Congressman Rob Wittman's Weekly Update, January, 2014

United States Capitol Building (Photo credit: Jack Says Relax)

This past week, Congress again faced a deadline to fund the federal government. By passing last-minute legislation, Congress averted a shutdown by a slim margin and funded the government for the rest of fiscal year 2014. As I mentioned in my update before the holidays, I don’t agree with every provision in this agreement. However, I supported the legislation because a shutdown benefits no one, and it provides not only the basic funding of our Department of Defense but also a partial restoration of funding for our national security and military readiness. Ensuring our troops, deployed across the globe or those training here at home, have what they need to do the mission at hand, is essential to me. Much work remains not only to get our nation’s spending under control but also to ensure it is properly managed.

 

Some of the folks watching this debate closely are our veterans, concerned with the provision originally included in the budget agreement in December that slowed the rate of the cost-of-living adjustments for their pensions. I am pleased that medically-retired personnel and survivor benefit plan recipients will see a COLA restoration, but am disappointed that this legislation did not reinstate the reduction for all veterans. I have sponsored legislation to restore the COLA and am working with House leaders and House Armed Services Committee leaders to fix this issue. I will continue to work toward the goal of full restoration. Our budget should not and cannot be balanced on the back of our nation’s military men and women.

 

In 2014, I will continue to fight for Congress to simply get back to work, a return to “regular order.” The budget agreement set a path forward to a return to regular order for passing legislation related to federal spending. The work of the nation can be much more thoughtful and efficient when it’s not left to the last-minute. I have and will continue to advocate for regular order: consideration of legislation for each area of spending in a timely manner before a new fiscal year begins. It is simply common sense, and would help avert the “crisis management” that plagues Washington, D.C. 

The main streets of Virginia’s First District are full of ideas to get our economy back on track, and your feedback is critically important to me as I serve you. I can be reached by telephone at (202) 225-4261, through my website (www.wittman.house.gov),

An Update on Benghazi

Rob continues to fight for accountability from the Administration, especially with regard to the 2012 attack on Americans in Benghazi, Libya. The House Armed Services Committee recently released a series of declassified transcripts of briefings held by the Committee on the Benghazi attack.  Rob took part in questioning witnesses at the briefings, which were part of the Committee’s examination of the actions of the military chain of command before, during, and after the attack.

Fox News highlights Rob’s questioning in their reports on the recently released transcripts 

From the House Armed Services Committee: Fox News journalists James Rosen and Jennifer Griffin presented in-depth reports on the HASC investigation into the terrorist attack on the American consulate in Benghazi, Libya on September 11, 2012. Jennifer Griffin's report detailed the administration's inadequate military posture before the attack while James Rosen's report focused on senior military leaders informing the administration that the episode was, in fact, a terrorist attack and not a demonstration over a video. 

You can read the House Armed Services Committee report here.
 

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Supporting Military Commissaries and Exchanges

Rob recently spoke on the House Floor about the importance of preserving military commissaries and exchanges. Watch his one-minute speech here.

"While our federal budget is under pressure, the benefits to our military personnel must not be targeted as a means to reduce our national debt."
- Representative Rob Wittman, on the House Floor, January 10, 2014

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Update From Congressman Rob Wittman

English: (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

The holiday season can be a complicated one; but what I love best about this time of year is the reminder about the simplicity in life, and of what is truly important to us. Our Founding Fathers summarized in one sentence no more profound or truer words about priorities:

“…that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Those words are so simple, and yet so fundamental to who we are as individuals and as a nation.

Unfortunately, the gridlock that rules Washington often affects us, our fellow citizens, and those serving our nation. This week though, there was progress in getting the business of the nation done as the House passed H.J.Res.59, the Bipartisan Budget Act.

First, I want you to know that I was vehemently opposed to the provision (Section 403) in this legislation that affects military retirees. I had several frank conversations with Members of House Leadership prior to this bill coming to the floor for a vote to let them know of my concerns -- that we cannot and should not balance the budget on the backs of the servicemembers who have given their all for our country. Furthermore, I am taking immediate action to repeal this provision through legislation to restore the cost of living reduction.

While I was opposed to the military retiree provision, I ultimately voted in favor of H.J.Res. 59 because it restores over $31 billion of sequestration cuts to our military in Fiscal Year 2014 and 2015.  As the Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness, I have been watching the devastating impact the sequester cuts are having on our servicemembers.  I am also distressingly alarmed about the increased risk they face because of insufficient training and not being properly equipped.  In recent weeks I led numerous briefings to educate Members on the effects of sequester cuts to our nation’s military. Members learned the devastating effects of these cuts on training and equipping those who serve our nation in uniform. It is the Constitutional duty of the Congress to provide for our nation’s defense, and this bill restores some of the indiscriminate cuts decimating our nation’s defense needs.

  I feel it is my duty to ensure that our all-volunteer force is properly trained and equipped; this bill takes a significant step toward that end. 

My best to you, your family and friends for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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Congressman Rob Wittman on Adoption Information Act and Protecting Adopted Children Act

English: Congressional portrait of Congressman Rob Wittman, 112th Congress. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As a leader on adoption issues in the U.S. House I have introduced and managed efforts impacting adoption:

The Adoption Information Act (H.R. 3062): Domestic adoptions are more important now than ever as countries like Russia are closing their doors to American adoptions (sentence verbatim from Dear Colleague). I authored this legislation to ensure that birth mothers are aware of adoption as an option during pregnancy, and for family planning service providers to present pamphlets containing a list of adoption centers to any individual who requests abortion services or inquiries about any related information. I believe it is vital that women have all the necessary tools and opportunities to make the most informed decision regarding their health and their unborn baby. This legislation would truly enable women facing an unplanned pregnancy to be aware of the option of adoption and to help families who are longing to have a child of their own to have that chance.

The Protecting Adopted Children Act (H.R. 3423): Recent media reports highlighted the issue of “re-homing,” where adoptive families have unfortunately transferred adopted children into the homes of strangers, in an unregulated and underground process. This bill directs resources for states to assist adoptive families, to help provide a more stable home environment and prevent children from entering the foster care system or other less-regulated networks through the provision of pre- and post-adoptive support services.

Congress can and must take action to help the women, children and families affected by these issues.

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Congressman Rob Wittman's Weekly Updates

As the summer goes on, I’m continuing to fight for our furloughed federal civilian employees. This week, I heard from so many of you that are losing 20% of your income until September 30, as federal government employee furloughs continue. On Tuesday, the Department of Defense (DoD) officials came to brief members of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) on the furlough situation as a whole. As Chairman of HASC’s Readiness Subcommittee, I requested this briefing because I remain concerned that furloughs are both unnecessary and detrimental to our military’s readiness. The brave citizens who have been tasked with defending this nation, whether in or out of uniform, deserve answers and solutions. It seems to me that Congress continues to duck and dodge from addressing one of the most important issues: sequestration. However, I was pleased to vote for legislation this week that would prohibit furloughs by the DoD for the next fiscal year, which begins on October 1, 2013. Political gamesmanship and indiscriminate furloughs have no place in governance. I believe Congress has an opportunity and an obligation to do the right thing and truly address out-of-control spending in a responsible way - not on the backs of dedicated patriots working for the DoD or any federal government agency.

Also during the month of July, the House acted to delay several burdensome provisions of Obamacare. I feel strongly that health care in this country must be reformed, but I will continue to oppose Obamacare and its harmful provisions. I was proud to support the Authority for Mandate Act (H.R. 2667), which delays the requirement that businesses with over 50 full-time employees provide minimum essential health care coverage to employees or face a fine. The rush to implement something like this will have nothing but negative consequences for individuals, families, and the small businesses that employ so many of our neighbors. A second bill, the Fairness for American Families Act (H.R. 2668), would in turn suspend the provision known as the individual mandate, which requires that all citizens purchase health coverage or pay a penalty tax. I am also a cosponsor of H.R. 2682, the Defund Obamacare Act of 2013. I have long argued that the goal of any health care reform must be to drive costs down so that quality health care coverage is affordable and accessible to every American. Since the health care overhaul was signed into law, costs have gone up, and folks continue to lose coverage due to the regulations within this law. I continue to support responsible, commonsense reforms that target the true factors driving up health care costs for individuals. Any reforms must ensure that doctors and patients, not insurance companies or government bureaucrats, are the ones making important health care decisions. I will continue to work with my constituents and press Congress to pursue true solutions to address our nation’s rising health care costs.

As we move closer to the August district work period, while I always look forward to spending more time with you and the good folks in the district, I continue to urge my colleagues to stay in Washington to ensure the nation’s business is finished. I believe Congress should not leave during the month of August, but should remain in Washington to get the job done and will oppose adjourning just as I did last August. It is important to connect with constituents, and I am fortunate to be able to drive home each night and stay connected with reality. However, unfinished business should be addressed. Congress has a job to do and should not leave until the job is done.

The main streets of Virginia’s First District are full of ideas to get our economy back on track, and your feedback is critically important to me as I serve you. I can be reached by telephone at (202) 225-4261, through my website (www.wittman.house.gov), on Facebook (www.facebook.com/reprobwittman), and via Twitter (www.twitter.com/robwittman).

Our Notes:  Universal health care is neither a Constitutional right nor privilege.  To force this down everyone's throats in the US is dictatorship and tyranny.  Violations of the Oaths of Office.  Throw the bums out.  Tar and feather them?  That is what would have been done in the past.  We need a serious return to our Constitutional past and forget these reforms of communism.   Uncle Sam Wants His Country Back!

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Congressman Rob Wittman on the Farm Bill Legislation

English: (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Rob Wittman’s Weekly Update

June 28, 2013


Last week, the House voted on legislation dealing with farm policy. Those of you who aren’t farmers might be thinking, why is this important to me? Well, federal farm policy affects each one of us that consumes food from the U.S. supply. The price of our grocery bills, the quality of our food, and the security and safety of the food supply are all important to consumers and hardworking taxpayers. These issues are all directly affected by legislation I supported last week, the FARRM Act, better known as the Farm Bill (H.R. 1947).

I strongly believe in reducing wasteful Washington spending. Folks are struggling and sacrificing to make ends meet and to provide opportunities for their children. That’s why I voted in favor of a farm bill that, while not perfect, proposed to reduce waste and make government more accountable, while also including important provisions to improve rural broadband access and improvements in the utilization of resources dedicated to restore the Chesapeake Bay.

Specifically, this bill made changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as the food stamp program, to save more than $20 billion. These reforms, the first to SNAP since the welfare reforms of nearly 20 years ago, would establish additional work requirements for able-bodied SNAP benefit recipients and allow states to implement drug testing as a condition of receiving benefits. The bill also included savings of $14 billion by overturning the long standing system of direct payments to farmers, and contained consolidations of multiple conservation programs, saving another $6.9 billion. (Bad idea Congressman).

The Farm Bill is an especially significant issue for Virginia, where agriculture is the single largest industry, bigger even than the defense sector. In our Commonwealth alone, agriculture and forestry contribute $79 billion and 500,000 jobs to the economy. At the same time, many of our neighbors can tell you just how important various parts of the bill are to their communities. For example, folks in the Northern Neck know all too well how challenging it is to do something as simple as check your email when you don’t have access to high-speed internet. I was proud to rise on the floor to defend the importance of rural broadband initiatives, an issue I’ve been passionate about since my time in local elected office. H.R. 1947 also included an amendment I authored that would promote accountability and improved oversight over Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts. I believe that these important initiatives, combined with reforms to agriculture programs and the significant reductions to SNAP, must be part of any long term agriculture legislation passed by Congress. It is absolutely critical that a long term farm bill be signed into law in order to reduce spending and change the way Washington does business.

This bill is not perfect; many believe it didn’t cut enough. I hear and understand those concerns. However, I believe some cuts are better than no cuts at all. This bill proposed to take us in the right direction. Unfortunately, it failed to pass the House, which leaves us with the status quo: more spending and no reform. (Bad ideas should never pass Congressman Wittman).

My mission each and every day is to represent the people of the First District to the best of my ability, and that necessitates supporting thoughtful policies that rein in government spending and reform the way our government operates. I will continue working toward those goals, and as always, hope you’ll share your thoughts with me. (Change how it operates, nice key wording.  Time for Common Sense.  Government by the people for the people, not government by the people for special interests or for the government or for corporations and or bankers).

Independence Day is fast approaching, and I hope that you will all take a moment amid the barbeques and fireworks to think about the history of our nation and the reason we celebrate this pivotal date in our journey as a Republic. More importantly, I hope that we all keep in mind the brave men and women in uniform who serve each and every day, sacrificing selflessly so that we can remain the greatest nation the world has ever known. These dedicated patriots and their families truly deserve our appreciation.

I hope that everyone has a safe and relaxing Independence Day, and I look forward to seeing many of you around the district. The main streets of Virginia’s First District are full of ideas to get our economy back on track, and your feedback is critically important to me as I serve you. I can be reached by telephone at (202) 225-4261, through my website (www.wittman.house.gov), on Facebook (www.facebook.com/reprobwittman), and via Twitter (www.twitter.com/robwittman).

Congressman Rob Wittman represents the First District of Virginia. He serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Armed Services Committee where he is the Chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee.


I hate to say it but this is more bad legislation.  Cutting SNAP benefits in a weak economy where jobs have been shifted overseas is bad news.  Also, with increased illegal immigration that weakens US citizens from getting local jobs in their own country on top of this.  Rob Wittman is looking weak on looking out for the people.  We agree that spending needs to be cut in government, but cut the pork and get on the ball in other areas first.  Too many people are sitting at home, not because they want to, it's because they were forced into it by bad government choices.  Now Congressman Wittman wants to starve them too?  That just adds insult to injury.  Why not just take the unemployed out and shoot them?  (Not serious here).  Also, a nation that no longer pays the working class a living wage is in serious trouble.

  Our leaders need to get out into the streets and take a real hard look at what they have accomplished already.  Disaster.  We do not need more bad legislation.

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Congressman Rob Wittman's Updates On Sequestration

Too many desks sat idle this week, as furloughs began for many federal civilian employees in the Department of Defense (DOD) due to the indiscriminate budget cuts known as sequestration. These DOD workers are truly dedicated patriots who are tasked by Congress with their duties. Their efforts to support our war fighters are vital to the mission of our overall national security, and these cuts continue to undermine the strength of our military’s readiness. As Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee’s Readiness Subcommittee and an American, this deeply concerns me, and I reminded my colleagues on Thursday of the personal and professional challenges our dedicated civilian workers face.

On Wednesday, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel issued a memo detailing the DOD’s plan for reducing its budget by $52 billion in fiscal year 2014, as mandated by sequestration. These budget reductions simply cannot happen. The impacts that they will have on our military’s future capabilities are unacceptable. Secretary Hagel’s memo addresses just one fiscal year, and yet it is indicative of a long term, systemic challenge facing our military. This In turn will require a long term, strategic solution: how to effectively provide for and maintain a fighting force in a world of both budgetary constraints and constant threats against our homeland. Congress and the President were elected to make tough decisions - not to stand idly by as the foundation of our nation’s military is compromised.

At the same time, it is important to remember that at the heart of this issue are dedicated Americans who sacrifice for this nation. These include young Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen whose training and resources are being undermined by sequestration; civilian DOD employees who support those individuals but are being forced to sit at home under furlough; and the children of those furloughed federal employees who will feel the brunt of sequestration as their parents find fewer dollars in their paychecks. They are all patriotic Americans who have dedicated their lives to this country so that it will remain the greatest nation the world has ever known. Instead of balancing the budget on their backs, let’s prove to them that we’ve got their backs - because they’ve had ours since 1776. I have sounded the alarm on this issue for almost two years now, and I will continue to urge Congress and the White House to find a solution. It’s time to make the tough decisions.

Finally, I am pleased to share great news for Virginia and the Chesapeake Bay. The House passed my Chesapeake Bay Accountability and Recovery Act (H.R. 739) last week as part of the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act (H.R. 2642). The Bay is an economic engine and a cultural beacon for our region, and many industries and citizens have a vested interest in a clean Bay. My bill would enhance coordination, flexibility and efficiency of restoration efforts. This was a great achievement for Virginia and America’s First District, and I am eager for the Senate to pass Senator Warner’s companion legislation and see this bill become law. As Co-Chair of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Caucus, I will continue to advocate for and support measures to restore and preserve this national treasure.

The main streets of Virginia’s First District are full of ideas to get our economy back on track, and your feedback is critically important to me as I serve you. I can be reached by telephone at(202) 225-4261, through my website (www.wittman.house.gov), on Facebook (www.facebook.com/reprobwittman), and via Twitter (www.twitter.com/robwittman).

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Congressman Rob Wittman On Federal Sequestration

This is not a democratic issue, it's not a republican issue, we do not play the party blame game here on this site.  This is simply big government playing hardball politics to pacify political desires.  Our leaders need to once again understand that their jobs are to govern the nation on behalf of the people as we are a nation by the people and for the people.  Not by the people for special interests, not by the people for corporations, not by the people for government officials.  Those ideals be damned and those who would believe in them also be damned.

  Our founding fathers must be clawing inside their graves at this kind of garbage.   We have to give credit to Congressman Wittman for his stands and leadership.  He's at least looking like he it trying to do what is right for this nation in this video.

English: Congressional portrait of Congressman Rob Wittman, 112th Congress. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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