After avoiding a shutdown of the government last week, this week the focus was on finalizing the 2011 federal budget and moving on to the 2012 budget. While we did not get a perfect conclusion to the 2011 budget, the legislation brought up for a vote on Thursday included $38 billion in cuts over the next six months. I voted to support this bill that will cut spending and remove barriers… Read more »
On Monday, I returned from a five-day trip to the Middle East, with visits to Pakistan and Afghanistan. There are I visited U.S. troops and engaged with regional leaders on civil, political, and military matters and explored opportunities to strengthen partnerships with the two countries. I was joined by Virginia Congressman Scott Rigell, representing Virginia’s Second Congressional… Read more »
In the Declaration of Independence, it states “Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” I strongly believe in the importance of staying connected with each of you as your representative in Congress. Your thoughts, ideas and questions on issues are important as votes and new legislation arises. Each week, I write to you to… Read more »
This week, your concerns about the uptick in gas prices continued to come into our offices through your emails, calls, letters, Facebook postings and Twitter comments. We are all beginning to notice higher gas prices at the pump and feel the pinch in our wallets. On Thursday, I participated in the House Natural Resources Committee hearing about the rising cost of gas and the impact on… Read more »
This week I joined with other members of the House Armed Services Committee to visit Arlington National Cemetery, some of the most hallowed ground in our country. Late last year, I was proud to support legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives that demanded better standards of accountability to identify and code remains at Arlington. With that bill signed into law, it is just the… Read more »
Our focus must be on developing all of our domestic resources to end our current dependence on foreign oil. Also we need to concentrate on expanding the use and development of clean nuclear power and developing solar, wind, and other renewable energy. Building a bridge with existing energy sources to these future resources while planning and executing their development will create jobs in the Commonwealth and across the Nation. Read more »
On February 19, Congress passed historic legislation to cut over $100 billion from government spending in the last seven months of the current fiscal year. The debate on the spending bill lasted for five days and included hundreds of amendments and I voted in favor of this legislation to further support crucial efforts to rein in the out-of-control spending in Washington, DC. For some,… Read more »
This past week, I introduced legislation to ease the burden on individuals and families taking advantage of telework, by proposing an annual tax credit for qualified teleworking expenses.
More and more, folks have acquired equipment and upgraded technology to create a work environment in their homes, and the expenses can add up quickly. With all of the benefits of telework, I believe… Read more »
This week in Washington, DC, the critical discussion on the economy and spending continued. The Appropriations Committee began its work to craft legislation to continue the federal government’s operations after March 4, 2011, when the current law expires. As we see the proposals come out, there are tough decisions to be made within the next few weeks about what we need to do to get… Read more »
My week started with a trip to the USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH (CVN 77), the Navy’s newest nuclear powered aircraft carrier, and a true modern marvel. I flew down to the ship as a guest of Admiral Kirkland Donald, the Director of Naval Nuclear Propulsion. We flew from Washington, DC, to Mayport, Florida, where we boarded an aircraft flown by the pilots from the BUSH where she was conducting… Read more »
