I strongly support our troops and have consistently voted to support them.  Our brave men and women in uniform honor our country with their service, and many of them have made the ultimate sacrifice these last three years.  While I agree with the President that we must complete the job in Iraq, I also believe we must also bring the troops home to their families as soon as possible.  I am also concerned that important needs are not being met here at home because of the billions of dollars being spent on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

However, until the day comes that we can safely withdraw from these conflicts, we must support our troops by giving them the body armor and other equipment they need to protect themselves and get the job done.  In Congress, I have consistently voted in favor of funding for our troops and will continue to do so.

I also believe it is very important that we support our veterans when they return home and honor the promises we made to them when they signed up for service.  In Congress, I supported legislation to re-open the Veterans Medical Center in New Orleans, which was closed due to extensive damage caused by Katrina.  I also sponsored an amendment to fund a VA program to research and provide prosthetic limbs to wounded soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

I will continue to fight in Congress to make sure our men and women in uniform have the adequate tools they need finish the job in Iraq and Afghanistan and have the benefits they were promised when they return home.    

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