Each year, Congress recesses for the summer. During the early years of Congress, the House and Senate adjourned to escape the summer heat since modern-day ventilation was unavailable. However, it wasn’t until 1970 that the nonstop legislative periods pushed Congress to enact the Legislative Reorganization Act, finally making the August District Work Period official. Today, Members use this time to hear directly from the people we serve, and discuss the work we’re doing back in Washington.
During August, I spent time in every corner of CD-2, meeting with Nevadans and listening to your thoughts, concerns, and ideas. Being home for an extended period of time allowed me to tour local businesses, visit federal agencies, and provide updates to both news and local government organizations. Combined, my staff and I traveled more than 5,500 miles and took over 160 meetings.
I look forward to meeting with many more of you as I continue making my way around CD-2 in the coming months.
Below are some highlights from my August travels:
I started off the August District Work Period in Virginia City, providing a Washington update at the Storey County Commission meeting. During the meeting, we discussed a number of issues, specifically the county's ongoing efforts to establish a new zip code for its residents. Before the end of the last Congress, the House advanced legislation that would accomplish this for Storey County. Unfortunately, the 114th Congress adjourned before the bill could be taken up in the Senate. Since this issue remains at the top of my agenda this Congress, you might be interested to know that a measure to create a new zip code for Storey County was included in H.R. 756, the Postal Service Reform Act of 2017. This bill recently passed out of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, and I have been urging House leadership to bring it before the full House for a vote.
Pershing County Commission Meeting
I took time after the Storey County Commission meeting to chat with the Comstock Chronicle, before heading to Lovelock to give the Pershing County Commissioners a federal update on their public lands bill (H.R. 1107).
Elko County Commission Meeting
I then traveled to Elko for a third county commission meeting to discuss issues related to national monuments, Sagebrush focal areas, and the proposed funding for the Amtrak stop in Elko.
Blach Distributing Company
While in Elko, I had the opportunity to tour the Blach Distributing Company. Thank you to Pat Blach, the company's owner, for showing me around.
Elko Newsmakers
Finally, I stopped by KENV News 10 to chat with Elko’s Lori Gilbert about public lands issues. We specifically discussed national monuments, Yucca Mountain, and wild horses.
ITS Logistics
During the second week of the district work period, I had the opportunity to go on two separate facility tours in Sparks. I’d first like to send a huge thank you to the employees of ITS Logistics for showing me around their operation. ITS Logistics is now Nevada’s largest trucking company. Recently, they consolidated the corporate offices, warehousing, and transportation into a new 630,000 sq. ft. campus that I toured.
Breakthru Beverage
Another huge thanks to the crew at Breakthru Beverage for giving me a tour of their facility. Breakthru Beverage Nevada is a statewide leader in the distribution of fine wine, spirits, and beer that formerly operated as Wirtz Beverage Nevada.
Pine Nut Wild Horse Advocates
I ended the week at my district office in Reno, taking a meeting with the Pine Nut Wild Horse Advocates from Gardnerville. This particular advocate group opposes euthanizing wild horses and supports fertility control with ProteinZona Pellucida (PZP). They also oppose wild horse slaughter and domestic horse slaughter.
As emotional as this issue can be, I respect the fact that people feel strongly about it, but I also don’t have the luxury as a policymaker to ignore the fiscal and resource implications for other wildlife sharing the range and other users sharing the range. Thank you to the Pine Nut Wild Horse Advocates for taking the time to meet with me and sharing your views on this issue. As I’ve said before, the only way to make progress on the issues that affect us all, is to work together.
NAS Fallon
I also spent some time in Fallon this month where I participated in a roundtable discussion with representatives from NAS Fallon, the City of Fallon, and Churchill County. We talked about the upcoming base modernization and concerns surrounding the initiatives. Thanks for meeting with me.
Churchill County Commission Meeting
I wrapped up my visit to Fallon at the Churchill County Commission meeting to further discuss the NAS Fallon expansion, in addition to the Stillwater Refuge transfer of water rights, and Payments In Lieu of Taxes (PILT).
Steve Ranson Announces Retirement
I’d like to take a second to recognize my good friend, Steve Ranson, the former editor of the Lahontan Valley News (LVN). After working in journalism for nearly 40 years, Steve retired from the LVN in July. I had the honor of presenting Steve with a Certificate of Congressional Recognition from my office at the Churchill County Commission meeting. I congratulate Steve on a long and successful career, and wish him the best of luck in all his future endeavors.
Click here or on the photo above to learn more about Steve's career and his plans for the future.
Hispanic Breakfast Meeting
I recently hosted a quarterly Hispanic breakfast meeting at Jack’s Café in Reno. We had a productive discussion about a range of immigration issues, specifically, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, the Administration’s proposed border wall, work Visas, and Sanctuary Cities. To ensure I'm addressing these issues in the most effective way possible, I will continue to evaluate all options while listening to Nevadan's concerns.
Western Shoshone Tribe & Klondex Mining Ceremony
During the third week of the district work period, I made my way to Battle Mountain to participate in a ceremonial event with members of the Western Shoshone Tribe. The area I visited was purchased by Klondex Mines in 2016 as an existing gold-mining operation. However, the mine is located in an area sacred to the Western Shoshone Tribe, called Tosawihi. Archaeologists have found artifacts indicating the area has been occupied by natives for at least 14,000 years. Because of its sacredness to the tribe, Klondex Mines CEO Paul Huet led an effort to return an area to the Battle Mountain Band. Prior to Klondex purchasing the land, it had been BLM land, so the tribe did not have jurisdiction over it to prevent mining operations. The 3,269 acres being gifted to the tribe were purchased in addition to the original area designated for mining operations. I send my sincerest thanks to Mr. Huet and members of the Tribe for inviting me to participate in the celebration.
Reno Gazette-Journal Editorial Board Meeting
I recently sat down with the Reno Gazette-Journal’s editorial board to provide a Washington Update and discuss some of the issues that are most important to Nevadans right now. In case you missed the live stream through Facebook, click here or on the photo above to watch my full interview.
2017 “Great American Eclipse”
Shortly after the editorial board meeting, I joined some of the RGJ staff outside to check out the solar eclipse. Shout out to Anjeanette Damon for letting me borrow her pair of protective glasses to witness this rare solar event for myself!
Western Nevada Infrastructure Roundtable Summit
Last week, I hosted a roundtable discussion that included Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai, Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve, Washoe County Commission Chair Bob Lucey, and local, state, and federal stakeholders. The discussion focused on the infrastructure needs of Western Nevada now and into the future. We covered a diverse portfolio of issues which included: the Administration’s infrastructure legislation, housing permitting, the Highway Trust Fund, Interstate 11, tourism needs, rural infrastructure challenges, aviation issues, energy needs, technology development, and public/private partnerships for investment.
Minden Veterans’ Town Hall
Thank you to everyone who came out to participate in our Veterans’ Town Hall Meeting in Minden last week. We had a great turnout and the representatives from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs were incredibly helpful, answering several questions and providing information about available resources. If you were unable to attend this town hall, and are in need of assistance, I encourage you to contact Tracy Soliday, the Veterans Affairs Constituent Services Representative in my Reno office at: 775-686-5760. We’re happy to help.
In Case You Missed It
Reno MSNBC Interview
Last Wednesday, I joined MSNBC’s Hallie Jackson during her trip to Reno. We had the opportunity to discuss healthcare, tax reform, and Reno’s tech boom. Check out my full interview by clicking here or on the video above.
Naval Academy Professors
Back in July, I had the opportunity to speak with several Naval Academy professors who were in Elko for a training exercise in Lamoille Canyon. I enjoyed visiting with them and sharing some of the on-the-job experiences that have helped me throughout my career. Thanks for joining me.
New Addition to the Washington Office
Shout out to NDOT for giving me some Nevada decor to share with Washington visitors. Thanks!
Serving You
Constituent Success Story
Recently, my Veterans Affairs Constituent Services Representative, Tracy Soliday, helped a veteran from Sparks secure important benefits for his family. Sadly, this particular individual had received a terminal diagnosis. When this occurs, and the diagnosis is service-connected, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is supposed to immediately start awarding benefits to the service member and his or her family from the date of filing. The benefits are expedited because oftentimes the individual might only have a few months to live, and usually has a family or spouse that needs to be cared for. Even though this constituent filed the proper paperwork, six months passed before he heard anything from the VA – when he was supposed to be receiving 100 percent coverage the entire time. Our Reno office was alerted of the issue on May 25, and with Tracy’s help, this constituent’s case was resolved in a matter of weeks. He and his family immediately started receiving payments, in addition to the payments they were supposed to receive six months prior.
Nevadans deserve a government that works hard to get things done for the people it serves. I hope that you are encouraged by this constituent success story, and will reach out to my staff and me whenever you need assistance. One of the most important aspects of our jobs is to provide information about available resources and to intervene on your behalf to deliver solutions. If you are ever having an issue with a federal agency and need immediate assistance, please give one of my offices a call.
As always, thank you for subscribing to the Amodei Report. I look forward to continuing to keep you up to date on the issues you care about most.
For additional information, please visit my website at amodei.house.gov or call my Washington office: (202) 225-6155, Reno office: (775) 686-5760 or Elko office: (775) 777-7705. To receive updates on what I am doing in Washington and in Nevada’s 2nd District follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Youtube.
