Congresswoman Renee Ellmers: Standing with our Servicemen and Women


Photo of the Week:

During my visit to Fort Bragg last Friday, I had the chance to eat lunch with some of the Green Berets who have benefitted from top-notch performance and rehab facilities on site. It is such an honor to be seated at a table with these men who train day in and day out to protect us.

 

Weekly Update:
After months of hard work and bipartisan collaboration among members of the House and Senate, an agreement was reached on this year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which is critical defense legislation that authorizes funding for national security. While this legislation received broad bipartisan support from Conference committee members, and meets the precise level of funding requested by the president, the president vetoed the legislation. To make matters worse, he held a photo op in the Rose Garden while vetoing it.

I find it unbelievable that our commander-in-chief would consciously choose to put national security at risk with the swift stroke of his pen. His reckless decision comes on the heels of my most recent visit to Fort Bragg, where I had the opportunity to visit the Joint Special Operations Medical Training Center and the THOR3 performance and rehab facility. While on post, I was able to eat lunch with some of the Green Berets who have benefitted from both of these facilities.

Our servicemen and women deserve better than a presidential veto —they deserve a president who is willing to prioritize their safety and the security of our country ahead of his own political agenda. Congress is committed to providing and protecting for our national security, and we will not waiver in our support of our military. Even the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal Editorial Boards are in disagreement with the president over his decision to veto the NDAA.

Additionally,  if you know of a North Carolina high school senior who would like to attend one of our nation’s service academies, please tell them to submit their application to our office by October 31st.  Click here for more details.

I hope you will scroll down to see pictures of my time at Fort Bragg and of my other meetings in Washington this week. As always, please contact representatives in my Asheboro, Dunn or D.C. offices if there is anything we can do for you.

Visiting Fort Bragg:
 

I enjoyed experiencing the rigorous medical training our Special Operations Medics undergo at Fort Bragg.

 

While visiting, I had an opportunity to tour the Joint Special Operations Medical Training Center and hear feedback on the impact this facility has on training.

 

Ellie Helton Memorial 5K Race
 

 Brent and I enjoyed participating in the first Ellie Helton Memorial 5K and Fun Run last weekend to raise awareness for brain aneurysms. Ellie’s family was hoping for 100 runners, but they had upwards of 500 participate! Ellie’s story touched my heart and I appreciate her parents’ willingness to share it to help bring attention to brain aneurysms and the need for legislation like the 21st Century Energy and Commerce Cures bill to accelerate the development of cures and treatments for diseases and rare conditions. Click here to learn more about the race and sweet Ellie Helton.

 

New Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines
 

 The American Cancer Society updated their breast screening guidelines on Tuesday for the first time ever, which sparks confusion for many women. As a nurse I appreciate the American Cancer Society’s guideline recommendations they released, as it is a clear indication that women in their 40s do benefit from annual mammograms. However, given the variance in screening recommendations among Women’s Health Groups and Cancer Organizations, I think it has become increasingly apparent that my current bipartisan legislation, H.R. 3339, the PALS Act, should swiftly move through the House of Representatives in order to eliminate barriers for patients seeking access to early intervention through life-saving screenings. Click here to learn more about my legislation, the PALS Act.

 

Speaking Engagements in D.C.
 

On Wednesday, I was able to join my colleague, Congressman McNerney from California, at the WIRES Annual Conference to discuss the Grid Innovation Caucus that we launched together last year. The goal of this caucus is to find new ways to make the country’s electric grid more reliable and efficient.

 

It was great to speak at the Innovatix and Essensa National Meeting and Expo Thursday morning. I had the opportunity to talk about health-related legislation that the Energy & Commerce Committee has tackled this year, including the 21st Century Cures Legislation that passed the House this summer. I also spoke about legislation affecting the pharmacy and long-term care community for audience members who specialize in these industries.