Congressman John Carter (R-TX31) and Congressman Roger Williams (R-TX25) are proud to announce the House passed a bicameral agreement that ensures victims of the 2009 terrorist attack on Fort Hood are eligible for being awarded the Purple Heart, along with its corresponding benefits. The Senate is supportive of the House-passed legislation and is expected to pass the bill in the next week and send it to the President’s desk. The language was included in the FY15 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) conference agreement. The NDAA authorizes funding for the Department of Defense.

The House passed the FY15 NDAA by a vote of 325-98 in May. The Senate Armed Services Committee also passed a similar version. After a conference by both House and Senate Members, the agreed upon NDAA was passed Thursday by the House of Representatives by a vote of 300-119 and now awaits passage by the Senate.

Representatives Williams and Carter took to the House floor yesterday to voice their strong support for this provision.  The video can be seen here.

“This has been a top priority for my Texas colleagues and me ever since the tragic attack in 2009. I am relieved that the victims and families of the 2009 Fort Hood shooting are finally nearing justice and closure. I remain disappointed that the President has not taken action or fulfilled his promise that he made to the victims five years ago. I urge the President to forego any further politics on this issue and keep his promise by signing the NDAA into law. The victims of this terrorist attack have suffered long enough! The fight for the victims of the 2009 Fort Hood shooting has been long and hard, but I am always honored to go to battle for the men and women who serve this great country,” said Congressman Carter.

“This is a huge step in the joint efforts to help victims of the Fort Hood terrorist attack, and I’d like to thank Rep. John Carter and many of our Texas colleagues for their endless support. Our nation’s leaders must uphold our solemn commitment to provide for troops in harm’s way – whether at home or abroad. President Obama has neglected those whose lives were taken and forever changed that day. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation gives President Obama yet another opportunity to honor his pledge to take care of our American soldiers who were victims of terrorism,” said Congressman Williams.

The NDAA would adjust the Purple Heart criteria so that our service members and civilians, who experience an attack inspired by terrorism, receive the appropriate awards and recognition. The language awards the Purple Heart to service members who are victims of an attack that was inspired or motivated by a U.S. State Department-designated foreign terrorist organization. The provision would be retroactively effective as of September 11, 2001.   

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