Issue Position: Keeping America Safe at Home and Abroad

Issue Position

Supporting Our Military and Fighting Additional Defense Cuts

I am a staunch supporter of our men and women in uniform. As the Chairman of the House Armed Services' Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, I have had the privilege of fighting to give back to our sailors, soldiers, airman, and marines. The First District is home to Marine Base Quantico, NSWC Dahlgren, and Fort AP Hill, as well as many Department of Defense civilians. I am dedicated to reliable, sustainable funding for our Armed Forces. It is critical that we provide the resources to allow these brave men and women to carry out their missions. This year my piece of legislation, the SHIPS Act, was signed into law. It makes it our national policy to work towards a 355-Navy. A number I believe is necessary to combat increasing global threats.

I am committed to our nation's veterans. We must protect the benefits that these men and women have earned through their selfless service to their country. We must also take care of their families -- the support systems that allow them to protect us. During my ten years in Congress, I have been fighting to preserve the benefits for our soldiers and their families, as well as improve the Veterans Administration. In fact, I have introduced several pieces of legislation to fix some of the problems I have heard from constituents in the First District. This legislation would conduct a review of the Veteran's Care Program (HR1797), give more flexibility and innovation to veteran care by expanding partnerships with qualified Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) and education institutions (HR1798), and change the policies for determining service-related disabilities and record sharing to provide faster care (HR1799). I have also supported legislation that expands opportunities the VA CHOICE Program to allow them to receive care both faster and outside the VA system.

Source