GOSAR CONTINUES TO SUPPORT VETERANS AS HOUSE PASSES IMPORTANT LEGISLATION
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This past week, the House voted on a collection of bills seeking to improve the lives of our nation’s veterans. I'm proud to supported these eight pieces of legislation that seek to address, among other things, a broken Veterans Administration (VA) by holding the agency more accountable than ever and reforming a system in desperate need of repair. Additionally, these bills look to improve the appeals process within the VA as well as adjust the Cost-of-Living used in determining benefits.
As we observe Memorial Day this weekend, it’s important to remember that in our nation’s darkest hours, the members of our armed services have bravely fought to protect what we as Americans hold most dear—our freedom. And when these men and women return home and look to us for help and support, we owe it to them to make sure they receive the benefits they so rightfully earned. We can never fully repay those who have sacrificed so much for our country. Nevertheless, the eight bills we passed this week will undoubtedly improve the quality of life our veterans deserve.
The following bills passed the House this week and will now go to the Senate for consideration:
- H.R. 467, the VA Scheduling Accountability Act;
- H.R. 1005, a bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the provision of adult day health care services for veterans;
- H.R. 1162, No Heroes Left Untreated Act;
- H.R. 1329, Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2017;
- H.R. 1545, VA Prescription Data Accountability Act;
- H.R 1725, Quicker Veterans Benefits Delivery Act of 2017;
- H.R. 2052, the PRIVATE Act; and
- H.R. 2288, Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017.
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GOSAR INTRODUCES LAND EXCHANGE BILL TO FOSTER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND JOB CREATION IN RURAL ARIZONA
On May 24, 2017, I introduced H.R. 2360, which would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to convey Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land to La Paz County, Arizona, in order to create economic development opportunities and facilitate renewable electricity generation for the Western United States and released the following statement:
“I have long been an advocate of a true all-of-the-above energy strategy, and solar power is an integral part of a diverse, market-based energy mix. This bill will allow La Paz County to take advantage of one of their best assets, sunshine.”
“Because the immense federal footprint in the County leaves only roughly six percent of land available for taxable use, a land transfer is necessary for the County to secure enough space for this type of development. H.R. 2630 allows the County to secure title to 8,000 acres from the BLM for fair market value. The County can put this otherwise under-utilized land to more effective use by partnering with private renewable energy developers to create good-paying local jobs and build a diverse tax base to support basic public services. Supervisor Irwin and the County have done amazing work in helping craft this commonsense legislation.”
Following the introduction of H.R. 2630, La Paz County Supervisor Holly Irwin stated, “Congressman Gosar has his finger on the pulse of rural America to help jump start the economy of a western Arizona county in conveying a disturbed parcel of property that could instead act as an anchor to attract jobs and stimulate our local economy as we struggle under federal ownership that leaves less than 6% of private property available to support government-mandated services."
Background:
The full text of H.R. 2630 can be found HERE. Original cosponsors of the bill are Rep. Andy Biggs (AZ-05) and Rep. Trent Franks (AZ-08).
Senator Jeff Flake (R-AZ) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate.
La Paz County currently is working with Congressman Paul Gosar, from the Fourth Congressional District in Arizona, to facilitate the purchase of 8,000 acres of property from the BLM with the intent to develop large scale, solar generation facilities. The La Paz County Board of Supervisors’ intent is to create long-term, lease contracts with renewable energy project developers that respond to national demand to increase renewable power generation while also helping to create new sources of revenue to address the economic challenges inherent to a jurisdiction with almost 95% of the County’s property owned by Federal, State or Tribal governments.
There are a number of precedents setting examples of other Western Counties using legislation to seek the conveyance of federal lands to stimulate economic development in rural locations. La Paz County proposes to use a similar process to acquire a large parcel of property that could interconnect with the Ten West Link currently proposed to transect La Paz County.
CO-CHAIR OF INVENTOR'S CAUCUS CELEBRATES MAY AS INVENTOR'S MONTH
Our country has a rich legacy of inventors who have combatted some of history’s greatest challenges and used their unique gifts to upend the workings of the world. American innovators like Edison, Bell, George Washington Carver and the Wright Brothers have become household names across the country. On top of that, well-known inventions from the Internet to the garage owe themselves to the American spirit. American innovation and ingenuity is a foundation for our nation’s prosperity. This National Inventors Month, I hope we will all consider the contribution inventors have made to our nation.
This past week, I hosted our latest installment of the Western Caucus Monthly Member Meeting and Speaker Series with Special Guest EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt.
These roundtables are a unique opportunity for our members to meet with key members of the administration to discuss issues that are unique to their districts and the Western Caucus.
WESTERN CAUCUS MEMBERS SUPPORT WHITE HOUSE BUDGET
Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Paul A. Gosar D.D.S. (AZ-04) and Western Caucus members Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA-23), Rep. Doug LaMalfa, and Rep. Rick Crawford (AR-01) issued the following statements in reaction to the White House Budget that was released today:
“While no budget is perfect, I am pleased to see a serious proposal from the White House to tackle our country’s spending crisis and put us on sustainable path toward economic growth,” said Chairman Gosar. “Unlike the pipe-dream proposals put forth by the Obama Administration, this budget is grounded in sound policy and fiscal responsibility. Kudos to the Trump Administration for reducing bureaucratic blight within the EPA, supporting a true all-of-the-above energy strategy and providing much needed relief to rural communities and local stakeholders.”
Majority Leader McCarthy said, “The White House has produced a strong, conservative budget. While I continue to review the details, it’s obvious that the White House sticks to what is right by prioritizing defense and balancing the budget in ten years. This budget also focuses on the President’s priorities to shrink the size and scope of the federal government—and that’s good. For too long we have judged federal programs by how much we spend on them rather than on their outcomes. With a strong focus on program accountability, we can help people achieve self-sufficiency like we did with welfare reform in the 1990s. As Congress continues to work, this fiscally responsible budget is a great starting point in our effort to promote growth and create higher incomes and better lives for Americans and their families.”
Congressman LaMalfa stated, “I thank the President for submitting the first balanced budget proposal in ten years. I agree that defense and national security spending should be prioritized while many programs need to be scaled back. This is a good starting point, now the House will take that into account when crafting our own budget.”
“President Trump’s budget proposal finally addresses our growing national debt while still prioritizing our armed forces, which currently face a readiness crisis after years of neglect. However, the severe cuts to USDA programs don’t fully consider the current state of rural economies and the significant savings already generated by the last farm bill,” said Congressman Crawford. “As the House of Representatives builds upon the Administration’s budget blueprint, I will work with my colleagues on the House Agriculture Committee to advocate for producers and other programs vitally important to rural economies and a safe, reliable food source in the United States.”
As always, you can follow everything I am working on in Arizona and Washington, D.C. through my website (https://gosar.house.gov) on Twitter @RepGosar, through Facebook at Rep. Paul Gosar or on Instagram at RepGosar.
Sincerely,
Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S.
Member of Congress
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