we need to work on sequestration so that our military and our men and women who put on a uniform... have everything that they need.

I have always felt that there is a strategic imperative to energy use in the Department of Defense.

government does need to get out of industry's way and allow them to implement things that are going to be good for the industry and good for their customers.

I find it unacceptable that in 2014 an aircraft can go completely missing for such an extended period of time without any answers or explanations.

I was pleased that my colleagues unanimously agreed during the 113th Congress that we must act to combat Veteran suicide and I am grateful that we are acting quickly in the first days of the 114th Congress to address this critical…

I was proud to help introduce H.R. 5059, the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act with Chairman Jeff Miller and Representative Tim Walz. This bipartisan bill, named after 28-year-old Marine Veteran Clay Hunt, who…

As a proud cosponsor of H.R. 647, the ABLE Act, I urge all of my colleagues to vote in favor of this legislation today. If enacted, it would allow Americans living with a disability and their families to establish tax-exempt financial…

But my hope is H.R. 5475 will give her a little peace of mind knowing her newborn will get some extra help from the VA.

The bill, named after 28-year-old Marine Veteran Clay Hunt, who tragically took his own life in March 2011, will provide accountability for the mental healthcare and suicide prevention programs that serve our nation's service men and women…

This is why I introduced H.R. 5475.

It is these veterans and children that need our help today.

This simple idea could potentially help hundreds of our veterans get quick access to high quality and reliable healthcare.

That is why I introduced H.R. 5475. This legislation extends the authorization of care from 7 to 14 days.

I know what it is like to be the parent of a little baby who needed intensive medical care for an extended period.

I believe this is unacceptable.

I believe that is unacceptable.

It's my hope that any new mother, who has given selflessly to her country, wouldn't have to worry about Congress standing in her way.

This legislation won't solve those challenges but 5475 will give a little peace of mind knowing that a newborn will get some extra help from the VA.

I voted no yesterday, and it was a tough no vote for me because I simply have a lot of questions.

Today I want to tell the story of a constituent of mine whose life has exemplified the American Dream. Joe Schneider was born in Kernei, Yugoslavia, in 1929. While his father was off fighting in World War II, Joe led his displaced family…

According to the OIG, bank employees have not been implicated in any of the 70 instances in which fraud was referred to prosecution.

Ex-Im Bank is a job creator and it plays a critical role in the economy in my home State of Illinois.

At a time when federal budgets are tight, it is really appropriate to consider all potential savings to the government, but I would argue that perhaps the best place to start is not legitimate local funding sources for critical health care…

Illinois ranks 49th in federal return of all tax dollars. We only receive 56 cents back to Illinois for each dollar our taxpayers send to Washington.

More than 21 million children nationwide and 825,000 in Illinois rely on free or reduced-price meals during the school year. Unfortunately, we often forget that these children can go hungry in the summer months, when they are not in…