This week, I conducted several constituent listening events in different parts of the district, while also monitoring recent developments in Syria.
Thanks to all of you who shared your concerns with me regarding the situation in Syria through phone calls, emails and comments on my social media sites. At the end of this newsletter you will have another opportunity to share your thoughts on Syria through a survey I hope you will complete.
At this time, I cannot support military action against Syria. In a statement I released this week, I outlined the reasons for my decision. This statement is provided below in its entirety.
Also in this newsletter, you will find information about the small business and immigration listening events I held this week in Sanford and Cary. It has been great traveling the district over the past few weeks — listening to what the constituents of the second district have to say about the issues that affect all of us here at home. I will take this information and your concerns with me back to Washington as we address these issues in Congress.
Please share this information with your friends by forwarding ths email and stay engaged by visiting my website and following me on social media.
Statement on Military Action in Syria
I released the following statement on Tuesday regarding proposed military action in Syria:
For more than two years we have witnessed the inner turmoil taking place in Syria and the horrendous atrocities executed by the Assad regime. Recently, reports have come out showing that chemical weapons have been used in cowardly attacks that have shocked the world in their brutality. These constitute a threat to our allies in Israel and Jordan and therefore warrant additional debate and preparedness.
But as President Obama and his administration begin to beat the drums of war in an area of the world which has witnessed significant bloodshed and turmoil for decades, we must take caution and ask serious questions regarding our interests and the price to be paid with intervention. We have learned so much from our history of involvement in this part of the world and the fog of war which clouds our judgment between friend and foe, perceived goals and collateral damage.
At this time, I see nothing but hardship, danger, and unprovoked sacrifice on the shoulders of our military, our troops, and their families. For these and many other reasons which have been echoed by my constituents, I cannot support military action against Syria at this time. Our focus must be on rebuilding our economy here at home after struggling for nearly five years under the President Obama’s economy. Unless further evidence shows a clear threat to our national interests and a clearly defined vision of victory, this will remain my position moving forward.
Small Business Advisory Council
My Small Business Advisory Council met in Sanford this week and shared their concerns with me in a listening session. Many of those who attended told me they are already feeling the negative effects of Obamacare. Topics of discussion included the Obamacare mandate delays, confusion over implementation of the new law, the CMS durable medical equipment contract bidding process, and excessive audits.
Several in attendence expressed concern over excessive EPA regulation that is costing American jobs. I shared an update with the group on proposed legislation and other actions we will be debating in Washington this fall.
Immigration Round Table
In a roundtable discussion in Cary on Wednesday afternoon, I listened to members from different sectors of the business community; including homebuilders, restaurant owners, lodging, and agriculture. This is an important issue to our district and I look forward to continuing this discussion.
Snapshots from the District
In the News
Ellmers backs medical device tax repeal
The Ripon Advance
Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-N.C.) spent time during her August recess promoting a bill she cosponsored in February, the Protect Medical Innovation Act of 2013. The proposed bill would repeal a 2.3 percent excise tax on medical innovation that is included in the Affordable Care Act. Ellmers said a recent visit to the Siemens Healthcare facility in her district highlighted the need for an immediate repeal of the tax.
NC delegation divided on Syria airstrikes
Raleigh News & Observer
Ellmers explained her decision on Tuesday by saying that the United States had learned from involvement in the Middle East and “the fog of war which clouds our judgment between friend and foe, perceived goals and collateral damage.” “At this time, I see nothing but hardship, danger, and unprovoked sacrifice on the shoulders of our military, our troops, and their families,” she said in a statement, adding that reasons for not approving military force were shared by her constituents. She added that she would stick to that position “unless further evidence shows a clear threat to our national interests and a clearly defined vision of victory.”
Where Congress members from Fayetteville area stand on Syria
Fayetteville Observer
In the U.S. House, Rep. Renee Ellmers said she opposes military action in Syria. She said the use of chemical weapons constitutes a threat to U.S. allies Israel and Jordan that warrants more debate and preparedness. “But as President Obama and his administration begin to beat the drums of war in an area of the world which has witnessed significant bloodshed and turmoil for decades, we must take caution and ask serious questions regarding our interests and the price to be paid with intervention,” said Ellmers, a Republican from Dunn. She said military troops and their families have gone through hardship, danger and sacrifice.
House leaders offer early support for strike on Syria
The Washington Examiner
Among the doubtful is Rep. Renee Ellmers, R-N.C., who was elected along with about 50 other Republicans in the 2010 Tea Party wave election that focused on reducing the nation’s staggering debt. “I don’t think we’re economically strong enough to commit to any military action,” Ellmers told the Washington Examiner. ‘I’m worried about our military as a whole and the commitment we’d be making … even if the initial plan is a short-term strategic hit.”