LTE From Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn

Constituents of Tennessee’s District 7,

Greetings from Capitol Hill (and my office down the street)!  I just wanted to keep you updated about two bills that were unanimously passed through the House of Representatives.  H.R.  24, the “Helping American Heroes Act” stipulates greater mental health benefits for our veterans.  We in District 7 all know a local hero, so make sure to thank one of our Fort Campbell soldiers this week for the sacrifices they make for our freedom.  We are thankful for their service to this country, and through the passage of H.R. 24, I hope to make my gratitude known.

The House also passed H.R. 35, the “Special Olympics Funding Act.”  This bill gives funding to members of our community who are athletes in the Special Olympics.  I believe that this bill de-stigmatizes the special needs community and provides a support system for their families.

Lastly, I’d like to address some rumors floating around that I called Tennesseans fat in domestic committee.  Friends, while this may be true, it’s also true that we have the fourth highest obesity rate in the country.  Let’s commit to bettering ourselves while we better this nation.

God Bless District 7.  God Bless Tennessee.  God Bless America.

Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn
anuxoll@westmont.edu

LTE From Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (NY-25)

This past Congressional floor session, my colleagues and I passed H.R. 24, the “Helping American Heroes Act.” I was incredibly pleased that such measures are being taken to ensure the best possible health care and mental health services for our returning veterans. These heros deserve to be adequately taken care of as they transition from their time in active duty service to life at home with their families and local communities. H.R. 24 will provide for greater accountability of the Office of Veterans Affairs and the American people and lead to better research and treatment of the issues that our veterans face upon homecoming. I would like to ask my fellow members of Congress if there may be another way that we can prevent widespread mental health issues among our armed forces. Clearly, the experiences of our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan resulted in significant and sometimes fatal damage to their psychological health. We must continue to factor in the information about the current state of mental health as related to armed combat and post-traumatic stress disorder when making foreign policy decisions, especially decisions that require military action. President Obama has recently requested that Congress review and consider a Joint Resolution “to authorize the limited use of the United States Armed Forces against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.” I have hopes that my fellow members of Congress will thoroughly and wisely consider this resolution, but also the actions of the Islamic State, the history of the region as a whole as well as the history of U.S. involvement in the region.

Overheard in Domestic Committee 2/23/15

The 2015 SimCong Domestic Committee never has a dull moment. That is why I have decided to start posting a series of quotes from the members. Keep in mind these quotes are not placed in their full context, but isn't it better that way? 

Here are my two favorite quotes from today's committee, both from Rep. Marsha Blackburn (TN-07):

"There are many MANY morbidly obese people in Tennessee. They come in to get medication and are harassed by the skinny pharmacy workers."

"This bill isn’t just about women’s rights anymore. Its about a lot of people, who have been suffering at the hands of merciless pharmacy employees."

OP/ED on the Unfortunate Passage of HR 10

Dear Concerned Citizens of America,

The recent vote in the House last Friday highlighted that the party divide in the 114th Congress runs deep. Despite impassioned appeals for national education standards as a human right and widespread concern over the particularities of HR 10, the bill passed with a vote along party lines. It appears as if members entered the building that morning with their minds already made up, ready to register a party-line vote instead of reaching a well-informed decision after hearing both sides of the debate. Will this trend continue throughout this session? I hope it does not.

The passage of HR 10, a bill to remove federal funding for Common Core, indicated that the fate of this nation’s children matters less to many members of Congress than a chance to make budget cuts. As the proud mother of three boys, I am ashamed to look them in the eyes and say that this Congress didn’t care enough to fund their pursuit of knowledge. States who have already sought to implement Common Core are now abandoned, left without the resources to finish what they started. These states must now bear the burden.

America, let me state now unequivocally that when it came to valuing education, the Democratic Party stood united to give the students, teachers, and schools of this great nation the voice they deserve in Congress. We appealed to Congress to refrain from passing a bill that hurt far more than it helped. I am sad to announce that not a single Republican even abstained from voting for the bill. More concerned to stand with their party leadership than with the nuanced opinions of the American people, they hurriedly passed a flawed bill without question. Americans who care about education, take this chance to express your disapproval of a majority party that remains out of touch with the American people!

Sincerely,
Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson

LTE From Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi

Dear fellow Californians and Americans: I understand how you feel about love. And marriage. I understand that you feel it should not be restricted because of one's sexual orientation. Love is limitless, and I understand that. Coming from a district with a large LGBTQ population, the matter of marriage equality is of great importance to me. That is why I addressed this issue in my Recognition of Marriage Act of 2015. There has been great progress in many states across the country, and now 37 states allow same sex marriage. But there are still parts of the country that don’t recognize love the same way. In those states where it is not legal, same sex marriages performed in states where it is legal are not always recognized. This can cause burdens and setbacks for spouses and families in these states, and undermines the meaning of marriage itself. The Recognition of Marriage Act of 2015 seeks to remove this ability of states to refuse recognition by requiring them to recognize same-sex marriage completed in one state, by another state. In this way the distinction of freedom and equality America so prides itself on shall be preserved. Though HR 42 is currently in a holding pattern in the Domestic Committee, I am doing all I can to ensure it makes it to the Committee agenda, and, hopefully with bipartisan support, to the House Floor. I implore all of my fellow supporters of unrestricted love and acceptance, to write to their representatives and request support for this bill. Your representatives need to know how you feel, they need to know what you, the people, want. I also request any and all responses to my own position so I can answer questions and continue the conversation with you all as well. Please respond at the email lamccoy@westmont.edu. Thank you, and God Bless, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, CA-12th

A Message Back Home to the Great People of Maryland’s Fifth Congressional District

By Tanner Hendershot

Hello fellow Marylanders! I just wanted to share some great news that I was recently able to get the Keep Our Water Clean Act passed through the domestic committee, which will bring additional funding to the Chesapeake Bay for one year in order to help improve the quality of water found in the Bay as well as in surrounding rivers.

This Bill was not easy to get through committee, but with some helpful support from Congresswoman Slaughter and some excellent bipartisan negotiations, this Bill was passed through committee with overwhelming support. Previous bills helping to improve the water of the Chesapeake Bay area have passed through Congress with nearly-zero opposition, so I am hoping that this Bill will be on the agenda in our upcoming floor session, as determined by Speaker McCarthy, and will be passed with minimal opposition.

This Bill is not just great for our district, but this Bill will serve as a test run in order to be implemented all throughout the United States. My hope is that just as my fellow Democrats and Republicans can see the great value of this bill in America in order to help preserve the environment and provide additional jobs and cleaner sources of water to the great people of Maryland and eventually, all of the wonderful people of the United States of America.

Thank you so much for your support in re-electing me into office and I look forward to continually serving your requests in Washington.

Warmly,
Steny Hoyer

The Money Committee Is Not Wasting Any Time

The Money Committee wasted no time in passing legislation in their first week in session. The committee, chaired by Rep. Steve King passed two bills: HR 25 Penny Abolishment Act and HR 15 Management of the Farm.

Rep. Tom Cole's Penny Abolishment Act calls for the stopping of penny production immediately. The bill features a 5-year faze out period or the penny ending in fiscal year 2020. While Cole's bill does make an effort to cut costs, the savings are minuscule. In addition, the penny faze out defaces one of our great American heroes, President Lincoln. Will the money committee find another way to honor Lincoln?

The Management of the Farm, written by Rep. Virginia Foxx proposes a much larger cut in government spending that if passed, will likely have a material effect on federal budget savings. HR 15 consists of dramatic subsidy cuts given to agricultural firms around the United States. Amazingly, HR 15 passed in one session with few amendments. Members from the money committee, many of which have robust agriculture industries in their home districts, are beginning to face criticism from their constituents.

Domestic Committee Passing Bills with Record Speed

Our congress has had a reputation for gridlock and inefficiency for years. However, the 2015 SimCong Domestic Committee is proving the pundits wrong. After only two days of committee, members have passed three bills. HR 10, a bill about common core education was passed with only a few amendments, and HR 24, Speaker McCarthy's Veteran's Mental Health bill, was passed unanimously on the first day of committee. 

One measure of efficiency in congress is certainly the amount of bills that get passed. However, the American public has been raising concerns that the substance of the bills is a bit lacking.

"It's good to see things moving in congress again, but I just feel like none of these bills really do anything to help Joe the plumber" said Joe the plumber. "I wish I saw more impactful changes coming out of our leaders."

We will have to wait and see what happens in the coming weeks. All eyes are on the GOP to see if they can make some important changes to our legislative system. 

Open Letter to Members of Congress from the President of the United States

Open Letter to Members of Congress from the President of the United States

To My Esteemed Colleagues in Congress:

I write today to lay out my vision for the future.  Americans, as they always have done, have emerged from serious difficulties with resolve and determination.  Unemployment is half of what it was four years ago; gas prices are low; the stock market has reached record highs; and we are ending our long war in Afghanistan.  Our great nation is back on track and I am bullish about the future of America.  Nevertheless, serious work remains.  The economic rebound of the last few years has not been felt by all Americans; the middle-class is shrinking; and serious foreign policy challenges exist in the Middle East and Ukraine.  Now is not the time for politics-as-usual.  We need to work together to ensure that all Americans share in the fruits of this great nation.   

Therefore, I am laying out an ambitious agenda to secure the promise of the American Dream for every one of our citizens.  I ask that you join with me to find common ground on the pressing issues of the day, many of which are squeezing our middle-class.  Therefore, I will ask that Congress:

• ·         Ensure that every 4 year old child has access to preschool. 
• ·         Raise the federal minimum wage to $9.
• ·         Protect our children’s future by passing cap-and-trade legislation limiting carbon emissions.
• ·         Invest in our nations’ infrastructure, but upgrading our roads, bridges, and technology.
• ·         Ensure fairness in our tax system so that each person pays their fair share.
• ·         Avoid budgetary brinksmanship and manage the deficit without hurting those most vulnerable to draconian cuts. 
• ·         Protect our communities by taking guns out of the hands of criminals.
• ·         Recognize that our country is a great melting pot and provide immigrants a path to citizenship.
• ·         Provide the executive branch with the resources necessary to defeat ISIL.   
• ·         Close the prison at Guantanamo Bay. 

I recognize that my Republican control Congress.  I realize, too, that they expect to govern.  However, I warn my good friends against sending me legislation that I will veto.  This includes:

• ·         Any new sanctions on Iran.
• ·         Draconian budget cuts to essential services.
• ·         Any attempt to defund or eliminate the Affordable Care Act.

This is not the time for gridlock and inaction.  This is the golden moment in our great nation’s future and it takes responsible action from Washington to ensure that all Americans wake up to a bright and promising future. 

God bless you and God bless The United States of America.

Sincerely,

Barack Obama 

Outrage Over GOP Floundering

As the hard-working American spends their day forwarding the interests of our great country, the members of Congress are wasting time and holding hands as they pass useless pieces of legislation. The lethargic nature of Congress is not surprising to the American people, but what is surprising is the handholding that's occurring across the isle. The members that we have elected are considering legislature that reduces key funding to our closest allies such as Israel. After hearing about recent events occurring in Washington Thomas Dine, a head lobbyist for AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee), stated, "The very fact that committed members of the GOP are considering reducing funds toward Israel is a crime. The great nation of Israel has always prioritized the needs of the United States and passing a legislation that leaves Israel defenseless would effectively end the friendly terms that currently exist." Going forward, the GOP needs to tread carefully and prioritize the needs of those who voted for them over their desire to reach across the isle.

Letter to the Editor: Our Representatives Don't Really Represent Us

Dear Editor,

With this new election and the change in power, I was hopeful that our representatives at the Capitol would stand up for the interests their constituents, but as of now, I am sorely disappointed. There has been all this talk in Congress on how important our veterans are and how measures must be taken to care for them, yet very little is being done.

As someone who has a brother recently returned from a tour in Afghanistan, I was glad to learn of the pilot program for expanded veterans services that was being reviewed by the money committee. Yet, this bill was passed committee with the program only approved for Fort Campbell, TN. It is unfair that my brother, who could benefit from the expansion of mental health services encompassed in this program, is ineligible simply because he is not from Tennessee.

If our representatives truly cared about serving their constituents, they would have fought harder to bring this pilot program back to their districts. I call upon my fellow voters to remember this when the next election roles around. Let us keep in mind who will actually represent us the next time around.

Sincerely,
An Angry Voter