With my support this week, the House passed H.R. 4909, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY 2017. This legislation provides our servicemen and women on the frontlines with the resources they need to effectively carry out their missions and return home safely.
Specifically, this bill makes key investments in critical programs that were underfunded in the President’s budget, provides resources to combat terrorism, increases access to health care for our troops and their families, and prohibits the transfer of Guantanamo Bay detainees to the U.S.
In addition to supporting our troops, this legislation also contains a number of provisions that will offer meaningful solutions to the challenges facing the West. These include, lifting restrictions on the military’s use of fossil fuels, facilitating liquid natural gas (LNG) exports and supporting state and local species conservation. These common-sense reforms will allow Nevada and other western states to continue on a road to economic development in a responsible way.
I’m hopeful that my colleagues in the Senate will join the House in passing this bill and sending it to the President’s desk as soon as possible.
Click here to learn more about the NDAA.
Washington Visitors
Nevada Folklife
This week, I had the opportunity to meet with Patricia A. Atkinson, Folklife Program Coordinator at the Nevada Arts Council and trustee for the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress. As a proud supporter of both the Library and the Folklife Center, I enjoyed discussing the Nevada holdings of the Center and the special projects that have statewide impact.
Alliance for Childhood Cancer
I also had the chance to visit with Haley Carroll this week, a senior from Wooster High School and survivor of childhood cancer. We were joined by representatives from Northern Nevada Children’s Cancer Foundation and Haley’s father, Kevin Carroll. We discussed issues regarding childhood cancer and the experience of Nevada families in the fight.
Washington Wrap-Up
House Provides Funding for Veterans and Active-Duty Military
This week, the House took important action to pass, H.R. 4974, a Military Construction and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) bill that supports our active-duty troops and their families. This legislation also upholds our commitment to our veterans by providing critical funding that will increase oversight at the VA in order to stop waste and improve service.
Click here to learn more about the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2017.
Rural Update
Southwest Gas, Paiute Pipeline Company Completes Transmission Line
My rural representative, Martin Paris, recently had the opportunity to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony for Paiute Pipeline’s completion of the Adobe Lateral Transmission Line in Elko – a 35 mile-long pipeline connecting to the Ruby Pipeline. This is great news for rural Nevada as it allows for a better way to meet the demands of natural gas in the expanding Elko area.
Click here to learn more.
In the Second District:
Congressional Western Caucus – This is Your Land Series
This week, the Congressional Western Caucus highlighted Nevada’s 2nd in its latest video of the ‘This is Your Land’ series. Click here or on the video above to learn about the BLM’s move to ban mining across 2.8 million acres in our District and why it’s important for Congress to work toward solutions that empower locally elected officials, communities and stakeholders.
Elko Police Department Dedication Ceremony
The City of Elko Police Department will have a dedication ceremony Tuesday for its new headquarters located at 1448 Silver St. The public is encouraged to attend the ceremony which begins at 2:00 PM with an open house and tours running between 2:30 and 5:00 PM. My Washington office was pleased to assist the Elko Police Department with a U.S. flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol. This flag will be the first flag raised at the new facility.
Click here to learn more.
Kimmie Candy Receives Highest U.S. Exporter Honor
Congratulations to Reno’s Kimmie Candy on receiving the ‘E’ Award from the Department of Commerce – the highest honor any American exporter can receive from the U.S. Government. By exporting quality, American-made products, companies like Kimmie Candy are making significant contributions to our economy, all while creating good-paying jobs here at home. Kimmie Candy is the featured state product in both my Reno and Washington office. Feel free to stop in for some Sunbursts or award-winning ChocoRocks!
Serving Nevada
Recently, one of my district representatives in Reno, Arturo Garzon, helped a constituent’s family member secure a visa. This particular individual had already been waiting on a visa for two years after her case was put under administrative review – stalling it from moving forward due to the growing number of backlogs in our current immigration system.
With the help of a congressional liaison, Arturo was able to contact an officer at the U.S. Embassy in the country this individual was residing in. Finally, within a few short months, the embassy determined she was eligible to receive her visa.
My staff and I work for you, the people of the Nevada's 2nd Congressional District. If you are ever having an issue with a federal agency and need immediate assistance, please give one of my offices a ring. My staff is happy to assist in any way possible.
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.
