Update from U.S. Senator John Cornyn

Update from U.S. Senator John Cornyn September 2007



This month, Gen. David Petraeus provided Congress an objective, no-nonsense assessment on Iraq. His report made it clear that the surge is working, and we’re making significant progress. Total attacks and civilian casualties have decreased and Sunni tribal leaders in al Anbar have revolted against al Qaeda. As a result, some American troops are now expected to begin returning home later this year. Our ground mission in Iraq is not open-ended, but our commitment to our national security must be.

The Senate later approved an amendment I introduced reaffirming our “support for all the men and women of the United States Armed Forces, including General David H. Petraeus,” and repudiating “the unwarranted personal attack on General Petraeus by the liberal activist group MoveOn.org.” This underscores an important precedent adhered to by previous generations of leaders in both political parties: efforts to impugn the integrity of our commanders and troops in the field during war time—in pursuit of partisan political purposes—should be rejected.

I’ve been working to see that a Defense Authorization bill, setting funding levels for important Texas military and national defense programs, is passed without unrelated amendments. I joined hundreds of veterans last week who served in Iraq and Afghanistan—Vets for Freedom—including several from Texas, and Gold and Blue Star families in support of the troops. It’s great to see grassroots support for maintaining our fight against Islamic terrorists abroad, so that Americans can remain safe at home.

We’ve also made progress in fulfilling our moral obligation to provide troops and veterans the care and benefits they need and deserve.

Earlier this month, I participated in an event marking the 75th anniversary of the Waco VA Medical Center, which provides quality care to Central Texas veterans.
I also was part of the groundbreaking ceremony in San Antonio for a new recovery center for troops and their families that will help them make a smooth transition to civilian life.
I introduced a successful amendment to the Defense Authorization bill that helps ensure federal support for the needed expansion of Darnall Army Medical Center on Fort Hood.
With Sen. Hutchison, I applaud the news that the VA will build a new $67 million Level One Polytrauma Facility in San Antonio, and that veterans will soon have expanded clinic and outpatient hospital care in the Rio Grande Valley. This is an important initial step toward ensuring South Texas veterans have access to the health care they deserve.
I joined Sen. Hutchison this month in passing legislation banning new tolls on existing lanes of interstate highways in our state. Texans whose federal tax dollars have already paid for these roads should not face double taxation through tolls. We also gained approval for an anti-gang bill I co-sponsored that will establish tougher penalties and provide support for local gang enforcement and prevention programs.

Polls show the American public is not pleased with the performance of Congress, and I understand the frustration. We are ending the 2007 fiscal year next week without having passed a single one of the 12 annual appropriations bills. And some of my colleagues are attempting to load up the Defense Authorization bill with measures that have little to do with our national security. I will continue working to ensure that Congress pays close attention to our national priorities, and avoids unnecessary partisan fighting that has diverted us so often earlier this year.

For more information on these and other topics, go directly to my Web site. 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,