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Wanted to make sure you saw this.

- Ashwin

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*GOVERNOR PERRY BACKED AND SIGNED LAW THAT WOULD BAR VETERANS FROM USING THEIR ID TO VOTE UNDER NEW LAW*

"*Texas Veteran Talks Perry's Slap in the Face, as Perry talks military in Iowa*"


EAST DALLAS, Texas - As Governor Rick Perry tours Iowa, talking a lot about his own military history, a veteran in Texas wants people to know that Perry's rhetoric doesn't meet his record. Specifically, Perry backed and signed a new voter ID law in the state that would prohibit veterans from using their ID card from the Department of Veterans Affairs to vote, even though it is a government-issued photo ID.


"Given that Governor Perry is talking up his veteran status in Iowa, and taking constant hits at our Commander in Chief, one would think he has a pretty good record when it comes to those who served," said *Allen Vaught, an Iraq War Veteran, who was awarded a Purple Heart*. "Iowans, and Americans at large should know, however, that Governor Perry put partisan politics above the rights of veterans by recently signing a Voter ID Law in Texas that prohibits veterans from using their Department of Veterans Affairs ID card to vote."

Vaught added, "Governor Perry knows full well that a Veterans ID Card is a legitimate, government-issued ID. In some cases, it's the only government ID a veteran has. Veterans fought to protect our democracy. Yet, Governor Perry's ill-conceived voter ID law will ensure that some veterans don't get to participate in the democracy they fought to preserve. That doesn't earn the respect of any man or woman in uniform that I know. I'd urge the press to dig into Rick Perry's record on veterans issues. They'll find his record doesn't stand up to his blustery rhetoric."

In Iowa this week, Perry said that he was running for President to "make sure that every young man and woman who puts on the uniform of this country respects highly the president of the United States," while repeatedly mentioning his service in the Air Force.

But, just back in May, Perry backed and signed a law he declared an "emergency item" under his powers as governor. That law would require voters to present ID when voting. The bill specifically left out ID from the Department of Veterans Affairs, even though it is a government ID, with a photo, like any driver's license or passport.

Ann McGeehan, director of the Texas Secretary of State's elections division, said last week that photo ID cards issued by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs are not acceptable forms, under the new law.

Allen Vaught served in Iraq from April 2003 until March 2004 and commanded one of the first units to enter Fallujah where he served as the city's "de facto" mayor. After being transferred to Sadr City, Allen was injured in combat operations and awarded the Purple Heart. He was honorably discharged from the Army as a result of his injuries. He served in the Texas House of Representatives from 2007-2011.

Founded in 2006, and backed by over 100,000 members, the mission of VoteVets.org is to use public issue campaigns and direct outreach to lawmakers to ensure that troops abroad have what they need to complete their missions, and receive the care they deserve when they get home. VoteVets.org also recognizes veterans as a vital part of the fabric of our country and will work to protect veterans' interests in their day-to-day lives. VoteVets.org is committed to the destruction of terror networks around the world - with force when necessary - to protect America. While non-partisan, the group is the largest progressive organization of veterans in America.

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VoteVets.org

[ http://www.facebook.com/pages/VoteVetsorg/8501031021 ] [ http://www.twitter.com/votevets ] [ http://www.youtube.com/votevets ]

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