Defeating ISIS – An Update
In previous columns I have noted I am of the belief the President does not have the authority to wage an extended war on the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) without Congressional approval. I agree we must see that ISIS is destroyed. Unlike Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH), I believe like Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) that Congress must debate… Read more »
Bipartisan Agreement: Good Process, Good Policy / Bad Process, No Policy
On many occasions, I have taken issue with the modern interpretation of the Senate filibuster rule. The historical rule – as depicted in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington when Jimmy Stewart holds the floor with an impassioned filibuster that slowly changes the minds of his fellow senators – is a good process. … Read more »
Defeating the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)
I agree with Senator Tim Kaine’s (D-VA) comments last week that, “I don't believe that the President has the authority to quote ‘go on offense’ and wage an open-ended war on [ISIS] without Congressional approval.”
ISIS is a dangerous terrorist organization, and the threat they pose is real and growing. The evil being spread… Read more »
Immigration Reform Update
Since taking office, President Obama has promised to take action on immigration reform. He guaranteed he would do so in his first year in office. When the Democrats controlled the House and the Senate, he focused instead on other issues, including Obamacare.
More recently, in late June, the President said he planned to use his executive authority by… Read more »
Leading from Behind
Civilized people are appalled by the barbaric murder of American journalist Jim Foley by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). A week after ISIS distributed video of Foley’s tragic murder, President Obama in a press conference responded to questions about potential plans for action in Syria by saying, “We don’t have a strategy yet.”
Hmmmm. Is this… Read more »
Back to School
Many schools and universities throughout the Ninth District have returned from summer vacation over the past several weeks. As my children prepare to return to school, I can’t help but remember the excitement and anticipation I always felt leading up to a new school year.
For me, those feelings became especially heightened when teachers like my mother began heading… Read more »
“Please delete this email…”
Obamacare continues to have numerous problems and scandals. As a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, it is our job to oversee the implementation of Obamacare and what led up to its disastrous launch and its failed promises.
Nearly 10 months after the Committee asked on October 10, 2013 for documents relating to the law’s implementation, an… Read more »
Visit to Israel
Last week, I was part of a bipartisan congressional delegation fortunate enough to participate in an American Israel Educational Foundation (AIEF) fact-finding seminar in Israel. Especially given the recent conflict, this was a rigorous and substantive trip, featuring many high-level briefings with people of major political groups, American, Israeli, and Palestinian… Read more »
Protecting Veterans and our Border
Veterans
On Wednesday, July 30, the House of Representatives passed the Veterans’ Access to Care Through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act (H.R. 3230). Importantly, this bill will require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to allow eligible veterans to receive care outside of the VA system at non-VA facilities if that veteran… Read more »
Honoring M. Caldwell Butler
Milestones are important to remember and commemorate. July 27 has long been an important milestone in the Watergate scandal, and is certainly worth commemorating. I appreciate the Roanoke Times for reminding me in an editorial that this was the week that former Congressman M. Caldwell Butler made a stand. I remember the events well, but being… Read more »
