Will: Veterans continue to suffer.

Dear Friend,
Our nation’s veterans continue to experience long and frustrating  wait times and technical challenges when simply scheduling medical appointments . The Department of Veterans Affairs should be using modern technology to reduce wait times and make scheduling more efficient.  On top of this, the VA has been unable to implement an electronic health record system that is secure and interoperable. Despite billions of tax dollars and reports outlining deficiencies, we have seen little to no improvement.  Veterans continue to suffer.
To address these issues, I am holding a hearing to examine the VA’s implementation of cybersecurity reforms, their development of an interoperable electronic database, and how to best utilize private-sector, ‘off-the-shelf’ technology in order to benefit veterans. My subcommittee will be hosting special guests Congressman Seth Moulton (D-MA) and Republican Conference Chair Cathy McMorris-Rodgers (R-WA) to discuss their legislation,  H.R. 4352, the Faster Care for Veterans Act , of which I am a proud cosponsor. 
If you would like to tune in, a live video stream of the hearing will be broadcast here .
WHEN: Wednesday, March 16, 2016
TIME: 1:00 pm CT/2:00 pm ET
INVITED WITNESSES:
Ms. LaVerne Council
Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology &  Chief Information Officer
Department of Veterans Affairs
Mr. Brent Arronte
Deputy Assistant Inspector General  for Audits and Evaluations
Department of Veterans Affairs
For more information on constituent services, current legislation, and to sign up for my E-newsletter, visit:www.hurd.house.gov .
Sincerely,

Trending Political Issues.

Ben: At its core, my story is an American story.

Image
Robert, Not being a career politician I know that before the American people will consider my solutions for fixing America, they will first ask – who is Ben Carson? To help answer that question, I’ve published a new, easy-to-read short book on my life, simply called  My Life . It is based upon my best seller  Gifted Hands . I would very much like to send you a copy to read, and share with your friends and family. If you would be generous enough to make a donation of $25 or more right now, my campaign will send you a copy. At its core, my story is an American story. Growing up on the poorest of streets in Detroit with bad grades and a horrible temper, even I gave up on myself for a time. But the determination of a loving mother who refused to give up on me convinced me I could do anything. I have lived the American Dream. I’m running for President because we must again be a country where every single American has the opportunity to think big, to pursue happiness, a...
Read more

Barack Obama: I know what's at stake for the parents

Robert -- It's August 28rd. And 70 days from now, I'll either be looking at another four years in the White House -- or the end of this opportunity. I know what's at stake for the parents worrying about health care, the kids who need help to go to college, and the seniors who want a secure retirement. But we're getting outspent by wide margins in critical battleground states -- and what we do about that today could be the difference between winning and losing on November 6th. So as we near one of the last fundraising deadlines of this campaign, I'm asking you to pitch in $3 right now: https://donate.barackobama.com/75-Days Thanks for all you do, Barack
Read more

We’ll be sharing the results of the survey with President Clinton, Chelsea Clinton, and other members of our leadership team

Image
I hope you, your family, and other loved ones are staying healthy during the ongoing pandemic. At the Clinton Foundation, we rely upon input from supporters and partners in our work to help guide our decision-making — and that includes you. As we mark the Foundation’s 20th anniversary, I hope you’ll take a moment to share your feedback on our work and where you want to see us focus our future efforts and resources. Please, take our new survey and tell us what you think. We’ll be sharing the results of the survey with President Clinton, Chelsea Clinton, and other members of our leadership team, so even if you’ve taken one of our surveys before, we want to hear what’s most important to you at this time. Please, take our new survey and tell us what you think. Our team is hoping to hear from a broad range of voices, including supporters like you, so I hope you’ll take a moment to respond. Thank you for being a member of the Clinton Foundation community. With best wishes, Kevin Thurm Chief ...
Read more

My black history was not white enough for the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith.

 It's me the President of the Black Independent Party. Robert  Gilyard.  First black man to get a law degree from the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith in 2007. The first class that graduated from the college.. I am black history in Fort Smith Arkansas. But the whites at the University of Arkansas is bringing their own form of black people to represent our city and they're supposed to be representations of black folks from our city. How can I respect my Alumni when I see the same issues that were there when I was a student. These black folks don't do nothing but go to a college. Then go home. They ignore us. But they are the white people's favorite. Now we have to listen another year and watch them applaud them people that don't give a fuk about us. Because that's how black folks are in this area. They're just like white people they just have black face on. Over a hundred years our people in this town are ignored. And when we finally get a little bit of a...
Read more

we need to amp up the pressure on Senate Democrats

Image
Black Independent Party, When asked recently about passing H.R. 1/S. 1, the historic voting rights legislation in Congress (also known as the For The People Act), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said this: “I would say the deadline for S. 1 is …   probably by August   or so. We’re consulting with experts. When is the latest that S. 1 can undo some of the despicable and frankly racist changes that some of these Republican legislatures have made?” That’s not only a deadline for passing critical voting protections for the entire country; it’s a deadline for getting rid of the filibuster   — because we can’t pass S. 1 through the Senate without doing away with the archaic, racist filibuster. Justice Democrats has been working hard with progressive lawmakers and groups like Sunrise Movement to end the filibuster. Senators Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and several other Democrats have voiced support for getting rid of it. But the clock is ticking, and we need to amp up...
Read more

newest episode of “Why Am I Telling You This?,” Stacey Abrams joined President Clinton

Image
  Dear Robert, On the newest episode of “Why Am I Telling You This?,”  Stacey Abrams  joined President Clinton for a conversation about the fight to protect and expand the right to vote; how we can repair and restore faith in democratic institutions, elections, and voting; and what we can all do to achieve real, meaningful change. This conversation was recorded as part of the  13th annual meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative University , hosted in partnership with Howard University. This year’s class joins a network of more than 10,000 young leaders from all 50 states and 160 countries across the world who are taking action to address pressing challenges on their college campuses and in their communities. Meet seven of these students who are addressing the public health, economic, and social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic with support from the Clinton Foundation’s COVID-19 Student Action Fund  here . And in case you missed it,  Dr....
Read more

Momnibus Act would take important measures to protect Black pregnant parent’s lives.

Image
  Robert, The United States has the worst mortality rate in the modern world, and Black women are three to four times more likely than white women to die from pregnancy. This Black History Month, I am again reminded of how racism and sexism have continued to dominate the healthcare system. Black mothers deserve equal access to quality, anti-racist, and life saving healthcare. Will you add your name to become a citizen co-sponsor of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act? This critical legislation will save Black pregnant mother’s lives. Click here to sign on → SIGN ON Black women time and time again have not been believed when explaining their symptoms, and oftentimes only have access to low quality healthcare. This month and beyond, we must commit ourselves to ensuring that the Black community has equal access to critical infrastructure such as healthcare, and Black mothers feel heard when seeking out treatment. The Momnibus Act would take important measures to protect Black pregn...
Read more

Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration

 commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. T he oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States.   Dating back to 1865, it was on  June 19 th  that the Union soldiers, led by  Major General Gordon Granger , landed at  Galveston, Texas  with news that the war had ended and that the  enslaved were now free . Note that this was  two and a half years  after  President Lincoln’s  Emancipation Proclamation  - which had  become official January 1, 1863 . The Emancipation Proclamation had little impact on the Texans due to the minimal number of Union troops to enforce the new  Executive Order . However, with the  surrender of General Lee in April of 1865 , and the  arrival of General Granger’s regiment,  the  forces  were finally strong enough to  influence  and  overcome the resistance. Later attempts to explain this  two...
Read more

There’s no other way to say it. Today is a big day.

Image
It’s the day we officially celebrate breaking ground on the Obama Presidential Center. And we wouldn’t be here without the unwavering support of people like you—people who donated, volunteered, shared stories, and supported our vision all along the way. Of course, our work has never been just about a building. We are dedicated to helping  community leaders develop the skills they need and build the relationships that will empower them to change the world. That’s why President and Mrs. Obama took a moment yesterday, as part of our groundbreaking celebrations, to sit down with the latest cohort of Obama Foundation Scholars from the University of Chicago.  This inspiring group is working to increase diversity in Chicago’s technology sector, support women entrepreneurs in India, promote arts education that revitalizes neighborhoods, and much more.  We’re just getting started. There are wonderful things in store for the Obama Presidential Center and the young leaders it will s...
Read more

White House: Things to know about Isil

Image
  THE  WHITE HOUSE     Five things you need to know about ISIL President Obama  spoke to service men and women at MacDill Air Force Base yesterday about the U.S. strategy to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL -- a terrorist organization that is killing innocent, unarmed civilians in both Iraq and Syria. ISIL, also known as ISIS or the Islamic State, is also responsible for the brutal murders of American journalists Jim Foley and Steven Sotloff. Here are the key points the President made yesterday regarding ISIL and our strategy to defeat their forces: 1. ISIL is threatening America and our allies. Our intelligence community has not yet detected specific plots from ISIL against our homeland, but they have repeatedly threatened our core interests, including our personnel, our embassies, our consulates, and our facilities in Iraq, Syria, and in the broader Middle East. "If left unchecked, they could pose a growing threat to the United States," he ...
Read more