Congressman

Mike Fitzpatrick
8th District Update

bucks &
MONTGOMERY

America Needs a National Strategic Agenda

Rep. Fitzpatrick speaks to students in our nations capital about their future, and
the importance of a bipartisan governing vision.

Official Business

social and economic success and a beacon

leading to a better life. Today, too many
hardworking people feel the dream slip-

goals that unite us and set the table for

lawmakers to work together.
On the agenda: Creation of 25 million
jobs over the next 10 years, balancing the
federal budget by 2030, securing Medicare
and Social Security for the next 75 years
and making America energy-secure by
2024.
Problem Solvers Caucus members have
no illusions about the difficulty of tackling
even one of these goals. But, goal-setting
is where we must start. First, we have to
agree where we want to go before deciding
how to get there. There are many different
viewpoints in Congress, but if everyone
begins with a commitment to the same
goal, we stand a better chance of success.
There is no all-or-nothing approach to
governance. Our plan offers a different
path and its time for Washington to take it.
Learn more about my work with the
Problem Solvers Caucus at Fitzpatrick.
House.Gov.

Stop the Money, Stop the Terror

This mailing was prepared, published, and mailed at taxpayer expense.

It is provided as a service to 8th Congressional District residents.

Congress of the United States

House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515

M.C.
PRSRT STD CRRTSORT

or millions of families throughout

our nation, the American dream has
been the driving force behind our

ping out of reach among new roadblocks

to prosperity and personal achievement.
For many, the American dream of a home,
good job and future economic security
seems a distant and faint memory.
It should be the common task of each
member of this Congress to work to restore
the equality of opportunity through principled and pragmatic governance. While its
no problem identifying areas of disagreement, its more important to find areas of
agreement.
As a member of the bipartisan Problem
Solvers Caucus, its easy to see there are
a handful of issues that transcend ideological divisions within the Congress. By
clearly identifying them, members can
work toward a common end, knowing that
whenever people work together on shared
objectives our nation succeeds.
In this Congress, a bipartisan group of
more than 70 Senators and Representatives
are supporting a resolution calling for a
National Strategic Agenda defining the

s the United States pushes back

against the tide of terror and
extremism that is the enemy of
freedom and peace everywhere, we must
do so with every tool available, including
the financial system.
As chair of the bipartisan Task Force to
Investigate Terrorism Financing, during
the last six months my Task Force has systematically examined how terror groups
have acquired and moved the money they
need to execute their acts. The Task Force
has conducted five hearings, countless
member level briefings, and sent a delegation to the Middle East to better understand
illicit financing and how we can step up,
or improve American efforts to counter it.
The Task Force examined several issues,
such as: trade-based money laundering, the
security of the American banking system
and the influence of Iran as a state sponsor
of terrorism.
Specifically, the Task Forces fourth
hearing took a long look at the Joint
Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA),
an agreement made by the U.S. regarding
the Republic of Irans nuclear program
and its potential impact on the world of
terrorism financing. What became abun-

dantly clear was the influx of hundreds

of billions of dollars to Iran, which were
authorized in this deal. These funds will
increase that nations ability to continue
regional destabilization through its support
of groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, Iraqi
Shiite militias, the Houthis in Yemen, and
Syrian President Bashar al-Assads regime
in Damascus.
Irans budget features a nine-figure line
item to support terrorism, leaving no doubt
that the activities it funds will expand
Irans radical efforts, a fact acknowledged
by the Administration following negotiations. While this deal rolls back sanctions,
expert witnesses before the task force
advocated for increased sanctions.
During one hearing on the JCPOA, an
attorney testified that American citizens
and families who were victims of Iraniansponsored terrorist attacks are owed billions in compensation awarded by United
States judges under the Foreign Sovereign
Immunities Act. This includes families in
Bucks County.
It is unconscionable to think that we
would allow the worlds largest state sponsor of terror access to billions of dollars in
sanctions relief and the unfreezing of held

Congressman Fitzpatrick chairing a

hearing of the bipartisan Task Force to
Investigate Terrorism Financing.

assets, while victims of Iranian terrorism

are left with nothing. For this reason I
co-sponsored H.R. 3457, the Justice for
Victims of Iranian Terrorism Act which
says: Not one cent in sanctions relief for
Iran until these families are paid.
This Task Force has sounded the alarm
on many threats posed by self-financing
terrorist organizations and wants to see
that every option is considered in our
national response to this danger. The U.S.
must strengthen its tools and continue its
work to combat this threat.

Americas
Veterans
Deserve the
Best Care

Rep. Fitzpatrick at Al Udeid Air

Base in Qatar, speaking with our
servicemen about their important
work protecting our homeland.

The trust between Veterans Affairs

and those they serve has been shattered
by repeated scandal. We need look
no further than the Philadelphia VA
Regional Office to see the culture of
mismanagement, distrust, backlogged
claims and lack of attention to care.
A solution is needed to foster a better climate in the VA regional offices
and it starts with rebuilding the
relationship between the VA and the
veterans it assists.
To that end, I helped introduce H.R.
3936: the Veteran Engagement Team
(VET) Act. This bill is an effort to put a
name to a veterans face, signifying that
veterans are people, not claims numbers.
If enacted into law, the VET Act
would create a monthly one-stop
shop for veterans seeking to complete their claims with all personnel
needed to process that claim, on hand.
These Veteran Engagement Team
events would take VA employees out
of the office and into the community
to help area veterans in a one-onone setting. This model puts veterans
needs first.
Business as usual cannot continue at the VA. All veterans deserve
prompt and quality care they can trust.
Theyve earned it.

Contact
Rep. Fitzpatrick
Phone: 215-579-8102
Fax: 215-579-8109
Web:
www.fitzpatrick.house.gov
2

House Passes Fitzpatrick

Veterans Jobs Bill

fter a long fight for legislation that puts veterans on the

front line of rebuilding Americas infrastructure, a bipartisan supermajority in the House passed my Fairness to
Veterans for Infrastructure Investment Act [H.R. 1694] this fall.
The legislation ensures that American veterans will play an important role in rebuilding our nations roads and bridges, as it levels
the playing field for veteran-owned businesses. Currently, some
small-business owners receive a preference when doing business
with the federal governmentveterans do not.
Our fighting men and women are the most highly skilled workforce in history. We must leverage their unprecedented skills to
get our economy moving again.
With more than 250,000 service members transitioning each
year from the military to civilian life and about one quarter of
them saying they are interested in starting or buying their own

business, this Congress can, and must, lay the foundation for their
success in the private sector.

Honoring
Those Who
Served

very military member and veteran deserves to have their service

recognized and appreciated. Few
things are more rewarding than the opportunity to individually thank a veteran or
their family and present them with the
awards and distinctions they earned.
It was an honor and a pleasure to award
service medals from World War II
Victory Medals to Purple Hearts to dozens of veterans and families in ceremonies
and personal meetings this year.
My district office staff includes Military
and Veterans Affairs caseworkers who are

Rep. Fitzpatrick awards service medals to veterans at a ceremony held at the

American Legion, Morell Smith Post 440, Newtown, Pa.

available to assist Bucks and Montgomery

county veterans with a number of issues,
including retrieving military commendations earned, but lost or never awarded.
Contact the Langhorne District office at

1717 Langhorne-Newtown Rd, Suite 400,

Langhorne, PA or by phone at 215-5798102 for more information.
See page 4 for more details about how
my staff can help.

Combating Drug Abuse in Our Community

To some the use of opioid drugs, such
as heroin, seems a world away, but the
increasing number of cases remove any
doubt that heroin is having a deadly
impact close to home. By every metric,
the effect of heroin has reached epidemic
levels.
Since 2002, heroin use has risen by
more than 60 percent, dependency doubled and heroin-related overdose deaths
quadrupled. In Pennsylvania, opioid
abuse will kill more people than homicides or influenza. In some states, its
more deadly than auto accidents.
While state and local leaders are working to meet this epidemics challenge,
there is a role to be played by the federal
government not only in supporting
state and local efforts, but by meeting
head-on drug challenges reported on the
national level.
As a member of the recently formed

Comprehensive Addiction Recovery Act

[H.R. 953], legislation Ive co-sponsored
and the most wide-ranging addiction treatment and support measure ever
introduced in Congress. With 50 bipartisan supporters in the House and 20 in the
Senate, the bill provides:
Much-needed funding for prevention,
treatment and recovery;
Strengthened prescription drug monitoring programs and supports takeback efforts;

Task Force to Combat the Heroin

Epidemic, Im working with leaders in
both political parties pushing toward a
common goal, which is the development
and establishment of national policies to
stem the tide of drug use and abuse.
One such step is passing the

Applied recovery efforts to our criminal

justice system; and
Expanded educational outreach.
If we heed the lessons learned from
Bucks and Montgomery county families
and individuals devastated by addiction,
leaders in Washington and around the
nation can turn the tide.

Caring for Bucks and Montgomery County Seniors

n October 15, 2015, the Social

Security
Administration
announced that due to the recent
decline in the Consumer Price Index (CPI),
those on Social Security will not receive
a cost of living adjustment (COLA) for
2016. This is the third time since the
establishment of COLA that there was no
automatic increase.
Established in 1973, COLA measures
its increase by the CPI for Urban Wage
Earners and Clerical Workers. The CPI is
intended to preserve the purchasing power
of Social Security benefits by increasing
benefits to keep pace with rising consumer
prices or inflation.
But its not just Social Security beneficiaries who are affected by this decision,
since the Administrations decision to not
increase the COLA has threatened to
impact Medicare beneficiaries. According
to the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services, there are 54 million
seniors on Medicare. With baby boom-

ers turning 65, this number will continue

to rise.
In order to help protect against rising
premiums, I supported the passage of the
Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, which
included a reduction in Medicare Part B
premiums and deductibles that would have
taken effect in 2016. Without this important fix, millions of Medicare beneficiaries
would have seen a 52 percent increase in
their premiums.
While it is important to address our
growing debt woes, it must be done in
a way that keeps the promises made to
seniors and preserves the safety net so
many depend on. Clearly, Social Security
and Medicare are earned benefits, so there
must be a commitment to protecting those
benefits.
I whole-heartedly support legislation that
would change the way the Administration
calculates the COLA for our seniors by
taking into account the largest line items
in seniors budgets.

At a local event, Rep. Fitzpatrick listens to constituents about issues important to

them.

Standing with First Responders Protecting Those with No Voice

It is important that the federal government intervene, when appropriate, to promote
animal welfare. Whether its the abuse of greyhounds on racetracks or the slaughter
of horses, its a privilege to speak for those who do not have a voice.
As co-chair of the Congressional Animal Rights Caucus, here are a few animal
welfare bills I enthusiastically sponsored and co-sponsored during this Congress:
Animal Welfare in Agricultural Research Endeavors Act amends the Animal
Welfare Act to require humane treatment of animals by federal government
facilities;
Captive Primate Public Safety Act raises awareness of the dangers of owning
primates as domestic pets and highlights the need for federal legislation addressing this matter;
Safeguard American Food Exports Act aims to prohibit the sale or transport
of equines and equine parts in any interstate or foreign commerce for human
consumption;
Pet and Women Safety Act aims to ensure the safety of victims of domestic violence, as well as their pets, by authorizing grant money so that domestic violence
shelters can accommodate all family members who need protection;
Congressman Fitzpatrick speaks at a press conference about the need to support
police, fire and emergency personnel.

he service of our first responders is

vital to the continued safety and success of our region and communities.
Thats why its a priority to stand behind
all efforts to preserve critical programs
supporting police, fire and EMS personnel.
Along with several colleagues in
the House, I signed letters of support
for SAFER Grants and Assistance to
Firefighters (FIRE) Grants, ensuring that
career and volunteer departments have
adequate numbers, training and equipment
necessary to protect the communities they
serve when responding to fire scenes, auto
accidents, or other natural or manmade
disasters.
In addition, I introduced H.R. 2350, the

Children of Fallen Heroes Act which aims

to provide financial assistance for the education of a child whose parents or guardian
lost their lives in the line of duty and was a
proud cosponsor of H.R. 1786, the James
Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation
Reauthorization Act. This bill reauthorizes
the World Trade Center Health Program,
that provides medical monitoring and
treatment for chronic, 9/11-related illnesses to over 72,000 first responders and
survivors residing in every state and
433 of 435 congressional districts. These
responders and survivors deserve to maintain access to their physicians and medical
care, including cancer treatments.

Horse Transportation Safety Act of 2015 intends to end the cruel practice of
transporting horses in double-decker trailers by prohibiting the use of such vehicles on interstate commerce; and
Big Cat Public Safety Act prohibits private possession of big cats, except at
places like zoos, where they can receive proper care.

Reaching Out to Federal Agencies

Need help with a federal agency?
With your permission, I am authorized to make inquiries to federal agencies on behalf of 8th district residents. While this will not guarantee a positive outcome,
the office will support your inquiry to the fullest extent.
However, congressional representatives and their staff
do not have decision-making authority regarding constituent inquiries. The respective agencies have complete discretion on such matters, but you can be assured
of strong support and a fair and thorough review.

Specifically, what types of inquiries can

we help with?
These include, but are not limited to:
Social Security
Veterans Affairs
Medicare
Passports
Internal Revenue Service
United States Postal Service
Information on federal student loans
or other forms of financial aid
Immigration
Assistance with federal grant applications

PA-8
By the
Numbers

13,561

The number of
total cases my office has opened on
behalf of 8th District residents

7,787

The number of
Department of Veterans Affairs
cases my office has opened on
behalf of 8th District residents

596

The number of
IRS cases my office has opened on
behalf of 8th District residents

The office staff will respond to your concerns on

any other federal matters head-on and with alacrity,
including flag requests, requests to visit our Nations
Capitol and military academy nominations. For state
agencies, such as PennDOT, the staff would be happy
to put you in contact with your state-elected officials.

What is needed to make an inquiry on my

behalf?
A signed privacy waiver is mandatory, including a
detailed written explanation of your concern before an
inquiry is made.

Can I get help on legal matters?

Under no circumstances is my office authorized to
make an inquiry regarding legal disputes, including
child care, child custody, divorce, family court, criminal
offenses or civil litigation matters. And no member of
the staff is authorized to provide legal advice or recommend an attorney. For legal questions, please contact an
attorney directly.

Can the agency process time be sped up?

While the very best effort will be made to expedite an
agency request, most cases must adhere to the standard
timeline. If you believe your case represents an extreme
hardship, please let our office know in advance.

How to contact my office: local office

hours and locations
Langhorne District Office
1717 Langhorne Newtown Road
Suite 400
Langhorne, PA 19047
Phone: 215-579-8102
Fax: 215-579-8109
Open Monday Friday, 9 am 5 pm
Indian Valley Public Library
100 East Church Road
Telford, PA 18969
Open Saturdays, 10 am 1 pm
Or contact me via my website:
www.Fitzpatrick.House.Gov

Working with the VA: What We Can Do For You

Department of Defense
1. Financial problems with payment
or benefits
NPRC and Military Branches
1. Emergency DD214 Requests
(death, hospice, medical emergencies)
2. DD214 and Discharge Requests
3. Additional Records Requests
4. Medals Reissue
5. Enlistment Denial Information
6. Miscellaneous Military Issues

VA Burial Issues
1. Emergency DD214 Requests
2. Scheduling Issues
3. National Cemetery Issues
4. VA Headstones
5. VA Headstone Medallions
VA Compensation Claims
1. Status on VA Claims
2. Expedite Emergency Cases
3. Assistance with Forms
4. Post 9/11 GI Bill Issues
5. Appeal Updates

VA Healthcare
1. Application Issues
2. Care Issues
VA Pension with Aid and
Attendance Claims
1. Assistance with Application
2. Status on Pending Cases
3. Expedite for Emergencies
VA Home Loan
1. Certificate of Eligibility Application

Expediting
Passports

IRS Forms and Tax Return

Preparation

The best strategy for expedited service

is to avoid the rush. Check the validity of
your passport and that of your family as
soon as you consider traveling. Applying
for passports and/or renewing expired ones
early is the best step toward a relaxed travel experience, but if you are in a bind there
are options for expedited service.
You may request expedited service
within two weeks of travel by calling
1-877-487-2778 to schedule an appointment at the Philadelphia Passport Center.
Expedited service will cost an additional
$60, plus any delivery costs.
Life or death emergencies: Call 202-6474000 after 5 pm, weekends and holidays
emergency travel only.
Once a passport application has been
made, assistance can be provided through
the office to help facilitate its receipt in
time for travel.

Forms for filing can be found at IRS.

gov or by calling 1-800-829-3676
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
(VITA) program offers free tax help to
people who generally make $53,000
or less, persons with disabilities, the
elderly and limited English-speaking
taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified
volunteers provide free, basic income
tax return preparation with electronic
filing to qualified individuals.
In addition to VITA, the Tax
Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program offers free tax help for all taxpayers, particularly those 60 years of
age and older, specializing in questions
about pensions and retirement-related issues unique to seniors. The IRScertified volunteers who provide tax

counseling are often retired individuals

associated with non-profit organizations
that receive IRS grants.
Find a VITA or TCE Site Near You
VITA and TCE sites are generally
located in community and neighborhood
centers, libraries, schools, shopping malls
and other convenient locations across the
country. To locate the nearest VITA or
TCE site near you, use the VITA Locator
Tool or call 1-800-906-9887.
Find an AARP TCE Tax-Aide Site Near You
A majority of the TCE sites are operated by the AARP Foundations Tax Aide
program. To locate the nearest AARP
TCE Tax-Aide site between January and
April call 1-888-227-7669.