|
Congressman Rob Wittman provides a Weekly Washington Update. Rep. Wittman represents the First District of Virginia. He was elected to his first full term in November 2008 and serves on the Natural Resources Committee and the Armed Services Committee where he is the Ranking Member of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee.
|
|
Weekly Washington Update - Jan. 15, 2010 |
|
This week Congress returned to Washington to begin the second session of the 111th Congress. There are many items on the agenda as we start the year, including healthcare reform, financial services regulatory reform, as well as appropriations bills to fund the government’s operations. This week I’ve focused on working with the Marine Corps, who are currently in the process of deciding where to move three Marine Corps Security Force companies currently based at Norfolk, Virginia.
These companies are a dedicated security and counter-terrorism unit that provides security forces to guard high-value naval installations, most notably those containing nuclear vessels and weapons. Currently one such company is already based at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, and that facility fits the requirements of the Marines’ search. The Marine Corps weighs many factors in deciding where they will move the three remaining Security Force companies. These include mission and training requirements, capacity, environmental considerations, cost, and community support. Additionally, fiscal constraints and the cost of new facilities or training ranges are one of the more challenging aspects of their decision.
|
|
|
Two weeks ago the House wrapped up its work for the 1st session of the 111th Congress. While I have taken exception with many pieces of controversial legislation this year, I was most concerned by the final vote of the session; a vote to increase this Nation’s debt limit by $290 billion to a total limit of $12.39 trillion. This is the fifth time since 2007 the majority has voted to rack up our Nation’s credit card. However, this is an issue which has gone on for far too long, and blame for this rests on both sides of the aisle.
Some argue that an increase is necessary, but if we made the same hard choices here in Congress that American families are making at their kitchen tables and balanced our budget, we wouldn’t be here today. Simply passing the buck onto our children and grandchildren is unacceptable.
|
|
Weekly Washington Update - Nov 21, 2009 |
|
Recently we all have learned that Attorney General Eric Holder has planned to bring several of the 9/11 attack masterminds to New York City for trial. As you know, I’ve been a voice from the beginning, against bringing these terrorists to the Commonwealth for trial or detention, and I hold the same feelings towards their arrival to any location in the U.S. Many of us in Washington, including the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee Ike Skelton (D) have deep concerns and objections to bringing these enemy combatants to be tried in civilian courts on U.S. soil.
While some would say we’ve prosecuted many dangerous criminals here, these individuals bring a unique set of issues and security considerations. That is why we have constructed a state-of-the-art facility at Guantanamo Bay to effectively handle and prosecute detainees, ensure the safety of the participants, and limit the effects on any of our citizens at home. Already, New York Sen. Chuck Schumer has requested $75 million in new security funds to adequately protect the area surrounding the trials. In a time of record breaking deficits, how many more costs can we expect from this decision?
|
|
|
Weekly Washington Update - Nov. 13, 2009 |
|
Last week the House passed a healthcare reform bill by a largely partisan vote of 220-215. This vote represents what frustrates folks at home as they watch the legislative process in Washington unfold. They see Congress needing to listen to the folks they represent and find common ground to develop common sense solutions to the problems facing the Commonwealth and Nation.
Healthcare consumes nearly 1/5 of our economy each year and we owe it to the American people to get it right as we work to reform the system by fixing what is broken. The primary purpose of reform should be to reduce the cost of healthcare and health insurance so that both become more affordable. The last thing we need is more bureaucracy and costly government programs at the price of further debt upon an already overburdened budget. We must also assure that we do not change those parts of the system that are working or negatively affect folk’s choice of care or insurance. This reform ought to have the support of a large portion of legislators from both sides of the aisle. Otherwise we are leaving out the thoughts and ideas of millions of Americans who don’t believe this is the true way to fix an ailing system.
|
|
Weekly Washington Update - Oct. 30, 2009 |
|
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 capital access loan programs and take steps to reduce the interest rate on loans made to small businesses under current programs.
Since the beginning of the recession it’s been clear that small businesses are going to be our way back to economic prosperity and job creation. By expanding our support for small businesses, the creators of 70% of new jobs in America every year, we will be making an investment in getting folks back to work which is critical to reducing unemployment. This bill is a good start, but Congress still needs to act to reduce taxes and burdensome regulations on small businesses.
|
|
|
|
|
|
<< Start < Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next > End >> |
|
Page 3 of 10 |
I think that really SUCKS< Even Thou-The Cem...
