Jack Morrissey | Page 2 | Congresswoman Jackie Walorski

Walorski Statement on VA MISSION Act

President Signs Veterans Health Care Overhaul Into Law

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) today released the following statement after President Trump signed the VA MISSION Act into law to streamline community care programs and extend Veterans Choice Program funding:

“America’s veterans risked their lives to defend freedom and keep us safe. This bipartisan law is a major step toward fulfilling our nation’s promise to those who served. I look forward to continuing to work to fix the VA and restore a culture of accountability so all our veterans get the timely, quality care they earned.”

BACKGROUND

The House passed the John S. McCain III, Daniel K. Akaka, and Samuel R. Johnson VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks Act, also known as the VA MISSION Act, on May 16 by a bipartisan vote of 347 to 70. The Senate followed suit on May 23, sending the bill to the president’s desk.

The new law streamlines the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) community care programs into one cohesive program and provides funding to extend the Veterans Choice Program until the new program is implemented. It also creates a nonpartisan process for reviewing and modernizing VA’s medical infrastructure, expands caregiver benefits, and improves provider recruitment, training, and retention.

Congresswoman Walorski recently testified before the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, calling for greater accountability across the VA to improve care for veterans.

“Hiring, firing, and mobility throughout VA are stagnant, and human resources are overdue for a complete makeover,” Walorski said. “The VA Accountability Act is a major accomplishment, but accountability also has to be a principle that the workforce, especially the middle management, actually embraces. The VA needs a culture of accountability to our veterans.”

Video of Walorski testifying before the committee is available here.

Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana, serving as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.

###

Walorski Introduces Bill to Increase Military Death Benefits

Legislation Would Double Immediate Payment to Families When Servicemembers Die on Active Duty

MISHAWAKA, Ind. – U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) recently introduced legislation to double the survivor benefits paid immediately after the death of a servicemember while on active duty. The bill would decrease by the same amount payments made to the families of Members of Congress who die in office.

“Our brave servicemembers risk their lives each day, and their families make tremendous sacrifices in service to this country,” Congresswoman Walorski said. “Military families need our help and support when a loved one dies on active duty, but today they get less than the families of Members of Congress who die in office. That’s just wrong, and my bill would make it right so these patriots get the support they deserve.”

BACKGROUND

H.R. 5982 would increase the death gratuity paid to the families of servicemembers who die on active duty from $100,000 to $200,000. The bill would also mandate that 60 percent of the death gratuity be reserved for the surviving spouse, allowing servicemembers to designate recipients for the remaining 40 percent.

The death gratuity program provides for an immediate, tax-free, cash payment of $100,000 to eligible survivors of members of the Armed Forces who die while on active duty or while serving in certain reserve statuses. The death gratuity is the same regardless of the cause of death.

The longstanding purpose of the death gratuity has been to assist survivors of deceased servicemembers in meeting immediate financial needs, such as funeral costs, before any other survivor benefits become available.

H.R. 5982 would also reduce by $100,000 the death gratuity paid to surviving spouses or children of deceased Members of Congress through the appropriations process. This one-time payment, which is customarily equal to the Member’s annual salary, would be capped at $74,000.

Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana, serving as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.

###

Walorski Statement on Memorial Day

MISHAWAKA, Ind. – U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) today released the following statement in observance of Memorial Day:

“Dean and I join all Hoosiers in honoring America’s fallen heroes. On Memorial Day, our nation pauses to reflect on the price of freedom and our gratitude for the courageous men and women who gave their lives to defend this country. We will never forget them. We also keep our servicemembers, veterans, and their families in our prayers, today and every day.”

Video of Congresswoman Walorski’s Memorial Day message to 2nd District Hoosiers is available here.

Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana, serving as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.

###

Walorski Joins Colleagues in Demanding Answers on Tax Day Outage

Bipartisan Group Calls on IRS to Explain System Failure, Outline Steps to Prevent Future Crash

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) today joined a bipartisan group in calling for answers from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on the system failure that prevented millions of taxpayers from filing their taxes online on Tax Day.

“Even before the Tax Day system failure, there was a significant trust gap between the IRS and the American people,” Congresswoman Walorski said. “The IRS needs to explain what went wrong and what it is doing to ensure it doesn’t happen again. I look forward to learning more and continuing to work toward bipartisan solutions to close the trust gap and fix the IRS so it always puts taxpayers first.”

BACKGROUND

Walorski signed a letter to IRS Acting Commissioner David Kautter requesting answers about the system failure, the IRS’s response, and any steps taken to prevent a similar crash in the future. The full text of the letter, which was signed by eight members of the Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee, is available here.

The day after Tax Day, the House passed bipartisan legislation to overhaul the IRS, including a measure Walorski introduced to strengthen IRS accountability for modernizing its information technology (IT) systems.

The 21st Century IRS Act (H.R. 5445) contained Walorski’s bill, the IRS Information Technology Accountability Act (H.R. 5362), which aims to prevent delays and cost overruns by strengthening accountability measures and codifying the role and responsibilities of the IRS’s chief information officer (CIO). The IRS relies on several legacy IT systems, some dating back to the 1960s, but has struggled to complete major IT modernization projects despite spending approximately $2.4 billion annually on IT.

Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana, serving as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.

###

Walorski Statement on First Lady Barbara Bush

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) today released the following statement on the passing of former First Lady Barbara Bush:

“Dean and I join all Americans in celebrating the remarkable life of Barbara Bush. She served the American people with unequaled grace and unwavering love for her family and country. I am grateful for her dignity and strength and for the example she and President Bush set for us all in their 73 years of marriage. My prayers are with the entire Bush family as they mourn her loss.”

Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana, serving as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.

###

Walorski Statement on U.S. Airstrikes in Syria

MISHAWAKA, Ind. – U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) today released the following statement after President Trump announced U.S. military airstrikes in Syria:

“U.S. military action alongside our allies is a necessary and decisive response to the Assad regime’s repeated use of chemical weapons against its own people. Such atrocities will not be tolerated. I am praying for our brave men and women in uniform.”

Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana, serving as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.

###

Walorski Urges President Trump to Remain in NAFTA, Modernize Agreement for 21st Century

Republican Members of Congress Send Letter Reaffirming Economic Benefits of NAFTA

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) and dozens of her colleagues this week urged President Trump to build on the economic momentum spurred by tax cuts by remaining in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and modernizing the trade pact for the 21st century.

“The effort you have led to modernize the agreement for the 21st century is incredibly important and, in combination with the historic tax cuts that you signed last year, has the potential to unleash the American economy unlike any other time before,” wrote Walorski and 63 of her House colleagues in a letter to the president. “We can further improve economic opportunities for American consumers, workers, and job creators by remaining in NAFTA and modernizing the agreement. We look forward to working with you and your Administration to realize our shared goal of a modernized NAFTA that will foster even greater economic success for Americans as we continue to compete and win around the world.”

The letter, led by Walorski and Reps. Pete Sessions (R-Texas), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), and Mimi Walters (R-Calif.), was signed by 64 Republican members of the House of Representatives.

A signed copy of the letter is available here, and the full text is below.

The Honorable Donald J. Trump
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear President Trump,
We write today to reaffirm the benefits of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The effort you have led to modernize the agreement for the 21st century is incredibly important and, in combination with the historic tax cuts that you signed last year, has the potential to unleash the American economy unlike any other time before.
NAFTA provides the foundation for a strong North American economy that will allow us to compete – and win – against the rest of the world. Today, trade with Canada and Mexico stands at $1.3 trillion annually and supports 14 million jobs. Canada and Mexico are the biggest export destination for 37 states. Whether big or small, American manufacturers, farmers, and the services providers from across all sectors of our economy have benefited from NAFTA. For instance, from 1993 to 2016, agriculture exports to Canada and Mexico quadrupled from $8.9 billion to $38.1 billion.
While NAFTA has benefited American workers and businesses, the agreement now is over two decades old, and there is a clear opportunity to improve the agreement and modernize its rules to better address our 21st century economy. Enhanced market access, reduced bureaucratic red tape, expanded energy exports, and updated rules on digital trade, intellectual property rights, and regulatory standards – all fully enforceable through binding dispute settlement – will create certainty for American business, new opportunities for more American jobs, and more benefits to consumers.
Mr. President, your economic stewardship has triggered positive momentum that has not been seen in years. The recent historic tax cuts that you signed into law have delivered significant raises, bonuses, and better benefits for workers, as well as new investments at home in equipment and facilities. We can further improve economic opportunities for American consumers, workers, and job creators by remaining in NAFTA and modernizing the agreement.
We look forward to working with you and your Administration to realize our shared goal of a modernized NAFTA that will foster even greater economic success for Americans as we continue to compete and win around the world.
Sincerely,

Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana, serving as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.

###

Walorski Statement on VA Secretary

MISHAWAKA, Ind. – U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) today released the following statement on the president’s announcement regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA):

“Hoosier Veterans deserve a VA that works for them and that fulfills our nation’s promise to care for our heroes. My top priority continues to be fully addressing ongoing concerns with patient care at facilities in Indiana. I’m grateful to Dr. Shulkin for his service, and I look forward to working with Dr. Jackson to build a culture of accountability at the VA and ensure our veterans get the services and care they earned.”

Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana, serving as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.

###

Walorski Applauds Trump Decision to Provide Retroactive Tariff Relief for Exclusions

U.S. Businesses Granted Product Exclusions from Steel and Aluminum Tariffs Will Not Be Forced to Pay Unnecessary Tax

MISHAWAKA, Ind. – U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) today applauded President Trump’s decision to ensure steel and aluminum tariffs paid by U.S. businesses while a product exclusion request is pending will be returned if the exclusion is granted.

“Narrowing these tariffs and providing flexibility to American businesses is critical to maintaining our nation’s economic momentum, and this is another step in the right direction,” Congresswoman Walorski said. “This commonsense decision will ensure American manufacturers aren’t forced to pay an unnecessary tax on products for which they are granted an exclusion. Now that the tariffs have taken effect, I will be closely monitoring any impact on local manufacturers and continuing to work with the administration to protect Hoosier jobs.”

BACKGROUND

President Trump on Thursday issued proclamations modifying the tariffs on aluminum and steel that took effect Friday. The proclamations ordered that tariff relief for products that cannot be obtained domestically or are vital to national security will be retroactive to when the request was submitted.

Congresswoman Walorski last week led 15 of her Ways and Means colleagues in sending a letter to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross urging retroactive relief for companies that successfully petition for product exclusions from the tariffs. In testimony Thursday before the committee, Secretary Ross said the Commerce Department has made a formal request to U.S. Customs and Border Protection to put tariffs paid while an exclusion request is pending into an escrow account so they can be returned if the exclusion is granted.

Walorski previously sent a letter to President Trump expressing concerns with his tariff proposal and sharing feedback from local manufacturers. She also signed a letter, along with 106 of her House Republican colleagues, urging the president to target unfair trade practices rather than impose blanket tariffs.

Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana, serving as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.

###

Walorski Statement on Meeting with VA Secretary

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) today released the following statement after meeting with Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary David Shulkin to discuss issues regarding the care Hoosier veterans receive:

“I met with Secretary Shulkin to discuss ongoing concerns I have with patient care at VA facilities in Indiana. My top priority continues to be getting Hoosier veterans the timely, quality care they earned. The entire VA leadership must take meaningful action to build a culture of accountability and address problems with the urgency our heroes deserve. I asked the secretary to keep me updated as he continues working to restore confidence in the VA.”

Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana, serving as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.

###