e-News 11/14/14

• Keystone Pipeline = Jobs and Energy Independence
• Keeping the Pressure on the VA to Reform
• The U.S. Has Created a “Vacuum”
• Farewell to a “Champion of family rights” - Marge Roukema
• Salute: Backpacks For Life
• Salute: Eric Luker and Woodland Park Legion Post 238

 

Keystone Pipeline = Jobs and Energy Independence

Over the course of this Congress, the House has remained focused on delivering solutions for the American people and getting our economy moving again. In fact, the House has passed over 370 bills – many of which will create jobs and boost the economy – that are still languishing in the Senate.  At least eight of these bills provided Congressional approval of construction of the Keystone XL pipeline from Canada to the petroleum refineries along the American Gulf Coast. 

I was pleased to be able to vote, once again, to approve the Keystone Pipeline again this morning. Today’s vote in the House represented a critical step toward increasing our energy independence and getting the American economy back on track.  This project that has been ignored by the President and the Senate for six years while 40,000 jobs hang in the balance.

Further delay is unacceptable for another reason.  The Canadians are not just waiting around for the Obama Administration to make a decision.  Other nations, including China, are now maneuvering to take advantage of this energy source.

The President told Americans last week, “I hear you.”  But is he listening when it comes to the Keystone pipeline, and the tens of thousands of jobs and enhanced energy security that come with it? 

Keeping the Pressure on the VA to Reform

I was honored to join many of my fellow veterans this past week to mark Veterans Day 2014. As citizens, we owe a great debt to all those who have served in the Armed Forces, and to their families. Abraham Lincoln defined it quite clearly in his Second Inaugural Address: “To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan.”

This is a sacred obligation that we must always meet. And when we fall short – as the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) did recently – we must do what it takes to correct deficiencies quickly.

When the unacceptable delays and denials of care came to light earlier this year, Congress promptly passed legislation to give the VA additional tools to correct their flawed system and hold deficient VA managers accountable. 

In September, the VA leadership announced a “Road to Veterans Day” initiative – a series of strategies and actions that will enable the VA to:

• Rebuild trust with Veterans and the American people;
• Improve service delivery;
• Set the course for long-term excellence and reform

Last Tuesday, the VA released a progress report on the “Road to Veterans Day” initiative.  You can access that document here.

As President Truman said so eloquently, “Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices.”

In that spirit, Congress will stay focused on the VA to ensure that the progress it claims is real and effective.

Recommended Reading: Former Secretary of State Condolezza Rice: The U.S. Has Created a “Vacuum”

Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says that the United States has created a “vacuum” being filled with terrorism and other overseas issues and that Americans might want a more modest foreign policy — but they also don’t like the consequences of a United States that isn’t deeply engaged.”  Read the story in the Washington Timeshere.

Farewell to a “Champion of family rights” - Marge Roukema

That’s how the Bergen Record headlined this week’s passing of former Congresswoman Marge Roukema. Marge and I were friends for many years and I was fortunate to serve with her in the House of Representatives representing neighboring districts in Northern New Jersey.  From her work on key Committees to her role as Dean of our Delegation, it was evident to all that she loved New Jersey and cared deeply about doing what was right for her constituents.  Her public life is a reminder to all of what can be accomplished working together and across party lines. Marge was never shy about where she stood on the issues and she crossed party lines when the cause was right. She will be deeply missed and long remembered for her dedicated service to our state over several decades.

Salute:  Verona High School grads Brett D’Alessandro and Kevin Clarke for co-founding Backpacks For Life, a non-profit that aims to get homeless veterans some of the resources they need to be as strong as they were on the battlefield.  Their non-profit organization has stuffed hundreds of backpacks with blankets, hats, gloves, thermal layers, handwarmers or other items to protect veterans in need from winter weather.   

Salute: Eric Luker and Woodland Park Legion Post 238.  Thank you to Commander Luker and his fellow Iraq and Afghanistan veterans for hosting a Veterans Day dinner to bring members of the Woodland Park community together with veterans from all conflicts.