Senator Pat Toomey's E-Update

Statement

Maintaining A Strong Defense:

Working to keep Bradley Fighting Vehicle funding

Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.) and I have urged Secretary of the Army John McHugh to consider maintaining funding for Bradley Fighting Vehicle manufacturing in future budget requests. The Bradley Fighting Vehicle is manufactured by BAE Systems in York and Fayette Counties with suppliers across the country.

In our bipartisan letter, we commended the Army for its recent budgetary report to the House Appropriations Committee. The report details the Army's plans to use a portion of the $140 million for the modernization of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle during fiscal years 2014 and 2015.

We also asked Secretary McHugh to consider funding modernization of additional vehicles as the Army develops its budget for fiscal year 2015 and beyond. Continued manufacturing would protect the Bradley industrial base by preventing the loss of engineering talent, a skilled workforce and key suppliers across the United States.

Urging Tougher Sanctions On Iran

With a bipartisan group of senators, I have urged President Obama to halt Iran's dangerous development of nuclear weapons.

The surprising and decisive election of Iran's new president, Hassan Rhouhani, presents President Obama with an opportunity to stem nuclear proliferation in the region.

I am urging President Obama to tighten sanctions on Iran while demanding that the Rhouhani Regime be more forthcoming during negotiations regarding its nuclear program. I also urge Iran's compliance with a United Nations Security Council resolution which calls for the cessation of all uranium enrichment activities.

The election of Hassan Rhouhani as President of Iran is a clear sign that the Iranian people have grown weary of the Ayatollah Khamenei and his policies. Ensuring that Iran does not possess nuclear capabilities is essential to Middle East security and our nation's interests. With new Iranian leadership in place, now is the ideal time for President Obama to step up and demand that Iran stop all development of nuclear weapons.

Working To Honor Vietnam Veterans

I am working on a bipartisan resolution with Sens. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) and Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) to honor the veterans who served in Vietnam by designating March 29th as "Vietnam Veterans Day." This day marks the anniversary of the complete withdrawal of combat and combat support units from South Vietnam.

Many of the individuals who answered the call to serve in Vietnam did not receive the warm welcome they deserved when they came home. It is fitting that we officially and permanently recognize them now.

"It's outstanding that Sen. Toomey is working to support and honor our Vietnam vets. Sen. Toomey's overall work on behalf of veterans is commendable and we thank Sen. Toomey for all his efforts," said Steven Ryersbach, Past State Commander - AMVETS Department of Pennsylvania.

Fighting Unreasonable EPA Regulations

Last week, despite objections from a bipartisan group of senators including myself, the Environmental Protection Agency decided to raise biofuel usage requirements under the Renewable Fuel Standard.

This unwise decision by the Obama Administration will force Americans to purchase more than 16 billion gallons of biofuels - mainly corn ethanol - in the coming year. This increase represents a jump of nearly 9 percent over last year's requirement, and will likely drive up food and fuel prices for all Americans.

Congress must act to stop this absurd mandate from harming our economy. I am proud to cosponsor bipartisan legislation to repeal the RFS in its entirety.

Source