Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON D.C. Last week the House passed two bills that will improve our counterterrorism efforts. I also gave a speech on the House floor honoring a local Marine who recently died while serving our nation. Additionally in this newsletter I will give my reaction to the presidents plan to close Guantanamo Bay and an update regarding the VAs attempt to relocate the PTSD program from the Doris Miller VA Medical Center in Waco to Temple.
Stopping the VA from attempting to move Doris Miller VA Medical Center PTSD Program away from Waco
A couple of weeks ago our office was advised that the VA was contemplating a move of the Post-Traumatic Stress Residential Rehabilitation Program (PRRP) from the Doris Miller VA Medical Center in Waco to Temple. Our Team researched this issue and began working with local and state stakeholders including local veterans to put the brakes on this move. In addition to those efforts we wrote a strongly worded letter to the Secretary of the Veterans Administration expressing our deep concerns about the VAs contemplated move. We also advised the VA that the PRRP is an integral part of our local VA PTSD Center of Excellence and that the intent of Congress is that the PRRP and the Center of Excellence are to remain located in Waco. Lastly we reminded them that separating the PRRP program from the Doris Miller VA Medical Center would be detrimental to the ongoing research and care being done at the center.
Fortunately within 24 hours of the delivery of our letter to the VA Secretary we received a call from the VA advising us that they would NOT be moving the PRRP to Temple! We thanked them for their decision and for heeding our concerns regarding their contemplated move.
The Doris Miller VA Medical Center provides critical services to Central Texas veterans and the campuss VISN 17 Center of Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans provides critical advancements in the understanding and treatment of veterans suffering from PTSD and mental health issues. One of the programs crucial to the mission of the Center of Excellence is the PRRP. Keeping all of the programs within the Center of Excellence and a part of the Doris Miller campus provides the most effective care for our veterans and I will continue working to make sure that this standard remains.
I am pleased that this matter was resolved so quickly for our Central Texas veterans. I also want to thank our state and local stakeholders for their help with this important project State Senator Brian Birdwell State Representative Doc Anderson McLennan County Veteran Service Officer Steve Hernandez employees at the Doris Miller VA Medical Center and dozens of local veterans. Their assistance was invaluable to helping our Team stop this move.
Improving Counterterrorism
Improving our nations national and homeland security is one of my top priorities in Congress. Last week the House passed two bills to improve counterterrorism efforts and close security gaps. The National Strategy to Combat Terrorist Travel Act requires the president to create a plan for a national strategy to ensure that our defenses against terrorist travel are streamlined and that existing security gaps are closed. The Foreign Fighter Review Act will help gather and provide the information necessary to stop foreign fighters from traveling overseas to fight with IS and then returning to the United States. While more must be done these bills take great steps forward to improve national security. I along with my fellow House colleagues remain committed to combating the growing terrorist threat and preventing those who wish to do harm to America from traveling into the United States.
Guantanamo Bay
On Tuesday the White House released its plan" to close the Guantanamo Bay prison. The Administrations continued push to close Guantanamo Bay violates current law and is completely irresponsible given our ever-increasing global threats. This proposed plan violates Congressional statutes and violates the will of the American people. Closing Guantanamo Bay and transferring dangerous terrorists to communities in the United States endangers the lives of hardworking American families. House Conservatives will continue to promote measures securing the future of Guantanamo Bay and working to ensure that Americans are protected at home and abroad. Our nations security should be the presidents number one priority not his faulty campaign promises.
Honoring USMC Major Campbell
Last month we lost 12 Marines during a helicopter training accident off the coast of Hawaiis Oahu Island. One of those Marines was from the 17th Congressional District Major Shawn Campbell of College Station. He served four tours in the Middle East earning numerous awards and decorations. As I do for each of our fallen heroes from the district I spoke on the House floor in his honor to celebrate his service and sacrifice to our nation. The loss of Major Campbell and his fellow Marines serves as a reminder of the sacrifices the men and women of our armed forces make each day to ensure that our great nation remains free. With his death our district has lost 10 military personnel since I was sworn into office in January 2011. We are forever indebted to all of these individuals who have given their all to serve our country.
Looking Ahead
In the week ahead the House will continue working to restore a confident America by building a bold forward-looking agenda that tackles our five big challenges: national security; jobs and economic growth; health care; poverty; and restoring Congressional authority under our constitution.
As always I encourage each of you to continue praying for our country during these challenging times and for our military personnel and first responders who protect us each day
Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON D.C. Last week the House passed two bills that will improve our counterterrorism efforts. I also gave a speech on the House floor honoring a local Marine who recently died while serving our nation. Additionally in this newsletter I will give my reaction to the presidents plan to close Guantanamo Bay and an update regarding the VAs attempt to relocate the PTSD program from the Doris Miller VA Medical Center in Waco to Temple.
Stopping the VA from attempting to move Doris Miller VA Medical Center PTSD Program away from Waco
A couple of weeks ago our office was advised that the VA was contemplating a move of the Post-Traumatic Stress Residential Rehabilitation Program (PRRP) from the Doris Miller VA Medical Center in Waco to Temple. Our Team researched this issue and began working with local and state stakeholders including local veterans to put the brakes on this move. In addition to those efforts we wrote a strongly worded letter to the Secretary of the Veterans Administration expressing our deep concerns about the VAs contemplated move. We also advised the VA that the PRRP is an integral part of our local VA PTSD Center of Excellence and that the intent of Congress is that the PRRP and the Center of Excellence are to remain located in Waco. Lastly we reminded them that separating the PRRP program from the Doris Miller VA Medical Center would be detrimental to the ongoing research and care being done at the center.
Fortunately within 24 hours of the delivery of our letter to the VA Secretary we received a call from the VA advising us that they would NOT be moving the PRRP to Temple! We thanked them for their decision and for heeding our concerns regarding their contemplated move.
The Doris Miller VA Medical Center provides critical services to Central Texas veterans and the campuss VISN 17 Center of Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans provides critical advancements in the understanding and treatment of veterans suffering from PTSD and mental health issues. One of the programs crucial to the mission of the Center of Excellence is the PRRP. Keeping all of the programs within the Center of Excellence and a part of the Doris Miller campus provides the most effective care for our veterans and I will continue working to make sure that this standard remains.
I am pleased that this matter was resolved so quickly for our Central Texas veterans. I also want to thank our state and local stakeholders for their help with this important project State Senator Brian Birdwell State Representative Doc Anderson McLennan County Veteran Service Officer Steve Hernandez employees at the Doris Miller VA Medical Center and dozens of local veterans. Their assistance was invaluable to helping our Team stop this move.
Improving Counterterrorism
Improving our nations national and homeland security is one of my top priorities in Congress. Last week the House passed two bills to improve counterterrorism efforts and close security gaps. The National Strategy to Combat Terrorist Travel Act requires the president to create a plan for a national strategy to ensure that our defenses against terrorist travel are streamlined and that existing security gaps are closed. The Foreign Fighter Review Act will help gather and provide the information necessary to stop foreign fighters from traveling overseas to fight with IS and then returning to the United States. While more must be done these bills take great steps forward to improve national security. I along with my fellow House colleagues remain committed to combating the growing terrorist threat and preventing those who wish to do harm to America from traveling into the United States.
Guantanamo Bay
On Tuesday the White House released its plan" to close the Guantanamo Bay prison. The Administrations continued push to close Guantanamo Bay violates current law and is completely irresponsible given our ever-increasing global threats. This proposed plan violates Congressional statutes and violates the will of the American people. Closing Guantanamo Bay and transferring dangerous terrorists to communities in the United States endangers the lives of hardworking American families. House Conservatives will continue to promote measures securing the future of Guantanamo Bay and working to ensure that Americans are protected at home and abroad. Our nations security should be the presidents number one priority not his faulty campaign promises.
Honoring USMC Major Campbell
Last month we lost 12 Marines during a helicopter training accident off the coast of Hawaiis Oahu Island. One of those Marines was from the 17th Congressional District Major Shawn Campbell of College Station. He served four tours in the Middle East earning numerous awards and decorations. As I do for each of our fallen heroes from the district I spoke on the House floor in his honor to celebrate his service and sacrifice to our nation. The loss of Major Campbell and his fellow Marines serves as a reminder of the sacrifices the men and women of our armed forces make each day to ensure that our great nation remains free. With his death our district has lost 10 military personnel since I was sworn into office in January 2011. We are forever indebted to all of these individuals who have given their all to serve our country.
Looking Ahead
In the week ahead the House will continue working to restore a confident America by building a bold forward-looking agenda that tackles our five big challenges: national security; jobs and economic growth; health care; poverty; and restoring Congressional authority under our constitution.
As always I encourage each of you to continue praying for our country during these challenging times and for our military personnel and first responders who protect us each day
