Weekly Updates

Each of our small businesses plays an important part in our economy, and the freedom for a business to grow is vital for a healthy economy. The company that Steve Jobs started in his garage is now a publicly traded company employing thousands of people, who support their families with their salary. Read more »

I firmly believe the government must rein in spending, but I also will support the strategic defense of this nation, first and foremost. We cannot cut defense simply to cut – there is nothing more important than keeping our communities safe and supplying our troops with the resources they need to do the job we ask of them. Read more »

It is time for a renewed approach of working together to instead put the power in your hands: the hands of hardworking Americans, small businesses and entrepreneurs who can lead the country out of this recession. Instead of more out-of-control spending, more taxes, and more regulation, Congress must work together for the opposite: a more responsible government, tax relief and freedom for small business owners across the country. By getting out of the way, Washington will allow job-creators to thrive so folks can get back to work. Read more »

The consistent theme I’ve noticed when conducting town hall discussions, having individual meetings, and even just when talking with others in line at the grocery store is that folks are frustrated with Washington. This frustration, at least, shows that folks are alert and engaged with what’s going on in their government. This participation is vital as our nation faces such challenging issues. Read more »

As we deal with disaster, we see the goodness of so many with neighbors helping neighbors, first responders and local workers coming together to help with clean-up and ensuring our neighborhoods are safe. Read more »

While our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines continue to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan and sacrifice on our nation’s behalf every day, recent events in Afghanistan have served as a stark reminder of the dangers they face daily while operating in a warzone. Thirty of our troops were killed at once in a tragic and catastrophic attack at the hands of the Taliban.  Families and… Read more »

I believe everything should be on the table as we curtail the government’s spending binge, but our nation’s defense spending should not be the first or only place we look to do this. To blindly cut our nation’s defense is shortsighted and could harm national security. I will fight to ensure our troops get the resources they need, while ensuring the Department of Defense is efficient with its funds, and cutting out waste fraud and abuse. Read more »

We should be cutting Members’ salaries first, and then making substantive cuts to all Congressional operations. Congressmen and women should lead by example and show the American people that they, too, are willing to sacrifice in order to get our fiscal house back in order. Read more »

Just as your family makes tough decisions about what purchases are necessary, Congress must also act both decisively and responsibly to address our Nation’s growing deficit. As this week ends, we still await some kind of agreement on a proposed resolution to the upcoming debt ceiling vote. I believe that significant spending reductions have got to be a part of this agreement, and we must avoid tax increases, as higher taxes will not get anyone hired. Read more »

Virginia has a proud military history, and in America's First District, many are familiar with the sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform; folks who are our family, friends and neighbors. Even as we require the government to be more efficient with taxpayer dollars, we must also ensure our servicemembers have the resources they need to carry out their important mission. Read more »