Back to Work
By Rep. Kristi Noem
There’s something so energizing about flipping the calendar from December to January. It’s a fresh start, a new beginning, a clean slate. I’m heading back to Congress this year with a renewed optimism as well. We have a lot of work to do, but I’m hopeful we have momentum moving in our direction.
Truth be told, we’re going to need every bit of that momentum we can get. 2015 concluded with a heightened sense of unease about our national security – and rightfully so. As we return, this is an issue that will need to be addressed. I firmly believe the President, as Commander in Chief, has a responsibility to put forth a comprehensive plan to defeat and destroy ISIL. Doing so is the most effective way to keep terrorism off U.S. soil. Congress also must continue to ensure our military has the tools and resources it needs to be successful, while closing any security loopholes that may exist in federal law. That is going to be at the top of my agenda in 2016.
Addressing the President’s health care law will be another area of focus during the first part of 2016. Speaker Paul Ryan has already announced that the House, in coordination with the Senate, plans to place legislation on the President’s desk in the coming weeks that repeals the core tenants of Obamacare, including the individual and employer mandates. This last December, thousands of South Dakotans saw their health care costs skyrocket. I have supported and will continue to support the repeal of Obamacare, but until we can achieve a full repeal, I will do what I can to incrementally lift the burden for South Dakota families.
We are also working very hard on efforts to keep the Hot Springs VA Hospital open and fully staffed and operational. In late-2015, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) released an Environmental Impact Statement on a plan to close the VA facility in Hot Springs. From now until February 5, the VA will be accepting public comments. I encourage everyone impacted by this proposal to let their voice be heard. For my part, I have reached out to the VA Secretary directly, urging him not only to settle on a solution that will work for all involved – especially our veterans – but also to visit Hot Springs before making a determination about the hospital’s future. Those who have served deserve nothing less.
The reality is that these topics are just the tip of the iceberg. We have a lot of work to do because our country is facing a lot of big issues today. I’m determined to find real solutions and produce the milestones that you seek and deserve.
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Back to work you don’T get anything done except OBama, bad Obama, bad repeal health care.