| Our soldiers are the bravest men and women who | | | | have stopped scheduling new appointments, been |
| risk their life and limb to protect our national borders | | | | unable to replace doctors and nurses who have |
| and ensure a safe life for each of us. But does our | | | | retired or left and even been unable to keep surgical |
| state really care for them, once they are discharged | | | | suites operational due to a lack of equipment. Texas |
| from the armed forces either due to retirement or | | | | Democrats support: |
| other reasons. Unlike the Republicans, the Texas | | | | - professional licensing for skills learned during military |
| Democrats are proud of their veterans and make | | | | service, including programs like Troops to Teachers |
| every effort to show our gratitude to them for their | | | | - job training for veterans |
| selfless and highly commendable acts of service. | | | | - adequate and affordable health insurance coverage |
| To truly honor the men and women who serve our | | | | and health care services for veterans and their |
| country, state and federal policy should demonstrate | | | | families, including mental health care services |
| respect for the sacrifices made by military veterans | | | | - restoring funding and service cuts and expanding |
| by ensuring a smooth transition from military to civilian | | | | clinical services at the Veterans Affairs Medical |
| life and providing benefits to honor their service. | | | | Centers |
| Texas Democrats support the continuation and | | | | - the establishment of a new, full service VA Hospital |
| enhancement of veteran's benefits, including post | | | | in South Texas |
| military training, medical and disability and deplore the | | | | - extend the rights of full citizenship to non-citizen |
| hypocrisy of arm chair patriots who talk glowingly of | | | | veterans who have served our country in the United |
| war and wrap themselves in the flag while turning their | | | | States military/li> |
| backs on those who fought those wars and defended | | | | - programs to encourage and support veterans and |
| that flag. | | | | their families to obtain higher education, such as |
| Over the last few years, the Republican Congress has | | | | expanding the Hazlewood Act to permit veterans who |
| consistently underfunded the Department of Veterans | | | | have not fully utilized their entitlement under this act to |
| Affairs. In many VA hospitals and medical facilities, the | | | | pass on any remainder of the unused credit hours to |
| budget shortfalls have become so severe that they | | | | their children. |