e-News 12/5/14

• Focus on the President’s Unilateral Edict on Immigration
• Seriously Dangerous Milestone: A Legacy of Debt
• For Obama and the Pentagon, an uneasy relationship
• Army Four-Star Touts Picatinny
• Salute: Army’s Top Award for 17 Picatinny Arsenal scientists and engineers
• Salute: “Trees for the Troops"

Focus on the President’s Unilateral Edict on Immigration

The American people want both parties to focus on solutions to get our struggling economy moving in order to create jobs and opportunities.  This week the House passed important legislation to help families with special needs and to prevent tax hikes on millions of families and small businesses.

But we also kept the focus on the President’s recent executive decree on immigration by passing H.R. 5759.  In essence, this bill states that the President does not have the authority to issue unilateral orders to delay deportations of undocumented immigrants or grant quasi-legal status, work permits and Social Security numbers to those who are in the country illegally.  

I am under no illusions that Harry Reid’s Senate will take up this legislation and send it to President Obama’s desk.  But passage of this legislation in the House is an important act that will help educate the American people about the consequences of the President’s unconstitutional action.

In the meantime, we continue to examine a variety of options for this year and next when Republicans control both Houses of the Congress.   

Seriously Dangerous Milestone: A Legacy of Debt

Less than two years into President Obama's second term, new numbers show our national debt increased by more than $6 trillion since he took office. It's the largest increase to date under any U.S. president.  This week, the national debate surpassed $18 trillion. 

Such large and growing federal debt will have serious negative consequences, including restraining economic growth in the long term and giving policymakers less flexibility to respond to unexpected challenges, including national security threats.

The solution: cut federal spending responsibly, remove onerous and unnecessary regulations on our economy and use every possible tool to simulate growth and create jobs. 

Recommended Reading: From the Associated Press, “For Obama and the Pentagon, an uneasy relationship.”

Army Four-Star Touts Picatinny

General Dennis Via, Commanding General of Army Materiel Command, visited Picatinny Arsenal this week and had words of high praise for the workforce and the work they do to support our soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen every day.  Read Rob Jennings story in the New Jersey Herald here.

Salute: Congratulations to the 17 Picatinny Arsenal scientists and engineers who recently won the Army's top award for science and technology.  The Army Research and Development Achievement Award is presented to a select group of scientists and engineers whose outstanding work has significantly advanced capabilities and contributed to the national defense.  "Our mission at Picatinny is to take care of our service members through the technology we develop and manage," said John Hedderich, acting Director of Picatinny’s Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center. "Every innovation, advancement and improvement is an opportunity to save soldiers’ lives."  The Picatinny awardees represent five different R&D programs.

Salute: Thank you to two Passaic County garden centers participating in “Trees for the Troops” campaign.  Read the article here.