As the Chairman of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee, Congressman Edwards is a recognized leader in Congress on national defense

Congressman Edwards visiting soldiers in Iraq

• 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.
• Authoring of funds under the 2009 federal stimulus bill to modernize U.S. military hospitals including $621 million to build a new hospital at Fort Hood.
• Writing the bill in 2009 that expanded GI Bill education benefits to all children of fallen heroes.
• Leading the fight for an innovative public-private military housing program that has been called the most important military housing improvement program in our nation's history.
• Introducing the Military Retiree Health Care Protection Act (H.R. 816) to block dramatic increases in TRICARE premiums for military retirees and reservists.
• Introducing the bill to double life insurance benefits under the Service-members 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.

In recognition of his efforts in support of the U.S. military and veterans, Congressman Edwards has been honored with numerous awards including:

• 2009 American Veterans Congressional Silver Helmet Award
• 2009 U.S. Army Commander's Award for Civilian Service
• 2009 U.S. Navy Distinguished Public Service Award
• 2009 Fleet Reserve Association Pinnacle Award
• 2008 American Legion Distinguished Service Award given to only one member of Congress
• 2008 Veterans of Foreign War Congressional Award
• 2007 Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) Award
• 2006 Military Coalition Award of Merit
• 2006 National Guard Association Charles Dick Medal of Merit
• 2006 Exemplary Legislator - National Association of Mental Illness' Veterans Council
• 2005 Military Order of the Purple Heart's National Inspirational Leadership Award for work in Congress on important veterans' issues.
• 2005 National Inspirational Leadership Award from the Military Order of the Purple Heart
• 2004 American Legion Unsung Hero Award
• 2004 American Legion Meritorious Service Award
• 2004 "Going to Bat for Veterans" Award - National Disabled American Veterans
• 2004 Military Families Award from The National Military Family Association (NMFA).
• 2004 "Going to Bat for Veterans" Award- National Disabled American Veterans
• 2004 Champion for Children - Military Impacted Schools Association
• 2003 Legislator of the Year--Association of the United States Army
• 2003 Harry S. Truman Award-National Association of Federally Impacted Schools
• 2002 USO Quality of Life Award
• 1998 Legislator of the Year from the bipartisan National Security Caucus.
• 1996 True Champion for Military School Children Award by the National Military Impacted Schools Association (MISA)
• 1995 Friend of Impact Aid Award from The National Association of Federally Impacted Schools (NAFIS).

Congressman Edwards with Army Secretary John McHugh

Any thoughts? Comments? Questions? Let us know what you think.

If you would like to receive periodic e-mail alerts on national defense issues, please sign up for our e-mail newsletter.