Budget

We have lost faith in institutions such as the IRS as we listen to testimony of citizens citing solid proof of the targeting of certain groups based upon their beliefs. Like many Americans, I believe taxpayers deserve better, and they deserve a simpler, fairer tax code. Read more »

Folks are struggling and sacrificing to make ends meet and to provide opportunities for their children. That’s why I voted in favor of a farm bill that, while not perfect, proposed to reduce waste and make government more accountable, while also including important provisions to improve rural broadband access and improvements in the utilization of resources dedicated to restore the Chesapeake Bay. Read more »

The fact that even DoD teachers will be furloughed, potentially impacting the education and classroom experience of the children of our military families, shows just how irrational this policy is as a whole. Read more »

Congress’s military oversight role is something that I take incredibly seriously, and I am proud to represent a district with such a rich history of military service and respect for those who defend our nation. Read more »

I strongly believe that our defense funding should be driven by the need to do all we can to defend this nation and support our men and women in uniform. While this budget does restore significant funding to our defense budget for FY 2014, extensive budget cuts, known as sequestration, remain in place, and I believe these cuts must be replaced in order to ensure that our men and women in uniform have the highest caliber of resources and training that they need to accomplish their missions. Read more »

... forced budget cuts, known as “sequestration,” will irreparably harm our nation’s security and its all-volunteer force, and in turn will affect so many individuals and families in Virginia. While I was pleased that the president acknowledged the many challenges facing Virginia, I was disappointed not to hear more specifics for how he thinks this immediate challenge should be addressed. These cuts could have drastic implications for our region, not to mention risking the readiness of our armed forces and the functionality of our federal government. Read more »

It is absolutely critical for our nation’s leaders to take realistic, substantive measures to correct the unsustainable path of our federal spending. The national debt continues to grow and, without serious spending reform, our children and grandchildren will be saddled with debt by the carelessness of past generations. Read more »

Congress will address many important issues over the coming year, and it is critical that these matters be considered in terms of what will help our nation going forward into the future. Read more »

... when I consider the important issues facing the United States, I can’t help but think about these students and other children across the nation, including my grandchildren, who stand to inherit an unimaginable debt if Congress and the White House do not act to put in place responsible deficit and debt reduction measures. Read more »

Our country certainly faces difficult challenges in the coming days, from the unsustainable state of our federal deficit to the sluggish and unstable job market. I will continue to work hard to rein in our government’s debt and facilitate an environment where businesses can innovate, expand, and hire people. Read more »