Securing America
Keeping America safe is Congressman Rooney’s top priority. He has the honor and privilege of serving on both the House Armed Services and Intelligence Committees. As an Army veteran the Congressman understands the importance of ensuring that the men and women of the military have the support they need to achieve their mission.
Congressman Rooney recognizes that we live in a dangerous world with enemies across the globe who wish to do us harm. He strongly opposes significant cuts to defense spending, which American generals and military leaders have said would jeopardize national security and put lives at risk. He has also worked to eliminate wasteful spending within the Pentagon’s budget that could be cut without harming national security. For example, he led the fight to end the extra engine program for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, saving taxpayers billions of dollars. However, he firmly believes we cannot ask our military to shoulder the burden of large spending cuts without sacrificing national security.
Congressman Rooney has traveled to Iraq and Afghanistan to meet and talk to troops on the ground. He believes we have the most professional and talented fighting force in the world. During his travels and in talking with troops, one theme rang true – the backbone of the fighting force is the military family. Supporting the families of our Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen is essential to preserving a robust and effective all volunteer force.
One very important issue for Tom is ensuring that returning war-fighters receive the health care they earned and deserve. He has been a tireless advocate bringing awareness to the growing number of troops and veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, depression, and other invisible wounds. Shortly after coming to Congress, Rooney introduced a bill to require troops returning from deployment to receive face-to-face, confidential screenings with mental health professionals. He worked with fellow House Armed Services Committee members and members of the Appropriations Committee to have that language written into law. He also worked to increase funding for mental health services and treatment, and to expand access to licensed mental health professionals for Tricare beneficiaries.
Congressman Rooney has supported numerous pieces of legislation that benefit our troops, military families, wounded warriors and veterans. He promises to continue to work hard to ensure our military has the capabilities and resources necessary to overcome the evolving challenges of protecting America.
Latest National Defense News:
May 6, 2013Rooney, Fattah, Wolf Urge DoD to Reclassify Ft. Hood Deaths, Injuries as “Combat-Related”
April 12, 2013 - Rooney Opposes TRICARE Fee Hikes
March 13, 2013 - Rooney Statement on GOP Conference Meeting with President
March 13, 2013 - Rooney Welcomes NFL Investment in Brain Injury Research
March 12, 2013 - Rooney Statement on Pentagon’s Drone Medal Review
March 7, 2013 - Pascrell, Rooney to Chair Brain Injury Task Force
January 15, 2013 - Rooney Announces Appropriations Subcommittee Assignments
December 19, 2012 - Rooney Statement on Benghazi Report
September 13, 2012 - Rooney: Leadership Void in Libya, Egypt Gives Way to Violent Extremism
September 11, 2012 - Rooney Statement on Anniversary of 9/11 Attacks
September 10, 2012 - Rooney Urges Support for Troops, Veterans during Suicide Prevention Month
May 24, 2012 - Rooney Calls on Obama to Demand Release of Pakistani Doctor Who Helped Find bin Laden
May 18, 2012 - Rooney Cheers Inclusion of “Caring for Military Kids with Autism Act” in NDAA
May 17, 2012 - Rooney Praises Amendment to Re-Affirm, Protect Americans’ Rights
May 17, 2012 - Rooney: Amash Amendment Rewards al Qaeda Attacks on U.S. Soil
May 10, 2012 - Rooney Praises Mental Health Provisions in Defense Authorization
March 14, 2012 - Video: Cuts to National Defense Put Security at Risk
March 8, 2012 -Rooney Slams Defense Secretary Statements Dismissing Role of Congress on Syria
February 2, 2012 - Rooney Statement on Afghanistan Announcement
January 18, 2012 - Rooney: Obama Keystone Decision Costs Jobs, Hurts National Security
January 9, 2012 - ICYMI: Rooney Amendment to Kill Extra Engine Named a “Key Vote” of 2011
January 5, 2012 - Rooney: Appeasement and Retreat Not Effective Defense Strategies
December 16, 2011 - Rooney: Intelligence Bill Key to Keeping Americans Safe
December 7, 2011 - Rooney Appointed to Defense Authorization Conference Committee
November 18, 2011 - ICYMI: Rooney: The Devastating Consequences of $1 Trillion in Defense Cuts
November 15, 2011 - Rooney: Panetta Letter Highlights “Devastating” Impact of Defense Cuts
November 9, 2011 - Rooney Statement on President’s Comments Regarding Prime Minister Netanyahu
November 3, 2011 - Rooney: Chinese Economic Espionage Hurts American Jobs, Threatens Security
October 26, 2011 - Rooney to Obama: Consult Congress on Uganda
October 21, 2011 - Rooney Statement on Iraq Announcement
September 30, 2011 - Rooney Statement on Killing of al-Awlaki
September 9, 2011 - Rooney: Intelligence Authorization Bill Critical to American Security
July 14, 2011 - Rooney Urges President to Prioritize Social Security, Interest, Military Payments
June 23, 2011 - House to Consider Rooney Bill to Defund War in Libya
June 16, 2011 - Rooney Rejects Obama Assertion on War Powers Resolution
June 3, 2011 - Rooney: House Rebukes President on Libya
June 1, 2011 - Rooney Resolution: Obama in Violation of War Powers Act
May 26, 2011 - Rooney Statement on House Passage of Defense Authorization Bill
May 25, 2011 - Rooney Says President “Ignoring Law of the Land” on Libya
May 24, 2011 - MEDIA ADVISORY: Rooney to Testify on Libya, War Powers Act
May 20, 2011 - Rooney Statement on Armed Forces Day
May 11, 2011 - Rooney Statement on Defense Authorization Bill
May 4, 2011 - Rooney Opposes Backdoor Effort to Restart Extra Engine F-35 Program
May 4, 2011 - ICYMI: Rooney Discusses Future in Pakistan, Afghanistan after Bin Laden’s Death
May 2, 2011 - Rooney Statement on Death of Osama bin Laden
April 25, 2011 - Rooney Statement on Pentagon Termination of Wasteful Extra Engine Program
April 20, 2011 - Rooney Visits Afghanistan to Discuss Transition of Security to Afghan Forces
April 18, 2011 - Rooney Visits Pakistan, Meets with Military and Civilian Leaders
April 17, 2011 - Rooney Visits Iraq to See Transition to Democracy Firsthand
March 30, 2011 - ICYMI: Congress must push Obama on Libya mission (Rooney, Palm Beach Post)
March 29, 2011 - Rooney: President’s Libya Address Left Many Questions Unanswered
February 16, 2011 - House Approves Rooney Amendment to Strike Wasteful Extra Engine Program
February 16, 2011 - Rooney Rebuts Claims on Wasteful Extra Engine Program
February 15, 2011 - VIDEO RELEASE: Rooney Offers Amendment to Strike Wasteful Extra Engine Program
February 15, 2011 - ICYMI: The jet engine that refuses to die (Rooney and Westmoreland, Politico)
January 21, 2011 - ICYMI: Troops, Veterans Need Suicide-Prevention Help
January 6, 2011 - Rooney Introduces Bill to Improve Mental Health Services for Troops, Veterans