I'm excited to report that this week the House of Representatives passed my Chesapeake Bay Accountability and Recovery Act (H.R. 1053), by a bipartisan vote of 418-1. I introduced the bill at the beginning of the 111th Congress and it would streamline the monitoring and coordination of the Bay restoration efforts amongst 10 federal agencies, six states and the District of Columbia, over one thousand localities and multiple non-governmental organizations. Currently, the complexity and number of ...
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On Tuesday, I met with the Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Gary Roughead, to discuss the increased role that the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren will play in our Nation's defense from missile attacks. Adm. Roughead assured me that the additional responsibilities will come with greater opportunities for employment and enhanced educational partnerships in and around Dahlgren, VA. This decision comes on the heels of the President's announcement to eliminate the proposed European missile defe...
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Although gas prices have stayed relatively stable this summer and we were spared from $4 a gallon prices, the threat of increased prices still looms on the horizon. In August of 2008 I joined citizens and several of my fellow legislators in Congress to call for an all of the above energy program to ensure that America is placed on the track for energy independence. While fossil fuels are not a reliable long-term energy source, we must develop our resources at home as a bridge to future energy s...
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This week Congress returned to Washington after the August District Work Period. Although it's typically a week to set the agenda for the fall session, we've already set to work on legislation that will have some positive effects across the Chesapeake Bay watershed. As many of you may know, I serve as a member of the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission alongside the Secretaries of the Interior Ken Salazar and Agriculture Tom Vilsack, Senators Thad Cochran (R-MS) and Blanche Lincoln (D-AK) and...
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Healthcare reform is an issue which has brought deep felt emotions out of folks who are concerned and anxious about what it means for their personal health care and that of their loved ones. This past week I participated in town hall meetings in Warsaw, Newport News, and Fredericksburg to discuss healthcare legislation and other issues of interest. First and foremost, no matter which side people are on in the discussion, coming out and talking to their elected officials is an important part of ...
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I spent a good deal of this past week in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula attending events and catching up with folks. It's easy for people in Washington to get caught up in events and forget about what is important back home; that's why I drive home to Montross every night even when Congress is in session and why I'm enjoying the August District Work Period so much. This week I attended a meeting on creek dredging around the Northern Neck, and I've also been focused on the problems arisin...
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Like many other Members of Congress, the month of August is a time to get our boots on the ground and to hear what folks are thinking back at home. This week, I met with dozens of constituents in the district offices and at events. I've also had the opportunity to get an update on the status of the James River Ghost Fleet and to speak with members of the healthcare coverage underwriter's community. I'm also looking forward to inviting folks out to my own townhalls on healthcare reform at the end...
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Many of you may recall that back in early May there was discussion of bringing detainees currently housed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to the Marine Corps Base at Quantico or housing them at the Naval Station at Norfolk. The possibility of detainees being shipped to the Hampton Roads became greater this past Thursday as the Washington Post reported that the Federal District Court House in Newport News may be a location for detainee trials. I remain steadfastly opposed to placing terrorists currently ...
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This past week the Virginia Employment Commission released its June unemployment numbers showing that the percentage of those out of work had reached 7.3% statewide and 7.4% in Hampton Roads. Additionally just this past Friday, the U.S. Department of Labor announced that 247,000 more Americans lost their jobs in July. Just before I left D.C. to spend August in the First Congressional District I had lunch with a small business owner who is also a constituent. He echoed many of the same thoughts ...
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This past week we've seen a lot of developments as Congress moves towards its August District Work Period. I know that in the forefront of many minds is the move towards healthcare reform. Through my travels in the District and participation in tele-townhalls, I have heard from a great deal of folks who are afraid of a change in their health benefits through a government-run health system. I'm happy to report that we'll be taking more time to listen to your thoughts before considering it in the ...
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