Opinion Pieces by Rob
"Catastrophic."
That's just one of the words used to describe the effects of the additional $600 billion in cuts set to strike our nation's military, resulting from the abject failure of the 12-member super committee charged with shaping cuts in the federal budget as directed by the Budget Control Act.
In my three short years traveling back and forth from Montross to Washington, D.C., in my 2005 tan Toyota Corolla, I have learned that change is a tough goal inside the Beltway. Keeping the status quo or kicking the can down the road is the easy way out but is unacceptable. With almost 280,000 miles on my odometer, sometimes I think the only thing going up at a faster pace is our nation's debt.
Congressman Rob Wittman and Congressman Scott Rigell
Just a few short weeks ago, Washington, DC was brought to a standstill by an ill-timed, quick-hitting snowstorm that blanketed the region in just a few inches of snow but revealed a mountain of issues in its aftermath. Thousands of commuters in the Washington Metropolitan Area were stranded by a weather event mimicking an emergency evacuation of the Capital city. I myself had a seven hour commute that night to my home in Montross, VA (normally an hour and a half drive), and I had plenty of time to think about how things might be different if more folks tele-commuted.
The announcement of an "Efficiency Initiative" by Defense Secretary Robert Gates last August still resonates in the Commonwealth as we continue to monitor the prospective changes that will be implemented as a result of the Secretary's proposal. Initial reports suggest significant effects upon military installations, programs, and private contractors within the Commonwealth. With a large military and contractor presence, Virginia must be assured that these decisions are in the best interest of the defense of this nation.
Over the last few months, I have traveled across the First Congressional District, speaking with Virginians, small business owners, city and county government officials, and so many others. I hosted town halls, met with many of my First District Advisory Councils, and even visited schools as the new school year began. The input and the feedback I receive from constituents are critical, as I remain a public servant of this community and the Commonwealth. Overwhelmingly, the unsustainable growth of government and concern for lost jobs remain the top issue.
The announcement by Defense Secretary Robert Gates to make cuts at the Defense Department, specifically the decision to eliminate the Joint Forces Command, is shortsighted, devoid of strategic decision-making and could harm national security.
The Gulf oil spill and the resulting environmental impact have made big headlines these last several months. We've watched with deep concern over oiled birds and ruined marshes. To many Virginians, the damage in the Gulf has turned attention towards our backyard and the health of the Chesapeake Bay.