Congressman Hoyer believes that a Member of Congress’s highest duty is to keep America safe, strengthen our national security, and protect our homeland from attack. He is a leader in Congress on national security issues, has advocated for smarter and stronger policies to step up the fight against terrorist organizations that would do us harm, and remains unwavering in his commitment to the members of our armed services. He is also a strong supporter of investing in programs that adequately equip our first responders for response to potential domestic attacks and increase protections at our ports and borders.
Congressman Hoyer has been the lead advocate for Southern Maryland’s military installations at the federal level and was instrumental in the BRAC process in preserving 9,000 jobs at Patuxent River Naval Air Station while adding over 5,000 new jobs; protecting 3,000 jobs at Indian Head Naval Surface Warfare Center; and securing the future of Webster Field, St. Inigoes. Hoyer has worked closely with the Southern Maryland Navy Alliance, the Indian Head Defense Alliance, the Patuxent Partnership, the Chambers of Commerce and local officials working to ensure that these three military installations are protected.
Congressman Hoyer is a strong advocate for our veterans, and has worked tirelessly to ensure that America’s veterans receive the respect, care, and benefits they earned through their service to our nation. While Congressman Hoyer has strongly supported historic increases in funding for the Veterans Administration, improving the quality and efficiency of care in our nation’s VA facilities, he is also a strong proponent of accountability in how the VA spends those resources.
Congressman Hoyer worked with the Department of Veterans Affairs Baltimore Regional Office on improving the claims process for Maryland veterans to ensure they receive their benefits in a timely manner and with fewer errors. He is also dedicated to eliminating homelessness among veterans. He worked to secure funding to assist nearly 200 veteran families who are homeless or at risk for homelessness in St. Mary's, Charles, and Calvert Counties. Additionally, he joined the Tri-County Council of Southern Maryland and other stakeholders to ensure an accurate count of the homeless population in the Fifth District, which was critical to receiving additional housing vouchers for homeless veterans.
Today, Mr. Speaker, as we mourn the victims of the September 11 attacks and pay tribute to the heroes of that day, we should honor them by renewing the sense of unity we felt that morning and in the weeks and months that followed.
I was pleased to visit the Maryland Center for Veterans Education & Training today to learn about how their services are making a significant difference to veterans and their families in Maryland.
Today I met with the Charles County Chamber of Commerce's Military Alliance Council to discuss our shared commitment for continued success for the Indian Head Naval Surface Warfare Center.
I'm pleased that these grants will help Maryland prepare, respond to, and protect our state against terrorist attacks and major disaster.
I am disappointed that House Republicans passed legislation today that would undermine protections for VA employees, including eliminating their constitutional due process protections and the VA's ability to recruit and retain top talent for their workforce.
Madam Speaker, last week I was profoundly disappointed to learn just how large the recent data breach was, in which personal information was accessed in the files of the Office of Personnel Management.
The resignation of Director Archuleta does not solve the fundamental problems at the Office of Personnel Management that led to these data breach incidents.
The total number of individuals who may have had their personal information exposed as a result of OPM's second data breach incident is extremely troubling.
On Memorial Day, we remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our nation and in defense of our liberty.