View from the Capitol - Congresswoman Hartzler's Weekly Newsletter for the Week of February 23-27, 2015

Statement

It was a busy week in Washington. In the House we passed important legislation aimed at making saving for college easier. H.R. 529 is a bill that would bring 529 savings plans into the 21st century and help Missouri families save for college. Many Missourians rely on these plans to make college more affordable. This bill expands and strengthens the 529 savings tool so that to allow for items such as computer equipment and technology to be treated as qualified expenses. By being able to purchase these items with money from 529 plans, more money stays in your pocket.

Additionally, I led a Congressional Delegation to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, at the beginning of this week to see the detainee operations, examine the facilities, and get information on the transfer of detainees from the facility. As the Chairwoman of the House Armed Services Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, it was important I see this operation firsthand in order to provide knowledgeable oversight on this issue. I am very concerned that terrorists are being transferred away from Guantanamo and, in some cases, are returning to the fight against us. The Administration's insistence in transferring these terrorists means more and more of them are capable of harming Americans. We will continue to conduct robust oversight of the transfer process to ensure these terrorists are not able to return to take up arms against us.

While at Guantanamo, I was happy and privileged to meet with a group of Army Reservists from Missouri who are currently serving at Guantanamo Bay. I am always humbled when I see and hear of the selfless service that our men and women in uniform display. I am proud to represent these fine gentlemen. I commend them and all of our nation's veterans for their service and sacrifices.

Congresswoman Hartzler with a group of Army Reservists from Missouri. (Left to right) Congresswoman Hartzler, Sergeant First Class Barton, Staff Sergeant Manary, Staff Sergeant Ferguson, Staff Sergeant Hounschell, Sergeant Killian, Sergeant Reaves, and Private First Class Flanigan

In addition to the House's legislative and oversight work, I was visited by some wonderful Missourians to discuss their issues, hear their ideas, and address their questions.

I was pleased to meet with Beth Dessem, Executive Director for the Missouri Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for Children Association, and discuss the great work CASA is doing on behalf of abused and neglected children in Missouri. I served on the board of CASA in Cass County a few years ago, and I can't say enough good things about this program. CASA links trained and compassionate volunteers with children who have to navigate the court system due to abuse, to make sure those children have the support and advocacy they need and deserve. Congratulations go to Beth, who was recently awarded the prestigious Governor Mel Carnahan Public Service Award for her "significant public service to children and volunteers throughout the state of Missouri." Keep up the good work.

Peggy Kenney, the Cedar County Clerk, and her husband Lynden also stopped by my office. We discussed the effects of the federal government's burdensome regulations - an issue that continues to plague far too many Missourians. Agencies like the EPA continue to impose rule after rule that only hurts our businesses and towns, as they struggle to comply with these oppressive regulations. We must do everything we can to oppose the heavy hand of our federal government that continues to harm our hard-working farmers, businesses, manufacturers, counties, and citizens. I appreciated their visit.

I was also glad to meet with Dick and Carolyn Sanford. Dick, the Commander of the 7th District of the Missouri American Legion, has been a great resource for me on military and veterans issues in Missouri-4. Our great district is home to approximately 60,000 veterans, active duty and otherwise, and I am extremely proud and honored to represent them in Washington. They have nobly served our country. Now it's time to make sure their country serves them back.

On another note, the House Armed Services Committee held a hearing this week aimed at getting outside perspectives on the President's proposed Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) against ISIL. Congress has a very important role in providing oversight on issues such as this, and given the gravity of the threat ISIL poses, we owe it to the American people to provide thorough oversight of the President's proposal to ensure it will fully address the threats at hand.

Accordingly, I firmly believe that the federal government's primary job should be to provide for a strong national defense. The defense cuts brought on by the Budget Control Act, which I voted against, and sequestration are misguided and disastrous to our security posture. Rest assured, I will continue to fight to reverse these cuts and the devastating effects it poses to our country and our brave men and women in uniform.

Because of my firm belief in this, I will start next week in the district, attending the Supplemental Programmatic Environmental Assessment Listening Session at Fort Leonard Wood on Monday evening. I, along with other elected officials and community leaders, oppose the Army's proposed elimination of uniformed and civilian jobs at Fort Leonard Wood and will make our voices heard. We must speak out for our service members, their families, and the surrounding community -- they are the core of our national defense and the lifeblood of our communities. Fort Leonard Wood is a proven Army asset that is vital to our national security, and I look forward to attending this Listening Session and seeing everyone there. We need as many people as possible to attend. We want to pack Nutter Fieldhouse. I hope you can come. Click here for more information on the SPEA listening session.

On a somber note, I was heartbroken to hear of Missouri State Auditor Tom Schweich's passing. He was a dedicated public servant who truly cared for and fought for Missourians. Tom's death is a true loss for Missouri. He brought a great level of professionalism and expertise to the Auditor's office, making Missouri better by rooting out government waste and corruption. My heart, thoughts, and prayers go out to his wife and children.

Sincerely,

Vicky Hartzler
Member of Congress

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