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October 27, 2009 - 10:51 AM
Senator Burr discusses his trip to Afghanistan on Fox News
Posted by: Burr Press Office
Today, Senator Burr spoke with Bill Hemmer and Patti Ann Browne on Fox News' America's Newsroom. He discussed his recent trip to Afghanistan and what needs to be done in order for our troops to complete the mission on the ground.
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October 26, 2009 - 5:19 PM
Senator Burr visits Afghanistan
Posted by: Sen. Richard Burr
Early this morning, I returned from a short trip to Afghanistan where I got the chance to survey military conditions on the ground first hand. I had the opportunity to meet with some of America's highest ranking military and political officials in Afghanistan, including General McChrystal and Ambassador Eikenberry. In my discussion with them, I was heartened by some of the headway being made by our military forces, but I agree with General McChrystal that we need to expand our forces on the ground in order to fulfill our mission there. I was very appreciative for the opportunity to meet with these men who are more knowledgeable than anyone about our current situation in Afghanistan, and I believe we need to heed the advice of those who are most familiar with the subject.
I also met with the President of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai, to discuss the situation in the country and the pivotal role he plays as the first leader in the country's post Taliban democratic era. I also met with President Karzai's opponent in the upcoming run-off election, Dr. Abdullah Abdullah. I discussed with both men the importance of having a strong leader to eliminate corruption and put power back in the hands of the Afghan people, and we agreed on the importance of a fair and democratic election in establishing a sense of confidence and legitimacy with the Afghan and American people. As I told both President Karzai and Dr. Abdullah, the most important outcome of this election is not who wins, but that they both join together with the Afghan people to rid the country of the Taliban's influence and provide security for the people so that ultimately coalition forces will no longer be needed for protection.
On Sunday, I had the distinct honor to meet and have lunch with North Carolina soldiers from Fort Bragg and the 82nd Airborne Division in Afghanistan. These men and women are some of the most courageous people I have ever met, and I am eternally grateful for their sacrifice and their service. These brave men and women, both servicemembers and civilians, understand why they are there and what their mission is. It is our responsibility to provide them with the resources and personnel, in accordance with the requests of our generals on the ground, to accomplish that mission.
It is important to recognize that although the mission in Afghanistan is difficult, there is progress being made. Our soldiers, along with the Afghan army they are training, are disrupting the Taliban with their presence and intelligence. President Obama's decision concerning the future of our mission there will be critical in predicting the outcome of this mission and the ability to place the future of Afghanistan back into the hands of the Afghan people by eliminating the external threats they face today.
Senators Burr, LeMieux, and Whitehouse standing in front of the International Security Assistance Force with Major General Mike Flynn (left), McChrystal's Director of Intelligence for ISAF, and Colonel Charles Flynn (right), General McChrystal's Executive Officer, ISAF
Senator Burr with soldiers and airmen from Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base in NC. With them on the left is Major General Curtis Scaparrotti, Commanding General of Fort Bragg's 82nd Airborne Division and the Commanding General of Regional Command East, Afghanistan.
[read more]October 20, 2009 - 5:34 PM
Honor Flight
Posted by: Sen. Richard Burr
This afternoon, I had the chance to greet over 100 World War II veterans from North Carolina who traveled to Washington D.C. to visit the World War II Memorial on the National Mall. Rep. Kissell, Rep. McHenry, and almost 200 Patriot Guard Motorcyclists joined me in welcoming these heroes. I was truly honored to be invited to this celebration and grateful for a chance to hear the courageous stories of these American heroes.
Honor Flight was created to honor America's veterans by flying them-free of charge-to Washington, DC, to visit the national memorials built in their honor. Our World War II veterans served our country with courage and strength and deserve the opportunity to see the national memorial that has been erected in memory of their service.
[read more]October 20, 2009 - 3:11 PM
VA Hearing on Pending Legislation to include Camp Lejeune Bill
Posted by: Sen. Richard Burr
Tomorrow, the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs will hold a hearing on pending legislation. Among other items, the Committee will discuss legislation I introduced, the Caring for Camp Lejeune Veterans Act of 2009. As readers of this blog are aware, thousands of Navy and Marine veterans and their families who lived on Camp Lejeune have become sick with various forms of cancer and other diseases believed to be attributable to their service at the base before it was designated a Superfund site in 1988.
My legislation would allow veterans and their family members who were stationed at Camp Lejeune while the water was contaminated to get medical care from the VA. While we wait for science to give us concrete answers, we should give these veterans and their families the benefit of the doubt and provide them with the care they need.
I am hopeful this legislation will be considered and approved by the Veterans' Affairs Committee and then be considered by the full Senate. These veterans and their families deserve closure on this tragic situation.
[read more]October 19, 2009 - 3:29 PM
Senator Burr on WPTF 10/19/09
Posted by: Burr Press Office
This morning, Senator Burr spoke with Scott Fitzgerald at WPTF about the Economic Development Summit in Durham, NC. To listen to the interview, please click here.
[read more]October 15, 2009 - 5:02 PM
HELP Hearing on Health Reform's Impact on Women
Posted by: Sen. Richard Burr
This morning, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions held a hearing to determine how health care reform could impact women across North Carolina and the nation. As I have stated before, I agree that we need health care reform so that Americans, regardless of whether they are male or female, can access affordable coverage. That is why I joined my colleague Senator Tom Coburn earlier this year to introduce a reform bill called the Patients' Choice Act.
Rather than creating a new government-run plan, our bill aims to rein in costs by emphasizing prevention and wellness, rather than only treating people when they are sick. Our bill also addresses affordability by ending the "cherry picking" that allows insurance companies to deny coverage for pre-existing conditions. Better yet, our bill doesn't increase the deficit or increase taxes.
Furthermore, any discussion about affordable health care for women must include medical malpractice reform. If we care about making sure women have access to OB/GYNs, we cannot ignore the fact that high malpractice insurance is driving doctors out of this specialty and, even worse, closing practices. This issue seems to be the 800 pound gorilla in the room when it comes to access to affordable health care for women. Additionally, we need to make the insurance marketplace more competitive by allowing individuals to purchase insurance across state lines. This would ensure that women would be able to pick a coverage option that fits their specific needs, even if those needs aren't met by plans offered in their home states.
[read more]October 14, 2009 - 11:21 AM
Senate Finance Committee Bill Fails to Address Medical Malpractice Reform
Posted by: Sen. Richard Burr
Yesterday, the Senate Finance Committee voted on their health care bill, which, among other things, fails to address medical malpractice reform. Last week, the Congressional Budget Office released an analysis that shows that medical liability reform could save taxpayers roughly $54 billion over the next 10 years. Equally as important, comprehensive medical liability reform would reduce total national health care spending by about 0.5 percent - or about $11 billion in 2009 alone.
According to the American Medical Association, medical liability costs are passed along to patients in this country at a price tag as high as $151 billion each year. Frivolous lawsuits and the increasingly high cost of malpractice insurance are placing additional burdens on doctors and could prompt them - particularly those in rural areas and specialty doctors, like OB-GYNs - to close their practices. We cannot effectively reform health care without addressing medical malpractice reform.
No one disagrees that reform is necessary. We must, however, ensure that we don't rush legislation through. We need to get it right so that our children and grandchildren do not have to spend their lifetimes correcting our mistakes and paying off the debt we left them.
[read more]October 13, 2009 - 10:35 AM
Sen. Burr discusses Health Care Reform on the Senate Floor
Posted by: Burr Press Office
Last Thursday, Senator Burr discussed the importance of the health care reform on the Senate floor. In May, Senator Tom Coburn and Senator Burr introduced the Patients' Choice Act, a bill that would provide quality coverage for all Americans. Senator Burr also stressed that Congress should not rush this important reform effort, but instead take the time to consider these alternatives and the potential costs and benefits they might have.
To see Senator Burr's floor speech, please click on the video below. To read the transcript of his speech, please click here.
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October 8, 2009 - 4:32 PM
Senator Burr Addresses Water Contamination at Camp Lejeune
Posted by: Burr Press Office
Today, the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs held a hearing about veterans and families who have been exposed to toxic substances, such as the water contamination at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. U.S. Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), Ranking Member on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, addressed the need for immediate access to care for veterans and their families who have been adversely affected while waiting on the completion of studies and concrete answers.
RESOURCES
VIDEO OPENING STATEMENT: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oozNtyhdKes&feature=channel_page
VIDEO PANEL ONE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4O_Z7qrYOOA&feature=channel
VIDEO PANEL TWO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXYHXYMjIpg&feature=channel
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October 8, 2009 - 3:00 PM
Senator Burr on WTKF 10/08/09
Posted by: Burr Press Office
This morning, Senator Burr spoke with Ben Ball at WTKF about what is going on in Washington and today's Senate VA Committee hearing on water contamination at Camp Lejeune and Senator Burr's bill to provide care to exposed servicemembers and their families. To listen to the interview, please click here.
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