Steve Buyer for Congress

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We wanted to make you aware of the upcoming town hall meeting. As with the prior Town Hall in Danville, this will be an opportunity for the constituents of the 4th district to address current issues facing America with Congressman Steve Buyer. Such issues may include the significant level of spending this session in Congress, energy legislation and health care; as well as additional topics brought up during the open microphone period.

Time: Saturday, September 12^th 2009 from 9:00-10:00 a.m.
(The doors will open at 8:30 a.m.)

Thank you for the support for the town hall meeting with Congressman Buyer on Tuesday. It was a tremendous event where the crowd of over 900 citizens engaged their Congressman with the issues currently facing our nation.

Overwhelming people expressed their concern with the current unsustainable level of spending in Washington, discussed their feelings of how cap and trade will negatively impact Indiana and echoed Congressman Buyer’s feelings opposing the national health care system supported by the President.

These events are a success due to Your involvement in Your government … be assured Your Representative is prepared to take the 4^th Districts message back to Washington.

We wanted to make you aware of our upcoming town hall meeting. This will be an opportunity for the constituents of the 4th district to address current issues facing America with Congressman Steve Buyer. Such issues may include the significant level of spending this session in Congress, energy legislation and health care; as well as additional topics brought up during the open mike period.

Time: Tuesday, August 25th, 2009 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
(The doors will open at 6:00 p.m.)

Location: Hendricks County 4-H Conference Center,
Halls A and B,
1900 East Main Street, Danville, IN

I hope this newsletter finds you well. Attached is a link to a powerful clip in the National Journal titled “Helping Women Vets Rise Above Homelessness.” Please take a moment to watch and see what Congressman Buyer is doing on behalf our Nations Heroes.

http://www.nationaljournal.com/njonline/no_20090420_5452.php

Congressman Buyer’s 2009 Current Veterans Initiatives

10 December 2008 - Congressman Buyer was chosen to be the Leading Republican on the House Veterans Committee

29 December 2008 – Congressman Buyer Puts Forth a Comprehensive Veterans Plan to be included in the Stimulus Package in Letter to President-elect Obama and Speaker Pelosi

“We should not say we want to stimulate the economy and fail to include investments in programs that improve the lives of veterans,” said Steve Buyer. To put stimulus funding where it would help both veterans and the economy the most, Buyer’s Veterans Plan proposed:

$1 billion per year to reauthorize an expired Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) program to guarantee loans to veteran-owned small businesses;
Over $357 million for a broad set of initiatives that would increase job training and placement programs for veterans, especially homeless women veterans;
$927 million above current funding to accelerate construction programs to upgrade VA’s aging healthcare infrastructure and cemetery system.

“Investing in our veterans not only helps those who served our nation, it also promotes economic growth through new construction projects, and by increasing educational opportunities and access to health care.”
- Steve Buyer, 29 December 2008

8 January 2009 – Congressman Buyer sends a letter to President-elect Obama, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Republican Leader John Boehner addressing energy.

Highlights of the letter include:

“The economic stimulus package should protect the jobs of Americans by addressing our energy needs with American-made Energy.”
“While the US has held our oil demand steady relative to industrial competitors, more needs to be done to build the bridge from where we are today – 63 percent dependent on foreign sources of energy, and growing more dependent by the year – to the renewable and alternative energy future in which we all want to live.”
“As long as we are dependent on foreign sources of energy, the American economy will lack security and endurance. I therefore support including funds within the economic stimulus package to bolster and accelerate the development of American-made energy.”

8 January 2009 – Steve Buyer introduces a Bipartisan VA Energy Bill (H.R. 292)

“This bill, H.R. 292, would establish long-term plans for energy sustainability and conservation within the VA. As our country adapts to the increased global demand for energy resources it is imperative that we develop wise consumption policies and take real steps to mitigate the impact of increased costs,” said Steve Buyer.

Highlights of the bill include:

A feasibility study regarding the installation of energy efficient and renewable energy systems in VA buildings and a report on the installation of alternative fuel stations for VA facilities. Such systems include solar technologies, energy efficient roof and building envelope systems, wind technology and wood-based bio-fuels.
Provides an additional amount of up to $10,000 for high efficiency systems for veterans who qualify for specially adapted housing grants and it would provide veterans who qualify for specially adapted auto grants the additional amount necessary to purchase alternative fuel vehicles.

“As the cost of fossil fuels rise and resources become scarcer, our nation must provide services for our veterans in an energy efficient manner,” Buyer said. “VA is the second largest federal agency with hundreds of facilities nationwide including, hospitals, outpatient clinics and regional offices, and it should set the example for the wise use of alternative and renewable energy resources. Doing so will conserve energy and financial resources that can be used to provide care for our veterans.”

8 January 2009 – Steve Buyer Introduces Noble Warrior Initiatives

“While improving the economy will be a major focus, we must also remember the thousands of men and women returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. These heroes, and the veterans who served before them, are the pride of our nation and the thin line that stands between our freedom and tyranny.

Steve Buyer believes it is imperative that veterans’ health care, benefits, and economic opportunities are among our highest national priorities in the new Congress. In recognition of their sacrifices, he believes we must ensure that their benefits and services are the best available, and that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) delivers them in a timely and accurate manner.

“In addition to meeting veterans’ immediate needs, we must envision ways to best serve tomorrow’s veterans and ensure VA remains viable well into the future,” Buyer said. “I have urged House leaders and the incoming Administration to include four of them in any economic stimulus package that might be considered. Certainly, no other segment of our population is more deserving of such focus.”

H.R. 294, The Veterans’ Small Business Promotion Act of 2009

This bill would put stimulus funding where it would help both veterans and the economy the most. It would renew VA authority to guarantee loans of up to $500,000 for small businesses owned and operated by veterans. VA would be authorized up to $1 billion in loan guarantees for each fiscal year.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and disabled veterans own and operate a significant percentage of small business firms.”

--Steve Buyer

H.R. 295, The More Jobs for Veterans Act of 2009

Measure seeks to increase funding for the Department of Labor Veteran Work Investment Program (VWIP) by $20 million per year. VWIP helps veterans acquire employment skills relevant to today’s job market.

H.R. 297, The Veteran Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Subsistence Allowance Improvement Act of 2009”

This bill would increase the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment monthly living allowance rate from $520 to $1,200 per month.

H.R. 293, The Homeless Women Veteran and Homeless Veterans with Children Reintegration Grant Program Act

Measure would authorize appropriations of $10 million annually to provide reintegration services for homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children.

H.R. 296, The Armed Forces Disability Retirement Enhancement Act

“Our nation’s heroes should not have to battle bureaucracy and wait obscene time to receive the benefits they have earned. Once of the problems we have worked to improve is to simplify military disability retirement,” Buyer said.

Congressman Buyer believes the system is far too complex, and it is unfair to confront wounded warriors with more difficulties when their focus should be on recovery and their loved ones. Systemic problems were identified more than two years ago but they have yet to be resolved. The Buyer bill would ensure that those found unable to serve would automatically receive military retirement benefits based on rank and years of service. This provision would end the offset between military retirement pay and VA disability compensation. Medical retirees would also automatically receive health and dental coverage. Currently, such eligibility hinges on the findings of a military physical evaluation board. Injured service members should not have to endure the added worry as to whether physical evaluation boards will grant such benefits.

Monticello, IN--Congressman Steve Buyer (IN-04) released the following statement after being declared the winner in the race for the 4th Congressional District and having thanked volunteers and supporters:

"It is humbling to receive this mandate from Hoosiers. As a voice for Indiana, I will continue to work hard and address the serious challenges facing our nation and Indiana. I will continue to work to offer constructive plans to increase our economic security, grow our economy with free market principles, provide affordable health care, ensure our children have opportunities to learn, grow and become productive adults, to protect our homeland, and take care of our men and women in uniform and our veterans.

Hoosiers have continued to place their confidence in me to work hard, make sound decisions, find common ground and do that which is right for Indiana and the nation. I will continue to work hard to earn Hoosiers' trust every day.

Those who seek office and their families make sacrifices; but in the end, it is a very rewarding experience. My approach has always been to have a conversation with Hoosiers and to listen to their ideas as I also share with them my thoughts and ideals on how to better our nation. I commend my opponent for coming from Washington D.C. to Indiana to run; however, it was unfortunate he brought such a negative and mean spirited tone to his campaign.

I believe the nation faces many challenges. The Congress and the White House will be led by democrats for the first time since 1993. It will be important to work together to find common ground but that does not mean we should lay dormant and accept their views of the world. Democrats have the majority and part of my job will be to work with them when we agree and to also hold them accountable to ensure that Indiana has a voice and that voice is heard. Government works best when opposing views are listened to and bipartisan agreements are reached."

Congressman Buyer talked often during the campaign about his "Main Street USA Energy Security Act," which is a comprehensive energy plan to address energy needs for today and tomorrow, including drilling, alternative fuels, and research and development. The primary focus of the current Congress has been on energy use but the next Congress must address the supply problem.

As an active colonel in the Army Reserves, and a 14 year co-chair of the Guard and Reserve Caucus, Steve Buyer has been a strong advocate for the nation's military and veterans. He focuses his efforts on ensuring our men and women in uniform have the resources, training and equipment needed to protect our interests and our homeland.

Steve Buyer has led the effort to increase veterans' benefits by 100% since 2000, and has said he will continue to make sure our veterans receive the health care and benefits they have earned.

While there are economic challenges before this nation, Steve Buyer believes America always rises to the challenge and remains strong. He opposed the government bailout of Wall Street for many reasons, including Wall Street being placed before the interests of taxpayers, the process moved too quickly to allow for opposing viewpoints and ideas, and lacked free market solutions. He believes that since the measure passed into law that Congress needs to provide significant oversight to ensure the best use of taxpayer dollars.

In recent years Congressman Buyer, who represents all or parts of Boone, Clinton, Fountain, Hendricks, Johnson, Lawrence, Marion, Montgomery, Monroe, Morgan, Tippecanoe, and White Counties, has hosted 8 job fairs offering thousands of jobs to Indiana families. He said the success of the events means that he will continue to work hand in hand with Hoosiers and businesses, bringing economic opportunity to those who seek employment or new opportunities through his Hoosier Job Fairs. The next Hoosier Job Fair is scheduled to be in Crawfordsville in the spring of 2009.