I’m pleased the NDAA Conference Report accepts the Air Force plan to keep A-10 fighters in Fort Wayne. This Conference Report is a victory for the people of Indiana and the citizen soldiers who fly the A-10 with the 122nd Fighter Wing of th...e Indiana National Guard in Fort Wayne. These men and women provide outstanding service for our country and state and deserve the certainty of knowing their assignments in Fort Wayne are secure. I will continue working to ensure that the Air Force abides by this agreement.

The 122nd, known as the Blacksnakes, is a battle-tested force and its strength is matched only by its efficiency. Taxpayers expect Washington to make every penny count and it makes sense to fully employ a base that operates at just 28 cents on the dollar when compared to active duty forces.

In addition, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 gives our men and women the support they need to defend our nation. Given the fiscal situation facing our country, this bill provides for the common defense in a fiscally responsible way. As an advocate for our 122nd Fighter Wing, I strongly support keeping A-10s in Fort Wayne. As someone who will always look for more savings, I would like to see the Air Force more fully employ the capabilities of the Air National Guard.

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Check out my Op-ed on the fiscal cliff:

As Hoosiers look forward to spending the upcoming holidays with family and friends, Washington is on the cusp of its latest fiscal crisis, and the menace of tax hikes on Jan. 1 is casting a shadow o...ver what should be a joyful season. Unfortunately, this scene is all too familiar to the American people.

Instead of threatening families and small businesses with the constant threat of higher taxes, we need to give certainty by extending the current tax rates for all Americans.

In Indiana, we know that problems are only solved with honesty and hard work. Washington has an opportunity to tackle these challenges. This is difficult work, but no one was sent to Washington to make easy decisions.

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Through his many years of service, our Senior Senator has embodied the spirit of graciousness that Hoosiers, whatever our political leanings, expect. Senator Lugar’s unparalleled understanding of agriculture policy has been a tremendous ass...et to our State. As an unwavering leader in reducing the threat of weapons of mass destruction, his work has greatly reinforced the security of Americans at home and abroad. As one who has the honor and privilege of representing Indiana in Congress, I am grateful for his statesmanship, his knowledge, and the friendship of a fellow farmer. Read my full release here:See More

On December 7, 1941, America’s greatest generation was tested and, on December 8, they answered the call. From the beaches of Europe to the jungles of the Pacific, Americans shed their blood to safeguard our way of life and to liberate othe...rs from oppression. As we recall the heroism of previous generations, we ought to remember that, although the threats to our Republic have evolved, our shared convictions are timeless. At Gettysburg, Pearl Harbor, and the skies above Shanksville, Americans gave their last full measure for the cause of freedom. Today, around the world, young Americans stand at the ready. We owe an endless debt of gratitude to our country’s veterans. Our thoughts and prayers are with those currently in uniform. May God continue to bless our nation.See More

The Heritage Foundation is trading one principled conservative stalwart for another. I congratulate Senator Jim DeMint on his new position as President of The Heritage Foundation and thank Ed Feulner for his years of service.

It's difficu...lt to overstate the impact of both men on the conservative movement and the country. Their leadership, standing firm while advocating for conservative principles of limited government, fiscal discipline and traditional moral values, has become invaluable, especially during the last few years as government has grown exponentially and spending has exploded to record levels.

While the future holds many challenges for our nation, I look forward to working with Senator DeMint in his new position as we advocate for conservative principles in our Nation's Capital.See More

The STEM Jobs Act keeps America competitive and opens new opportunities for job creators. Today, the best and brightest students from across the world come to American universities to study. These engineers and scientists go on to start gre...at companies and create new jobs along the way. Sadly, our old immigration policy squandered this opportunity by sending new graduates away instead of promoting growth and innovation here. We want these graduates creating jobs in America, not working for our competitors. This 21st century update realigns America’s immigration policy with traditional American priorities to maintain our country’s advantage in high-tech innovation, visionary entrepreneurship, and global competitiveness.

The STEM Jobs Act eliminates the diversity lottery green card program and reallocates up to 55,000 green cards each year to foreign graduates of American universities with advanced science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) degrees. The legislation keeps families together, ensuring that husbands, wives, or children of STEM visa holders are able to stay with their loved ones until green cards to become available. The bill passed the House, despite Democratic opposition, on a vote of 245-139.See More