Amodei Report: Washington Edition

This week, President Trump released his FY 2018 budget request. I’m sure you have questions and are looking for specifics about his budget proposal, so I wanted to share it with you here. As always, I’m glad you are paying attention to the issues, and I welcome your thoughts and feedback on his request. While this certainly gets the ball rolling, the budget process will ultimately end with Congress determining if the President's request provides an appropriate level of funding for the critical programs and agencies Americans rely on. Additionally, while there is considerable modification to do to the Administration’s proposal, I look forward to that process. When it comes to funding programs of importance to Nevada and the nation, I look forward to successfully bringing many areas in the Appropriations process back in line with long-standing funding traditions.

 

 

I testified before the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands this week in support of H.R. 1107, the Pershing County Economic Development and Conservation Act, a public lands bill I introduced in February. This is Pershing County’s first public lands bill request. It’s also the outcome of years of negotiation between ranchers, miners, environmental activists, recreationalists, and locally elected officials, working to resolve the political impasse which has hamstrung the community’s ability to expand opportunities for growth.

Just like most public lands bills that have come before Congress, this legislation is a bipartisan initiative, having the support of the entire Nevada Delegation in the House. The bill also has support from Senator Dean Heller in the U.S. Senate, and I hope to see Senator Cortez-Masto join our effort as well. I appreciate the Committee’s consideration of this bill, and I look forward to continuing to conduct public outreach in Pershing County over the course of the 115th Congress.

Click here or on the video below to hear my full remarks: 

 

 

It’s always nice to see familiar faces while I’m in Washington. Below are some of the Nevadans I met with this week: 

 

 

I’m pleased to see the House exercise regular order recently to advance an important financial services reform package.  H.R. 10, the Financial CHOICE Act, passed out of the House Financial Services Committee on May 4, 2017. The CHOICE Act consists of several House-passed bipartisan measures and is the product of multiple Committee hearings which featured testimony from a number of significant witnesses. The bill also underwent an extensive mark-up process held over the course of three legislative days, giving Members and their staffers sufficient time to digest the bill’s contents and achieve a mutually beneficial outcome for all stakeholders. 

 

Specifically, H.R. 10 will implement meaningful reforms to crack down on Wall Street-wrongdoings and stand up for the folks on Main Street who have been hit the hardest by the unprecedented increase in regulatory burdens. Most importantly, the CHOICE Act will save hardworking Americans billions of dollars by abolishing taxpayer-funded bailouts of big banks. When speaking of taxpayer-funded bailouts, it's important to remember that the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, commonly referred to as Dodd-Frank, did not end taxpayer funded bail outs –  it actually endorsed them. 

 

This sound policy is proof of what the House can achieve when operating in an open, collaborative, and transparent manner. I commend my colleagues for their hard work on this bill and look forward to solving some remaining issues before it comes to the Floor for a vote in the coming weeks. I’m hopeful the CHOICE Act will serve as a precedent for House Leadership as we continue our work on health care, immigration, and tax reform. 

 

 

This Memorial Day, I plan to attend the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Cemetery in Reno. I also plan to attend the Veterans Cemetery Memorial Event in Fernley which will spotlight our Merchant Marines. There will also be three WWII members of distinction in attendance. Thank you to all of the brave men and women in our Armed Forces who have served our country with honor and distinction, and those who continue to serve on our behalf. I hope that everyone has a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend.

 

Last weekend, I delivered a commencement speech to the graduates of Great Basin College in Elko. As divisive as this nation has become, especially on college campuses, I was humbled to receive a standing ovation and proud to celebrate this moment alongside the 2017 graduating class. Once again, I wish all the graduates the best of luck in their future endeavors and commend them on their remarkable achievement. 

 

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 2^nd District follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Youtube.