In addition to its fortitude, the resilience of the human spirit is also truly inspirational. Last week, I had the opportunity to reconnect with another survivor, Paul Martin Andrews, thanks to In Session TV. As part of a survivor profile of Martin, I sat down with In Session TV to discuss my work in creating Virginia’s Civil Commitment of Sexually Violent Predators program and my work with Martin. Read more »
ENERGY EQUALS JOBS
In a well coordinated photo, now featured on the Department of Energy’s website, President Obama recently stood amid a sea of solar panels at the Copper Mountain Solar Project, located just outside of Las Vegas, NV. The President was there in support of his Administration’s efforts to promote “green energy.” This one million solar panel facility, built on… Read more »
ENERGY EQUALS JOBS
On April 18, 1977, President Jimmy Carter said, “Because we are now running out of gas and oil, we must prepare quickly for a third change, to strict conservation and to the use of coal and permanent renewable energy sources, like solar power.” Two things about this statement shock me. Nearly forty years have passed since Carter made these remarks and oil… Read more »
Budgeting for the Future
John Adams once said, "There are two ways to enslave a nation. One is by the sword. The other is by debt." With our nation's debt quickly approaching $16 trillion, America must heed the advice of John Adams and avoid being financially enslaved.
I was elected to help change the way we do business in Washington and to make tough decisions – not just… Read more »
President’s Health Care Plan – Two Years Later
Two years ago last week, the President signed his controversial health care bill into law. This week, ironically, the Supreme Court will hear roughly six hours of oral arguments to determine if several provisions of the law are constitutional.
To be clear, the health care system in our country does need reform, but that reform should… Read more »
Sadly, this week we reflect on two terrible tragedies that significantly impacted our district.
Buchanan County Shooting Anniversary
On March 13, 2011, the Ninth Congressional District and the law enforcement community suffered a terrible loss. In a horrific shooting, two deputies of the Buchanan County Sheriff's Department were killed and two seriously injured in the line… Read more »
Protecting and Preserving Medicare
While Republicans in Congress have attempted to find practical solutions to this growing crisis, President Obama’s “solution” is to put more Washington bureaucrats in charge and cut billions out of Medicare. One example of this “solution” was the creation of the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) in ObamaCare (PPACA). IPAB is a board… Read more »
Virginia Loses a Hero
On Thursday, February 23rd, Virginia and our nation lost a true hero. Sergeant T.J. Conrad – just 22 years old – was killed in action in the Nangarhar Province of Afghanistan. Sgt. Conrad was outgoing, determined, and a man of true grit. He truly personified the Army's old slogan – Be All You Can Be.
I wish to extend my… Read more »
Talking with Students
One of the more fun things I get to do as a Congressman is talk with our students, the leaders of tomorrow. Over the last year, I’ve had the pleasure of speaking at more than twenty schools throughout the district. After introducing myself, I then open the floor for the students to ask questions. With each visit, I have become more and more impressed with… Read more »
I had the distinct honor of speaking at the Pellissippi District of the Sequoyah Council Boy Scouts of America Awards Banquet in Abingdon on Saturday evening. At this event, the volunteers and leaders were recognized for their dedication, accomplishments, and service. Read more »
