Weekly Updates

This week has seen some significant developments on the path to approving a budget for the fiscal year 2010 set to begin in October of this year. I am happy to report that in the course of the budget debate I supported an alternative to the proposed majority plan which would reign in spending, balance the budget, and place America on a path to fiscal responsibility. Although that… Read more »

This week I have continued to be a voice for our military personnel stationed in the First District and across the nation. Throughout the week I attended hearings which gave input into the status of our maritime forces and particularly the decision to move a carrier from Norfolk, VA to Mayport, FL. Also, I joined members from across the aisle in the Virginia to advocate that the Air Force… Read more »

Early this week I was deeply disturbed to hear that President Barack Obama suggested that to save money in the Veterans Administration budget, he would undermine one of the department's key services: providing health care to our Nation's veterans who were injured while serving our country. The President's proposal would bill veteran's private health insurance plans for care and treatment… Read more »

This week has been full of great developments for the First District and especially the Chesapeake Bay. I am excited to report that I have been appointed as one of two members of the House of Representatives to serve on the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission. Additionally, as many of you know I have authored legislation to bring transparency and accountability to the funding of… Read more »

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… Read more »

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… Read more »

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,… Read more »

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… Read more »

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… Read more »

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… Read more »