As a Member of the House Armed Services Committee, I have the opportunity to work on a variety of issues important to the Hampton Roads region. The 2nd Congressional District of Virginia is home to the Atlantic Fleet, the 1st Fighter Wing and a host of other major military commands, as well as defense-related private industry and manufacturing. I believe it is important that the private sector and the military work hand-in-hand to provide our fighting men and women with the most up-to-date technology and I am working to ensure that our all-volunteer military, as well as our intelligence community, has the tools it needs to keep our country safe during these turbulent times of increased terrorism and assaults against democracy. Keeping our country safe is my #1 priority.
We are at a critical point in our nation’s history. The vicious attacks of September 11th changed our nation forever, forcing us into a Global War on Terror. I am confident that our efforts to take the fight to the enemy, disrupting their networks and creating confusion and fear amongst the terrorists, have made us safer here at home. However, we will never escape the threat of terrorism, and I believe we must remain eternally vigilant and use every tool at our disposal to ensure there is never a repeat of that terrible day in 2001. Unfortnately, the temporary extension and reform of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), the Protect America Act (PAA), was allowed to expire in February of 2008, making it extremely difficult to listen to the conversations of our enemies. Our intelligence community needs the tools offered by the PAA and ensuring they have them is a top priority of mine.
The proudest moments I have spent on the Armed Services Committee have been with the young men and women that make up our Armed Forces. I have been on two separate Congressional delegation trips to Iraq, and each time, I have gained a deeper understanding of the sacrifices that they endure in defense of our nation. Before 9/11, I worried that if America ever needed our young people, they would not go. Well, I was proven wrong. Today, we cannot talk about the Global War on Terror without mentioning the 922,000 heroes who have voluntarily served our Nation, going to a land that most have never been to, to liberate a people most have never met. I am constantly astounded by the dedication, professionalism and heart of the young men and women who make up our military.
My position on the Armed Services Committee also affords me the opportunity to closely work on another issue that is vital to the economy of the Hampton Roads region as well as to our national security: shipbuilding. Many of my constituents are concerned about the rising cost of naval ships and I share those concerns. It is vital that American shipbuilders remain competitive in today’s emerging global marketplace and I intend to pursue legislative efforts - such as adding funds to the federal budget to procure two Virginia-class submarines per year - to ensure that we maintain those jobs in the 2nd District.
