As Navy Veteran and Democratic Congressional Candidate Heather Beaven turned up the heat on Republican John Mica for ignoring his district and avoiding a public debate, Mica continues his evasive campaigning with an eblast touching one of Heather's strongest issues titled "Working for those who served."
Yet, without uttering one word about his plan to take care of our troops, his vision, past votes, proposed legislation or his stances on any veteran issues, Mica ended with "It is my great privilege to be able to help honor and assist men and women who have served our country." But what does Mica's record really look like? Florida's 7th District is home to over 90,000 men and women who served their country in the military. When elected, Heather will be the only female Veteran in Congress and has campaigned heavily on veterans issues and care, see Mica's real record below.
Heather was a Cryptologist in the Navy. She and nine other female Sailors were selected by President Bill Clinton for the Women at Sea exercise. Together, they became the first women to set sail on a combat vessel: the USS Kincaid, a Spruance class destroyer. Heather was appointed Training Petty Officer and Prevention of Sexual Harassment Trainer for her Command. Later, she was assigned to America's War on Drugs and earned a Navy Achievement Medal for "Meritorious service...of a superlative nature." Heather says of her time in the military, "it was the best decision that I have ever made. It made me who I am, and it has led to great possibilities."
Not only will Heather enter Congress as the only female Veteran, her husband is an Army Reservist. Heather has set up a Veterans Advisory Council within her district and focuses a large part of her campaign to Veterans issues and care. Heather has also been outspoken on her priority to draft legislation for presumptive disability and a unified DOD and VA budget. Heather has been endorsed by General Wes Clark and VetPAC. Heather serves as a member of Operation Free, a coalition of leading Veterans and national security organizations who recognize that climate change is a major threat, and support fast, bold action.
And what about John Mica's record?
Mica has been rated 0% by Disabled American Vets (here, here, here) and very low ratings from several other veteran organizations.
After voting to send our troops into harm’s way, Mica voted NO on:
* H.RES.279:Funding for the Veteran’s Affairs committee (3/31/2009)
* H.R.1105: Funding for Veteran’s unemployment assistance (2/25/2008)
* H.R.2647: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (10/8/2009)
* H.R.2918: VA funding for medical services, medical support, compliance, and facilities.(9/25/2009)
* H.R.3288: Grants for new VA medical facilities and cemeteries (12/10/2009)
* H.R.2206: U.S. Troop Readiness and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007 (5/24/2007)
* H.R.2638: Funding for armor, vehicles, supplies and equipment (9/24/2008)
* H.R.1106: Help for Veteran’s at risk of foreclosure (3/5/2009)
* H.R.1388: To create a “Veterans Corps” to address the unmet needs of veterans, military and dependents (3/18 & 3/31/2009)
And John Mica wasn't even interested in voting for these:
* H.R. 5136: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 (5/28/10)
* H.R. 868: Honoring and Recognizing the Service and Achievements of Current and Former Female Members of the Armed Forces (11/5/09)
* H.R. 1: Implementing the 9/11Commission Recommendations Act (7/27/07)
* H.R, 4567: Making Appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (10/9/04)
* H.R. 4837: Making Appropriations for Military Construction, Family Housing, and Base Realignment and Closure for the Department of Defense (10/9/04)
* H.R. 4200: DoD Authorization, Fiscal Year 2005 (10/9/04)
John Mica is an outspoken hypocrite who will continue to be a leader of the Republicans' Party of NO. Help change that by supporting Heather Beaven. Heather Beaven will make an excellent member of Congress. But she needs your help. Spread the word. Contribute and join nearly 500 online, grassroots donors. Tell your friends and family to vote.