Ciro makes a statement on his opponent

Ciro Rodriguez (photo)

Henry Bonilla: A record of failing America's Veteran's and the deciding vote against a pay bonus for our troops

San Antonio - Citing Henry Bonilla's long record of failing America 's Veterans, Congressional Candidate Ciro D. Rodriguez today joined members of the Texas Democratic Veterans to highlight the Republican Congressman's voting history and the importance of the upcoming run-off election.

"What Henry Bonilla says and what he does are two different things. This is an insult to our veterans and to the men and women serving today," said congressional candidate Ciro D. Rodriguez. "Bonilla's voting record on veterans' issues is clear - and simply stated, keeping our promises to our veterans is not a priority for the current Congressman."

Henry Bonilla has been a strong supporter of President Bush and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's "stay the course" policy in Iraq , but when it came to supporting our troops, Bonilla was the deciding vote against granting a $1,500 bonus to every American service member serving in Iraq and Afghanistan .

"Henry Bonilla has voted himself thousands of dollars in pay raises, but voted NO to a much needed and deserved $1,500 bonus for the men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. That is more than a bad vote, it's a disgrace," said Larry Romo, Lt. Col., USAFR (Ret.) and Chairman of Texas Democratic Veterans. "That is why we are encouraging all Veterans living in the 23rd to support Ciro Rodriguez - a real champion for Veterans."

The Census Bureau reports that over 60,000 civilian veterans currently reside in Texas ' 23rd Congressional District. They didn't matter to Henry Bonilla when he voted to slash billions in funding for veterans' benefits, including cuts to disability benefit payments and reductions in money for GI bill benefits and health care. Bonilla has also voted to block the expansion of the military's TRICARE health insurance program to thousands of reservist and National Guard members.

During his tenure in Congress, Ciro Rodriguez was a leader in advocating for the needs of America 's veterans. He served with distinction as a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Veterans Affairs Committee -- where he was the Ranking Member on the Veterans Health Subcommittee and served on the Benefits Subcommittee.

Paid for and Authorized by Ciro D. Rodriguez for Congress