As the Ranking Member of the Military Quality of Life Appropriations Subcommittee, Congressman Edwards is a recognized leader in Congress on national defense issues. He is a strong supporter of the war on terrorism and voted to authorize President Bush to use force in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Currently, As co-chairman of the bipartisan House Army Caucus, Congressman Edwards has been a strong voice for supporting our men and women in uniform and giving them the resources to fight the war on terror.

Congressman Edwards' accomplishments include:

• Leading the effort to stop the Department of Defense from cutting two divisions of the Army in 2001
  
• As the Congressman for Fort Hood from 1991-2005, he has successfully secured over $800 million in military construction funds for the post, dramatically improving the quality of life for Army soldiers and their families
  
• fighting for our soldiers when others in Washington have tried to cut housing allowances, retiree pay, education for military children and danger pay for troops in Iraq.
  
• Introducing the Military Retiree Health Care Protection Act (H.R. 4949) to block dramatic increases in TRICARE premiums for military retirees and reservists.
  
• Introducing the bill to double life insurance payments under the Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (SGLI) program. While Edwards’ legislation would have doubled benefits to $500,000, Congress finally accepted an increase in insurance benefits from $250,000 to $400,000 and an increase in the death gratuity from $12,000 to $100,000.