Newsletter: One Veteran Dying of an Overdose is Too Many

Statement

The House wrapped-up six consecutive weeks of session this week, but not before we sent the Keystone XL Pipeline to the President's desk. Keep reading for my comments on that vote and a wrap-up of the week that was:

Tomah VA Update: While I am pleased the VA has launched an internal investigation, it is in Congress' best interest to learn all we can about what went wrong at the Tomah VA and prevent this situation from happening at other facilities. One veteran dying of an overdose is too many.

On Friday, I made a request to the Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee to hold a field hearing in Tomah. While no official decision has been announced, I received indicators from the Chairman that he is interested in heeding our request. I will let you know as soon as I know more. To read my full request to the Chairman, click here.

Delist the Gray Wolf: I was glad to join as an original co-sponsor of H.R. 884, a bill to delist the Gray Wolf as an endangered species in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan and return management responsibility for the animal to the states. Removing the Gray Wolf from the endangered species list is an issue many of you have written me about.

All Americans have a responsibility to conserve our natural resources and protect endangered species. However, federal agencies and courts all too often misuse their responsibilities under the ESA based on philosophical beliefs instead of science-based evidence. I applaud my good friend Reid Ribble for taking the lead on this legislation. The Fish and Wildlife Service made the right decision on this issue, and I hope, with the help of this bill, that decision will stand. Learn more about this issue and read my full statement here.

Time to Build: This week, the House voted 270 to 152 on a bill to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline. It now moves to the President's desk where Congress and the American people hope the President will re-consider his veto threat and sign the legislation. There is no reason for further delay. Wisconsinites and the American people want this pipeline and they want the new American Congress to lead. The President is the only person standing in the way of this project: it's time for him to move -- it's time to build.

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