Throughout my career, I have worked to protect and preserve the Second Amendment.  Mississippians understand and respect the responsible exercise of this fundamental right. 

A recent push for restrictive gun-control legislation has reignited the debate about the role of government in gun ownership.  Gun-control advocates insist that more rules are the answer to gun-related violence.  Some have launched new advertising campaigns to drum up public support and media attention.  Rather than adding new laws and regulatory burdens, Congress should focus on ways to make existing laws more effective.  The goal should be to increase safety and punish criminals – not unfairly hurt law-abiding gun owners.

UN Arms Trade Treaty

The debate on gun control will not be the first time the 113th Congress addresses a Second Amendment issue.  During the recent budget debate, the Senate considered an amendment to prevent the United States from joining the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty.  The measure, introduced by Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.), was passed by a vote of 53 to 46 – putting the Senate squarely on record against attempts to violate Americans’ right to bear arms.

The timing of Sen. Inhofe’s budget amendment was especially appropriate, as UN member states convened in late March for the final round of negotiations on a treaty to regulate the international transfer of conventional arms.  Similar talks collapsed in July of last year shortly after a majority of U.S. Senators expressed their concerns with the treaty’s questionable impact on constitutional rights and U.S. sovereignty.  The United States remains the world’s largest arms exporter, making America’s involvement critical for the UN treaty to work.

Like many of my colleagues, I have repeatedly stated my opposition to the UN effort since the Obama Administration first agreed in 2009 to take part in the treaty’s negotiations.  In March, I co-sponsored a Senate resolution outlining the many reasons that President Obama should not sign the agreement, including the “significant risks to the national security, foreign policy, and economic interests of the United States.”

The Constitution gives the Senate the exclusive authority to provide advice and consent on treaties, with two-thirds’ approval required for ratification.  This duty requires defending the freedoms established by our Founding Fathers against international efforts to curb them.  

Protecting Veterans

I remain committed to upholding the Constitution and protecting Americans’ Second Amendment rights.  I have consistently supported measures that would do so, such as the Veterans’ Second Amendment Protection Act introduced earlier this year.  The legislation would ensure that veterans and their families are not unfairly prohibited from purchasing a firearm if the Department of Veterans Affairs provides assistance with their federal benefits.  The current process does not differentiate between individuals who simply cannot handle their financial responsibilities and those who might pose a danger to themselves or others.  

Keeping the spotlight on the Second Amendment will be crucial in the days ahead as the Senate considers gun-control proposals from the Obama Administration and Senate Democrats.  Lawmakers have already expressed their willingness to defend the Second Amendment by supporting an amendment to block the UN Arms Trade Treaty.  Domestic policy should be treated the same.

Under the headline “A Pattern of Problems at a Hospital for Veterans,” the Times article painted an appalling picture of conduct at the Jackson VA over the past several years.  Among the accusations were missed diagnoses, improper sterilization procedures, and outright criminality.

The newspaper report followed news that the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) had sent a letter to the White House on March 18 regarding a “troubling pattern of disclosure.”  OSC is responsible for handling complaints from federal whistleblowers before referring them to the VA Secretary for investigation.  Only a fraction of complaints have led to an investigation.  As the Times noted, the OSC letter about the Jackson VA was “unusually strong.”

The outcry from OSC underscores countless calls from concerned Mississippians and veterans about the urgent need for better care.  I believe our veterans deserve top-quality medical services – a priority I take very seriously in Washington.  Mississippi’s veterans routinely contact my office for assistance with issues involving health care and the benefits claims process.  I remain committed to using every resource necessary to ensure that these and other concerns are promptly addressed.

As evidence has come to light about systemic problems affecting patient care at the Jackson VA, our congressional delegation has increased efforts to encourage local and national leaders to take action.  Last year, I met with VA Secretary Eric Shinseki specifically to discuss the Jackson VA’s ongoing problems and the persistence of veterans’ complaints.  Earlier this month, Sen. Cochran and I had a discussion with VA Under Secretary for Health Robert A. Petzel about the latest VA actions to address these concerns.  In that meeting, Petzel was optimistic about the steps that are now being taken to improve the quality of care and operations in Jackson, including the appointment of Joe Battle as the medical center’s new director.

Some interested parties contend that problems at the Jackson VA have already been addressed since the OSC received the first complaint in 2009.  I have requested regular updates about the progress that has been made.

The magnitude of the allegations across hospital departments – and their profound implications for the quality of patient care – demand continued vigilance and scrutiny.  Years of investigations and staff turnover have shaken confidence, which will take time to rebuild.

 
Investigations are still underway for two of the five complaints flagged by OSC.  The most recent – referred to the VA Secretary on March 5 – involves the failure of a radiologist to read thousands of X-rays and MRIs, ultimately contributing to missed diagnoses of serious, even fatal, illnesses.  As the OSC letter notes, hospital management learned of this negligence but never made an effort to contact affected patients and ensure remedial care.

Such threats to veterans’ well-being are inexcusable.  At my request, a “town hall” meeting has been tentatively scheduled for early April with Under Secretary Petzel in Jackson to give the public a chance to discuss the problems that still exist.  I am hopeful that this meeting will help restore veterans’ confidence in the medical care that they receive at the Jackson VA.

The Jackson VA has in the past ranked among the best VA facilities.  Upholding this reputation is important to fulfilling the promises made to the men and women in Mississippi who have honorably served our country.

For inspiration, we need not look further than the legacy tied to the medical center’s name.  Rep. G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery, who served during World War II and the Korean War, came to be known as “Mr. Veteran” on Capitol Hill because of his tireless advocacy on behalf of our service members.  Honoring his work means securing the best standards of care for our veterans – at the Jackson VA and at VA medical centers across the country.

Dear Friends,

Dear Friends,

House and Senate lawmakers revealed contrasting visions for the federal government this week with competing 2014 budget plans.

House budget writers produced a plan to save $4.6 trillion and balance the budget over the next ten years.

Senate policymakers drafted a budget that asks taxpayers for $923 billion in new taxes and never balances. Ever.

Check out this chart that shows how our budget cuts the debt:

For years, I have urged Congress to write a budget that cuts spending, modernizes our outdated tax code, and removes regulatory burdens that cripple our small businesses.

The House Republican plan meets these goals.

It’s simple: Your family balances their budget. My office balances our budget. And the state of Mississippi balances its budget.

Now more than ever, it’s time for the federal government to balance the budget.

God Bless,

Dear Friends,

Dear Friends,

Time: 6-7 p.m.

Place: Clay County Courthouse

Agenda:

High Utility Rates and Services
Important issues facing the PSC today and major reforms necessary
Greater broadband access to North Mississippi
Presley’s “Ratepayers’ Bill of Rights”
Updates on ‘Sap the Gap’
PSC satellite offices
Financial Assistance programs for low-income taxpayers
No Call Law

This is opportunity to speak up and share your concerns!

For the past year and a half, America has inched toward sequestration – a term used to describe automatic, across-the-board cuts falling heavily on our nation’s defense.  The cuts became law as part of the Budget Control Act of 2011 to force difficult but necessary decisions about out-of-control government spending.  The expectation was that Congress and the President would work together to achieve meaningful deficit reduction.

In the days leading up to the March 1 deadline, President Obama has tried to heighten fears about sequestration’s impact, holding campaign-like rallies and releasing reports projecting worst-case scenarios.  Most Americans realize that sequestration is not a smart plan for lowering the federal deficit.  Meanwhile, last-minute efforts by the President to earn press attention and blame Republicans have wasted precious time to put in place a better solution.  At a moment for leadership, the President has turned to political theater.

‘Moving the Goal Posts’

Bob Woodward reported recently in The Washington Post that sequestration was not devised by Congress – as the President has claimed – but by White House congressional relations chief Rob Nabors and then-budget director Jack Lew, the new Treasury Secretary.  Woodward goes on to write that the President is “moving the goal posts” in calling on Congress to replace spending cuts with tax hikes, which he previously agreed would not be part of the sequester.

To read more http://wicker.enews.senate.gov/common/mailings/index.cfm?id=248

Dear Friends,