Defense and National Security
The security of our homeland is fundamental to our way of life.
-Dr. Heck
I have a deep admiration and appreciation for my fellow servicemen and women and their families. As an active member of the Army Reserve and a graduate of the U.S. Army War College with a Masters of Strategic Studies, our nation’s security is an area of particular interest. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, I am fully committed to improving the welfare and quality of life for both current members of our Armed Services and our veterans, while ensuring we keep our nation safe and secure.
With continued unrest in the Middle East, escalating tensions involving Russia in Eastern Europe, and Chinese aggression in the Pacific, a robust national security strategy is needed now more than ever. The times and global situation require that the United States be more engaged and demonstrate leadership as new threats emerge and leverage our full capabilities - military, intelligence, economic, diplomatic, - to maintain our edge as a global super power.
Military Suicide
As a Member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel, I spend considerable time working to improve the quality of life for our brave service men and women once they return home. One way I am trying to do that is by reducing military suicides. Sadly, in 2013, 479 active duty, Reserves, and National Guard suicides occurred. As a military health care provider, I have had firsthand experience with this issue that continues to plague our troops and their families.
I am working with my colleagues to find ways to ensure our service men and women have access to support and resources if they are having a problem and to lessen the stigma often associated with asking for help. By training front line leaders to identify the early signs of someone within their command who may be contemplating suicide and teaching them the appropriate responses to such cases, we will hopefully make meaningful progress in reducing military suicides.
To that end, the Military Personnel Subcommittee held a hearing on military suicide prevention where I had the chance to speak. To watch my full statement, click here.
Sexual Assault
Another issue of deep concern is sexual assault within the military. We have seen an uptick in incidents recently, particularly involving women targeted by supervisors, instructors, or superior officers. Acts of sexual assault committed by those in power and under the guise of authority are reprehensible and have no place in the United States armed forces or elsewhere. Our military leaders must be more responsive and helpful to victims of sexual assault, and we should ensure that the path to justice does not subject the victims to further trauma as they recover.
In joined with Congressman Mike Turner (OH) to introduce H.R. 2206, the No Tolerance Act of 2013, which would require the establishment of uniform regulations defining inappropriate and prohibited relationships between military personnel in supervisory roles and new members of the military. It would also require that any military personnel found in violation of those regulations to, at minimum, be processed for separation from the service. The No Tolerance Act was added as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2014. In addition, the Department of Defense adopted a provision based on this legislation as part of a round of measures aimed at preventing sexual assault in the military.
Stolen Valor Act
In 2006 before I was in office, Congress passed a law making it a crime to lie about one's military awards. Recently, the Supreme Court struck down this law as unconstitutional, stating that making these types of false statements is protected under free speech. I am a strong supporter of the Constitution, but I nevertheless believe that individuals should not benefit from lying about military service they did not perform.
That is why I introduced H.R. 258, the Stolen Valor Act. H.R. 258 makes it a crime for an individual to misrepresent their military service with the intention of obtaining anything of value. My legislation protects the sanctity of military service and awards, while at the same time following the guidance of the Supreme Court to prevent the bill from infringing on our First Amendment rights. H.R. 258 will ensure that those who served and sacrificed are properly recognized and prevent those seeking false praise from benefitting from the service of others. In May of 2013 both the House and Senate passed the Stolen Valor Act and on June 3, 2013, the President signed it into law.
Military Pay and Benefits
While I believe that we need to reduce our federal debt and deficit, I do not support doing it on the backs of our military veterans. As an active member of the Army Reserve for more than 23 years, there is no higher priority than providing for the welfare of our servicemen and women, and ensuring a robust military.
That is why I voted in support of H.R. 4435, the NDAA for 2015. This legislation rejects the President's damaging cuts to veteran's benefits and career retention incentives. Instead, the House passed NDAA supports a 1.8% annual increase in troop pay and makes no changes to housing allowances. Furthermore, this bill supports the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission; a group tasked with studying and making recommendations on military retirement and pension spending. Until this report is released and its recommendations are fully reviewed and debated, I strongly believe that Congress should not consider any changes to TRICARE, commissary, and other benefits for military personnel. Further, any reform proposal must honor the commitment our country made to our veterans and service members by grandfathering current beneficiaries.
I believe it is irresponsible to break promises we made to those who have sacrificed so much in defense of this country. Doing so will break faith with our military and undermine our efforts to recruit and retain quality personnel into our Armed Forces.
For more information concerning my work and views on the issues of Defense and National Security, please contact my Washington, DC office.