House Committee on Veterans' Affairs

Washington, D.C. – Today, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Steve Buyer made the following statement regarding a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) report that associates veterans with rightwing extremist groups.

“I commend The American Legion and its National Commander, David K. Rehbein, for his April 13 letter to DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano protesting a recent DHS report categorizing military veterans as potentially inclined toward domestic terrorism. I am also thankful to all veterans and the organizations that represent them, such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars, who have also expressed their concern on this issue.”

“Men and women of our armed forces risk their lives every day to protect our citizens and the liberty we cherish, so it is inconceivable to me that the Administration considers them a potential threat, but apparently does not have the same concern over anti-war protesters.” 

“This kind of mischaracterization can lead to discrimination against veterans in our society, especially in the job market.  Veterans were subjected to this unfair treatment, and I call upon President Obama and members of Congress to refute any similar stereotyping of and veterans.”   

“House Republican Leader John Boehner is right that characterizing men and women returning home after defending our country as potential terrorists is offensive and unacceptable. President Obama and Secretary Napolitano owe our veterans an apology.”

For more news from House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Republicans, please go to:

http://republicans.veterans.house.gov/

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