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"Today, the President signed into law the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016. Taking into account the terms of the Congressional Budget Agreement passed by the House on October 28th, this version of the National Defense Authorization Act gives the Department of Defense and our troops a predictable budget with which to plan, incorporates needed acquisition reform, and provides for the protection of our national security. Recent acts of terror throughout the world highlight the importance of this bill and the need for predictable funding for our Armed Forces.
Washington State Leaders: Reject Fear & Panic Surrounding Refugee Resettlement
Today I join our nation and the world in mourning those who lost their lives in Friday's terror attacks in Mali. During this difficult time, my thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of those killed and injured. I extend my sincere thanks to the diplomatic security staff and members of the United States military who assisted in the evacuation efforts, as well as the French and Malian military forces for their heroic actions during the hostage situation in Mali.
Our number one priority is protecting the United States and the American people from terrorist attacks. In the strongest possible terms, I condemn the cowardly attacks in Paris and send my deepest sympathies to the victims. As we fight terrorism, we must stay true to the values enshrined in our Constitution, remember that we are a nation of immigrants, and not let terrorist groups define or change who we are. The attacks in Paris highlight the continued challenge we face in the fight against terrorist networks.
There is an epidemic of homelessness in our community. This crisis is having a terrible impact on our region and combatting it is critical to addressing inequities in our society. Earlier this month, Seattle Mayor Ed Murray and King County Executive Dow Constantine proclaimed a state of emergency to address homelessness. Any solution to the increasing plight of the homeless in our community must include a focus on the veterans who have risked their lives to protect our freedoms and keep us safe.
"My thoughts are with the people of France after tonight's brutal terrorist attacks. While the extent of the attacks is still unknown, these horrific acts of terror highlight the continued challenge we face in the fight against terrorist networks. We must stand strong as an international community and remain steadfast in our belief that freedom and justice will prevail."
FEDERAL VETERANS AFFAIRS CASEWORK
Navigating the VA and DoD system can be a daunting process, and my staff and I are here to assist by connecting you with Veteran Service Officers (VSOs) who can help you through the process and make sure your applications and filings have been received. My staff has been successful in assisting many veterans who had issues with VA/DoD benefits. We encourage veterans to call our office if they need assistance. Here are a few examples of how my office has been able to help constituents with casework recently:
"On Veterans Day, we honor the brave and heroic service of all of our veterans. The men and women of our Armed Services risk their lives around the world every day to protect our freedoms and keep us safe. In return, it is critical that we ensure that they and their loved ones are cared for when they return home. I am honored to represent thousands of veterans who live in the 9th District in Washington state.
"The American criminal justice system is fundamentally broken.