e-News 11/11/16

• The People Have Spoken
• Remembering Those Who Make it all Possible: Our Veterans
• Salute: Schools Salute Veterans
• Salute: Wayne Township’s Purple Heart Parking Spaces

 

The People Have Spoken

American democracy was on full display this week as President-elect Donald Trump and President Obama started the Presidential transition in earnest.  With the campaign over, the election concluded and the transition of power under way, it is time for all Americans to work together for the good of our beloved nation and all of its people.

Yes, the people have spoken.  The President-elect and new Congress have a responsibility to set aside their political agendas and work for the common good. President-elect Trump and our democratically-elected Congress must address many issues which are vital for our future.

On a personal level, I am honored by my constituents’ decision to send me back to Washington to work for my district, our state and country. I am ready to work as hard as I ever have. 

Government should serve our constituents.  Or better yet, it should get the heck out of the way.

As Republicans will now control the House, the Senate and the Presidency, it is our responsibility to govern: to pass budgets on time!  I hope our Democrat colleagues will join the cause. All are welcome to join this vital effort!   

In my role on the House Appropriations Committee, I will be concentrating on passing fiscally responsible budget bills that put taxpayers first by limiting spending to essential federal priorities.  I will fight for lower taxes. 

In my role as Chairman of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I will continue to strengthen our national security with more capable military and intelligence agencies.  Of course, I welcome President-elect Donald Trump's leadership in reversing the feeble and ineffective foreign policy of the current administration. 

On domestic policies:

• We will repeal and replace Obamacare. 
• We will begin to modernize our antiquated tax code so that it promotes fairness, economic growth and real job creation. 
• We will rebuild our nation's infrastructure by focusing on essential projects that will boost our economy.  
• We will put in place an immigration system in which the American public has confidence. 

I recognize that Congress and the President have a solemn obligation to work together on issues that will benefit the American people.  As an optimist, I am confident that we can start with these priorities and move the country forward!

The people have spoken.

Remembering Those Who Make it all Possible: Our Veterans

It is very appropriate that the Presidential transition started during the same week as Veterans Day 2016.

After all, Veterans Day serves as a powerful reminder of how our nation’s liberty has been preserved by the dedication of our armed forces and the service of those men and women who have worn the nation’s uniform.

Today, millions of Americans serve.  We have a fighting force without equal. While no single tribute could suffice to honor fully veterans’ sacrifice and that of their families, Veterans Day offers a chance for our nation to stand together in honoring the men and women who have fought for freedom under our flag.

Tens of thousands of members of the active military, Guard and Reserves – all volunteers – are currently deployed in places like Afghanistan, Iraq, the Horn of Africa and, yes, Syria.  Many have already served multiple deployments. They are fighting against violent extremists who work every day to bring their hatred of the United States onto our shores.

Of course, for many veterans who have survived engagement with the enemy, their war is not over.  Their silent battle against pain and injury speaks of the heavy burden that is borne by those who stood ready to sacrifice in defense of liberty. 

That is why we must remain committed to making sure that our veterans have the benefits and the funding they need and justly deserve!  Local veterans continue to rely on the VA medical facilities at Lyons and East Orange.  But there is much more work that needs to be done to fix the widespread problems at the Veterans Administration.  Reforming the VA from an outdated government bureaucracy to a state-of-the-art model of service and responsiveness must remain everyone’s goal.

President George Washington recognized that taking care of those men and women who served is not only the right thing to do, but it makes sense for our country.  He said, “The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive veterans of early wars were treated and appreciated by our nation."

Today, we officially mark ‘Veterans Day.’  But every day should be ‘Veterans Day!’

For a listing of Veterans Day events in Morris County, visit the Morris County Daily Record here.

Salute:  Thank you to schools across Morris. Sussex County, Essex and Passaic counties held ceremonies this week to honor local veterans.  Read Lori Comstock’s article about “remembering Days” in the New Jersey Herald here.

Salute: Thank you to Wayne Township for setting aside parking spaces at the municipal center for recipients of the Purple Heart.  It may seem like a small gesture to some people, but it is a tangible way to honor the sacrifices of men and women wounded in combat.  I agree that our veterans deserve everything we can give them.