Republican Texas Sen. Ted Cruz said on “Fox and Friends” that it was “outrageous and indefensible” that even after Congress passed a law granting the Purple Heart to victims of the 2009 Fort Hood shooting, those same victims are being denied the award’s benefits.
Palestinian-American soldier Nidal Hasan killed 13 and injured 30 others serving in Ford Hood, yelling “Allahu Ackbar!” as he shot his fellow soldiers.
“For five years, the Obama Defense Department has ridiculously, has unreasonably characterized that terrorist attack as ‘workplace violence,'” said Cruz, now a presidential candidate. “It makes no sense.” (VIDEO: Cruz: Obama Has Become ‘An Apologist For Radical Islamic Terrorists’)
In response, Cruz sponsored and pushed the Senate to pass a law allowing servicemen and women injured in the Fort Hood shooting to receive Purple Hearts. But at least one victim has reported being denied any benefits that come with the award due to a narrow reading of the statute.
“It is ridiculous,” said host Steve Doocy. “And doesn’t this really rest at the feet of the commander in chief?”
“It is outrageous, and it’s indefensible,” Cruz agreed. “One of the reasons we fought so hard to pass the legislation to require the Purple Hearts to be awarded is precisely so that these soldiers get the benefits they deserve. And I intend to reach out to the secretary of defense personally.”
“Enough games; five year is far too long,” he said. “We need to acknowledge the heroism of these soldiers, and it’s my responsibility to fight for 27 million Texans every day in the Senate, and I will continue to fight until every one of these soldiers receives the benefits they deserve for standing on the front lines against terrorism to defend this nation.”
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