As you read here last week, I've been reaching out to commuters to hear their thoughts and concerns about how they make their way to work. On Wednesday morning I visited the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) Fredericksburg Station to talk with rail riders. Although it was a cold and wet morning I was joined by Matt Kelly of the Fredericksburg City Council and Mark Roeber of VRE from 6 - 8am, the main departure time frame for folks heading North. Through my many conversations that morning, I met th...
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In the First District, transportation is a constant problem which affects those who are trying to get to work, school, and any number of destinations. Whether you're in Dumfries or Stafford trying to make it to work in Washington or in the Hampton Roads area trying to get to the beach, we face constant gridlock. For over 20 years and to this day, I commute just like the rest of you. Over the years I've been in a carpool, a vanpool, and have taken the train. Each of us arrives at our destination...
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Recently we all have learned that Attorney General Eric Holder has planned to bring several of the 9/11 attack masterminds to New York City for trial. As you know, I've been a voice from the beginning, against bringing these terrorists to the Commonwealth for trial or detention, and I hold the same feelings towards their arrival to any location in the U.S. Many of us in Washington, including the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee Ike Skelton (D) have deep concerns and objections to ...
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This week we will be celebrating the time of Thanksgiving. Many folks have had very challenging times over this past year and may even find it difficult to find reasons to be thankful. While our economy has struggled and more folks have found themselves unemployed there are things to be thankful for no matter how small. It was Charles Dickens that said "Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has many - not your past misfortunes, of which all men have some." We live in a land wh...
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Last week the House passed a healthcare reform bill by a largely partisan vote of 220-215. This vote represents what frustrates folks at home as they watch the legislative process in Washington unfold. They see Congress needing to listen to the folks they represent and find common ground to develop common sense solutions to the problems facing the Commonwealth and Nation. Healthcare consumes nearly 1/5 of our economy each year and we owe it to the American people to get it right as we work to r...
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This next week is Veteran's Day, and many of us either have a friend, neighbor or family member that has answered the call to serve our Nation. I'm fortunate to interact daily with veterans in my district, including those who serve on my staff, those on my Veterans Advisory Council, and those I meet in my role as a member of the House Armed Services Committee. These are men and women who firmly believe in what makes this Nation the greatest on earth, and their dedication even after leaving unifo...
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This week I joined members from across the aisle to support H.R. 3854, the Small Business Financing and Investment Act, which passed the House by a vote of 389-32. The Small Business legislation reauthorizes and makes changes to six different programs, and creates two new programs within the Small Business Administration (SBA). The legislation would also increase limits on several SBA capital access loan programs and take steps to reduce the interest rate on loans made to small businesses under ...
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A couple of weeks ago I wrote here about the damaging affects of toxic Chinese drywall upon many of our fellow citizens in the First District and across the Nation. On October 8th I met with a group of these folks and promised to see the real and continued impact of toxic Chinese drywall in person. Keeping my promise, I visited the Hollymeade neighborhood in Newport News this past Tuesday. I was greeted by a large number of folks who had taken time from work to meet with me and observed homemade...
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I am excited to report that the full House of Representatives approved my bill (H.R. 3433) to amend the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) by voice vote and without opposition this week. This bill is a commonsense solution to improve international wetlands conservation efforts and protects migratory birds that travel to the U.S. Specifically, H.R. 3433 would allow up to 50 percent of the non-federal share of projects in Canada to be paid for by Canadian conservation supporters. Si...
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This past Thursday I met with several constituents as well as folks from the greater Hampton Roads area who have been affected by toxic Chinese drywall. For those of you who aren't familiar with this issue, during the housing boom U.S. drywall manufacturers were unable to keep up with the demand from home builders and companies began to import drywall from China. As we've come to find over the past year, many of these products from China, whether children's toys or drywall, lack the oversight a...
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