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… Read more »
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… Read more »
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… Read more »
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… Read more »
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… Read more »
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.… Read more »
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… Read more »
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… Read more »
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… Read more »
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… Read more »
