Rokita Report 6/13/2014

Press Release

Stopping EPA Actions to Raise Your Family's Energy Costs

Earlier this month, President Obama's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in their latest attack in their "War on Coal," announced new regulations that are an energy tax on Indiana's #1 energy source.
Not only does coal meet 80% of Indiana's energy needs, it also provides 2,500 jobs and contributes over $750 million to our economy.

These proposed regulations, on top of the mountain of regulations that have been issued, are a direct threat to our economy and Hoosier family budgets.

I am taking action to stop these regulations to protect you and your family. This week, I cosponsored legislation to stop these rules from taking effect, and this isn't the first volley in my defense of Hoosier families.

I want to help Hoosier businesses create jobs, while the President and his out-of-control administration are intent on killing jobs. Through my Red Tape Rollback program, I have been fighting these, and other costly regulations, from an administration that has its boot on the neck of the economy.

Continuing the Fight to Care for Our Veterans

This week, the House continued its work to ensure veterans receive the care they were promised by demanding accountability from President Obama and his Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The House passed two key pieces of legislation that will reinforce congressional oversight of the VA, give the Secretary of the VA broader authority to dismiss failed management, and most importantly, require the VA to allow veterans to receive care at non-VA facilities. Those responsible for this terrible service, directly or indirectly, must be held accountable, starting with being fired for their negligence.

H.R. 2072 - Demanding Accountability for Veterans Act, which passed the House on Monday, requires the Veterans Affairs Inspector General (IG) to report to the VA Secretary and congressional veterans committees about failures by the VA to address a public health or safety issue recommended by the IG. Upon receipt of such notification, the VA Secretary is to take steps to address the situation with the responsible VA manager.

H.R. 4810 - The Veterans Access to Care Act, which passed the House Tuesday increases opportunities for veterans to receive medical care at non-VA facilities, requires the VA to contract with an independent entity to conduct an assessment of the health care provided at VA medical facilities, and eliminates bonuses and performance awards for all VA employees for FY 2014- FY2016.

These bills build on the work the House has done in recent weeks in response to the reports of gross misconduct and failed performance of the Phoenix VA hospital, as well as additional performance issues at other VA facilities across the country. To learn more about the recent legislation, please visit the House Committee on Veterans Affairs website.

Hoosier Hospitality - Indiana Welcomes the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association

Recently, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), of which I am a very proud member of, held what's known as a "fly-in" event at the Indianapolis Regional Airport. A fly-in can be many things for many different groups. For AOPA, a fly-in is literal, as attendees fly-in to an airport and participate in courses on the latest in general aviation safety and technology, as well as enjoy some fellowship with others in the community. Over 2,000 aviators attended the event.

During AOPA fly-ins, there is a pilot town hall. I helped lead this event, along with Rep. Larry Bucshon, Sen. Joe Donelly, and State Sen. Brandt Hershman. Following my introduction of AOPA President Mark Baker, we discussed the state of general aviation, and how it is such an important industry for Indiana.

Aviators Sign the GAPPA Petition

What should alarm Hoosiers about the current state of general aviation, however, is that it is an industry which is experiencing difficulty, in large part, due to excessive, burdensome, and costly regulations that are discouraging new aviators and seeing many older aviators leave the community. It is for that very reason I introduced the General Aviation Pilot Protection Act (GAPPA), to expand an already successful exemption of a costly medical test in another flight class to general aviation. I was pleased to update the AOPA community with our efforts to pass this bill. Right now, we have 113 cosponsors and have gained key support on the Aviation Subcommittee.

Town Hall in Mooresville June 16

It is my pleasure to announce that I will be hosting a Town Hall event in Mooresville on June 16. The event will take place at 6:00 pm in the Mooresville High School Auditorium (550 N. Indiana Street). The Town Hall will begin with a public reading of the Constitution and then I will take your questions.

Like all of my Town Halls, the event is open to the public and no appointment is required. I look forward to seeing you there.

Thank you for your continued interest in Congress and for supporting my efforts in Washington. Take care.

Sincerely,

Todd Rokita

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