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WASHINGTON, DC – As the Ranking Member on the Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health Congressman Henry E. Brown Jr. (R-SC), issued the following statement on a Department of Homeland Security report that characterizes veterans returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan as vulnerable for recruitment into “terrorist groups”:
“It is offensive and unacceptable that the Department of Homeland Security has characterized the men and women returning home from defending our country as potential terrorists. These veterans should be welcomed home with open arms, not subjected to unfair treatment that could lead to discrimination.
Unfortunately, the Obama Administration has, now, not only questioned the character and patriotism of returning veterans, but has also suggested that they should pay for care that the VA has a responsibility to provide. These attacks, on the men and women who have risked their lives to protect our citizens and the liberty we cherish, must stop.”
After much deserved outrage from veterans and the American Legion, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has issued an apology saying “To the extent veterans read it as an accusation ... an apology is owed.” However, many veterans view this apology as lukewarm at best and the DHS Secretary continued to defend the premise of the assessment report which has been criticized by Republican and Democrat members of Congress.
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