This week, I met with my First District Emergency Response Councils both in the lower and the upper ends of the First District. In these meetings, the discussion centered on how, at the federal level, the government can help in local efforts to prevent, respond to and reduce the adverse health effects of public health emergencies and natural and manmade disasters. We were pleased to have… Read more »
This week I met with numerous small business owners in the construction, agribusiness and seafood industries. Small businesses across the nation are facing challenges - whether it’s accessing credit, making payroll, or paying taxes. In order to achieve healthy economic recovery, we must support our job creators. Our nation’s small businesses create over 70% of the new jobs… Read more »
President Abraham Lincoln described our democracy as a government “by the people, of the people, and for the people.” Our founding fathers designed a government where the people are the source of power and elected officials serve in their trust. Our government was intended from the beginning to involve the American citizens. With the rise of the tools of the 21st century and… Read more »
I had the opportunity during the Congressional District Work Period this week to travel across the district and talk with folks about what issues are important to them. I was honored to speak to and meet with Cub Scout Pack 175 as they completed their annual flag project, placing flags on the graves of veterans to honor their service as we observed Memorial Day. These young people… Read more »
As we wrap up another week in Washington, DC, the nation will pause as we honor America’s Veterans on Memorial Day. The remembrance of this day was especially poignant this week. I was honored to attend the fifth annual Gold Star Wives reception in the U.S. Capitol building on Thursday. This organization was founded in 1945 by the widows of World War II, and continues today to serve and… Read more »
Our United States Constitution clearly outlines one of the primary roles of Congress – to “to raise and support Armies” and “to provide and maintain a Navy.” I spent most of last week working on legislation to fulfill that Constitutional duty and provide for our brave men and women in uniform. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I worked with my colleagues on… Read more »
This week, the U.S. committed billions of U.S. taxpayer dollars to be spent in Greece to stabilize their economy, and we could be on the hook for billions more.
On Tuesday, the Congressional Budget Office announced a new estimate that the recently-passed health care overhaul will cost another $115 billion over the original cost of the legislation, $940 billion. The next day, Wednesday,… Read more »
This week I remained focused on efforts to provide for our national defense, keep the defense of our nation at the forefront, and support America’s service members. I have been working on a number of issues of importance to the nation and the Commonwealth, to include introducing a shipbuilding bill, supporting defense acquisition reform, and producing a report on professional… Read more »
Last week I traveled to Afghanistan and Pakistan to thank our troops for their service and to meet with the commander of U.S. and Allied forces, General Stanley McChrystal, as well as President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan, and President Asif Ali Zardari of Pakistan. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee charged with oversight over our military, I believe it is important… Read more »
This week the Obama Administration announced a new direction for offshore energy development for Virginia and the nation. The President’s announcement is a step in the right direction and ensures that Virginia will be a leader in environmentally responsible offshore energy production.
The plan, though, only opens a fraction of what was originally proposed in the… Read more »
