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Armed Services
The military is critical to Eastern North Carolina's economy and way of life. We are privileged to have America's brave residing in our district.
Where I Stand
The military is critical to Eastern North Carolina. I am blessed and honored to represent the incredible heroes and their families stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station, Marine Corps Air Station New River, and U.S. Coast Guard Base Elizabeth City. As a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, I do all I can to fight for Eastern North Carolina's military installations and for the courageous men and women -- past, present, and future -- who protect our freedom.
My commitment to our service members and their families is unwavering. I have been a leader on securing pay increases, educational opportunities, and better healthcare for military personnel while opposing any benefit cuts. I will always support the men and women of the military, even against the occasional injustice found in their own service. I have supported and cleared multiple officers and enlisted personnel when they were falsely accused of wrongdoing by their chains of command. I will continue to stand with the men and women in uniform, because they stand up for us.
I believe in a strong national defense. As part of that effort, I have been and continue to be a leading supporter of the F-35B and the V-22 Osprey. These aircraft are the future of Marine Corps aviation and are vital to our national defense. Additionally, much of the depot level maintenance for these aircraft is performed by Fleet Readiness Center – East (FRC-East) in Eastern North Carolina’s Craven County. FRC – East is not only the largest employer east of Interstate 95, it is a national asset because of the nature of the work they perform there. I am also very supportive of the Aviation Logistics Center located at U.S. Coast Guard Base Elizabeth City. It is a world-class organization that supports all U.S. Coast Guard helicopter and most U.S. Coast Guard fixed-wing depot-level maintenance. As the co-chair of the House Depot Caucus, I will continue to be the most vocal supporter of FRC-East and the Aviation Logistics Center in this Congress.
Legislative Action in the 114th Congress
Introduced Legislation
H.R. 454 - Military Retiree Survivor Comfort Act - Would require the United States to forgive any overpayment of military retired or retainer pay for any period after the death of the recipient through the last day of the month in which such death occurs, if such payment is electronically deposited to a joint account bearing the name of the decedent and decedent's designated beneficiary. It also provides a special effective date for a first annuity payment to a survivor under the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) when an overpayment is forgiven.
H.R. 148 - Would ensure that military chaplains have the prerogative to close a prayer outside of a religious service according to the dictates of the chaplains' own conscience.
H.R. 146 - Directs the Secretary of Defense to furnish hyperbaric oxygen therapy available at a military medical treatment facility to a member of the Armed Forces who is: (1) prescribed such therapy by a physician, (2) serving on active duty, and (3) diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury.
H.R. 124 - Redesignates: (1) the Department of the Navy as the Department of the Navy and Marine Corps, and (2) the Secretary of the Navy as the Secretary of the Navy and Marine Corps. It would make similar redesignations with respect to the Department Under Secretary, the Department Assistant Secretaries, and the General Counsel.
I have also cosponsored more legislation referred to the Armed Services Committee than any other member of Congress. To view the Armed Services legislation I have cosponsored this Congress, click here.