U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, appealed Monday for the support of a demographic he is well-acquainted with: Central Texas veterans.

Edwards spoke to nearly 75 veterans and supporters at a “Vets for Chet” rally at his Waco campaign headquarters, touting his record in improving benefits and health care access to veterans.

Edwards, chairman of the House appropriations subcommittee on veterans affairs and military construction, pledged to continue working for the veterans in the district and across the nation if he is re-elected in November.

U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards (left), D-Waco, was joined by former Veterans Affairs Secretary Anthony Principi at a “Vets for Chet” campaign stop in Waco.
Rod Aydelotte / Tribune-Herald

“I believe we have a moral obligation to keep our promises to those that kept their promises to fight for our country,” Edwards said.

“There is yet so much work to be done. I’m less focused on looking back than looking forward to making sure that our veterans and troops receive the best possible care.”

The hourlong event also featured speeches from former VA Secretary Anthony Principi, former Fort Hood commander retired Army Lt. Gen. Pete Taylor and former Assistant Secretary of Defense Dr. Sam Casscells.

The event marked Principi’s first time back in Waco since reversing the decision to close the Waco VA hospital in 2003.

Edwards and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, have been credited with spearheading local efforts to keep the facility open.

Edwards took the three former officials on a brief tour of the hospital before the campaign event.

“It looks great,” Principi said of the campus. “I love seeing the fences around it because it means there is construction going on to enhance it. They’re utilizing the buildings and getting care to our veterans, and it makes me feel that this was the right decision to make for the facility.”

Casscells praised Edwards for working to secure $3 billion to upgrade or rebuild military hospitals, including funding a new campus for Fort Hood.

“The bar has been raised, and it sets a standard of care that the Obama administration and Congress will have to continue into the future,” Casscells said.

Edwards also used the event to again denounce a proposal by opponent Bill Flores to allow veterans private-sector options for treatment.

Edwards held a press conference last week pouncing on remarks Flores made in a January debate suggesting veterans should be allowed the option to seek treatment in the private health care system with the government footing the bill.

“I’ve never heard of a single worse idea that would decrease the level of health care given to our veterans and troops and cripple the veterans health care system,” Edwards said Monday.

Flores told the Tribune-Herald last week he supported the plan after several veterans approached him with the idea. He added, “Only a career politician like Chet Edwards would think that giving veterans options is a bad thing.”

Flores campaign spokesman Matt Mackowiak said Monday he had no additional comment.

Flores issued a press release Monday morning tying Edwards to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who is headlining fundraisers in Dallas and Houston this week to benefit the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

The release, which raises Pelosi’s endorsement of Edwards for vice president during the 2008 election, announces a “Fire Pelosi money bomb” to raise $17,000 for Flores’ campaign by midnight Wednesday.

“Speaker Pelosi has ignored the will of the American people in pushing bailouts, massive government growth, out-of-control spending, a failed $862 billion spending bill and a cap- and-trade bill,” Flores said in the release.

“Today we are launching a money bomb to help us win this campaign by sending Edwards and Pelosi a clear message: You’re fired!”

Edwards dismissed the Flores fundraiser as an attempt to sway conversation away from the discussion on the veterans health care system.

“If I had made a proposal that was so wildly unpopular with veterans and would cripple the veterans health care system, I would want to change the subject too,” Edwards said.

The Waco stop was sandwiched between other events tours in College Station and Burleson. Edwards will return to McLennan County on Wednesday and Friday for stops in West, McGregor and Mart.

While Edwards would not say whether he plans to hold any town hall meetings during the remainder of his break from Congress, he intends to hold various campaign events in the district over the coming weeks.

Edwards also agreed to participate in a publicly broadcast debate Oct. 24 sponsored by the Tribune-Herald and KXXV-Channel 25 at the TV station’s studio.

Mackowiak said the Flores campaign is still reviewing the final rules for the debate but looks forward to participating in the event.

rdennis@wacotrib.com

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