Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema today voted in favor of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015, which passed the House with broad bipartisan support.
“This bipartisan legislation strengthens our national security, supports jobs in Arizona, and removes unnecessary spending,” said Sinema. “It authorizes a pay raise and enhances mental health services for our service members, providing our troops with the care and benefits they have earned. Plus, by supporting programs like the A-10, this legislation gives our Armed Forces the tools to keep our country safe.”
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 authorizes funding for America’s military. The legislation includes provisions to provide greater support for service members and their families, including greater authority to help service members obtain professional credentials and reporting requirements on improvements in the identification and treatment of mental health conditions.
Please click here for more information about the bill.
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Washington, D.C. – Today Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema joined a bipartisan majority in the House of Representatives to pass H.R. 5771, the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014, and H.R. 647, the ABLE Act.
“These bipartisan bills provide needed relief for Arizona businesses and families,” said Sinema. “Congress must now work together to pass comprehensive tax reform that provides certainty, encourages job growth, and enables us to compete on a global scale.”
H.R. 5771 would extend for one year a number of expired tax relief provisions, preventing tax increases on millions of families and businesses. These provisions include:
- Above-the-line deduction for qualified tuition and related expenses for higher education.
- Research and development (R&D) tax credit.
- Employer wage credit for employees who are active duty members of the military.
- 50 percent bonus depreciation to property acquired and placed in service during 2014.
- Enhanced charitable deduction for contributions of food inventory.
- Production tax credit (PTC) for wind and certain other renewable sources of electricity.
H.R. 647, cosponsored by Sinema, allows families to create tax-free savings accounts to cover expenses for family members with disabilities, enhancing quality of life. Accounts would be available to individuals diagnosed with a disability before age 26, and annual contributions would be capped at $14,000.
Click here for more information about H.R. 5771 or here for more information about H.R. 647.
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Dec 02 2014
Sinema Statement on VA’s Health Care Eligibility Expansion for Military Sexual Trauma Survivors
Phoenix, AZ – Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema made the following statement after the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced expanded eligibility for mental health care related to sexual assault and sexual harassment:
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Phoenix, AZ – Today Congresswoman Sinema met with recently appointed Interim Phoenix VA Director Glen Grippen to outline her key priorities and request a detailed plan to fix significant problems at the Phoenix facility. Following the meeting, Sinema released this statement:
“Arizona veterans deserve timely access to the best possible care. The Phoenix VA has significantly more work to do to meet this standard. I asked Director Grippen for his plan to fix the problems at the Phoenix VA and communicate progress and challenges to the public, to veterans, and to the Arizona Congressional delegation.
“I also told Director Grippen we want him to change the culture and deliver a high standard of care at the Phoenix VA, and we will call for accountability throughout the process. Arizona veterans deserve a VA that puts them first and we expect Director Grippen’s leadership to deliver.”
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Phoenix, AZ – Today Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema released the following statement after the Department of Veterans Affairs announced the removal of Phoenix VA Director Sharon Helman:
“Firing Helman is the right decision and long overdue. The removal of Helman demonstrates that the VA has listened to our concerns and is serious about holding accountable those who put veterans at risk. Helman has been paid over $90,000 since being placed on administrative leave. This is a completely unacceptable use of taxpayer dollars that should instead go to providing care for veterans. The VA should now install a permanent director, ensuring leadership continuity and increased stability. I will continue to urge the VA to change its culture and set a new standard of care that meets the needs of veterans and holds managers accountable when it does not.”
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Nov 20 2014
Sinema, AZ Delegation Members Call for Robust Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking at Super Bowl
Phoenix, AZ – Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema, with other members of the Arizona Congressional delegation, sent a letter urging the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate interagency efforts and to work with state, county, and local law enforcement entities to combat human trafficking at the Super Bowl. (Please find the full letter text attached.)
“Human trafficking is a horrific crime that demands a robust and coordinated response,” said Sinema. “I strongly encourage the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security to work with local law enforcement to undermine human trafficking and bring to justice those guilty of this heinous crime.”
While in the Arizona legislature, Sinema led the unanimous bi-partisan effort to combat human trafficking and protect victims of this crime in our state.
DHS recently announced that it partnered with the Arizona Human Trafficking Council of the Governor’s Office for Children, Youth and Families and the City of Phoenix to coordinate efforts to undermine human trafficking. In their letter, Sinema and her colleagues applaud this effort and encourage broader cooperation to include DOJ on the federal level and county and local law enforcement on the ground. The letter includes additional suggestions to DOJ and DHS to facilitate the free flow of information and to ensure that efforts are not duplicated, and encourages that instances of trafficking before, during, and after the Super Bowl are well documented.
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Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema made the following statement today after the President announced that he will take executive action on immigration reform:
“Arizonans understand the need for comprehensive, lasting immigration reform. Congress’s continued failure to act hurts our economy and our communities.
“Executive action may provide limited short-term relief for some Arizona families and businesses, but it is not a long-term or complete solution. Congress must act to replace our broken immigration system with bipartisan, lasting comprehensive reform.
“I am willing to work with my Republican and Democratic colleagues and the Administration to create a plan that secures our borders, addresses our growing workforce needs, and includes a tough but fair path to citizenship. It is going to take hard work and compromise, but Arizona has waited too long for the promise of immigration reform. We cannot wait any longer.”
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Nov 17 2014
Sinema Selected as Chief Deputy Whip
Washington, D.C. – Today Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema sent a letter to Kathleen Fogarty, incoming Acting Director for the VA Southwest Healthcare Network (VISN 18). In the letter, Sinema requested a meeting with Director Fogarty and urged her to visit the Phoenix VA immediately upon assuming the role of Acting Director. (Please find the full letter below.)
"We have worked aggressively to improve the quality and accessibility of care provided to Arizona veterans and to change the culture at the Phoenix VA, but significant work remains." said Sinema. “I stand ready to assist Acting Director Fogarty in transforming the Phoenix VA into a highly successful veterans-focused organization.”
Fogarty is scheduled to assume the role of Acting Director for the VA Southwest Healthcare Network, which includes the Phoenix VA Health Care System, on November 17.
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