"Mr. Speaker, with the highest unemployment rate in the nation, Nevadans are struggling.  That's why we in Washington should be focusing on creating good paying middle class jobs.  Unfortunately, Washington Republicans are focused on a divisive, ideological agenda.

 

"Our jobs crisis cannot be fixed by restricting access to mammograms for women. It's not going to be fixed by killing Medicare by turning it over to private insurance companies. And it cannot be fixed by protecting taxpayer giveaways to Big Oil companies.

 

"Our jobs crisis can be fixed by getting real about job creation.  And we can do that today by passing legislation expanding our Visa Waiver Program which allows tourists from certain countries up to 90 days of Visa free travel in the U.S.

 

"In 2010, nearly 18 million people visited our country due to this program.  What will happen if we expand it?

 

"The answer for a tourism dependent state like Nevada is simple: it will put people back to work.

 

"I urge my Republican colleagues in the House and Senate to drop their ideological agenda.  Join me in making job creation our top priority."

 

 

The Visa Waiver Program Enhanced Security and Reform Act will strengthen the security of the Visa Waiver Program and encourage more countries to take part in the agreement that makes it easier for eligible tourists from participating nations to visit the United States.

 

"Job creation should be our top priority and promoting tourism -- Nevada's largest industry -- will help put people back to work and get our economy on track.  Increasing foreign travel through the Visa Waiver Program will ensure that Nevada's cities remain among the top tourist destinations in the world," said Berkley.

 

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows foreign nationals from participating countries up to 90 days of visa-free travel to the United States.  Currently, 36 countries are eligible for visa-free travel under the program.  Nearly 18 million tourists entered the United States under this program in 2010, a figure that represents 44% of all overseas visitors.  Berkley is seeking to increase the number of nations that take part in the program as a means to encourage more travelers to visit Nevada.  Nations that could benefit from the Visa Waiver bill include: Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Chile and Poland.

 

The legislation cosponsored by Berkley would also enhance national security by encouraging the sharing of information between member countries and requiring that lost or stolen passports be reported in a timely manner.  In addition, participants in the Visa Waiver Program are required to maintain enhanced counterterrorism, law enforcement, border control, and document security standards.  Enhanced security procedures in the VWP enable DHS to determine, prior to travel, whether a VWP traveler poses a security risk to the U.S.

 

Berkley has been a leader in Congress on efforts to expand the Visa Waiver Program, advocating for the inclusion of Greece, now a participant, and for Taiwan and Poland to join the list of nations taking part in the agreement.  The Congresswoman was also a strong advocate for passage of the Travel Promotion Act, a law that established a not-for-profit corporation that markets the United States as an international travel destination.  Berkley is also working to pass the Visa Improvements to Stimulate International Tourism to the United States of America (VISIT USA) Act, which also seeks to modernize the Visa Waiver process.

 

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"Job creation should be our top priority and promoting tourism -- Nevada's largest industry -- will help put people back to work and get our economy on track.  Increasing foreign travel through the Visa Waiver Program will ensure that Nevada's cities remain among the top tourist destinations in the world," said Berkley.

 

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows foreign nationals from participating countries up to 90 days of visa-free travel to the United States.  Currently, 36 countries are eligible for visa-free travel under the program.  Nearly 18 million tourists entered the United States under this program in 2010, a figure that represents 44% of all overseas visitors.  Berkley is seeking to increase the number of nations that take part in the program as a means to encourage more travelers to visit Nevada.  Nations that could benefit from the Visa Waiver bill include: Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Chile and Poland.

 

The legislation cosponsored by Berkley would also enhance national security by encouraging the sharing of information between member countries and requiring that lost or stolen passports be reported in a timely manner.  In addition, participants in the Visa Waiver Program are required to maintain enhanced counterterrorism, law enforcement, border control, and document security standards.  Enhanced security procedures in the VWP enable DHS to determine, prior to travel, whether a VWP traveler poses a security risk to the U.S.

 

Berkley has been a leader in Congress on efforts to expand the Visa Waiver Program, advocating for the inclusion of Greece, now a participant, and for Taiwan and Poland to join the list of nations taking part in the agreement.  The Congresswoman was also a strong advocate for passage of the Travel Promotion Act, a law that established a not-for-profit corporation that markets the United States as an international travel destination.  Berkley is also working to pass the Visa Improvements to Stimulate International Tourism to the United States of America (VISIT USA) Act, which also seeks to modernize the Visa Waiver process.

 

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"Yucca Mountain is dead, but there are some in Congress who are desperate to bring this project back from the grave.  That's why they are ignoring expert recommendations that say it's time to rethink our nation's nuclear waste program.  Republicans are working to bury this report because it doesn't support opening Yucca Mountain and because it exposes the billions that have been squandered on efforts to turn Nevada into a nuclear garbage dump over the fierce objections of Silver State families.  The faster we dump Yucca Mountain, the faster we can start focusing resources on securing nuclear waste in hardened containers at existing plant sites to better protect nuclear communities.  At the same time, Congress should look to the Blue Ribbon Commission's findings as a blueprint for changing current laws that unfairly target Nevada and limit options for waste storage and disposal.  Unfortunately, Republicans refuse to listen to Nevadans when we say no Yucca Mountain and no more spending on this spectacular failure with the $100 billion price tag.  From day one, I have been fighting in Congress to keep nuclear waste out of Nevada and to slash Yucca Mountain's budget, and Nevadans know I will not stop battling this threat to the safety of Nevada families and the future of our economy."

 

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"The changes in nuclear waste policy called for by the Commission will lift a threat to Nevada's future that has hung like a dark cloud over the Silver State for decades.  This report highlights the utter failure of efforts to force Yucca Mountain on Nevada families and businesses who oppose more wasteful spending on attempts to turn our home into a nuclear garbage dump.  These findings represent a stark warning about the need to move forward immediately on securing nuclear waste at existing reactor sites in dry cask storage as I have advocated for years."

 

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(January 24, 2012 -- Washington, D.C.)  Congresswoman Shelley Berkley has invited Las Vegas veteran retired Air Force Staff Sergeant Daniel Meyer to attend tonight's State of the Union address as her guest.

 

"I am honored to be able to share an invitation to the President's State of the Union Address with retired Nevada Air Force veteran Staff Sergeant Daniel Meyer so he can witness first hand this moment in America's history.  As a veteran of both Iraq and Afghanistan, Staff Sergeant Meyer proudly served our nation in time of war.  We salute his valor and recognize the bravery and sacrifice of all the men and women in America's armed forces, our veterans and their families," said Berkley.

 

Meyer, 27, served in the U.S. Air Force from 2006 until 2011 and was deployed in both Iraq and Afghanistan.  Meyer will attend the President's speech before Congress as Berkley's special guest and is being accompanied on the trip to Washington, D.C. by wife Harmonie Meyer.

 

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"My thoughts are with everyone who has suffered loss in the Washoe Drive Fire, and to everyone impacted by this blaze. I commend all the first responders and the agencies assisting Reno residents in need. I will work with local and state officials to help meet the needs of those affected by the long and destructive fire season that has caused so much damage in the Reno area."

 

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"I join my fellow Nevadans in celebrating the remarkable life and historic achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and in remembering this champion of civil rights who gave his life in the struggle for freedom.

 

"Our nation has been forever strengthened by the noble work of Dr. King to promote equality and ensure that all men and women share the same opportunities regardless of race, gender or economic background.

 

"On this day we remember the sacrifices made by Dr. King in his fight to secure equality and justice for all and we honor the power of one man's dream that has helped to unite us as a nation."

 

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"This update will help us to better meet the needs of America's men and women in uniform by reducing barriers to care for those who proudly serve in our armed forces -- regardless of location," said Berkley.  "One of my long-standing goals in Congress has been to expand the availability of mental health services through the Department of Defense.  Increasing available treatment options for servicemembers by ending outdated restrictions on well-qualified health care professionals is an important step toward meeting that goal.”

 

The 2012 National Defense Authorization Act incorporates provisions taken from the"STEP" Act that enable expansion of the current Department of Defense (DOD) state licensure exemption to allow certain credentialed health care professionals to work across state borders without having to obtain a new state license.  The bill was authored by Congressman Glenn Thompson and cosponsored by Berkley.

 

"My goal is to make sure DOD has the resources and qualified treatment providers needed to care for those who serve our nation in the armed forces." said Berkley. "That includes even more assistance for our troops who are coping not only with physical injuries, but with the challenges of PTSD and other mental health issues we are still working to better understand.  This bill recommits us as a nation to honoring the service of America's military, modernizing DOD for the 21st Century and increasing the quality and convenience of support and services for our returning troops."

 

Currently, DOD has limited ability to allow its health care professionals to provide care when the patient is in a different state.  As a result, many who rely on military care, including mental health services, are required to travel long distances to receive treatment, presenting increased financial burdens and unnecessary obstacles to accessing care.  By removing this state licensure burden, the legislation empowers qualified DOD professionals to use cutting edge telemedicine and e-health applications to treat servicemembers regardless of their physical proximity.

 

The DOD's hands are currently tied when it comes to credentialed civilian employees and contractors who have stepped up to fill shortages in desperately needed positions, especially in the area of behavioral health treatment.  The "STEP" Act language expands the definition of "health care professional" under the previous exemption to include certain qualified DOD civilian employees and personal services contractors.

 

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(December 13, 2011-- Washington, D.C.)  Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today issued the following statement on her vote against Republican legislation that slashes unemployment insurance for families in Nevada and across the nation:

 

"Too many in Congress want to take a vacation and stick America's middle class with the bill -- in the form of higher payroll taxes.  Congress should not take a vacation until we extend the payroll tax cut and ensure middle class taxes don't increase by $1,000 next year.  And Congress should not give into Tea Party extremists who are telling us we can only stop a tax increase on the middle class if we punish those who have been thrown out of work by the recession, cutting the unemployment benefits that are helping them feed their families.  That's wrong for Nevada, it's wrong for the country and I will fight it," said Berkley.

Background:  Nevada’s 13.4 percent unemployment rate has been the highest in the nation for the past 17 months (Source: Associated Press, 11/22/11).

"Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of Nevada's middle-class families.

 

"Because of the economic downturn, thousands of Nevadans are struggling to find a job, pay their rent, and put food on their family's tables.

 

"They cannot afford a tax increase.

 

"However, Washington gridlock is threatening just that -- a massive tax increase on middle-class families.

 

"Why?  Because some Washington Republicans refuse to roll back special tax breaks for Wall Street millionaires in order to pay for a middle-class tax cut for 1.2 million Nevadans.

 

"That's just not right.

 

"So my message today is this:  No holiday vacation for Congress without extending the middle-class tax cut.  We cannot go home while Nevada families are hurting and desperate for this extension of their payroll tax cuts.

 

"However, that's going to require Washington Republicans to stop protecting Wall Street millionaires and start putting Nevada's families first.

 

"The only fair way to achieve this is to roll back special tax breaks for Wall Street millionaires.

 

"Not slash Medicare benefits.  Not lay off thousands of people.

 

"It's time to stop putting Wall Street first and before Main Street.  Washington ought not go on vacation until we take care of this problem."

 

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"Our heartfelt sympathies go out to the families of those killed in Wednesday’s helicopter crash at Lake Mead.  I join with my fellow Nevadans in expressing our sincerest condolences on this heartbreaking loss of life.  We mourn the victims of this tragic crash and our prayers are with the loved ones they left behind during this time of grief."

 

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(November 18, 2011-- Washington, D.C.)  Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today opposed a Republican Balanced Budget Amendment that would have forced harmful cuts to Medicare, Social Security and benefits for America's veterans who fought to keep our nation secure.  The Congresswoman released the following statement after voting against the Republican Balanced Budget Amendment:

 

"This proposal is nothing short of a sneak attack on Social Security, Medicare and veterans benefits.  We cannot balance the budget by taking an axe to the benefits that Nevada's seniors and veterans rely on, while protecting taxpayer giveaways to Big Oil executives.  We must cut spending and a Balanced Budget Amendment is one way to achieve this goal, but I cannot support such a proposal without ironclad protections for Social Security, Medicare and veterans benefits."

 

Berkley outlined her concerns about the negative impacts of the Republican Balanced Budget Amendment in a speech from the House floor Thursday.  A video of her speech can be viewed at http://youtu.be/bvdIrLha5Aw and transcript of Berkley's remarks is available by visiting http://berkley.house.gov/.

 

GOP Balanced Budget Amendment Would Cut $1.2 Trillion from Social Security and About $750 Billion From Medicare Through 2021:  According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, "The constitutional Balanced Budget Amendment that the House is expected to consider this week could force Congress to cut all programs by an average of 17.3 percent by 2018.  If revenues are not raised (the House-passed budget resolution assumes no increase above current-policy levels) and all programs are cut by the same percentage, Social Security would be cut $184 billion in 2018 alone and almost $1.2 trillion through 2021; Medicare would be cut $117 billion in 2018 and about $750 billion through 2021; and Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) would be cut $80 billion in 2018 and about $500 billion through 2021." [Source: Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 11/15/11].

 

GOP Balanced Budget Amendment Would Cut $85 Billion From Veterans' Disability Payments, Compensation Through 2021:  According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the Republican Balanced Budget Amendment would cut veterans disability payments, compensation, and other entitlement benefits by $85 billion through 2021 if revenues are not raised. [Source: Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 11/15/11].

 

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"I spoke today with Mayor Bob Cashell, Governor Sandoval and the Superintendent of Washoe Schools about the devastating Reno fires, those injured and all the families that have been displaced as a result of this blaze.  I was pleased to learn Nevada has already been approved for an emergency grant through FEMA to help our State cope with the aftermath of these fires.  Our sincere thanks go out to the firefighters and other public safety personnel who are risking their own lives to protect the public and to safeguard property from the flames.  Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been injured and our fellow Nevadans who have lost their homes and personal possessions in the blaze."

 

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(November 17, 2011-- Washington, D.C.)  Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today spoke from the House floor in opposition to a partisan Balanced Budget Amendment that would force harmful cuts to Medicare, Social Security and veterans benefits.  Video of Berkley's remarks can be viewed at http://youtube.com/shelleyberkley and a transcript of her statement appears below:

 

"Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this dangerous "balanced budget" constitutional amendment.

 

"We all agree that we must get America's fiscal house in order by cutting spending and balancing our budget.  Nevada families know this.  Families across Nevada are doing it by tightening their belts and making great sacrifices.  The United States government should be able to do the same.

 

"However, this Balanced Budget Amendment is wrong for Nevada and the rest of the country.  It would force massive cuts to Social Security, Medicare and veterans benefits, but Big Oil Companies and corporations that ship jobs overseas aren't asked to sacrifice one penny under this Balanced Budget Amendment.  That's just not right.

 

"But this is what the American people have come to expect from this Congress.  Washington Republicans supported a radical budget proposal, the Ryan Budget, that kills Medicare by turning it over to private insurance companies.  Now they are supporting a plan that slashes Social Security and Medicare benefits that seniors rely on.

 

"It's a question of priorities.  I strongly believe we need to get our deficit under control.  And I believe a version of a Balanced Budget Amendment could be one way to achieve that.  But I cannot and I will not support a Balanced Budget Amendment that doesn't include ironclad protections for Social Security, Medicare and veterans benefits.

 

"We should not be balancing our nation's budget on the backs of our seniors and our vets.  This Balanced Budget Amendment may be good politics for some, but it is not good policy for America and I urge my colleagues to join me in voting no on this attack on seniors and veterans."

 

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