Weekly Report: Partisan Plan Threatens Military Pay

Statement

People come to Washington, D.C., from all across the country - many of them are good people that are here for the right reasons. We debate the issues and while we may have disagreements, at the end of the day, most are committed to representing their constituents back home and getting things done.

That's why I came here - to work together because it's time for action. I approach every day with the goal of moving our great country forward. I approach the issues as a watchdog conservative, because I am committed to standing up for the hardworking taxpayer. My mission is to be effective, because we need results in Washington.

The American people expect leadership, they expect action. There are a lot of patriots here in this city with a deep love of country. But there are some who are much more cynical. Unfortunately, there are a few in Congress who are intent to play games with the most basic function of our government - at the expense of those brave souls who are already risking life and limb for their country - just to score political points and pursue a partisan agenda.

You may have seen the reports that there is a faction in Congress that plans to hold up funding for our troops to use them as leverage to force tax increases and more government spending. There are some things that should be off-limits even in Washington and this is one of them. It should be no surprise this strategy was hatched behind closed doors, carefully coordinated to gain as much as possible off the backs of our men and women in uniform.

The plan is to stop a defense bill that pays our troops, cares for their families back home, and provides them the equipment necessary to keep them safe in faraway lands. They would do this in hopes of forcing concessions on the budget agreed to by Congress and President Obama several years ago. Some in Congress are so focused on their own partisan goals they have lost touch with why we are here.

One senator said, it's a "waste of time' to take up the defense bill, a bill that passed out of the Senate Armed Service Committee with overwhelming support, after the House passed its bill in a bipartisan vote. They are willing to hold hostage our service members' pay and equipment to force tax increases and more spending on government bureaucracies.

I wish this was a tall tale, but it is far too real. There are some in Congress planning to cut off our troops' supply line in order to pursue their own agenda. This is a new low. But it makes me more determined than ever to deliver a more efficient, effective and accountable federal government - one that works for the America people.

Men and women in uniform put their lives on the line to protect this great nation and they never shy away from their duty. Contrary to some here in Washington with partisan machinations, Congress has a duty of its own - to listen to the voice of the American people and support our armed forces.

I want you to know my door is always open to anyone that wants to work with me.

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