Canandaigua, NY – On July2, 2008, Rep. John R. “Randy” Kuhl (R – Hammondsport), held a press conference at the Canandaigua VA Medical Center to announce his leadership role in the formation of a House of Representatives Veteran’s Mental Health Caucus.  However, local veterans groups and the Genesee Valley chapter of Progressive Democrats of America appeared at the event to challenge the two-term incumbent on his record in support of veterans’ affairs. 

The Congressman, who shared the stage with his colleague, Rep. Thomas Reynolds (R – Clarence), issued prepared comments lauding the service of America’s armed forces and emphasizing the need to enhance the awareness and understanding of mental health issues among veterans like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury.   At the conclusion of his address, instead of opening the floor to public comments, Rep. Kuhl pled time constraints and hastily truncated the press event without allowing most of the veterans present to share their concerns.   This was met by a cacophony of protest from disgruntled veterans, who charged that Rep. Kuhl had not been responsive to the concerns of veterans who oppose the Iraq War.  Some veterans shouted questions after Rep. Kuhl as he left the podium. 

See Video Here

Paulette Swartzfager, a member of Progressive Democrats of Genesee Valley, pointed out that Rep. Kuhl didn’t attend the Winter Soldier four-day event in Washington, D.C., in March, although he was invited. The conference consisted of testimony by Iraq war veterans about their experiences. 
In closed press interviews, Rep. Kuhl defended his voting record, which in 2006, had garnered him a “D” on an A to F (highest to lowest) rating scale from Iraq and Afghanistan veterans of America. 

http://www.iava.org/full-ratings-list

New York
Rep. Gary L. Ackerman B+
Rep. Tim Bishop A-
Rep. Sherwood L. Boehlert C+
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton A-
Rep. Joseph Crowley A-
Rep. Eliot Engel A-
Rep. Vito Fossella C+
Rep. Brian M. Higgins A-
Rep. Maurice Hinchey C+
Rep. Steve J. Israel A-
Rep. Sue W. Kelly C+
Rep. Peter King C+
Rep. Randy Kuhl D
Rep. Nita M. Lowey A
Rep. Carolyn Maloney A-
Rep. Carolyn McCarthy A
Rep. John McHugh C+
Rep. Michael R. McNulty A-
Rep. Gregory W. Meeks B
Rep. Jerrold Nadler B
Rep. Major R. Owens C
Rep. Charles B. Rangel B-
Rep. Thomas Reynolds C
Senator Charles E. Schumer B+
Rep. Jose E. Serrano B-
Rep. Louise McIntosh Slaughter B+
Rep. John E. Sweeney C+
Rep. Edolphus Towns B
Rep. Nydia M. Velazquez B-
Rep. James T. Walsh C+
Rep. Anthony D. Weiner B

Although Rep. Kuhl earned the lowest score of any legislator in New York State, he described his votes well thought-out and independent to “Democrat and Chronicle” reporter Justina Wang.