Dear Friends,

On Monday, I attended the swearing-in ceremony of Robert Wilkie as the 10th secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). I am confident that he is the right leader to help move the department away from problems of the past and toward solutions of the future by implementing the legislation we have passed to address significant problems confronting the VA.

President Trump also announced the nomination of James Gfrerer to be assistant secretary of the VA for Information and Technology (IT). This Senate-confirmed role oversees a number of critical projects at the VA, including the massive electronic health records merger, a new system to support the expanded VA caregivers benefits, and other IT priorities. Having permanent leadership in place to oversee these projects and the VA’s various information technology systems will be critical as Congress works with the VA to address concerns and make improvements to bring VA into the 21st century. I look forward to meeting with Mr. Gfrerer and learning more about his background and vision for accomplishing these important tasks.

Continuing to Fight for Veterans

As chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, I am extremely proud of the Senate’s efforts to improve services for our nation’s veterans in 2017-2018 including the passage of 18 major pieces of veterans’ legislation - all of which have been signed into law - that reform the VA and strengthen veterans’ health care, benefits and services. Additionally, the Senate has confirmed 14 nominees to the VA and the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims to ensure strong leadership is in place to oversee the implementation of these reforms.

We owe our veterans a VA that is responsive to them and their individual needs, and I’m proud to be a part of such a bipartisan, productive committee. I look forward to continuing our efforts by working with my colleagues in Congress, President Trump and newly installed VA Secretary Robert Wilkie to meet these challenges head on and transform the VA into a department worthy of our veterans.

I penned an op-ed that was featured in the Military Times highlighting these legislative victories, and you can read it online here.

An Outstanding Georgia Judge

On Tuesday, the Senate confirmed Georgian Britt Grant to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit in Atlanta by a vote of 52-46.

Throughout her legal career, whether it was practicing as an attorney or serving as a judge, Britt Grant was always at the top of her class. Justice Grant is an outstanding jurist and has served our state with distinction and integrity in role on the Georgia Supreme Court and as solicitor general in the Georgia attorney general’s office. I’m proud the Senate has confirmed Britt Grant to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit.

Prior to the vote on her confirmation, I delivered remarks on the Senate floor on Monday to urge my colleagues to support Grant’s nomination.

Protecting Georgia’s Workers and Consumers

On Wednesday, I cosponsored bipartisan legislation to prevent the U.S. Department of Commerce from unilaterally imposing tariffs on imported cars, trucks and auto parts. Before tariffs could be implemented, the Automotive Jobs Act of 2018 would require the International Trade Commission to conduct a comprehensive study of the wellbeing, health and vitality of the U.S. automotive industry and deliver the report to Congress. I’m actively engaged in the debate on the use of tariffs. I’ve written the administration, questioned members of the cabinet and shared my concerns with the president that we must have a good strategy to reach our trade goals. Anytime the rules of the game start changing, it makes it challenging for businesses to decide to expand and invest. Businesses could be forced into tough choices that may be unnecessary. The proposed tariffs on autos would be a setback to an industry in our state that has provided more than 7,000 new jobs in the last five years alone. I am eager to do everything possible to ensure that we address unfair trade policies by certain global actors, like China, while protecting American workers and consumers.

In Other News

• This week, the Senate continued our regular appropriations process to fund the government. We passed legislation that will help in a number of areas, including our national economy, financial security, government accountability, our interior lands and agriculture. Additionally, it would advance the rebuilding of America’s infrastructure and bolster our fight against opioid abuse.

• On Tuesday, President Trump signed into law the bipartisan Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act. This legislation reauthorizes the Perkins career and technical education program and aligns education and workforce training programs together. President Trump has made improving technical and career education a priority, and I’m pleased that he’s signed this bill into law to give states and local school districts more flexibility to meet the needs of their students by preparing them for in-demand jobs and skills that will benefit them for life.

• On Wednesday, the John S. McCain 2019 National Defense Authorization Act passed the U.S. Senate by a vote of 87-10 to strengthen our national security, modernize our all-volunteer military, give them a pay raise, and invest in our future. Congress has again stepped up to support our warfighters and their families with the resources they need to protect America and our national interests. Our Georgia military installations will see the benefits of this legislation firsthand, and I’m proud that we have passed this critical legislation, and that we have a president who is eager to sign it into law.

• On Wednesday, the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs held a hearing on pending Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) legislation on health and benefits, including the “Blue Water Navy” legislation dealing with veterans’ exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. 

What’s on Tap?

Next week, the Senate will have a state work period. I look forward to being in Georgia and to attending a meeting of the Statewide Opioid Task Force in Augusta, Ga., on Thursday. When the Senate returns on August 15, we expect to continue working on confirming judges and other presidential nominees to positions that require Senate approvals.

Sincerely,

In Case You Missed It