e-News 5/26/16

• Memorial Day: Remembering the Fallen
• My Work in Committee: The Appropriations Process Moves Forward
• “Iran ‘Blackmailing’ U.S. for Greater Nuke Concessions.  
• Cyber Threat: Obama’s Policy Ignores Growing Russian Danger
• “Hero of Main Street”
• Salute: To all veterans, past and present

Remembering the Fallen, Supporting our Veterans

As we approach another “holiday weekend,” it’s important that we remember why we mark Memorial Day each year – to honor those members of our Armed Forces who have laid down their life for our country.  It is a day of reflection and remembrance of those who died while serving us and our forbearers.

Although Monday is a day to commemorate the fallen, it is important to remember those who still live and have made incredible sacrifices for all of us.

Our troops risk their lives every day to protect our nation, but that risk should not continue when they come home.  As I have written many times in these spaces, the Veterans Administration is in desperate need of reform and Congress continues to press the VA to make sure our veterans are treated with the care and respect they have earned.  This is the least we should do for the men and women who have served and their families.

Yet, given the progress being made in the House to reform the VA and better serve our veterans, just this week, VA Secretary McDonald compared VA wait lines to lines at Disneyland — seriously.

Clearly, the Secretary’s comments were ill-advised and not worthy of the veterans that he serves.  But, unfortunately, they were also indicative of a culture of apparent indifference at the VA.

Of course, there are many dedicated and hard-working people laboring at the VA every day and we have two great VA hospitals in northern New Jersey - Lyons and East Orange.  But to date, almost no one has been held accountable at the VA for what has become a national scandal. Meanwhile, our veterans still wait for care far too long.  And it takes far too long to process their benefit claims and appeals.

Secretary McDonald ought to clarify his comments. Just as important, he should pledge to redouble his efforts to fix these problems, as he — and the President —promised. 

My Work in Committee: The Appropriations Process Moves Forward

The House Appropriations Committee this week completed its work on two more annual funding bills for the fiscal year that begins on October 1.

The Commerce-Justice-Science bill funds a variety of important programs - federal law enforcement, national security (including cybercrime and counterterror activities), economic development, illegal drug efforts, trade enforcement, and space exploration programs.  Read a summary of this legislation here.

The Transportation-Housing bill provides the federal dollars for critical land, sea, and air transportation infrastructure investments to improve commerce, efficiency, safety, reliability, and quality of life for the traveling public. The legislation also provides needed resources to continue housing for low-income and vulnerable individuals and families.   Read a summary of this legislation here.

In two weeks, I expect the full House to take up the FY 2017 Defense Appropriations bill which was written by the Subcommittee I chair.  This critically important legislation will better prepare members of our Armed Forces to meet the growing threats from Islamist jihadist groups like ISIS and al Qaeda and emerging challenges by aggressive nation-states such as Russia, China and Iran.  The bill also funds critical national security needs, including military ongoing operations and readiness programs, as well as health and quality-of-life programs for our troops and military families.

“Iran ‘Blackmailing’ U.S. for Greater Nuke Concessions. Experts: Obama admin going above and beyond nuke deal to aid Iran.” Read the article in the Washington Free Beacon here.

Cyber Threat: “Obama’s Policy Ignores Growing Russian Danger.”Worth a close read in the Washington Free Beacon here.

“Hero of Main Street”

I was proud to be named a “Hero of Main Street” this week by the National Retail Federation (NRF), the world’s largest retail trade association, representing discount and department stores, home goods and specialty stores, Main Street merchants, grocers, wholesalers, chain restaurants and Internet retailers from the United States and more than 45 countries.

The fight for jobs in America, including retail jobs, is an everyday struggle against higher taxes, overbearing and unnecessary regulations and stifling bureaucracy. Our New Jersey businesses tell me they want government to “get out of their way” and I am proud to stand with the NRF.

Salute: To all veterans, past and present, and their families we extend a heartfelt thank you for all you have done for the people of the United States of America!