e-News 5/1/15

• The first Balanced Budget since 2001!
• Advancing Reform in the Veterans Administration
• Latest Stop on my Listening Tour: Morris County Chamber of Commerce
• “Baltic Neighbors Gird Against Russia.”
• Wayne Student Wins 11th Congressional District Art Competition Honors

The first Balanced Budget since 2001!

The House of Representatives this week gave final legislative approval to a pro-growth, balanced budget, the first since 2001, designed to get our economy back on track while expanding job opportunities for the American people.

In stark contrast to the President’s plan of higher taxes and increased domestic spending, the House’s budget provides balances the budget in less than 10 years – without raising taxes – and cuts spending by $5.5 trillion. Read the plan here. 

Coming just weeks after the first entitlement reform in nearly two decades, this budget continues our commitment to get things done for the American people and focus on their priorities.  This plan helps hardworking, tax-paying families by:

• Balancing the federal budget without raising taxes to help create 1.2 million new jobs, save taxpayers more than $5 trillion, and protect future generations from crushing debt;
•  Making the tax code simpler and fairer so that families can keep more of what they earn and manufacturers can bring good-paying jobs home; 
• Making it easier to repeal Obamacare so that we can replace it with reforms focused on lowering costs, protecting jobs, and strengthening the doctor-patient relationship;
• Preserving Medicare so that our seniors can have the security, peace of mind, and quality care they deserve;
• Ensuring a strong national defense so that our military personnel have the resources they need to confront threats at home and abroad; 
• Expanding America’s energy boom to help create more good-paying jobs and save families money on their bills;
• Reining in red tape so that it’s easier to start and grow and business and thus, create new jobs; 
• Increasing employment opportunities for disabled workers and improving the administration and coordination of benefits to protect communities and our most vulnerable citizens;  
• Cutting waste and eliminating redundancies so that taxpayer dollars are spent with transparency and accountability – or not at all;
• Calling on Congress to pass a balanced budget amendment so that fiscal responsibility is locked in for future generations!

Advancing Reform in the Veterans Administration

At the same time, the House is off to its earliest start on our yearly Appropriations bills since 1974.  This week, the House approved the annual Energy and Water Development bill, which provides annual funding for vital national defense nuclear weapons activities, the Army Corps of Engineers, various programs under the Department of Energy (DOE). This is a responsible bill that prioritizes national security needs and improving our nation's infrastructure within tight budget caps. It makes critical investments in the maintenance and safety of our nuclear weapons stockpile, while also funding important infrastructure projects and research that will increase U.S. economic competitiveness and growth.

Locally, the measure also included $982,000 for the Passaic River Mainstem project to continue to study alternatives to bring flood relief to the communities in the Passaic River basin.

The House also approved H.R. 2029, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill for the 2016 fiscal year that starts October 1. The legislation secures funding necessary to provide for our veterans when they come home and to invest in our military infrastructure. The “MilCon/VA” bill funds quality housing and facility renovation for our military personnel and their families and ensures that we meet the growing health needs of our veterans. The legislation also demands modernization of the VA’s electronic health record system by tying funding to its ability to demonstrate progress on the system’s functionality and interoperability.

The failure to modernize electronic health records system, long treatment delays and persistent backlogs in benefits appeals decisions are just three of the major problems plaguing the modern day VA.  Created in 1930, Veterans Affairs is an 84-year-old bureaucracy that hasn’t adapted to a 21st century world.  This legislation will help pull the VA out of the old-tech, slow system of yesteryear.

Learn more about these two bills here and here.

Latest Stop on my Listening Tour: Morris Chamber of Commerce

I had the privilege on Monday morning of meeting with more than 100 members of the Morris Chamber of Commerce.  While I was happy to provide them an update on the international security environment, including threats to our homeland, I was eager to hear what was on their minds.  I fielded questions on the tentative Iran nuclear agreement, Russian aggression in Ukraine, the Islamic State, and the negative effects of Obamacare on the economy and businesses.

“Baltic Neighbors Gird Against Russia. Coastal states bolster their defenses as Moscow takes a more forward military stance.”  Read theWall Street Journal story here.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce's prestigious Spirit of Enterprise Award is given annually to members of Congress based on their votes on critical business legislation. Members who support the Chamber's position on at least 70% of outlined votes qualify to receive the award.

Wayne Student Captures 11^th Congressional District Art Competition Honors

I had the honor of recognizing the honorees in this year’s Congressional Arts Competition on Monday night.

Camila Rosario of Wayne Valley High School won first place for her colored pencil work entitled, “Joy and Innocence of Childhood.”

The annual Congressional Art Competition is an excellent opportunity to recognize the rich talents of our young people. I commend our local high schools for encouraging their students to showcase their artistic skills in this year’s competition.

A student from Chatham High School, Melissa Danitz, was awarded second place for her oil on canvas work entitled, “Colors on a City Street.”  Jamilyn Rose, of Hanover Park High School, was awarded third place for her piece, “Sonic Boom.”

Honorable Mention awards were given to Natalie Almonte of Boonton High School for her acrylic piece “Girl with the Silver Earrings” and Jason Levine, of Livingston High school for his digital artwork entitled “Gravity.”

Ms. Rosario winning entry will be hung in the U.S. Capitol.

Fifty-eight from area high schools participated in this year’s competition. Over 150 people attended the Congressional Art competition reception at the Morris Museum.

The annual Congressional Art Competition has been promoting America’s young artists for three decades.