The Wilmington Star-News editorialized today about my bipartisan push with Senator Richard Burr to get a bill approved guaranteeing health care coverage for Camp Lejeune Marines and their families who suffered from debilitating diseases as a result of the toxic chemicals found in their water on base.

Recently, I introduced the Route to Opportunity and Development (ROAD) Act, establishing Corridor 13 - traveling from Raleigh to Norfolk - as a future interstate.

Two weeks ago, the Supreme Court decided in the Burwell v. Hobby Lobby case that an employer's personal beliefs can trump some of the most private and significant health care decisions a woman makes. I have been very clear on where I stand: what kind of birth control a female employee uses is not her boss' business. Today, I spoke on the Senate Floor in support of the Protect Women's Health from Corporate Interference Act, which would ensure that decisions about an employee's health care stay between her and her doctor- not her boss.

This week I was pleased that the Senate voted to begin debate on my Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act of 2014 that I introduced with Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. This bill is a comprehensive package of 12 individual sportsmen-related bills that would benefit hunters, anglers, and outdoor recreation enthusiasts in North Carolina and nationwide.

The victims of the Camp Lejeune and CTS water contamination should not be denied justice or answers, but a recent troubling Supreme Court ruling threatens to undermine these victims' ability to pursue justice.

The Fayetteville VA Medical Center has some of the longest wait times for veterans in the country. That's why I visited on Monday to speak to staff and leadership about steps we can take to improve the availability of care. I followed up with Acting VA Secretary Sloan Gibson, meeting with him on Wednesday in my office, to share what I think can be done to immediately to help our veterans waiting on healthcare.

We should be doing everything we can to make it easier, not harder, for the men and women sacrificing for our country to get a college degree and pay off their student loan debt. The bill I introduced yesterday will help servicemembers, veterans and their families receive the education benefits and protections they've earned.

I was honored to present 11 medals and awards, including the Bronze Star, to Wanda Moore, the widow of Army Corporal Donald "Buddy" Moore, a veteran of World War II and the Korean War. After hearing from Corporal Moore's family, my office worked to secure the awards and ensure his contributions to our country were properly honored. It is the bravery and sacrifice of servicemembers like Corporal Moore that make our country and state stronger and safer.

WNCN Raleigh told the story of Ethan Mullis, a five-year-old whose life was saved by a test that detected his heart defect. The test is now mandatory for all newborns in North Carolina. My bipartisan Newborn Screening Saves Lives Reauthorization Act passed the Senate earlier this year to make critical improvements to the country's newborn screening system and ensure potentially life-threatening conditions are detected, diagnosed and treated in a timely manner. Watch the story here:

Last night, I spoke on the Senate floor to push for passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would help ensure that women in North Carolina and around the country receive equal pay for equal work. Watch my speech here:

Yesterday at an Armed Services Committee hearing, I pressed Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel about TRICARE's sudden change in reimbursement policy for critical medical tests. Beginning January 1, 2013, TRICARE stopped covering many routine lab tests for servicemembers, their dependents and retirees that are widely considered by the medical community to be normal standard of care.

I spoke at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing this morning about the Air Force's decision to inactivate the 440th Airlift Wing from Pope Army Airfield at Fort Bragg in its recent budget proposal.  I learned about this proposal yesterday and voiced concern to Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and Army General Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as they appeared before the Committee today.

Greenville Daily Reflector editorialized today in favor of my bipartisan Sportsmen's Act that I introduced with Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. Our legislation enhances opportunities for hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation; reauthorizes key conservation programs; and helps boost North Carolina's outdoor recreation economy.

Last night I spoke on the Senate floor about legislation I introduced with Senator Mark Pryor (AR) to prevent cuts to the military pension cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) from taking effect in December 2015. The Senate is considering the legislation this week, and I'm pleased we have just voted to advance this  important legislation that will affect so many brave men and women from North Carolina and around the country who serve our nation in the military.

This week, Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski and I have introduced the first-ever bipartisan, comprehensive Senate Sportsmen's bill. We took some of the best ideas from Republicans and Democrats and crafted a package of 12 bills that can break through Washington partisan gridlock, win support from both parties and ultimately be signed into law.

I wrote an op-ed that was published the Fayetteville Observer this weekend about how we need to restore cost-of-liviing adjustment cuts for servicemembers. To ensure we keep our promise to current and future veterans, I immediately joined my colleague Sen. Mark Pryor in introducing a bill last month to restore veterans' pension cuts before they take effect in December 2015.

Last week I spoke at an Armed Services Committee hearing in opposition to the reduction in military cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) and questioned the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral James Winnefeld and the Acting Deputy Secretary of Defense Christine Fox on the effects of the cuts, which are scheduled to take effect in December 2015.

North Carolinians who have played by the rules shouldn't face financial ruin because of sharp increases in flood insurance rates. As we work to get our economy back on track, I will continue to fight for accessible flood insurance that protects homeowners and businesses on our state's coast.