Jackie Walorski | Page 9 | Representing Indiana's 2nd District

In the News: Elkhart Truth: Obama signs bill backed by Walorski to study recreation economy, another awaits his signature

Obama signs bill backed by Walorski to study recreation economy, another awaits his signature

by Ben Quiggle

President Obama has signed a piece of legislation backed by U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski that provides for a study of the outdoor recreation economy.
The Outdoor Recreation’s Economic Contributions Act directs the U.S. Department of Commerce to analyze and report on the impact outdoor recreational activities have on the economy, according to a press release. The data will be used to help federal, state and local governments make more informed policy and business decisions when considering rules, regulations and laws that impact recreation enthusiasts.
… “Indiana’s Second District is the RV capital of the world, so I know how vital the recreation industry is to our nation’s economy,” said Walorski, who is also the House RV Caucus co-chairwoman. “I am honored to be a co-sponsor of the REC Act, which will ensure we have a full picture of the economic impact of these businesses and the jobs they create so we can keep this industry growing.”
NDAA BILL
Walorski also saw Congress approve another bill she had been actively working on, the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act. She authored a provision of the bill that will support camps providing assistance to children from military families who have experienced or live in traumatic situations, according to a press release.
… “Military families make enormous sacrifices in service to our nation and they deserve our gratitude and support,” Walorski said. “The children of fallen heroes and of veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress and addiction face unique challenges, which is why I fought for this provision in the NDAA. With the bill now on its way to the president’s desk, more of these young people will be able to attend camps that offer help, guidance and healing.”

Read the full story here.

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In the News: Elkhart Truth: Local reaction positive after federal overtime rule blocked from taking effect

Local reaction positive after federal overtime rule blocked from taking effect

by Ben Quiggle

Reaction to a courts ruling that blocks a new federal overtime rule from coming into effect Dec. 1 was swift.
U.S. Congresswoman Jackie Walorski (R-Dist.2) said she was “thrilled” and that the rule change was an “erroneous, over the top regulation” by President Barack Obama’s administration.
“This rule change was going to decimate companies and non-profits,” she said. “I knew once it got in front of a judge it wouldn’t pass a litmus test.”
… Walorski — who had previously supported a U.S. House of Representatives bill that would have delayed the rule taking affect until next June — said she had been hearing consistently from constituents, small business owners and non-profits about the impact this rule was going to have on them.”This was not widely publicized and a lot of owners did not see this coming,” she said.
Kyle Hannon, president of the Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce, said he breathed a sigh of relief when he heard about the injunction. He said he was unsure how many businesses were ready for the rule change that was prepared to take affect late next week.
… Walorski said she doesn’t think the rule will ever go into affect.”This regulation came out of the blue and had people really stressed,” she said. “With the new administration in place I don’t see this rule change ever happening.”

Read the full story here.

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Walorski Stands Up for Small Businesses, Votes to Delay Harmful Regulation

House Acts to Stall Department of Labor Rule That Would Impact Small Businesses, Schools, Nonprofits, Employees

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (IN-02) today voted to delay the Obama administration’s burdensome overtime rule that, if implemented, would increase costs and red tape for small businesses, colleges, universities, and nonprofits and lead to reduced wages and hours for workers. The House passed H.R. 6094, the Regulatory Relief for Small Businesses, Schools, and Nonprofits Act, by a vote of 246 to 177.

“Small businesses and their hardworking employees are vital to our economy, but too often bureaucratic red tape gets in the way of job growth,” Congresswoman Walorski said. “The administration is rushing to implement a misguided regulation that will lead to pay cuts and reduced flexibility for workers. With this bill the House is standing up for the small businesses, schools, and community organizations that will be hardest hit and the employees who will see their paychecks shrink if the rule goes into effect.”

BACKGROUND

The Department of Labor in May finalized a rule raising the compensation level for executive, administrative, and professional employees to be exempt from overtime pay. The rule is set to take effect December 1.

If implemented, the rule would have wide-ranging effects on businesses and employees, including reduced flexibility as salaried employees are forced to clock in and out of work, increased compliance costs and time-consuming paperwork for small businesses, and higher operating costs for colleges, universities, and nonprofit organizations.

H.R. 6094 delays the implementation of the rule for six months to allow businesses, schools, and nonprofits to prepare for the rule’s effects, and to give Congress more time to reform outdated federal overtime rule in a responsible way that does not harm small businesses, nonprofits, and working families.

Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana, serving as a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, House Armed Services Committee and House Committee on Agriculture.

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Walorski Chairs Nutrition Subcommittee Hearing on SNAP Employment and Training Programs

Examines State Pilot Projects Testing Innovative Solutions to Better Connect SNAP Recipients to Jobs

Latest Hearing in Committee Review of Past, Present, and Future of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (IN-02), chair of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition, today held a hearing on state efforts to test innovative ways to help Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients find and keep good jobs.

The hearing, a continuation of the committee’s review known as the Past, Present, and Future of SNAP, examined state SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) programs, which provide job search assistance, skills development, and educational services. Representatives from three of the ten states selected to participate in the SNAP E&T pilot programs authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill testified at the hearing.

“A job is the first step for anyone trying to move up the economic ladder and out of poverty,” Walorski said. “State SNAP E&T programs exist to help SNAP recipients find job opportunities and develop valuable skills so they can get back to work and back on their feet. Finding out what works and what doesn’t is central to House Republicans’ policy initiative known as ‘A Better Way,’ and the state initiatives we heard about today will test innovative new ideas to improve SNAP E&T programs.”

Video of the hearing is available here. The text of Walorski’s opening statement can be found here.

Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana, serving as a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, House Armed Services Committee and House Committee on Agriculture.

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In the News: RVIC: Walorski Holds Recreation Manufacturing Roundtable

Recreation Vehicle Indiana Council: Walorski Holds Recreation Manufacturing Roundtable

U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski visited Elkhart August 25 to hear from leaders in the local RV and boating industries. The roundtable discussion was hosted by the National Marine Manufacturers Association and RVIA. Matt Rose with IMHA-RVIC was part of the group of fourteen representatives from both industries. The group addressed a variety of topics with Walorski including regulation, taxes and, most notably, the labor shortage in and around the Elkhart area. Doug Smoker with Smoker Craft indicated the company could hire 41 workers right now if it found qualified applicants.
Walorski noted assistance with training grants are available from the federal level while internships on the high school and college levels were discussed as possible solutions to grow the labor pool.

Read the full story here.

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Walorski Highlights Local Community Organizations Fighting Poverty in House Floor Speech

“Hearing from those on the front lines of the fight against poverty is the best way to learn what works and what doesn’t.”

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (IN-02) today highlighted community organizations fighting hunger and poverty in Indiana’s 2nd District in a speech on the House floor.

In August, Congresswoman Walorski made several visits throughout the district to learn more about anti-poverty efforts in northern Indiana, including stops at the Food Bank of Northern Indiana in South Bend, Church Community Services in Elkhart, and the Washington Discovery Academy and Marshall County Neighborhood Center in Plymouth.

Walorski has been working in Congress to examine and reform federal anti-poverty and anti-hunger programs. As chair of the House Agriculture Nutrition Subcommittee, she has held more than a dozen hearings on the past, present, and future of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps. In June, she joined House Speaker Paul Ryan and several colleagues to unveil “A Better Way to Fight Poverty,” a set of policy ideas for improving the effectiveness of federal anti-poverty programs.

A video of Congresswoman Walorski’s speech is available here. The full text of her remarks is below.

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to applaud the important work being done in Indiana’s 2nd District to fight poverty and end hunger.
“This August I visited the Food Bank of Northern Indiana, which serves six counties, and Church Community Services in Elkhart.
“Both have been doing incredible work fighting poverty for decades.
“I also toured the Washington Discovery Academy in Plymouth, where they have a garden to teach kids about nutrition and grow produce for a local food pantry, and the Marshall County Neighborhood Center, whose food pantry serves 400 families each month.
“Mr. Speaker, hearing from those on the front lines of the fight against poverty is the best way to learn what works and what doesn’t.
“That idea is central to the House Republicans’ Better Way agenda.
“Too many people are getting trapped in a cycle of poverty.
“That’s why “A Better Way” calls for innovative and evidence-based solutions.
“By listening to people in our communities and testing new ideas, we can build a bridge out of poverty.
“I yield back.”

Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana, serving as a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, House Armed Services Committee and House Committee on Agriculture.

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In the News: South Bend Tribune: Legislative Recap

SBT

South Bend Tribune: Legislative Recap

by Kevin Allen

Here’s a look at what Michiana’s members of Congress did during the past week.
Monday
• The Michiana Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America selected U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski, R-Jimtown, to receive the 2016 Colonel Jack Stephens Citizenship Award in recognition of her service to active duty, reserve and veteran service members in the community.
Walorski, the daughter of an Air Force veteran, sits on the Armed Services Committee, the Veterans’ Affairs Committee and the Agriculture Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives.
She has devoted a significant amount of her time in Congress to issues such as providing veterans with better access to services and benefits, according to the association. She has co-sponsored legislation to improve cost-of-living adjustments for Veterans Affairs beneficiaries and require any public institution accepting GI Bill education benefits to offer in-state tuition rates to all veterans. She also has pressed the VA to reduce its service backlog.
Tuesday
• U.S. Rep Jackie Walorski R-Jimtown visited Plymouth to see nutrition programs up close and meet with those on the front lines of the fight against hunger.
At the Washington Discovery Academy, which is part of Plymouth Community School Corp. and where 65 percent of students receive free or reduced-price breakfast, Walorski learned about the school’s garden, toured classrooms and joined students for breakfast in the cafeteria. After the school tour, Walorski visited the Marshall County Neighborhood Center, a community organization whose food pantry serves more than 400 families each month.
“I’ve seen hunger up close, both overseas and here in Indiana’s 2nd District, and I am committed to fixing the way we fight poverty,” Walorski said. “As our work continues in Congress, it is critically important that I hear from those who know best what works and what doesn’t.”
Walorski has been working in Congress to study federal anti-poverty and anti-hunger programs. As chair of the House Agriculture Nutrition Subcommittee, she has held more than a dozen hearings on the past, present and future of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps. In June, she joined House Speaker Paul Ryan and several colleagues to unveil “A Better Way to Fight Poverty” — a set of policy ideas for improving the effectiveness of federal anti-poverty programs.

Read the full story here.

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Walorski Visits Marshall County School, Community Center to Learn About Anti-Hunger Programs

Joined Local Officials for Tour of Washington Discovery Academy, Marshall County Neighborhood Center

PLYMOUTH, Ind. – U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (IN-02) on Tuesday visited the Washington Discovery Academy and the Marshall County Neighborhood Center in Plymouth, Ind., to see nutrition programs up close and meet with those on the front lines of the fight against hunger.

“The people at Washington Discovery Academy and the Marshall County Neighborhood Foundation are doing incredible work to find innovative, effective ways to fight hunger and create greater opportunity in our communities,” Congresswoman Walorski said. “I’ve seen hunger up close, both overseas and here in Indiana’s 2nd District, and I am committed to fixing the way we fight poverty. As our work continues in Congress, it is critically important that I hear from those who know best what works and what doesn’t. I appreciate the opportunity to learn more about the great work happening in the Marshall County community.”

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At the Washington Discovery Academy, which is part of Plymouth Community School Corporation and where 65 percent of students receive free or reduced price breakfast, Walorski learned about the school’s garden, toured classrooms, and joined students for breakfast in the cafeteria. Washington Discovery Academy teaches students about nutrition and connects them with food sources through its school garden. Produce from the garden has been donated to the Marshall County Neighborhood Center.

After the school tour, Walorski visited the Marshall County Neighborhood Center, a community organization whose food pantry serves more than 400 families each month. Through the food pantry and other resources, the center’s staff and volunteers assist local individuals and families facing poverty. Walorski toured the facility and met with volunteers and staff.

Walorski was joined by Linda Yoder, executive director of the Marshall County Community Foundation (MCCF); Angela Rupchock-Schafer, chief development and communications officer of MCCF; Mark Senter, mayor of Plymouth; and various school officials and community volunteers.

Walorski has been working in Congress to examine and reform federal anti-poverty and anti-hunger programs. As chair of the House Agriculture Nutrition Subcommittee, she has held more than a dozen hearings on the past, present, and future of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps. In June, she joined House Speaker Paul Ryan and several colleagues to unveil “A Better Way to Fight Poverty,” a set of policy ideas for improving the effectiveness of federal anti-poverty programs.

Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana, serving as a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, House Armed Services Committee and House Committee on Agriculture.

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In the News: South Bend Tribune: Legislative Recap

SBT

South Bend Tribune: Legislative Recap

by Kevin Allen

Here’s a look at what Michiana’s members of Congress did during the past week.
… U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski, R-Jimtown, joined manufacturers for a round-table discussion hosted by the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association and the National Marine Manufacturers Association at Lexington Engineering Center in Elkhart.
The discussion was titled “Indiana Manufactures Outdoor Recreation for America.”
RVIA President Frank Hugelmeyer said RV shipments are up more than 125 percent since the market bottomed out in 2009 during the Great Recession. Indiana’s 2nd Congressional District — which Walorski represents — is home to 157 RV-related businesses that employ more than 14,200 people and generate $4.6 billion in annual economic impact, according to the RVIA.
“As a longtime friend and advocate of the RV industry, Congresswoman Walorski has a deep appreciation for the outdoor recreation industry, the important role it plays in the larger national economy and how it has helped drive an economic rejuvenation in Elkhart,” Hugelmeyer said.
Recreational boating supports 1,700 jobs across 76 businesses and contributes $321 million to the economy each year in Indiana’s 2nd District, according to the NMMA.
“Champions like Congresswoman Walorski, who recognize the importance of domestic manufacturing, help to ensure that businesses have the ability to invest in local communities like Elkhart, provide thousands of jobs, boost the economy and produce innovative products in outdoor recreation for all Americans to enjoy,” NMMA President Thom Dammrich said in a press release.

Read the full story here.

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Walorski Honored by Congressional Hunger Center for Work to Fight Poverty

Walorski’s Nutrition Subcommittee Has Studied Hunger Assistance Reforms

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (IN-02) today was honored by the Congressional Hunger Center for her work to fight hunger and poverty. As chairwoman of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition, Walorski has held more than a dozen hearings over 18 months examining the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and its role in anti-poverty and anti-hunger efforts.

“I want to thank the Congressional Hunger Center as well as Congressman Jim McGovern, my Ranking Member on the Nutrition Subcommittee, for all their work on these critical issues,” Congresswoman Walorski said. “The goal of replacing poverty and hunger with prosperity and opportunity is a bipartisan one, and I hope our cooperation and collaboration lays the groundwork for real improvements to how we help Americans build a bridge out of poverty.”

Walorski was one of seven honorees at the 2016 Hunger Leadership Awards. U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern (MA-02), the Ranking Member of the Nutrition Subcommittee, presented Walorski with the award. Other honorees included U.S. Senators Pat Roberts (KS) and Debbie Stabenow (MI), U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore (WI-04), and chef and restaurateur Jose Andres. The Congressional Hunger Center is a nonprofit organization that works to make issues of domestic and international hunger a priority to policymakers.

Walorski has held numerous hearings of the Nutrition Subcommittee to study the past, present, and future of SNAP and reviewing the unique challenges facing children, seniors, veterans, and active duty military families trying to get back on their feet and break free from the cycle of poverty and hunger. Among the issues studied were the “welfare cliff” – the abrupt loss of benefits due to a new job or a raise – and the way the more than 80 anti-poverty programs work with each other.

Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana, serving as a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, House Armed Services Committee and House Committee on Agriculture.