Blog: The Hill Report: Week of July 22 - 26, 2013

Statement

This week, the House approved the Department of Defense Appropriations Act of 2014 (H.R. 2397). I supported this bill because I believe that is critically important for Congress to properly support military readiness, fund critical security programs, and provide for the needs of our troops and their families. Building on House Republicans' efforts to rein in government spending, this year's Defense Appropriations bill reflects the difficult choices made to save taxpayer dollars without undermining the safety, security, or success of our armed forces.

I'm pleased to report that the House approved my amendment with Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA-01) to H.R. 2397 to fund a program that would expedite innovative treatments to active duty soldiers suffering from Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Earlier this year, I introduced the TBI Treatment Act (H.R. 2344) and the proposal was adopted as an amendment the National Defense Authorization Act(NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2014 in June.

My TBI initiative creates a five-year pilot program that allows military patients to receive care from private physicians who provide treatment options not currently available within military medical facilities. Physicians may qualify for payment from the Department of Defense through a "pay-for-performance" plan, meaning that they must prove that a patient has experienced demonstrable improvement in order to get paid. Safeguards ensure that our wounded warriors have access to safe and innovative private treatments while reserving payment only for treatments that have been proven to work.

Our nation's brave service men and women deserve nothing less than to receive the highest quality health care in America. I will continue to fight to provide them with the most effective treatments available, whether through government or private health care, and will update you on the progress of this important initiative.

Replacing the EPA's burdensome regulations

Also this week, the House approved the Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act of 2013 (H.R. 2218). This bill prevents the EPA from enacting proposed rules to regulate coal combustion residuals (CCRs) as hazardous waste, placing excessive uncertainty on the coal ash recycling industry. This overregulation could drive up energy costs for consumers and put more than 300,000 jobs at risk.

H.R. 2218 replaces the EPA's plan to impose new burdensome regulations with a sensible state-based program that will protect our environment without harming job creation. I was pleased to support this common-sense bill that focuses on getting Washington out of the way so that America's small businesses can grow and hire new workers. I urge the Senate and President to join us in empowering states, removing uncertainty and obstacles to economic growth, and protecting much-needed jobs. To learn more about the House Republican plan for job creation, visit: gop.gov/jobs.

AG Holder's Comments on Texas Voting Laws

On Thursday, Attorney General Eric Holder announced that the Department of Justice will target Texas' current voting laws in court. This announcement highlights the Attorney General and the Obama Administration's blatant disregard for the Supreme Court's recent ruling, our Constitution, and the basic principles of federalism.

I believe that the Administration is once again deliberately attempting to push its political agenda by selectively targeting Texas, but ultimately believe that the rule of law will prevail over politics. The leaders of our great state should be able to continue to preserve our fair election laws that represent the interests of all Texans.

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