Iran Nuclear Deal... Obamacare... And More...

Statement

THANKSGIVING IS JUST DAYS AWAY and as Americans gather with friends and family through the entire holiday season, it's important that we take a moment to reflect on the men and women of the armed forces, especially those who are contributing to the U.S. mission in Afghanistan. As we extend our gratitude to our military, we also must not forget the military families that have sacrificed so much.

And to all Americans--I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL--On the heels of this weekend's nuclear agreement with Iran, there's a lot of interest in what might happen next. Check out this primer from CNN. If Iran fails to live up to its end of the bargain, specific to its nuclear program, there is the threat of new layers of sanctions. Meanwhile, over the next six months, Iran will receive relief that will translate into billions of dollars.

My view is that Iran has consistently showed that it cannot be trusted. The roadside bomb threat in Iraq was coordinated and elevated at the direction of the Iranians. Similar problems exist in Afghanistan. The Assad regime in Syria is still benefiting from Iranian involvement while terrorist organizations still receive funding, weapons and training from Iran. None of this provides reassurance that Iran will honor its end of the agreement.

Also, as I wrote in USA Today, the race to halt a nuclear ambitious Iran is eerily reminiscent of America's sprint more than two decades ago to halt North Korea's development of nuclear weapons. The negotiated agreement ignores all of Iran's existing centrifuges and therefore risks having no measurable impact on Iran's nuclear program.

AT HOME, THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION IS STILL REPAIRING THE FAILED HEALTH CARE WEBSITE while also attempting to address structural aspects of the Affordable Care Act that have forced a growing number of Americans off their health care plans. Most recently, President Obama provided insurance companies an opportunity to extend cancelled health plans, consistent with the promise that individuals who like their health care plan and their doctors can keep both. The problem is that insurances companies and states are under no legal requirement to do so--as the case with California, which is not reinstating cancelled plans.

Last week, a bipartisan House voted to pass H.R. 3350, the Keep your Health Plan Act, which amends federal law to ensure anyone opting to keep their plan wouldn't face financial penalties and allows insurers to sell existing plans to new customers. In a bit of irony: despite bipartisan support for H.R. 3550, a veto threat was issued by the President.

ALREADY OBAMACARE ENROLLMENT FOR 2015 HAS BEEN DELAYED BY ONE MONTH, extending the open enrollment period from November 15, 2014 to January 15, 2015. And just days from now, on November 30th, administration officials have guaranteed that the enrollment site will be completely repaired and operational--two months after its debut on October 1. Meanwhile, CNBC reported Monday that it could take as long as a year to "secure the risk of high exposure of personal information on the federal Obamacare online exchange."

WHAT'S YOUR OBAMACARE EXPERIENCE? Good or bad, please let me know about your experiences from navigating the website and exchanges, to any concerns/satisfaction with program costs.

FOLLOWING A REPORT THAT DRUG CARTELS EXPLOIT THE ASYLUM SYSTEM, I immediately wrote to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), recommending that his committee evaluate asylum claims through the San Diego region. The Judiciary Committee is currently evaluating reports that Mexican drug cartels and other foreign nationals are taking advantage of holes in the U.S. asylum system.

AFGHANISTAN COMBAT AWARDS UNDER REVIEW AFTER LOST MEDAL OF HONOR--Through several inquiries to the Department of Defense Inspector General, it was revealed that the U.S. command in Afghanistan regularly loses awards, has unreliable processes and inadequate tracking systems. U.S. Central Command is now reviewing the combat awards process and system in light of the lost Medal of Honor nomination for former Army Captain Will Swenson.

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