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U.S. House of Representatives

House Approves Bipartisan Mast-Murphy Measure to Help Hire More Disabled Veterans

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Amendment increases funding for the Wounded Warrior Program, which
provides two-year paid fellowships in U.S. House offices for disabled veterans

The U.S. House of Representatives today approved a bipartisan measure spearheaded by U.S. Representatives Brian Mast (FL-18) and Stephanie Murphy (FL-7) to help more disabled veterans transition to the civilian workforce.  The measure, passed as an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2019 Legislative Branch appropriations bill, increases funding for the U.S. House’s Wounded Warrior Program, which provides two-year paid fellowships for disabled veterans to work in the Washington or district offices of Members of Congress.  There are currently 47 disabled veterans working in House offices through the Wounded Warrior initiative, and this new funding will help the program reach its ultimate goal of supporting 110 paid fellowships.

“After I opened our Congressional office inside the West Palm Beach VA, we set out to hire a wounded warrior to help us because I know that veterans are among the most qualified applicants for any position thanks to the skills they learned in the military,” Rep. Mast said.  “This amendment is a win-win: giving disabled veterans a great opportunity to transition into a new career while improving constituent services in Congressional offices across the country.”

The Mast-Murphy amendment increases funding for the Wounded Warrior Program by $250,000, from $2.75 million to $3.0 million.  In addition to Reps. Mast and Murphy, U.S. Representatives Dan Kildee (MI-5) and Tulsi Gabbard (HI-2) co-led the amendment.

“Our veterans, especially those wounded in the line of duty, have fought hard to protect our nation, and Congress should fight just as hard for them,” Rep. Murphy said.  “The Wounded Warrior fellowship program helps veterans succeed after they leave the military by affording them potentially life-changing personal and professional opportunities to gain experience in congressional offices. Veterans can use the valuable skills they honed in the military to help constituents, including fellow veterans, in congressional districts across the country.  I’m proud to work with Congressman Mast to create more opportunities for disabled veterans to get the skills, training, and expertise that will help them succeed.”

Shortly after opening the first-ever Congressional office inside a VA facility, Rep. Mast announced that his office was seeking a wounded warrior or medically retired veteran for a fellowship working at the office.  The office is in the final phases of selecting a fellow to handle military and veterans-related casework from a qualified group of candidates.

Wounded warrior fellowships enable disabled veterans to gain professional experience and develop their skills while they determine their long-term career interests and goals.  Participating veterans perform a variety of duties, including legislative work and constituent advocacy.  As a result of their military service, fellows provide invaluable support to Member offices, especially on defense and veterans issues.  To qualify for the program, an applicant must be an honorably discharged veteran released from active duty within the last five years.  The applicant must have a 20 percent or greater service-connected disability or be a Purple Heart recipient.

For more information on the Wounded Warrior Program, click here.

House Passes Three Appropriations Bills for Fiscal Year 2019

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The House of Representatives today voted to pass H.R. 5895, the Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2019. This bill makes major investments in water infrastructure and coastal flood protection, increases funding for veterans’ health care and benefits, and bolsters our military assets.

Of great importance to Northeast Florida, the bill includes $111 million for two much needed facilities for the training and support of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) crews at Naval Station Mayport. Upon House passage of the bill, Congressman John Rutherford (R-FL) released the following statement:

“The passage of this appropriations package signals that the House of Representatives is dedicated to good stewardship of taxpayer funds,” said Congressman Rutherford. “I am especially proud of the military construction funding for the new facilities at Naval Station Mayport. These facilities will ensure that the LCS crews are adequately trained as we continue to rebuild our fleet and deploy these ships in future years. I am also proud that the VA portion of this bill included an amendment I cosponsored that ensures veterans can choose whether they receive orthotic and prosthetic care at the VA or in their communities.”

The Military Construction and Veterans Affairs appropriations bill contains $85.3 billion in funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs, the largest dollar amount in history for the VA, while strengthening oversight and accountability to ensure taxpayer dollars are being used to best benefit our veterans. Additionally, the bill provides funding and resources to resolve claims for more than 450,000 veterans who are waiting for the compensation they deserve.

The Energy and Water appropriations bill makes significant investments in our nation’s water infrastructure, including $3.3B for navigation projects, like the ongoing deep dredge project at JAXPORT that will allow larger Panamax ships to bring cargo in and out of Jacksonville. It also includes $2.1 billion for flood and storm damage reduction projects, like the on-going beach renourishment initiatives that make Florida’s coastal communities more resilient to hurricanes and storms. It also includes funding for research and development to continue securing our nation’s electric grid against cyber and other attacks.

The Legislative Branch appropriations bill contains an increase of $29.9 million to enhance the safety and security for the thousands of guests who visit the U.S. Capitol every day. The bill also maintains the 10 percent spending cut for Congress that has been in place since Fiscal Year 2010 and provides funds for the Government Accountability Office to continue its critical oversight work, which provides Congress with reporting on how taxpayer dollars are spent on federal programs.

U.S. House Introduces Pro-Growth Tax Reform Today

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The Main Street Growth & Opportunity Coalition, a group of statewide associations and small business owners, supporting the urgency behind pro-growth tax reform to help businesses grow and create jobs, which will lead to a healthier, more secure economy.
The U.S. House of Representatives today introduced legislation to help America continue to flourish as a great nation. We can do better by updating our outdated tax code and the coalition urges swift passage of tax reform this year.
“We commend the U.S. House for taking the necessary steps to reform our 30-year old tax code today,” said Julio Fuentes, President & CEO of the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “We are behind the Florida Congressional delegation, across party lines, to push for tax reform this year and urge the public to do the same.”
“Our U.S. economy has been operating under the same tax code since Ronald Reagan was president, 30 years ago,” said Amanda Prater, small business owner in Tallahassee, Florida. “Small businesses represent 99.7 percent of U.S. employers and our elected officials should continue to protect the free market by passing comprehensive tax reform this year.”
“Yours truly, a blue dog Democrat supporting GOP tax reform. We are in the land of political unknowns on many issues, however tax reform is a no-brainer and should pass with flying colors this year,” said Barney Bishop, President & CEO of Barney Bishop Consulting, LLC. “As a small business owner and consumer advocate, I fight for my clients’ success which is largely inhibited by our 30-year old tax code. Support tax reform across the aisle this year and urge your officials to do the same.”