National Security and Defense
Our all-volunteer military is the greatest fighting force the world has ever known and is the envy of the globe. In Congress, we have a responsibility to provide our defense agencies and soldiers with the resources they need to protect our country and support our allies. Supporting our nation’s military also means that ensuring that the brave men and women of our armed forced receive the support they deserve.
In the 21st century, threats to our nation’s security come in a variety of forms and we must continue to be vigilant against terrorism. In addition to traditional defense measures, cyber-security and bio-defense, including the important work done in Maryland at facilities like Fort Detrick is absolutely essential.
I voted to provide critical funding for defense operations and included a much-deserved 1.8% pay increase for military personnel in the 2014 Defense Appropriations Bill, which also included new initiatives to prevent sexual assault in the military.
During debate of the Defense Appropriations Bill, I offered an amendment to increase funding for Fisher House, which provides free lodging near hospitals for military families when servicemen and veterans are receiving care. My amendment increased funding from $4 million to $20 million and will allow four new Fisher Houses to be built across the country. These new houses are owned and operated by the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and will allow approximately 2,000 additional military families per year to stay with their heroes in their time of need at the hospital.
More on National Security and Defense
WASHINGTON – The House has passed legislation to update the federal charter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) to reflect the service of women in the armed forces. H.R. 5441 makes two wording changes, replacing “men” with “veterans” and “widows” with “surviving spouses.” The changes are supported by the VFW, whose delegates voted in support of the change at the 115th VFW National Convention, held in St. Louis earlier this year.
The House Resolution to amend the charter passed by voice vote Monday.
WASHINGTON – Frederick Community College has been awarded a $1,172,276 grant from the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Continuing Training Grant Program. These grants will support Frederick Community College led workshops across the country to improve local disaster preparedness, focusing on how to improve information sharing, continuity of operations, gap remediation and how to strengthen private sector resilience and collaboration.
WASHINGTON – Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6) has written to the President, Speaker of the House John Boehner and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi concerning the Ebola outbreak in Africa. In response to the increased risk of a major outbreak, Rep. Delaney argued that “controlling this outbreak before the virus becomes airborne should be our top priority” and that “it is critical that the United States make every effort to get ahead of this crisis, not play catch up.
WASHINGTON – September 11, 2014 marks the 13th anniversary of the terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001.
Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6) releases the following statement:
WASHINGTON – Thursday a Malaysia Airlines plane crashed in eastern Ukraine with 298 people on board. According to the Washington Post, U.S. intelligence believes that the plane was brought down by an antiaircraft missile. At least one American citizen was killed aboard the plane. President Obama has announced that the United States is prepared to offer the support of the FBI and the National Transportation Safety Board to fully investigate the crash site and called for a credible international investigation of the incident.
WASHINGTON – The Office of Inspector General (OIG) has issued a report on the inappropriate handling of records at the Baltimore VA Regional Office. According to the OIG report, which was issued July 14, “a supervisor had inappropriately stockpiled about 8,000 documents in an office” and “more than 9,500 documents and 80 claims folders lacked the oversight necessary to ensure timely claims processing and the protection of veteran and employee PII” (Personally Identifiable Information).
WASHINGTON – Today the House passed the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for 2015 (H.R. 4870). The legislation includes a measure introduced by Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6) to increase funding for Fisher House, which provides free lodging near military and Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities for military families.
Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6) voted for the bill.
WASHINGTON – Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6) has successfully introduced a measure to increase federal funding for Fisher Houses by $16 million. Fisher Houses are designed to be a “home away from home” for the families of patients receiving medical care at major military and VA medical centers. Families stay for free while the patient is receiving care.
WASHINGTON – Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6) has introduced a House resolution in support of his constituent, Warren Weinstein. Weinstein was kidnapped by al-Qaeda in Pakistan in 2011, while working for a government contractor. Delaney also spoke on the House floor Tuesday, highlighting Warren’s capture.
WASHINGTON – June 6 marks the 70th anniversary of D-Day.
Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6) published an op-ed in the Hagerstown Herald-Mail on the importance of the anniversary and the contributions made by Marylanders at Normandy.
The op-ed can be read online or below: