Press Releases
May 18, 2012
Rep. Buerkle Statement on NATO Service Members’ Deaths
Congresswoman Ann Marie Buerkle (NY-25), Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and United States Congressional Representative to the United Nations, released the following statement regarding today’s deadly attacks in northeast Afghanistan. “Earlier today, two American NATO service members were killed in northeast Afghanistan after rockets crashed into a U.S. base. The deaths of these service members are tragic. “As America’s role in Afghanistan continues to evolve, we must continue to ensure that we protect our troops while at the same time equip the Afghan Army with the tools and resources they need to provide security for their own country.
May 18, 2012
Buerkle: Landry Amendment Protects Americans’ Civil Liberties
Issues: Defense and National Security
Today, Representative Ann Marie Buerkle (NY-25) issued the following statement in support of the amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) offered by Representatives Jeff Landry (LA-03), Louie Gohmert (TX-01) and Scott Rigell (VA-02). “Since last year’s NDAA was passed, I have worked with my House colleagues and House leadership to address their concerns regarding the detainee language. The passage of the Landry/Gohmert/Rigell amendment guarantees civil liberties to United States citizens in the National Defense Authorization Act.
May 18, 2012
Buerkle: Amash Amendment Poses Threat to US
Issues: Defense and National Security
Representative Ann Marie Buerkle (NY-25) opposed an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act of 2013 offered by Representative Justin Amash (MI-03) to grant constitutional rights to foreign terrorists captured on U.S. soil. “The Amash amendment would have sacrificed our country’s national security in order to extend rights to foreign terrorists. Congress should be in the business of protecting the rights and security of American citizens, not foreign enemy combatants. “The Amash amendment would have sent a dangerous message to our foreign enemies that we are willing to award them the same constitutional rights that belong to American citizens.
May 17, 2012
Appropriations Committee Weighs in on Plan BV7
Today, the Fiscal Year 2013 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act was voted out of committee and will be considered by the full House within the next few weeks. Language pertaining to the International Joint Commission (IJC) was included in the report at Representative Ann Marie Buerkle’s (NY-25) request. “The International Joint Commission is currently considering a proposal known as Plan BV7 which will set water releases and levels for the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario.
May 17, 2012
VA Prosthetic Care at a Crossroads
Issues: Veterans
The Subcommittee on Health held a hearing to examine VA’s current capabilities to provide state-of-the-art care to veterans with amputations. The Committee heard testimony concerning VA’s proposal to change procurement processes for prosthesis, potentially hindering a veteran’s ability to acquire the latest prosthetic and corresponding care and support. “VA has been struggling to keep pace with the rising demands of younger and more active veterans with amputations,” stated Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle, Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Health.
May 17, 2012
House Reauthorizes VAWA
The House of Representatives voted to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Representative Ann Marie Buerkle (NY-25) released the following statement regarding the legislation’s passage. “Our country has a moral obligation to stand up against those who commit these acts of violence. One way Congress can do this is by reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act,” said Rep. Buerkle. “Since it was first enacted in 1994, the Violence Against Women Act has served as an essential piece of legislation for protecting victims of domestic abuse, stalking, and sexual assault.
May 17, 2012
Rep. Buerkle Statement on Chinese Activist Chen Guangcheng
Issues: Foreign Affairs
Representative Ann Marie Buerkle (NY-25) joined with other members of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights in holding a hearing on blind Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng. Congresswoman Buerkle, who is also the United States Congressional Representative to the United Nations, took part in a telephone conversation with Chen, who is currently in a hospital in China. Rep. Buerkle released the following statement regarding Chen’s ongoing struggle against oppressive agents of the Chinese government.
May 11, 2012
Rep. Buerkle Statement on Recent Attacks in Afghanistan
Earlier today, an assailant wearing an Afghan Army uniform opened fire on American soldiers in eastern Afghanistan, killing one service member before escaping. According to NATO, today’s deadly shooting marked the 15th incident this year in which attackers wearing Afghan military uniforms have turned on their coalition counterparts, resulting in 20 NATO deaths. “The quickening pace of shootings on coalition soldiers by assailants wearing Afghan Army uniforms is cause for great concern. The killings are complicating NATO’s efforts to train Afghan soldiers and causing tension between Afghanistan and its Western allies.
May 10, 2012
Buerkle Supports the United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act
Issues: Foreign Affairs
Congresswoman Ann Marie Buerkle (NY-25), Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and United States Congressional Representative to the United Nations, today voted in favor of H.R. 4133, the United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act of 2012. Rep. Buerkle released the following statement regarding the legislation, which she cosponsored. “I want to thank my colleagues from both sides of the aisle for their strong support of this legislation, which affirms the importance of our relationship with Israel.
May 10, 2012
TSA Wasting Taxpayer Dollars
The House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee (T&I) and Committee on Oversight and Government Reform (OGR), of which Representative Ann Marie Buerkle (NY-25) is a member, released a report that demonstrated the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is wasting hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars inefficiently deploying screening equipment and technology to commercial airports. “This report is evidence that TSA is a flawed agency and is wasting the taxpayers’ money. TSA has repeatedly failed to effectively procure and deploy screening equipment that actually detects threats.
