Defense

As the Ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies, and as the Co-Chair of the Congressional Military Family Caucus, I am a proud supporter of the men and women of our nation’s armed forces and their families. I will continue working to ensure that our soldiers have the best weapons, body armor, equipment, materials, and family support to successfully accomplish their mission. I also have supported efforts to strengthen our national security by pursuing a clear strategy for victory in Iraq and Afghanistan.

I will continue to support the men and women who serve in the military and their families and our nations veterans. The Hiring Heroes law that I authored in the House was signed into law by the President in November 2011. The law honors our veterans by ensuring they have the resources and tools they need to find suitable and sustainable employment. I have led efforts to improve health care for veterans, especially those with traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, mental health issues, and lost limbs. I will continue to fight for legislation on behalf of veterans to increase educational opportunities, expand small business opportunities, provide cost-of-living adjustments, and reduce homelessness and suicide.

I have supported legislation in the United States House of Representatives to promote human rights at home and abroad, bolster foreign aid and security assistance to Israel, strengthen diplomatic efforts and sanctions to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, prevent violence in Sudan and to ensure that the U.S. successfully completes its mission in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Also, as a former Member of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence for six years, I am a staunch supporter of efforts to protect our country from biological and nuclear threats, improve information sharing across intelligence agencies, bolster our cyber-security, strengthen our border security, allow search and surveillance of potential terrorists with probable cause, and secure our nation’s ports, airports, highways, transit and rail systems, energy grids, and other physical infrastructure.