News | Page 3 | Congresswoman Jackie Walorski

Walorski Statement on Tariffs on Chinese Imports

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) today released the following statement after President Trump approved tariffs on certain goods imported from China:

“President Trump is right to confront China’s unfair trade practices that stifle innovation and cost American jobs, but I am concerned these tariffs will harm our manufacturers, farmers, and workers. Any action must be narrowly targeted and balanced to avoid slowing the tremendous economic growth we’re seeing because of tax cuts and regulatory reforms.
“The administration must also implement a strong and fair exclusion process. It is critical that the mistakes of the Commerce Department – which has failed to provide transparency and due process to American businesses impacted by steel and aluminum tariffs – not be repeated.”

BACKGROUND

Congresswoman Walorski has led calls for improvements to the product exclusion process established by the Department of Commerce for Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs in order to reduce burdens on manufacturers and other small businesses. She sent a bipartisan letter signed by 38 of her colleagues asking Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to implement changes to streamline the process and provide certainty and relief to small businesses impacted by the tariffs.

After Walorski led 15 of her Ways and Means colleagues in sending a letter to Secretary Ross urging retroactive relief for companies that successfully petition for product exclusions from the tariffs, President Trump signed an order ensuring tariffs paid while a product exclusion request is pending will be returned if the exclusion is granted.

At a recent House Ways and Means Committee hearing, Walorski pressed U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer on the administration’s response to threats of retaliatory tariffs that could harm American farmers, manufacturers, and other small businesses. She called on the administration to consider the impact retaliatory measures could have on small businesses and family farmers in Indiana.

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

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Walorski Supports Record Funding for Veterans

House Passes VA Funding Bill with Increased Resources, Stronger Oversight

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) today voted for legislation that provides a record level of funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and strengthens accountability measures.

“As Americans, we have a responsibility the brave men and women who fought for us,” Congresswoman Walorski said. “This legislation will help our veterans get the resources and care they earned, and it will strengthen oversight to restore a culture of accountability at the VA. As we continue working to fix the VA, we are making the investments needed to rebuild trust in the VA and keep our nation’s promise to our veterans.”

BACKGROUND

The Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2019 (H.R. 5895) provides $85.3 billion in discretionary funding for the VA, an increase of $3.9 billion from current funding levels and the highest dollar amount ever for the department. It passed the House by a vote of 235 to 179.

The Military Construction and Veterans Affairs portion of H.R. 5895 includes:

$71.2 billion overall for medical care, including mental health services, suicide prevention outreach, traumatic brain injury treatment, homeless veteran services, opioid abuse prevention, and rural veterans health initiatives;
$1.2 billion to modernize the VA’s electronic health record system so veterans can seamlessly transition to from military service;
$1.1 billion for the new Veterans Community Care Program and the Family Caregivers Program under the VA MISSION Act;
Resources to process disability claims for the 450,000 veterans waiting for the compensation they deserve;
Funding for VA oversight offices to protect whistleblowers and investigate reports of poor patient care;
Stronger oversight of VA claims processing and construction projects to ensure the VA is accountable to veterans and taxpayers; and
$10.3 billion for military construction projects, including military installations, schools and housing for military families, and medical facilities for servicemembers.

Earlier this week, President Trump signed into law the VA MISSION Act. The new law streamlines 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.

Walorski recently testified before the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, calling for greater accountability across the VA to improve care for veterans. Video of her testimony is available here.

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

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Walorski Opposes Cuts to Children’s Health Insurance Program

Votes Against Legislation That Would Cut CHIP Funding

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) today voted against legislation that would cut funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which Congress recently extended for 10 years.

“Congress needs to make tough decisions to get our national debt under control, but fiscal responsibility should not come at the cost of children’s health care,” Congresswoman Walorski said. “I do not support cutting funding for CHIP just months after we passed the longest extension in the history of this vital program. I was also concerned that cutting funding to fight agricultural disease outbreaks would hurt family farmers who depend on these efforts. We must cut wasteful spending and be good stewards of taxpayer dollars, but we must do so in ways that do not harm Hoosier families.”

BACKGROUND

Walorski voted against H.R. 3, which would cut $5.1 billion from the Children Health Insurance Fund and $148 million from the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

In February, Congress passed the Bipartisan Budget Act (H.R. 1892) with Walorski’s support. The legislation, which President Trump signed into law, established long-term funding levels and extended CHIP funding for 10 years.

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

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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.

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Walorski Introduces Bipartisan Legislation Ensuring Patient Access to Critical Breakthrough Products

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) today joined Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.) in introducing the Ensuring Patient Access to Critical Breakthrough Products Act of 2018 (H.R. 5997), a bill that would guarantee Medicare beneficiaries access to cutting edge medical innovation. The bipartisan legislation is cosponsored by Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Ala.), Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.), and Rep. Tony Cardenas (D-Calif.).

Currently, Medicare does not automatically cover the latest advances in medical technology. This is true even for medical devices that are approved through the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) expedited review process. The lag between FDA’s approval and Medicare’s coverage determination can take up to three years. The Ensuring Patient Access to Critical Breakthrough Products Act would require Medicare to cover all breakthrough products that are approved through the FDA’s expedited review process for three years. Within those three years Medicare must make a permanent coverage determination. For a medical device to earn the “breakthrough” designation the new technology must meet the following criteria:

provides more effective treatment or diagnosis of life-threatening or irreversibly debilitating diseases or conditions;
has no approved alternatives;
offers significant advantages over existing approved alternatives; or
availability is in the best interest of patients.

“The best way to encourage life-saving medical innovation is to remove unnecessary barriers to patients getting the cutting-edge medical products they need,” Rep. Walorski said. “By allowing Medicare patients to access breakthrough technologies faster, the Patient Access to Critical Breakthroughs Act will expand treatment options for patients and open new doors for future innovative therapies and cures.”

“It makes no sense that Medicare drags it feet to cover cutting edge technologies especially when the FDA works to expedite their own review process for these same treatments. Seniors shouldn’t have to wait to access medical products that can change or even save their lives,” Rep. DelBene said. “The guaranteed coverage of these breakthrough technologies will also foster investment in the industry and which will yield greater advances in the future.”

“America’s medical device manufacturers and innovators are working every day to develop cutting-edge life-saving therapies and devices,” said Rep. Terri A. Sewell. “We must ensure that the review and approval process for breakthrough therapies doesn’t inhibit patient access to the most innovative and effective technologies coming to market. The introduction of the Ensuring Patient Access to Critical Breakthrough Products Act of 2018 is a step towards streamlining the regulatory process and ensuring that these devices reach the patients who need them in a timely manner.”

“This legislation will help millions of seniors on Medicare by ensuring more timely access to the treatments they need,” said Congressman Bilirakis. “Additionally, there are more than 600 medical device companies in our state working to develop innovative and effective products. During a roundtable discussion in my district, I heard from many of these businesses about how these lengthy and unnecessary Medicare coverage delays create a significant barrier in bringing new products to market. This bill is about connecting patients with important devices and technologies more quickly. Additionally, it is about encouraging innovation rather than stifling it. Government has to get out of the way and streamline the payment process for effective new devices that can ultimately help improve and save lives.”

“I am proud to co-sponsor this bill, as it would streamline Medicare coverage for approved technologies that go through the FDA’s medical device review process. This would provide patients with timely access to life-saving innovations. It would also promote a more efficient regulatory ecosystem so that the roughly 1,700 medical device companies in California could continue to develop and innovate and spend more time taking care of customers in need,” said Rep. Cardenas.

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

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Walorski Statement on Administration Decision on Steel and Aluminum Tariffs

MISHAWAKA, Ind. – U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) today released the following statement on the administration’s decision to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Canada, Mexico, and the European Union:

“Steel and aluminum tariffs are already doing serious harm to American businesses and workers, and this decision will only make matters worse.
“Imposing tariffs on our allies will do nothing to solve the problem of China’s unfair trade practices, but it will further raise costs for American manufacturers, hurt their global competitiveness, expose farmers to damaging retaliatory tariffs, and put American jobs at risk.
“The administration needs to work with Congress to fix the product exclusion process and find a more targeted, balanced solution that does not threaten to undo the economic momentum driven by tax cuts.”

BACKGROUND

Congresswoman Walorski recently called for improvements to the product exclusion process for steel and aluminum tariffs to reduce burdens on manufacturers and other small businesses. She led a bipartisan letter 38 of her colleagues asking Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to implement changes to streamline the process and provide certainty and relief to small businesses impacted by the tariffs.

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

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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.

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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.

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Walorski Votes for National Defense Bill to Keep America Safe

FY19 NDAA Continues Military Rebuilding, Gives Troops Biggest Pay Raise in 9 Years

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) today voted for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which continues the rebuilding of the military and provides servicemembers a 2.6 percent pay raise.

“Our national security depends on the brave men and women of our Armed Forces, and we are ensuring they have the tools, training, and support they need to keep America safe,” Congresswoman Walorski said. “This bipartisan defense bill not only advances the critical work already underway to rebuild our military, it also gives our servicemembers their biggest pay raise in nine years.”

BACKGROUND

The House passed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (H.R. 5515) by a bipartisan vote of 351 to 66.

Rebuilding Our Military

Authorizes $717 billion in defense funding for FY19.
Increases size of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Naval and Air Reserve, and Air Guard.
Boosts investment in maintenance, training, restoration, and modernization.
Makes key reforms to Pentagon bureaucracy and streamlines acquisition process.

Supporting Our Troops

Fully funds a 2.6 percent pay increase for servicemembers – their biggest raise in nine years.
Extends special pay and bonuses for servicemembers in high-demand fields.
Requires comprehensive review of wounded warrior care and mental health services.
Ensures no military medical treatment facility is closed until all facilities are transitioned to the Defense Health Agency.

Keeping Our Nation Safe

Maintains existing prohibitions on closing the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay or transferring terrorist detainees to U.S. soil.
Enhances missile defense and nuclear deterrence capabilities to counter increasing threats from hostile nations.
Provides critical resources to destroy terrorist networks and confront threats from countries like North Korea, Iran, Russia, and China.
Supports co-development of missile defense systems with Israel and co-production of Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow weapons systems.

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

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Walorski Welcomes Hoosier Honor Flight Veterans

Local Veterans Visited Nation’s Capital with Honor Flight Northeast Indiana

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) today welcomed Hoosier veterans to the nation’s capital as they visited the World War II Memorial and other sites with Honor Flight Northeast Indiana.

“As we approach Memorial Day, our nation reflects on the immeasurable sacrifices of the men and women who served and those who did not return home,” Congresswoman Walorski said. “The brave Hoosiers I met today answered the call to serve, and we owe them a debt of gratitude. I was honored to thank them for their service and for risking their lives to keep America safe and free.”

Photos of Walorski greeting veterans at the National World War II Memorial are available here.

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

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