H.R. 5063, the Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act
Last week, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 5063, the Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act. If signed into law, this legislation would close a loophole that has allowed the Obama Administration to bypass the Congressional budget and spending process and funnel money to interest groups of its choosing. H.R. 5063 would stop that practice and ensure money not given directly to victims in settlement of a lawsuit brought by the federal government goes into the Treasury for Congress to decide how to spend.
The Administration’s use of these slush funds has gone on for far too long. An investigation by the House Judiciary Committee found that third-party groups received a half billion dollars from settlements in the past 20 months. Our Founding Fathers created checks and balances to make sure one branch of our government cannot serve its special interests to the detriment of the American people. One of these checks is the Congressional “power of the purse” to decide how federal funds are spent. When the executive branch distributes money without Congressional approval, it circumvents these checks. That’s why I voted for H.R. 5063, and I encourage my colleagues in the Senate to do the same.
WASPs Laid to Rest at Arlington National Cemetery
During World War II, Sweetwater, Texas was home to the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) training facility. These outstanding women contributed to the war effort in some incredible ways, including flying planes that towed targets for other pilots to practice shooting at and testing newly repaired military aircraft. At the time of their service, they were not considered military personnel. That changed in 1977 when WASPs received retroactive status as veterans, which enabled them to have their ashes interred at Arlington National Cemetery. Unfortunately, Army officials decided to revoke that privilege last year. In response, Congress passed, and President Obama signed into law, H.R. 4336, the WASP Arlington Inurnment Restoration Act in May of this year; I was pleased to vote for this bill.
Last week, Elaine Harmon became the first WASP laid to rest in Arlington since we changed the law. Texas 19 was proud to be home to the WASPs during their service, and I have been proud to continue to fight for these wonderful veterans after their service.
Remembering the Heroes of September 11, 2001
Yesterday marked 15 years since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack. The resulting loss of life in the destruction of the Twin Towers in New York, the partial demolition of the Pentagon, and the crash of United Flight 93 in Pennsylvania are still deeply felt across our great nation. Each year on September 11, I reflect on the heroism of Americans. Our heroes have countless stories, ranging from the first responders in New York City, Washington, DC, and those who traveled across the country to help, to the passengers of Flight 93, and to the office workers who helped their colleagues evacuate. Many of these selfless heroes lost their lives that day, and their stories are the ones we pass on to future generations who were either not yet born or were not old enough to remember September 11.
Another thing I think about on September 11 is how much our world has changed since then. National security is no longer something Americans only think about once in a while. Now, national security is something we have to work on every day. We must maintain our resolve to protect our country and leave our children and grandchildren a safer world.
