September 11th serves as a reminder that the local, state and federal agencies tasked with our security must have the resources they need to get the job done, and that we must remain vigilant in the war on terror to ensure that
America never faces such tragedy again. This means remaining resilient in the fight against those who mean to harm our country and dedicating our forces to hunting down terrorists and bringing them to justice.
We recently experienced a great victory for the American people when Osama bin Laden was found and killed in May of this year. Bin Laden's death was a message that those who fight against global peace will never prosper. I join all
Americans in expressing my admiration and gratitude for the men and women in uniform who have sacrificed so much so we can enjoy our freedom. I also commend the President and his national security team for the ability and resolve to get the job done.
Obligation to care for veterans when they come home
Bill Owens is an Air Force veteran who served as a Captain at the Plattsburgh Air Force Base. He comes from a family with a long military tradition. His great grandfather served in the Civil War, his uncle in World War I and his father served in
World War II. As a veteran himself, Owens thinks that by asking the men and women of our Armed Forces to put their lives on the line to defend America, we have an obligation to care for them when they come home.
In Congress,
Owens will fight for our veterans, and for the brave soldiers still fighting in America's conflicts today. Bill will work tirelessly to ensure that soldiers' homes cannot be foreclosed upon when they are overseas, and that our veterans get the health
care they deserve, especially those suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. America has asked a lot of its sons and daughters, and Bill believes that we must be ready to give something back.
Source: Campaign website, www.billowensforcongress.com, "Issues"
, Nov 3, 2009
Invest in job training for veterans
Recent college graduates and our veterans returning home from overseas are entering the civilian workforce in the midst of a troubled economy unlike anything Americans have seen in decades.
In Congress, I will work to invest in jobs programs at our local colleges and technical schools and create job training and job placement programs for our veterans.
Source: Campaign website, www.billowensforcongress.com, "Issues"
, Nov 3, 2009
Voted NO on extending the PATRIOT Act's roving wiretaps.
Congressional Summary: To prohibit Federal funding of National Public Radio and the use of Federal funds to acquire radio content, including:
broadcasting, transmitting, and programming over noncommercial educational radio broadcast stations
cooperating with foreign broadcasting networks
assisting and supporting noncommercial educational radio broadcasting
paying dues to such organizations
or acquiring radio programs for public broadcast.
Proponent's Argument for voting Yes: [Rep. Blackburn, R-TN]: This bill gets the Federal Government--and Federal taxpayers--out of the business of buying radio programming they do not agree with. This is a bill that is long overdue. Regardless of what you think of NPR, its programming or statements by its management, the time has come to cut the umbilical cord from the taxpayer support that has become as predictable as an entitlement program. Much has changed in the media landscape since the
wiretaps, to seek certain business records, and to gather intelligence on lone terrorists who are not affiliated with a known terrorist group. The Patriot Act works. It has proved effective in preventing terrorist attacks and protecting Americans. To let these provisions expire would leave every American less safe.
Opponent's Argument for voting No: [Rep. Conyers, D-MI]: Section 215 of the Patriot Act allows a secret FISA court to authorize our government to collect business records or anything else, requiring that a person or business produce virtually any type record. We didn't think that that was right then. We don't think it's right now. This provision is contrary to traditional notions of search and seizure which require the government to show reasonable suspicion or probable cause before undertaking an investigation that infringes upon a person's privacy. And so I urge a "no" vote on the extension of these expiring provisions.
Reference: FISA Sunsets Extension Act;
Bill H.514
; vote number 11-HV066
on Feb 17, 2011
Member of House Committee on Armed Services.
Owens is a member of the House Committee on Armed Services
United States House Committee on Armed Services retains exclusive jurisdiction for: defense policy generally, ongoing military operations, the organization and reform of the Department of Defense and Department of Energy, counter-drug programs, acquisition and industrial base policy, technology transfer and export controls, joint interoperability, the Cooperative Threat Reduction program, Department of Energy nonproliferation programs, and detainee affairs and policy.
The Committee on Armed Services maintains six permanent subcommittees, an Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, and a Defense Acquisition Reform Panel. Each of the subcommittees have differing jurisdictions, which overlap on key issues, but all are dedicated to providing for the men and women of America's Armed Forces and the nation's common defense. The subcommittees are:
Tactical Air and Land Forces
Military Personnel
Oversight & Investigations
Readiness
Seapower & Projection Forces
Strategic Forces
Emerging Threats & Capabilities
Source: U.S. House of Representatives website, www.house.gov 11-HC-AS on Feb 3, 2011
