OFF THE WIRE
WASHINGTON, DC -- Texas Senators Ted Cruz and John
Cornyn announced today that the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act
passed by the Senate Armed Services Committee includes an amendment to
allow the victims of Nidal Hasan’s terrorist attack at Fort Hood to
receive the Purple Heart.
The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Cruz, expanded Purple Heart
eligibility to include members of the armed forces who have been killed
or wounded in an attack inspired or motivated by a foreign terrorist
organization.
There will be a retroactive review as of September 11, 2001, and the
Secretary of Defense will also specifically conduct a review of the 2009
Fort Hood attack, applying the same criteria to civilian employees in
order to determine eligibility for the Secretary of Defense Medal for
the Defense of Freedom.
“This designation is long overdue for the victims of the Fort Hood
shooting and their families who deserve our prayers and support in
dealing with this horrific act of terrorism,” said Sen. Cruz. “I applaud
Sen. Cornyn for his leadership and vigorous inquiries to the FBI about
whether this was, indeed, an act of terrorism. Getting the Director of
the FBI on record confirming the Fort Hood attack was inspired by Al
Qaeda and was not an act of 'workplace violence,' was critical in giving
the victims and families the benefits they need.”
“Since the days following the attack on Fort Hood in November 2009,
we’ve been fighting to ensure justice is served for the men and women
who lost their lives or were injured,” said Sen. Cornyn. “It’s been a
lengthy fight and I’m glad to report today that the Pentagon’s misplaced
notions of ‘workplace violence’ have been largely put to rest. Last
November, I authored a floor amendment to make sure the victims of this
2009 terrorist attack are eligible for the honors and benefits they so
rightly deserve, but Senate Democrats blocked its consideration. Today,
my amendment was adopted by the Senate Armed Services Committee, taking
us one step closer to our goal. I’m grateful to Sen. Cruz for
sponsoring it, and I’m hopeful the Defense Authorization bill will be
brought to the Senate floor immediately.”
On Wednesday, Sen. Cornyn asked the Director of the FBI James Comey
if he believed Nidal Hasan, who shot and killed 13 people, including a
pregnant woman, was inspired by Al Qaeda to carry out the attack.
FBI Director Comey said, “Yes, sir, based on everything I've read.
Again, I wasn't in office at the time, but I've read about it since, and
I – and I do.”
