Space, Veterans & Armed Forces
Our veterans deserve the highest level of respect and support from our government. Unfortunately, there are many obstacles that they must overcome after returning from deployment. One of my highest priorities is to remove those barriers and ensure that our men and women in uniform receive the care and attention they need. That is why I was a cosponsor of H.R. 1994, the VA Accountability Act, which passed the House on July 29, 2015 by a vote of 256 to 170. The House also passed H.R. 91, the Veteran’s Identification Card Act of 2015, which allows any veteran to receive an official government issued veteran I.D. card even if that veteran is not enrolled in VA healthcare. This bill was signed into law on July 20, 2015. Both of these bills help to further reform the VA and allow our heroes to receive the care and respect they deserve.

Speaking with the Antelope Valley Veterans Community Coalition

In my role as member of the House Armed Services Committee, I spent a large part of this year working on the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015. This bipartisan legislation will authorize the budgets and expenditures for most of the national defense operations in the coming year. I fought hard for our troops and taxpayers by voting for a pay-raise for our troops, a flexible and effective retirement plan for all members of the military, and cost-saving reforms for the Department of Defense procurement process.

Having lunch with troops from California

We live in very exciting times in terms of our capacity to harness current technologies and explore the universe around us. In Science, Space, & Technology Committee, we have been working to spur even more innovation and find ways to hone our nation’s space program. To that end, we passed several very important pieces of legislation this year, including H.R. 2039, the NASA Authorization Act of 2016 and 2017, and H.R. 2262, the SPACE Act of 2015.I am proud to be part of the effort to ensure that America remains the leader in space and continue its pioneering spirit as we move further into the 21^st century.

Attending a House Science, Space, & Technology Committee Hearing

St. Francis Dam Press Conference Last Tuesday my team and I held a press conference to formally announce my recent introduction of H.R. 3153, which would create a Memorial Site for the victims of the 1928 St. Francis Dam Disaster and designate parts of the San Gabriel Mountains as a federally protected wilderness area. Thank you to everyone who attended, and a special thanks to Dr. Alan Pollack, President of the Santa Clarita Historical Society, Chuck Cullen of the Lakota Nation, and Rudy Ortega Jr., Tribal President of the Tatavium Band of Mission Indians for speaking in support of the bill. Speaking about the St. Francis Dam Disaster at a press conference Health Center Day In anticipation of National Health Center Week (happening now!), I visited to the Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital, the Santa Clarita Radiation Therapy Center and a Northeast Valley Health Corporation facility. At each location I received a guided tour and met with employees and managers to discuss legislative issues that affect the operations of the facility. Touring the Santa Clarita Radiation Therapy Center Small Business Tour and Roundtable On July 31st, I took advantage of the legislative recess to hear from Simi Valley’s business community. I took tours of Meggitt Systems, which manufactures airplane parts, American Vision Windows, which provides home energy consultations and window installation, and Blue Fin, a local restaurant. After speaking with managers and employees at each site, I held a roundtable with other small businesses in the area to hear how federal regulations affect their operations. I look forward to continuing my outreach to our communities businesses. In late August I will host a Small Business Workshop in Santa Clarita—Stay tuned for more details. Learning about the manufacturing process at Meggitt Systems in Simi Valley New Name for the Simi Post Office It was an honor to be a part of the dedication ceremony on Wednesday for the newly renamed Neil Havens Post Office in Simi Valley. Thank you to the late Postmaster Charles Neil Havens and his family for your dedicated service to the community. The Dedication Ceremony for the Neil Havens Post Office in Simi Valley AV Fair Kick-Off Dinner The Antelope Valley Fair is right around the corner, and I could not be more excited. In anticipation of the 9-day event, the AV Fair Association held their annual Kick-Off Dinner on July 31. I had a blast catching up with old friends and making new ones. Catching up at the AV Fair Kick-Off Dinner