eNews 9-19-2014

House Passes Continuing Resolution

On Wednesday the House of Representatives passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund the federal government into the new fiscal year, which begins on October 1^st. The CR keeps previous spending reductions in place through December 11, 2014. 

Unfortunately a CR to fund the entire federal government is necessary because the Senate has yet to pass a SINGLE appropriations bill this year. The House has already passed seven appropriations bills, including the Defense Appropriations Bill. I chair that committee and steered the bill on the House floor to an overwhelming bipartisan vote of approval on July 1st.

The CR included an amendment authorizing the President to provide “training and equipment” to Syrian “opposition” forces as part of the United States’ effort to destroy the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). I supported this amendment because there is no doubt that ISIS poses a significant threat to the United States and our interests around the world.

The CR also ensures that the ban on internet access taxes will not expire on November 1^st, as it was scheduled to do. This article from Roll Call provides the details on the CR. 

NJ Transit Receives $1.276 Billion in Grants for Superstorm Sandy Recovery

The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) announced that New Jersey Transit (NJT) has been awarded $1.276 billion in grants under the Hurricane Sandy Resiliency program. Last year I authored the amendment that provided the DOT the funding for this grant program.

I am very pleased that these much-needed funds are being directed to New Jersey Transit. NJT suffered significant damage from Superstorm Sandy, disrupting the lives of hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans. These grants will help cover the costs of repair to NJ Transit’s infrastructure and pay for measures to protect the system from damage in a future storm.

The Record: “Reservoir Support”

In an editorial today, The [Bergen] Record writes: “Momentum is building in the effort to prevent reservoirs in Woodland Park and Paterson from being replaced with huge concrete tanks. Prominent Republicans, state Sen. Kevin O'Toole and Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, whose 11th Congressional District includes Woodland Park, have now joined the fight.”

You can read the entire editorial here. 

Ukraine’s President, Petro Poroshenko, A Defender of Freedom

I was honored to be asked by the Speaker of the House, John Boehner, to serve on the Official Escort Committee to welcome President Poroshenko to the Capitol yesterday, where he addressed a Joint Meeting of Congress. This gave me the opportunity to personally assure the Ukrainian President of my very strong support for his country. President Poroshenko is a resolute advocate of democracy and an effective leader of his country.  

I was also pleased that Ms. Roksolana Lozynskyj, a resident of Boonton Township and a member of the board of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, was able to come to Washington and be my personal guest at his address in the House Chamber.

The Army Distaff Foundation –Serving Military Spouses for 55 Years

I was honored last night to receive the Army Distaff Foundation’s “2014 Eisenhower Distinguished Citizen Award.” General Jack Keane, a retired four star general and former Vice Chair of Staff of the United States Army, presented the award at the Foundation’s annual gala. Dwight D. Eisenhower is a hero of mine, making this award particularly meaningful to me.

You can read more about the good work of the Army Distaff Foundationhere. 

New York Times: “A Risky Bet on Syrian Rebels”

President Obama’s plan to arm Syrian rebels in the fight against ISIS carries significant risks. Although I supported the amendment to authorize his plan, I have a number of concerns about its implementation.  This editorial from this past Sunday’s New York Timesraises many of the same concerns I have about the President’s approach.  

Fortunately, the amendment gives Congress a clearly defined oversight role. The amendment requires the President to submit a report to Congress describing how the assistance fits within a larger regional strategy. It also requires the Department of Defense to submit a report to Congress at least 15 days before providing assistance and a progress report every 90 days.

As chair of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee I will ensure that our committee performs its important oversight responsibilities as the President’s plan is carried out.

Unemployment is Worse than the Official Numbers

With the nation’s unemployment rate stuck above 6 percent, the prospects of healthy economic growth in the United States remain uncertain. According to William Galston, writing in the Wall Street Journal, the real situation is even worse because it doesn’t account for the “[e]ight million Americans [who] have simply dropped out of the economy since late 2007.”

The House has passed more than 40 bills to create jobs and opportunities for the American people. The Senate has yet to act on a single one of them. The Senate’s failure to consider these bills is a slap in the face to the American people, who are desperate for positive action from Washington on the economy.

Doctors are Sick over Obamacare

Dr. Mark Sklar, an endocrinologist practicing in Washington, D.C., penned a must-read piece last weekend detailing the many ways the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is affecting doctors. Dr. Sklar’s experience has led him to conclude that “The practice of medicine in the current environment is unsustainable.”

The impact of the ACA was also the subject of this article in the Business section of yesterday’s New York Times.  This piece is worth a read as we look around at hospital mergers and wonder whether bigger means better care and more patient choice or will it just drive up prices. Will young people still consider a career in medicine if it means having to work for a huge group practice or as an employee at a large hospital?

Salute: Kate Stoppiello Project Stay Gold at Jefferson High School Fights Modern Day Slavery

I was very pleased to welcome to Washington this week Kate Stoppiello, a senior at Jefferson High School, and her faculty advisor, Social Studies teacher Danny Papa.  They were spending the day on Capitol Hill as part of the Civics Renewal Network’s Constitution Day program. During our meeting, Kate told me about the work of Project Stay Gold, a student-led organization she helped to establish to fight human trafficking.

Every year, more than 100,000 people are victims of human trafficking, and many of them are young teenagers. These victims of “modern day slavery” are exploited and abused in horrific ways, denied their basic human rights. Project Stay Gold works to raise awareness about human trafficking and has received national recognition for its efforts.

I salute Kate and all those involved in Project Stay Gold for their commitment to fighting modern day slavery. By raising awareness and educating their fellow students about the horrors of this terrible crime they truly are modern day abolitionists.

You can learn more about Project Stay Gold athttp://www.projectstaygold.org/.

Salute: Hillside Hose Company No. 1, Morris Township

Congratulations to all the members of Morris Township’s Hillside Hose Company No. 1, which has been serving the community for 100 years! I salute all of the Hillside Hose Company No. 1 volunteers – past and present – who have helped to protect their neighbors’ lives and property for a full century! More information about the history of Hillside Hose No. 1 can be found here. 

Salute: National Preparedness Month

The somber anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2011 remind all of us of the need to be always prepared for any type of disaster, whether caused by nature or by acts of terror.

The American Red Cross has some excellent advice on how you canprepare your household before disaster strikes. As the saying goes, “Be disaster aware; take action to prepare.”