opposed a common-sense bill that would have allowed our soldiers to spend as much time at home with their families as they spend deployed abroad. And after sending our soldiers to war, Cornyn voted against a measure that would have provided our troops with body armor, putting their lives in even more danger.

This war has been characterized by careless, runaway spending that is costing up to $15 billion a month. Little of it has been invested in the well being of those who have been doing the fighting.

The folks on Capitol Hill haven't been shy about voting themselves pay raises or great benefits after they leave office. It's time to speak out for those who have served. Email Cornyn and urge him to co-sponsor Senator Webb's expanded GI Bill today.

http://www.ricknoriega.com/gibill

The Bush Administration opposes Senator Webb's GI Bill because they fear soldiers will leave the military to attend college. As someone who has defended this nation, I'm outraged by the notion that we should limit benefits in civilian life to force our troops to stay in the military.

Moreover, it's absurd to argue that providing stronger benefits to military personnel would hurt recruitment in the armed forces. A stronger GI Bill would attract America's most capable and gifted volunteers to the military during a time when we need more troops than ever.

Hundreds of Texas families have lost their loved ones in Iraq and Afghanistan, and here in Texas we support our troops with action -- not just with words. After World War II, the GI Bill created unprecedented prosperity in our nation. Those who have put their lives on the line for our nation should be offered the best education benefits possible.

Click here to demand John Cornyn co-sponsor Jim Webb's new GI Bill.

Comments

[TXfemmom]

Cornyn is a despicable creep. He fits in perfectly with Bush/Cheney/Rove. I hope that he ends up in prison right alongside them.

[marinemomof3]

I also added to the Cornyn letter the following. Not that I think these neoCONS such as Cornyn, Kyle, McSame, Graham etc CARE what Americans or even the military think or want.

Dear Senator Cornyn:
I am a Marine mom and have three active duty serving in my family. Presently I have one @ Miramar and two in Iraq. I live 3 miles from the front gate of Pendleton, and meet many many of your constituents. I must let you know, my job, considered by some as small, is to inform our military how their Senators and Congressmen vote for their benefit or non benefit. You record and the record of many of your collegue's is CONTRARY of the way you speak. HYPOCRISY comes to my mind. Please do the job you were elected to do by your fellow Texans of which SO MANY serve in our armed services.

[castlerider]

John Cornyn has been one of the most do-nothing useless Senators Texas has ever had. He has supported and fawned over every Bush command and has followed his directives to the letter.
He's a Tom Delay without the Hammer.

Texas will be so much better off without him.
Rick, I sincerely hope for all of America's and Texas' sake you can send this windbag home next November.

[soylentgreenleftovers]

Please put Cornyn out of our misery, Rick!

[standforpeace]

WTF? Members of the military are being asked to do something that they have not had to do in the modern era and that is to return to a war zone over and over and over again. Not only that, but they are serving in a war zone in which there is no rear or safe zone (witness the constant attacks on the Green Zone). That means that we are asking soldiers to risk their lives 24/7 for 15 month tours with a little time at home and then do it all again. We keep sending them despite the fact that most of us know that there is no win coming down the road. We even stop-loss them beyond their commitments to keep this war going. Isn't it time that we step up for these men and women the way that our country has asked/demanded that they step up for us? It seems obvious to me that we would extend greater benefits when we've demanded a greater sacrifice than ever before. Anything less just heaps greater disgrace on our country than what Bush and all of his enablers have already subjected us to.

[hopeless277]

If they are stupid enough to volunteer for a Republican president then they get what they deserve. It's not my fault that they choose to ignore the chickenhawk nature of Republicans. Support the troops, keep 'em in Iraq forever.

[theyak]

Having read your post, I agree with your point about the nature of chickenhawks. However, as far as rest is concerned, YOU SUCK!

[standforpeace]

Some people enter the military because they don't have any other good employment options or opportunities to finance education. Others do so because they want to dedicate some portion of their lives to service to country. Neither of those reasons has anything to do with supporting George Bush or stupidity. Perhaps you'll think about changing your username to clueless.

[utd]

While you're at it how about delivering a swift kick in the balls to stop-loss as well. That way troops who manage to not get killed while serving beyond the contract they signed can return home and actually use these wonderful benefits.

[texanna]

Great post, Rep. Noriega! I'm glad you're putting the spotlight on this sham of a Senator who has done nothing but add to the bad rep our great state has had to suffer for too long. Nothing makes me more angry than to drive behind some overlarge, gas-guzzling SUV that has a "Support Our Troops" magnetic sticker plaster over the "Cornyn for Senator" sticker!

[independentrepublicrat]

I just hope you remember which side your bread was buttered on and support progressive issues that President Obama will put forth. You wouldn't have won that TX primary without Obama supporters and it was smart of your team to work all of his rallies with your literature and such. Don't get to the Senate and then show your azz like most Dems from red states and always lean hard right when it counts most. Do what is best for the troops and the plurality of the country and less about getting re-elected in six years (yes, I hope and expect that you will win the senate seat).

[TarAndFeathers]

Hopefully Conyn will remain silent....after November!
Good luck Rick, I hope you can put that worthless douchebag out of a job.

[DaCoach]

As a Texan, I've watched Senator Cornyn mail in his proxy vote to President Bush during his entire term. The duplicitous attitude of blackmail towards our veterans is unforgivable. If we can guarantee Bear Stearns $30B, we can certainly guarantee our heroes a decent future. Good luck Rick.

[PioneerKing]

Where's McCain been on this issue. OH yeah he's been collecting a disability pension and sitting on his ass and not voting for legislation that would help our troops.
It's amazing the republicans love to say how much they support the troops but shen push comes to shove they don't vote like they support the troops, they do the opposite.

[MichaelL]

I am a Texas veteran who took full advantage of the GI Bill upon my ETS. It helped me pay for my final years of college. Without that help, I certainly would have had a tough time. Not too long thereafter, I used the VA benefits to purchase a home. I had little money, but a decent income. My home served me well. Most recently, I have begun to look at graduate work. Did you know that my federal veterans' benefits expired after 10 years!!! I had nothing left. Oh wait. That's right. I am a Texan. The State of Texas implemented Hazlewood. This provides for all veterans who entered service while a citizen of this GREAT state an impressive education benefit. Would you believe that I could earn a $55,000 MBA for less than $2000. It is true!!!
So while my senator may not support FEDERAL benefits, he has no dog in this hunt for his constituents. Rather than blast him for failing the veterans, maybe you could encourage others STATES to enact similar benefit programs from STATE money. Stop the federal spending, RICK. This is why you will never unseat him!

[utd]

Regardless of what Texans may think, they do not comprise the majority of the United States as it pertains to making federal laws. Facing 20k a year tuition made my GI Bill look like some sad joke. It's insulting to our troops who don't come from Texas, and don't give a rats ass about getting an MBA, which happens to be most of us.

[MichaelL]

"Regardless of what Texans may think, they do not comprise the majority of the United States as it pertains to making federal laws"---But Texans do comprise a plurality of soldiers, sailors, and Marines. But you made my point, why should a TEXAS senator support what other states do not for their own people?

$20K per year? Seems pretty high. Did you plan on working too or did you expect a handout for everything? I worked through school. Guess what? It made me appreciate it more. Simple human behavior tells you that.

[iburl]

Yeah, why should FEDERAL soldiers, who serve in the FEDERAL army, receive FEDERAL benefits?

[MichaelL]

They do receive federal benefits, a lot of benefits. My state decided that wasn't enough so it did more. Why should I pay if other states don't care enough?

[1dogs2]

Of course Cornyn isn't the only "support-the-troops-but not-in-any-material-way" blowhard in the Senate. None other than McCain has taken the same position, refusing to support the bill. Shame on all the outrageous hypocrites in Congress. They make me physically ill.

[hopeless277]

You end it, tough guy.

[HGolightly]

One of the few bright spots in the history of Texas concerned the treatment of post-WW2 veterans. Texas went even further than the federal GI Bill and offered any free college tuition to any Texan that served. (Though minorities had to fight for this right). Shame on John Cornyn for not supporting this bill, and best of luck to you in the fall Mr. Noriega.