On Wednesday evening, I joined the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Gary Roughead, at the Fredericksburg Military Affairs Council dinner to announce the establishment of the Navy Air and Missile Defense Command (NAMDC) on Dahlgren Naval Surface Warfare Center. More importantly, this new Command will add 75 high paying jobs and an annual payroll of $10 million to the local economy. It is encouraging to see there are still opportunities for job creation in this time of economic uncertainty. I w...
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On Tuesday evening, I attended a Joint Session of Congress where President Obama briefed us on the state of the economy, troop removal from Iraq, and his future plans for other government programs. Additionally, we saw the release of the President's 2010 budget on Thursday. Many of you followed along with me during the speech on my twitter.com page, and if you haven't checked it out, it's a great way to keep track of what I'm doing on your behalf in Congress. I was pleased to have the opportunit...
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This week I've been traveling throughout the First District during Congress' Presidents Day District Work Period. But, just because we're out of session, that doesn't mean that there hasn't been a lot going on. Monday, I held a press conference in Richmond announcing the reintroduction of my Chesapeake Bay Bill, on Thursday I joined many area residents to celebrate Black History Month, and I want to update you on the continuing digital television conversion. I have spent the past 16 years, befor...
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These past two weeks in the House and Senate we have been working on a solution to America's staggering economic crisis. We have had meetings with President Obama and amongst ourselves to find a real solution that will place our country on the track to prosperity. It's with great sadness that the bill which reached the floor for a vote was one which may be neither stimulative nor beneficial to the American economy over the coming years. It is for this reason I joined colleagues from both sides o...
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This week I had the distinct honor of attending the Inauguration of our Nation's 44th President, Barack Obama. This memorable occasion celebrated the unique history of the peaceful transition of power in America and set the stage for many more important milestones. I wish President Obama all the best as he begins this journey. He enters the White House at a time of tremendous challenges --economic turmoil we haven't seen in over 80 years, we are fighting two wars, and energy prices continue to f...
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The first week of a new session of Congress is similar to the first week back to school after the summer break. Like a student learning where his or her locker is, getting a new class schedule and finding homeroom, a Member of Congress is getting adjusted to the legislative schedule, finding his or her way to a new office, selecting new committee assignments, and learning the priorities of new leadership. It was an honor to be sworn in as the Representative of the 1st Congressional District for...
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With the New Year and a new administration, the military is preparing for a renewed emphasis on the war in Afghanistan. During the holidays, I took part in a Congressional delegation that spent a day visiting the sailors and marines aboard our naval fleet in port at Bahrain and two days visiting the troops on the frontlines of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and surveying the situation on the ground. Much like our time spent in Iraq, the experience provided excellent perspective to inf...
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Since World War Two, leaders and celebrities have traveled to support American men and women who are in harm's way around the world. These efforts are especially important for morale around the holidays, when distance from loved ones can make a difficult job in a hostile land feel even more difficult. During the week before Christmas, I had the distinct honor of spending time with our troops in Kuwait, Iraq, Bahrain, Afghanistan, and Germany. I traveled with other Members of the House Armed Ser...
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The auto industry recovery legislation voted on by the House of Representatives this week was not the first major bailout initiative to come to the House floor recently. All indications are that it will not be the last. While I have had serious reservations about the bailout bills, I believe that the federal government can effectively provide a helping hand to businesses in need. There are several ways that business and Congress can work together to create solutions that will both help industry ...
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As Co-Chairman of the Congressional Shipbuilding Caucus, one of my chief priorities is promoting the importance of shipbuilding and sea power within Congress. This past week, I had the opportunity to attend the American Shipbuilding Association conference to discuss the importance of shipbuilding and, in particular, the national security issues surrounding our capacity to build ships for our navy and the economic importance of the capacity to build commercial ships. Our shipyard in Newport News ...
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