Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) released a statement following an announcement by the Obama Administration of a draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement to assess proposed geological and geophysical activities, including seismic and other offshore surveys, in the Mid- and South-Atlantic planning areas. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar traveled to Norfolk, Virginia, today for the announcement. “It is disappointing that the President continues to deny Virginia the freedom to further develop...
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Washington, DC - Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-1) today announced the launch of the 2012 First District Congressional Art Competition. All high school students living in Virginia’s First District are eligible to enter their work in the competition by the April 27, 2012, submission deadline. “Virginia’s First District is full of many creative and talented youth, and I encourage students to submit their original artwork to my office for the opportunity of being honored in the U.S. Capitol for a yea...
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Montross, Va. – Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-1) released the following statement on the second anniversary of the signing of President Obama’s health care overhaul law: “In the two years since this monstrous health care overhaul was signed into law, folks across the First District have continued to see their health care costs rise. Rather than bringing common-sense reform to lower the costs of health care, this legislation is increasing the federal government’s intrusiveness in citizens’ lives. I...
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Bill receives overwhelming bipartisan support, passing the U.S. House 390-23WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Rob Wittman (VA-1) today voted in favor of the JOBS Act, which passed the U.S. House with overwhelming bipartisan support. The JOBS (Jumpstart Our Business Startups) Act is a legislative package of six bills designed to jumpstart the economy and job growth by removing regulations currently inhibiting growth by small businesses and start-ups. These bipartisan measures will increase cap...
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Washington, D.C. – Congressman J. Randy Forbes (VA-04), Chairman of the House Armed Services Readiness Subcommittee, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01), Chairman of the House Armed Services Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, and Congressman Scott Rigell (VA-02), Member of the House Armed Services Committee, announced today that the United States Navy has cancelled its plans to move a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier (CVN) currently homeported at Norfolk Naval Station, Virginia to Naval Stat...
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Report on Risk Levels in the Release of Detainees from Guantanamo Bay WASHINGTON – Today the House Armed Services Committee Republicans released a report finding that both the Bush and Obama Administrations assumed a questionable level of risk in the release of detainees from Guantanamo Bay. The report found at least 27% of detainees released by the US military have been confirmed or suspected of reengaging in terrorist or insurgent activities, up from 25% in 2010. Some former detainees hold lea...
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Washington, D.C. – House Armed Services Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Rob Wittman today stressed the need for results in accountability efforts and investigations relating to the previous mismanagement allegations at Arlington National Cemetery (ANC), during a joint hearing to receive updates on efforts to modernize and fix errors at ANC. Chairman Wittman, along with Military Personnel Subcommittee Chairman Joe Wilson (SC-02), led the joint hearing. Officials from the Army ...
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Washington, D.C. – Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-1) voted for legislation passed out of the House Natural Resources Committee yesterday, proposing to open new offshore areas for American energy production. Virginia energy development is included in the legislation, in addition to measures establishing revenue-sharing with states, an important component that will return millions of dollars to the Commonwealth. As a component of the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act, this provision will he...
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Montross, VA - Representative Rob Wittman released the following statement after Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announced further details in the Obama Administration's defense strategy: "Today Secretary Panetta outlined changes to our military that, in his words, entail risk," Wittman said. "How can we be sure that in a rush to trim the budget that the risks our nation faces are not being oversimplified? Are we sending a signal to our enemies that our military will be weakened? Do the savings fr...
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Representative Rob Wittman issued the following statement in response to the President’s third State of the Union Address: “Tonight, we witnessed a storied tradition of American government, as the President addressed a joint session of Congress and the American people on the state of our union. I believe, as the President stated, that we must preserve the American Dream. A dream fought for by so many in our history, by heroes that gave their lives in the name of freedom. But the American dream ...
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