http://ayotte.senate.gov Important information from Senator Kelly Ayotte. en-us Copyright 2013 Kelly Ayotte Mon, 20 May 2013 08:57:08 EST WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) led a Senate Budget Committee hearing today focused on ways to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of federal government programs and eliminate duplication, waste, and fraud. The Budget Committee's Task Force on Government Performance, of which Ayotte serves as Ranking Member, received testimony today from Comptroller General Gene Dodaro, who heads the Government Accountability Office (GAO). An April 2013 GAO report identified 31 areas where federal agencies could achieve greater efficiency - including 17 areas of duplication and 14 areas of potential cost-savings. 'Of the GAO's 300 recommendations to Congress over the past three years, only 12 percent were addressed. That's not acceptable and we must do better,' said Senator Ayotte. 'We need to take advantage of every opportunity to eliminate waste, provide more accountability, and more rigorous oversight to ensure taxpayers are getting a return on their investment.' Over the past three years, GAO has identified 162 areas of fragmentation, overlap, and duplication in federal agencies. Yet, the GAO's 2013 report found that of its approximately 300 recommended actions, only 65 were addressed, 149 were partially-addressed, and 85 were not addressed by Congress or the Executive Branch. Duplicative programs are an obvious place to find savings, and Senator Ayotte has voted numerous times to save billions of taxpayer dollars by consolidating or eliminating overlapping government programs. During the 112th Congress, Ayotte also cosponsored the Taxpayers Right to Know Act, which would require federal agencies to provide an annual 'report card' of all federal programs, how they perform, and their cost-effectiveness. HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2013 GAO DUPLICATION REPORT: The GAO reviewed 31 areas of government spending, including 17 areas of extensive duplication, fragmentation, and overlap, and 14 areas of larger potential cost-savings through addressing waste and management. Examples of duplication: • 23 agencies implemented 679 renewable energy programs at a cost of $15 billion in Fiscal Year 2010; • 159 contracting organizations in ten Pentagon offices provide foreign language support; • Among 29 Department of Homeland Security contracts worth $66 billion, GAO found 35 instances where the contracts overlapped with existing DHS activities; and • Three federal offices have oversight of catfish inspections. ### http://ayotte.senate.gov?p=press_release&id=953 Thu, 16 May 2013 12:28:00 EST WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) led a Senate Budget Committee hearing today focused on ways to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of federal government programs and eliminate duplication, waste, and fraud. The Budget Committee's Task Force on Government Performance, of which Ayotte serves as Ranking Member, received testimony today from Comptroller General Gene Dodaro, who heads the Government Accountability Office (GAO). http://ayotte.senate.gov?p=video&id=952 Thu, 16 May 2013 12:26:00 EST WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) released the following statement tonight regarding President Obama's announcement that IRS Acting Director Steven Miller has resigned:'While this is an obvious first step, it doesn't eliminate the need for a thorough, bipartisan investigation. Targeting specific types of political groups for extra scrutiny represents a serious abuse of power, and we need to get to the bottom of what happened to hold wrong-doers accountable and make sure this never happens again. The American people rightfully expect to be treated fairly and impartially by their government, and I am hopeful that the president will make good on his promise to work with Congress to provide answers.' ### http://ayotte.senate.gov?p=press_release&id=951 Thu, 16 May 2013 09:51:00 EST WASHINGTON, D.C. -- On Tuesday, Senator Ayotte had the honor of welcoming members of New Hampshire's law enforcement community who are visiting Washington for National Police Week - an annual remembrance of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. Ayotte spent time with law enforcement officers at a Capitol Hill reception on Tuesday evening honoring fallen Greenland Police Chief Michael Maloney. 'We must never forget the service and sacrifice of those who work to keep our communities safe,' said Senator Ayotte. 'I'm honored to welcome members of New Hampshire's law enforcement community to Washington for this annual memorial, which holds special meaning this year as we continue to honor the legacy of Chief Michael Maloney.' Chief Maloney's name was recently added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial wall in Washington. Members of the Greenland Police Department and members of the Maloney family and close friends, as well as New Hampshire law enforcement personnel from across the state, traveled to Washington this week for National Police Week. ###  PHOTO: Senator Ayotte with members of the New Hampshire Police Association's Pipe and Drums. http://ayotte.senate.gov?p=press_release&id=950 Wed, 15 May 2013 14:15:00 EST WASHINGTON, D.C. -U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) today called on the Obama Administration to cooperate fully with congressional requests for information about how the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) targeted specific groups applying for tax-exempt status. In a letter to the president, Ayotte and all Republican Senators urged the Administration to work with Congress to restore public confidence. 'The public's confidence in the IRS relies on fair and apolitical application of the law. Actions such as these undermine taxpayers' ability to trust its government to fairly implement the law,' the Senators wrote. A report released yesterday by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) found that the IRS used inappropriate criteria that identified for extra scrutiny organizations applying for tax-exempt status based upon their names or policy positions instead of other objective criteria. The report found that ineffective oversight by IRS management resulted in delayed processing of the applications of targeted groups, and that the inappropriate criteria remained in effect for more than 18 months. Below is the full text of the letter: The Honorable Barack Obama1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NWWashington, DC Dear Mr. President: We are writing to express our grave concerns and deep disappointment about the revelations in a report by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) had specifically targeted certain organizations for extra scrutiny as part of their approval review of applications for tax-exempt 501(c)(4) status. This appears to be a wholly inappropriate action that threatens to silence political dissent and brings partisan politics into what used to be a nonpartisan, unbiased and fact-based review process. The public's confidence in the IRS relies on fair and apolitical application of the law. Actions such as these undermine taxpayers' ability to trust its government to fairly implement the law. According to information given to Congress in a timeline provided by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), in early 2010 'specialists had been asked to be on the lookout for Tea Party applications, and the IRS Determinations Unit had begun searching its database for applications with 'Tea Party,' 'Patriots,' or '9/12' in the organization's name.' The report goes on to state that 'By June 2011, some IRS specialists were probing applications using the following criteria to identify tea-party cases, according to the Treasury inspector general findings: ''Tea Party,' 'Patriots' or '9/12 Project' is referenced in the case file; issues include government spending, government debt or taxes; education of the public by advocacy/lobbying to 'make America a better place to live'; statements in the case file criticize how the country is being run.' We are deeply disturbed that agents of the government were directed to give greater scrutiny to groups engaged in conduct questioning the actions of their government. This type of purely political scrutiny being conducted by an Executive Branch Agency is yet another completely inexcusable attempt to chill the speech of political opponents and those who would question their government, consistent with a broader pattern of intimidation by arms of your administration to silence political dissent. These disclosures are even more unsettling as they contradict prior statements made by representatives of the Administration on this matter. In response to questions raised in 2012 on this issue by Republican Senators, Steven T. Miller, the Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement at the IRS, specifically (and falsely) stated that there was an unbiased, technical screening process used to determine which applications for 501(c)(4) organizations merited further review. In two separate letters to Finance Committee Ranking Member Orrin Hatch, Mr. Miller failed to note that explicitly political screens were used in reviewing applications, despite the fact the practice was apparently well known within the IRS as early as 2010. Given these strong and clear statements by the Administration in 2012 that no such targeted review or specified politically motivated criteria existed, these revelations raise serious questions about the entire application review process, and the controls in place at the IRS to stop this sort of political interference once and for all. According to TIGTA these actions took place more than two years ago, yet without this information becoming public, there is no evidence that your administration would have done anything to make sure these abuses were brought to light and dealt with in a transparent way. The American people deserve to know what actions will be taken to ensure those who made these policy decisions at the IRS are being held fully accountable and more importantly what is being done to ensure that this kind of raw partisanship is fully eliminated from these critically important non-partisan government functions. As such, we demand that your Administration comply with all requests related to Congressional inquiries without any delay, including making available all IRS employees involved in designing and implementing these prohibited political screenings, so that the public has a full accounting of these actions. It is imperative that the Administration be fully forthcoming to ensure that we begin to restore the confidence of our fellow citizens after this blatant violation of their trust. We look forward to working on this critical issue with the Administration's full cooperation. Sincerely, Senator Orrin Hatch (Utah))Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.)Republican Whip John Cornyn (Texas)Republican Conference Chair John Thune (S.D.)Republican Policy Chair John Barrasso (Wyo.)Senator Lamar Alexander (Tenn.)Senator Kelly Ayotte (N.H.)Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.)Senator John Boozman (Ark.)Senator Richard Burr (N.C.)Senator Saxby Chambliss (Ga.)Senator Daniel Coats (Ind.)Senator Tom Coburn (Okla.)Senator Thad Cochran (Miss.)Senator Susan Collins (Maine)Senator Bob Corker (Tenn.)Senator Mike Crapo (Idaho)Senator Ted Cruz (Texas)Senator Michael Enzi (Wyo.)Senator Deb Fischer (Neb.)Senator Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.)Senator Lindsey Graham (S.C.)Senator Chuck Grassley (Iowa)Senator Dean Heller (Nev.)Senator John Hoeven (N.D.)Senator James Inhofe (Okla.)Senator Johnny Isakson (Ga.)Senator Mike Johanns (Neb.)Senator Ron Johnson (Wis.)Senator Mark Kirk (Ill.)Senator Mike Lee (Utah)Senator John McCain (Ariz.)Senator Jerry Moran (Kan.)Senator Lisa Murkowski (Alaska)Senator Rand Paul (Ky.)Senator Robert Portman (Ohio)Senator James Risch (Idaho)Senator Pat Roberts (Kan.)Senator Marco Rubio (Fla.)Senator Tim Scott (S.C.)Senator Jeff Sessions (Ala.)Senator Richard Shelby (Ala.)Senator Patrick Toomey (Pa.)Senator David Vitter (La.)Senator Roger Wicker (Miss.) ### http://ayotte.senate.gov?p=press_release&id=949 Wed, 15 May 2013 13:51:00 EST WASHINGTON, DC - Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Readiness and Management Subcommittee, welcomed a Pentagon announcement today that declared 'employees in Navy shipyards will be excepted from furlough,' including those employees at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. 'We're pleased that the Department of Defense and the Navy recognize the importance of shipyard workers to our national security. This exemption should allow the workers at our four public shipyards, including Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, to continue their critical work maintaining our nation's naval readiness without interruption. This announcement gives our shipyard employees the financial certainty they deserve and allows the shipyards to avoid furloughs that would have resulted in costly delays in ship and submarine maintenance.' On April 17, 2013, Senators Shaheen and Ayotte sent a letter to Secretary Hagel urging him to grant the Navy and Marine Corps the flexibility to move forward with their proposal to safely shift money from other accounts to avoid civilian furloughs. Senators Shaheen and Ayotte have also questioned multiple Navy and DoD officials at Senate Armed Services Committee hearings about the risks furloughs could pose to readiness. Today, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel announced that the Department of Defense will proceed with furloughs for its 800,000 civilian employees. According to the announcement, the furlough period will be reduced from 14 days to 11 days or fewer and the types of workers that can be exempt from furloughs will be expanded to include public shipyard workers. ###   http://ayotte.senate.gov?p=press_release&id=948 Tue, 14 May 2013 15:41:00 EST   Washington, D.C. ¬- U.S. Senators John McCain (R-AZ), Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) today released the following statement on President Obama's comments this afternoon on the attack against the U.S. Special Mission facility in Benghazi, Libya that killed four brave Americans on September 11, 2012: 'During a press conference this afternoon, President Obama claimed that, ‘The day after [Benghazi] happened, I acknowledged that this was an act of terrorism.' This statement contradicts his comments over the course of two weeks after the attack in which the President repeatedly and specifically refused, in the heat of his re-election campaign, to label Benghazi a terrorist attack, despite the fact that there was compelling evidence that it was an al Qaeda-affiliated terrorist attack. 'To be clear, on September 12th in the Rose Garden, President Obama made a generic reference to ‘acts of terror.' But that same day he was specifically asked by Steve Kroft of CBS' ‘60 Minutes' if he believed Benghazi was a terrorist attack, and the President refused to do so, saying ‘it's too early to know exactly how this came about, what group was involved.' Six days later on ‘The Late Show with David Letterman,' the President was asked what happened in Benghazi and blamed the attack on an ‘extremely offensive video.' Two days after that on Univision, the President said ‘we're still doing an investigation,' and blamed it in part on ‘the natural protests that arose because of the outrage over the video.' Four days later on ‘The View,' Joy Behar asked specifically if it was an act of terrorism, and the President again said ‘we're still doing an investigation.' The next day, in remarks to the United Nations in New York a full two weeks after the attack, President Obama still made no reference to Benghazi as an act of terrorism but blamed recent violence on ‘a crude and disgusting video sparked outrage throughout the Muslim world. 'In light of recent revelations and whistleblower testimony last week before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, it is very clear that we need a Joint Select Committee to resolve these contradictions and answer the many other unanswered questions about this tragedy for the American people.' PRESIDENT OBAMA ON BENGHAZI: SEPTEMBER 12-25 September 12, Rose Garden: President Obama makes generic reference to 'no act of terror' OBAMA: 'No acts of terror will ever shake the resolve of this great nation, alter that character, or eclipse the light of the values that we stand for.' September 12, CBS' '60 Minutes:' Answering question about whether he believes that Libya 'was a terrorist attack,' President Obama says 'It's too early to know exactly how this came about, what group was involved ...' KROFT: 'Mr. President, this morning you went out of your way to avoid the use of the word terrorism in connection with the Libya Attack, do you believe that this was a terrorist attack?' OBAMA: 'Well it's too early to know exactly how this came about, what group was involved, but obviously it was an attack on Americans. And we are going to be working with the Libyan government to make sure that we bring these folks to justice, one way or the other.' September 18, CBS' 'Late Show with David Letterman:' President Obama blames attack on 'extremely offensive video' LETTERMAN: 'Now, I don't understand, um, the ambassador to Libya killed in an attack on the consulate in Benghazi. Is this an act of war? Are we at war now? What happens here?' OBAMA: 'Here's what happened. ... You had a video that was released by somebody who lives here, sort of a shadowy character who - who made an is extremely offensive video directed at - at Mohammed and Islam...' LETTERMAN: 'Making fun of the Prophet Mohammed.' OBAMA: 'Making fun of the Prophet Mohammed. And so, this caused great offense in much of the Muslim world. But what also happened was, extremists and terrorists used this as an excuse to attack a variety of our embassies, including the one, the consulate in Libya.' September 20, Univision: President Obama says 'we're still doing an investigation' UNIVISION: 'We have reports that the White House said today that the attacks in Libya were a terrorist attack. Do you have information indicating that it was Iran, or al Qaeda was behind organizing the protests?' OBAMA: 'Well, we're still doing an investigation, and there are going to be different circumstances in different countries. And so I don't want to speak to something until we have all the information. What we do know is that the natural protests that arose because of the outrage over the video were used as an excuse by extremists to see if they can also directly harm U.S. interests...' September 24, 'The View:' President Obama says 'we're still doing an investigation' JOY BEHAR: '...it was reported that people just went crazy and wild because of this anti-Muslim movie, or anti-Muhammad, I guess, movie. But then I heard Hillary Clinton say that it was an act of terrorism. Is it? What do you say?' OBAMA: 'Well, we're still doing an investigation. There's no doubt that the kind of weapons that were used, the ongoing assault, that it wasn't just a mob action. Now, we don't have all the information yet, so we're still gathering it. But what's clear is that around the world, there's still a lot of threats out there. That's why we have to maintain the strongest military in the world, that's why we can't let down our guard when it comes to the intelligence work that we do and staying on top of - not just al Qaeda, the traditional al Qaeda in Pakistan and Afghanistan...' September 25, President Obama to United Nations: 'A crude and disgusting video sparked outrage throughout the Muslim world...' OBAMA: 'That is what we saw play out in the last two weeks, where a crude and disgusting video sparked outrage throughout the Muslim world. Now, I have made it clear that the United States government had nothing to do with this video, and I believe its message must be rejected by all who respect our common humanity. ... And on this we must agree: There is no speech that justifies mindless violence. There are no words that excuse the killing of innocents. There's no video that justifies an attack on an embassy.'  ###     http://ayotte.senate.gov?p=press_release&id=946 Mon, 13 May 2013 15:02:00 EST (Washington, D.C.) - U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) today announced that the New Hampshire National Guard will receive $535,000 to support the Guard's Deployment Cycle Support Program (DCSP). Shaheen and Ayotte have been strong advocates for the DCSP program and have worked with Pentagon officials to underscore the clear benefits of the program. 'This New Hampshire Deployment Cycle Support Program has a tremendous track record of success in providing critical services to our returning Guard members and their families,' said Senator Shaheen. 'We ask a lot on the men and women of our National Guard to protect U.S. interests and abroad and keep Americans safe. They made a solemn commitment to our state and our nation, and they continue to make great sacrifices, engaging in multiple deployments in some of the most dangerous regions in the world. It is critical that they have a strong support network in place. New Hampshire's National Guard support program is a model initiative, and I am pleased that we have found funding needed to continue operation of this essential program.' 'The Deployment Cycle Support Care Coordination Program is a common-sense, cost-effective initiative that helps our service members and their families before, during, and after deployments,' said Senator Ayotte. 'This program-which has a proven track record in the areas of suicide prevention, mental health care, employment, and prevention of homelessness-represents a model for the Department of Defense. It's critical that this program continue to receive federal support, and this announcement is welcome news.' 'Sens. Shaheen and Ayotte have understood all too well that a tour of duty does not end when the soldier comes home from war,' said Maj. Gen. William Reddel III, the adjutant general of the New Hampshire National Guard. 'The reintegration back into family and civilian life is a long and sometimes difficult process. We want to ensure our service members and their families receive the support they need, and frankly, deserve. They have sacrificed for our state and nation in ways that most of us cannot imagine.' The program is designed to meet the needs of service members, veterans, and their families who do not live on or near military installations. An integrated partnership between the New Hampshire National Guard, the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Easter Seals, and civilian and veteran service organizations, DCSP combines public funding and private resources to establish an integrated, sustainable, and fiscally-responsible service delivery framework. DCSP is designed to prepare and support service members and their families during the full cycle of mobilization, deployment, and reintegration. In fiscal year 2012, 966 service members and veterans were enrolled in the program. Including their family members, a total of approximately 2995 individuals were served by the program last year. ### http://ayotte.senate.gov?p=press_release&id=943 Fri, 10 May 2013 12:33:00 EST WASHINGTON, D.C. - At a White House meeting today with senior White House advisers, U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) discussed legislation she introduced this week with Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) aimed at stopping sexual assault in the military and providing greater support to victims. Ayotte and a bipartisan group of lawmakers met with Valerie Jarrett, senior adviser to the president, and Tina Tchen, First Lady Michelle Obama's Chief of Staff. 'I appreciated the Administration's invitation today to discuss efforts to prevent sexual assault in the military and ensure victims have the resources they need and deserve,' said Senator Ayotte, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. 'We must strengthen existing laws and policies so that perpetrators face justice and victims can come forward without fear of retribution and with confidence that they will receive the support, care, and justice they deserve.' The bipartisan Murray-Ayotte legislation, the Combating Military Sexual Assault (MSA) Act of 2013, would address a number of gaps within current law and policy and build upon the positive steps the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has taken in recent years to address this critical issue.On Tuesday, the Pentagon released a report showing an alarming increase in cases of sexual assault in the military ranks. According to DoD estimates, there were about 19,000 cases of military sexual assault in 2011 alone. Of these, 3,192 were reported, leaving thousands of victims to face the aftermath alone as their assailants escape justice. That number rose to 26,000 cases in 2012 with fewer than 3,400 of those cases being reported. The Combating MSA Act would: • Provide victims of sexual assault with Special Victims' Counsel (SVC) - a military lawyer who will assist sexual assault victims throughout the process. • Enhance the responsibilities and authority of DoD's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Office so that it can better oversee efforts to combat MSA across the Armed Forces and regularly track and report on a range of MSA statistics, including assault rate, number of cases brought to trial, and compliance with appropriate laws and regulations within each of the individual services.• Refer cases to the general court martial level when sexual assault charges are filed or to the next superior competent authority when there is a conflict of interest in the immediate chain of command.• Bar sexual contact between instructors and trainees during and within 30 days of completion of basic training or its equivalent.• Ensure that Sexual Assault Response Coordinators (SARC) are available to members of the National Guard and Reserve at all times and regardless of whether they are operating under Title 10 or Title 32 authority. During a Senate Armed Services Personnel Subcommittee hearing in March, Senator Ayotte questioned DoD officials about a January report released by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) that identified problems in ensuring proper care for servicemembers who are victims of sexual assault. Senator Ayotte is a former prosecutor who has worked extensively with victims. During her time as New Hampshire's Attorney General, she chaired the Governor's Commission on Domestic and Sexual Violence. ###   http://ayotte.senate.gov?p=press_release&id=947 Thu, 09 May 2013 15:00:00 EST Ayotte still pushing for tankers at PeaseWASHINGTON, D.C. - During a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., expressed continued support for Pease Air National Guard Base and the 157th Air Refueling Wing to receive the KC-46A tanker.In response to questioning from Ayotte, Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff General Mark Welsh affirmed that the KC-46A tanker program remains on track and that a final basing decision is expected this month.'I just want to applaud you for the transparent and objective process you have applied thus far,' said Ayotte, who also met one-on-one with Welsh before Wednesday's hearing. 'I think it won't come as a surprise to both of you, but both Senator Shaheen and I feel very strongly about the performance of our 157th Air Refueling [Wing] at Pease and we welcome the objective nature of this process, because certainly, Pease has a strategic location only 12 minutes from very important refueling tracks and also an already existing active duty association that we are very proud of.' In January, the Air Force announced Pease was one of five Air National Guard finalists to receive the KC-46A, which will replace the Eisenhower-era KC-135 tankers. Air Force officials visited Pease in February to begin assessing its competitiveness to receive the new tanker.The Air Force has conducted detailed, on-the-ground site surveys of each candidate base to assess each location against operational and training requirements, potential impacts to existing missions, housing, infrastructure, and manpower. In the next few weeks, the Air Force will select preferred and reasonable alternative locations and begin an Environmental Impact Analysis Process. The selected Air National Guard base will receive aircraft beginning in fiscal year 2018.In meetings with Air Force officials over the past year, Ayotte has repeatedly praised the New Hampshire National Guard's 157th Air Refueling Wing and highlighted Pease's unique advantages as an ideal location to base the KC-46A. http://ayotte.senate.gov?p=news&id=944 Thu, 09 May 2013 12:30:00 EST WASHINGTON, D.C. - During a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing today, U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) expressed continued support for Pease Air National Guard Base and the 157th Air Refueling Wing to receive the KC-46A tanker. In response to questioning from Senator Ayotte, Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff General Mark Welsh affirmed that the KC-46A tanker program remains on track and that a final basing decision is expected this month. 'I just want to applaud you for the transparent and objective process you have applied thus far,' said Ayotte, who also met one-on-one with General Welsh before today's hearing. 'I think it won't come as a surprise to both of you, but both Senator Shaheen and I feel very strongly about the performance of our 157th Air Refueling [Wing] at Pease and we welcome the objective nature of this process, because certainly, Pease has a strategic location only 12 minutes from very important refueling tracks and also an already existing active duty association that we are very proud of.' In January, the Air Force announced that Pease was one of five Air National Guard finalists to receive the KC-46A, which will replace the Eisenhower-era KC-135 tankers. Air Force officials visited Pease in February to begin assessing its competitiveness to receive the new tanker. The Air Force has conducted detailed, on-the-ground site surveys of each candidate base to assess each location against operational and training requirements, potential impacts to existing missions, housing, infrastructure, and manpower. In the next few weeks, the Air Force will select preferred and reasonable alternative locations and begin an Environmental Impact Analysis Process. The selected Air National Guard base will receive aircraft beginning in fiscal year 2018. In meetings with Air Force officials over the past year, Senator Ayotte has repeatedly praised the New Hampshire National Guard's 157th Air Refueling Wing and highlighted Pease's unique advantages as an ideal location to base the KC-46A. http://ayotte.senate.gov?p=press_release&id=941 Tue, 07 May 2013 17:34:00 EST WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Senate tonight unanimously approved a resolution introduced by U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the loss of the Old Man of the Mountain, New Hampshire's state symbol. 'We're pleased that the Senate approved this resolution, which is a fitting tribute to the Old Man of the Mountain,' said Shaheen and Ayotte. 'The legacy of the Old Man will live on in the hearts of the people of New Hampshire for generations to come.' The full text of the resolution follows: Commemorating the 10-year anniversary of the loss of the State symbol of New Hampshire, the Old Man of the Mountain: Whereas retreating glaciers carved the White Mountains, leaving behind the Old Man of the Mountain (referred to in this preamble as the ‘‘Old Man'') as a sentinel to gaze across their granite majesty; Whereas granite ledges formed the profile of the Old Man, framed by the sweeping curve of the shoulder of a mountain; Whereas the native son of New Hampshire and distinguished Member of the Senate, Daniel Webster, wrote: ‘‘Men hang out their signs indicative of their respective trades; shoe makers hang out a gigantic shoe; jewelers a monster watch, and the dentist hangs out a gold tooth; but up in the Mountains of New Hampshire, God Almighty has hung out a sign to show that there He makes men''; Whereas both the proud visage and the steadfastness of the Old Man embodied the character traits of independence, strength, and a dedication to live free that are embedded in Granite Staters; Whereas the home of the Old Man, New Hampshire, possesses a clear sense of its place in the history of the United States as- (1) the first State to adopt its own constitution;(2) the State whose ratification of the Constitution of the United States helped bring forth this country; and(3) the State that, as host of the first presidential primary in the United States, has a continuing role in each election of the President; Whereas the Old Man was visited by sightseers from around the world, who found strength and inspiration in his image; Whereas visits to the Old Man have inspired reverence for that which is irreplaceable; Whereas, for 10 millennia, the Old Man survived legendary winds, snow, rain, and ice; Whereas, on May 3, 2003, the time-worn granite ledges of the visage of the Old Man released their hold on the mountain and fell into history; Whereas the loss of the Old Man forever changed the face of New Hampshire and was felt by all people of the State accustomed to living under his watchful gaze; Whereas the Old Man, who lived in the heart of the White Mountains, now lives on in the hearts of the people of New Hampshire; and Whereas, while Granite Staters mourn the loss of their granite man, they pay tribute with a long glance up at the bare face of the grey mountain and a pause in remembrance of the first citizen of the beloved State: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate- (1) recognizes the 10th anniversary of the loss of the Old Man of the Mountain; (2) encourages the people of the United States to preserve the legacy of the Old Man of the Mountain; (3) recognizes the inspiration provided by the Old Man of the Mountain to generations of Granite Staters and visitors to the State of New Hampshire; and (4) recognizes the Old Man of the Mountain as a symbol of liberty, freedom, and independence. ### http://ayotte.senate.gov?p=press_release&id=942 Tue, 07 May 2013 12:30:00 EST (Washington, D.C.) - Today, as the Pentagon's annual report on sexual assault showed an alarming increase in cases, U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) introduced the Combating Military Sexual Assault (MSA) Act of 2013. In an effort to reduce sexual assaults within the military and help the victims of this crime, the Combating MSA Act would address a number of gaps within current law and policy and build upon the positive steps the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has taken in recent years. According to DoD estimates, there were about 19,000 cases of military sexual assault in 2011 alone. Of these, 3,192 were reported, leaving thousands of victims to face the aftermath alone as their assailants escape justice. That number rose to 26,000 cases in 2012 with less than 3,400 of those cases being reported. 'When our best and our brightest put on a uniform and join the United States Armed Forces, they do so with the understanding that they will sacrifice much in the name of defending our country and its people. However, it's unconscionable to think that entertaining unwanted sexual contact from within the ranks is now part of that equation,' said Senator Murray. 'Not only are we subjecting our men and women to this disgusting epidemic, but we're also failing to provide the victims with any meaningful support system once they have fallen victim to these attacks. And while I applaud recent efforts by the Department of Defense to turn the tide on this mounting crisis, we must do more to root out the culture that fosters this behavior and provide substantive assistance to those who face these tragedies alone. I am proud to join Senator Ayotte in introducing the Combating Military Sexual Assault Act, to reverse this trend and establish the necessary means for victims to take action against their attackers. It's inexcusable for us to wait any longer to address this issue and I'm glad this bipartisan legislation is taking meaningful steps to do right by our nation's heroes.' 'The United States continues to have the best military in the world-primarily because of the character, quality, and courage of our men and women in uniform. But when a service member fails to live up to our values and commits sexual assault, we must ensure the victims have the support they need and the perpetrators face justice. Sexual assault presents a serious threat to the morale, discipline, and readiness of our armed forces,' said Senator Ayotte. 'I look forward to working with DoD, Senator Murray, and my Senate colleagues to strengthen existing laws and policies so that all victims can come forward without fear of retribution and with confidence that they will receive the support, care, and justice they deserve.' The Combating MSA Act would: • Provide victims of sexual assault with Special Victims' Counsel (SVC) - a military lawyer who will assist sexual assault victims throughout the process. • Enhance the responsibilities and authority of DoD's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Office so that it can better oversee efforts to combat MSA across the Armed Forces and regularly track and report on a range of MSA statistics, including assault rate, number of cases brought to trial, and compliance with appropriate laws and regulations within each of the individual services.• Refer cases to the general court martial level when sexual assault charges are filed or to the next superior competent authority when there is a conflict of interest in the immediate chain of command.• Bar sexual contact between instructors and trainees during and within 30 days of completion of basic training or its equivalent.• Ensure that Sexual Assault Response Coordinators (SARC) are available to members of the National Guard and Reserve at all times and regardless of whether they are operating under Title 10 or Title 32 authority. Last month, Senator Murray questioned the Honorable Ray Mabus, Secretary of the Navy, and General James Amos, Commandant of the Marine Corps, about the alarming rate of reported sexual assaults within the Marine Corps. In the coming weeks, Congressman Tim Ryan (D-OH) will introduce companion legislation to the Combating MSA Act in the House of Representatives. During a Senate Armed Services Personnel Subcommittee hearing in March, Senator Ayotte questioned DoD officials about a January report released by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) that identified problems in ensuring proper care for servicemembers who are victims of sexual assault. Senator Ayotte is a former prosecutor who has worked extensively with victims. During her time as New Hampshire's Attorney General, she chaired the Governor's Commission on Domestic and Sexual Violence. ### http://ayotte.senate.gov?p=press_release&id=940 Tue, 07 May 2013 11:19:00 EST WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) said she would continue to fight online sales tax legislation, which passed the Senate today by a vote of 69 to 27 and now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. Senator Ayotte has led efforts in the Senate to stop the so-called 'Marketplace Fairness Act' (S. 743) from becoming law. 'The fight doesn't end here,' said Senator Ayotte. 'As this legislation moves to the House, I will continue my efforts to protect New Hampshire's online retailers from being forced to become tax collectors for other states.' Ayotte has led the fight to protect New Hampshire Internet businesses from online sales tax legislation. She has taken to the Senate floor several times in opposition to this bill, bringing the concerns of New Hampshire online retailers to the debate on Capitol Hill. Last year, she introduced a bipartisan resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that no federal legislation should give states the authority to impose any new burdensome or unfair tax collecting requirements on Internet businesses and entrepreneurs. Under current Supreme Court precedent, absent a sufficient connection, a state cannot force out-of-state Internet businesses to collect and remit sales taxes. For example, when a customer in Illinois buys a product from an online vendor based in another state that has no physical presence in Illinois, authorities in Illinois cannot currently compel the out-of-state vendor to send it the Illinois tax on that sale. However, cash-strapped states looking to plug budget holes continue to push for a new law that would force online retailers to collect sales taxes for jurisdictions nationwide. ###   http://ayotte.senate.gov?p=press_release&id=938 Mon, 06 May 2013 20:48:00 EST Out of state special interests are running false ads attacking me and even lying about my efforts to prevent gun-related violence. I want to set the record straight: I support effective background checks and in fact voted recently to improve the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). As a former prosecutor who served for five years as New Hampshire's attorney general, I have a demonstrated record of punishing criminals and strengthening public safety. Having worked as a murder prosecutor, I've witnessed horrific crime scenes. I've spent time with victims - and I've worked day and night to put violent offenders behind bars.From my experience working with police chiefs, detectives and prosecutors, I know how important it is to have laws that work - and I know how important it is to enforce the laws we have on the books. Despite what the false attack ads say, I helped introduce and voted for the Protecting Communities and Preserving the Second Amendment Act, which improves the existing background check system, addresses mental health gaps in the criminal justice system, boosts resources to improve school safety, and criminalizes gun trafficking and straw purchases. The legislation also puts teeth into the law by creating a high level federal task force to increase the prosecution of gun-related violence.Also, given the clear connection between mental illness and mass violence tragedies at Newtown, Aurora, and Virginia Tech, I cosponsored and voted for the Mental Health Awareness and Improvement Act. This bipartisan measure includes provisions of legislation I helped introduce that seeks to improve mental health first aid training and increase the effectiveness of mental health care across the nation. This amendment passed the Senate overwhelmingly by a vote of 95 to 2.It's clear that criminals who attempt to illegally purchase firearms aren't being prosecuted as they should be - and have not been for years. For example, in 2010, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms screened 76,142 NICS denials. Of those, charges were brought in only 44 cases - and resulted in just 13 successful prosecutions. This sends the message to criminals that there won't be any consequences when they try to get their hands on guns. Some of my colleagues want to expand the broken background check system we have now. In my view, we shouldn't be expanding a flawed system. The focus should be on fixing the existing system, which criminals are flouting. We need to make sure we are enforcing current law and prosecuting those who attempt to illegally obtain firearms. And we must ensure that NICS includes records currently not being entered in the system, including mental health adjudications where an individual is found to be a danger to themselves and others.There are no easy answers. Even if the proposed expansion of background checks had been in place, it wouldn't have prevented the Sandy Hook tragedy - where the perpetrator obtained the firearms he used by killing his own mother, who owned them lawfully. Like citizens across New Hampshire, I want to find solutions that will stop criminals and those who are mentally ill from obtaining firearms. I want to make sure we punish those who try to access guns illegally. And I want to improve the nation's mental health system so that those who are on the front lines can identify the warning signs of mental illness and help those in need get proper help.In the Senate, I know that there are members of both parties who want to find common ground on this important issue. And my commitment to the people of New Hampshire is that I will continue to try to work across the aisle to prevent violence, enforce and improve our broken background check system, strengthen mental health services, and increase school safety - all while protecting the constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans. Misleading television and radio ads are counterproductive and only help to poison this important discussion.Senator Kelly Ayotte served as New Hampshire's Attorney General from 2004 to 2009.### http://ayotte.senate.gov?p=news&id=937 Mon, 06 May 2013 15:12:00 EST   WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) have introduced a Senate resolution commemorating the tenth anniversary of the loss of the Old Man of the Mountain, New Hampshire's state symbol. 'Granite Staters will always remember exactly where they were ten years ago when they heard the sad news that the Old Man of the Mountain had been lost,' said Shaheen and Ayotte. 'This resolution is a fitting tribute to the Old Man, who will continue to live on in the hearts of the people of New Hampshire.' The full text of the resolution follows: Commemorating the 10-year anniversary of the loss of the State symbol of New Hampshire, the Old Man of the Mountain: Whereas retreating glaciers carved the White Mountains, leaving behind the Old Man of the Mountain (referred to in this preamble as the ‘‘Old Man'') as a sentinel to gaze across their granite majesty; Whereas granite ledges formed the profile of the Old Man, framed by the sweeping curve of the shoulder of a mountain; Whereas the native son of New Hampshire and distinguished Member of the Senate, Daniel Webster, wrote: ‘‘Men hang out their signs indicative of their respective trades; shoe makers hang out a gigantic shoe; jewelers a monster watch, and the dentist hangs out a gold tooth; but up in the Mountains of New Hampshire, God Almighty has hung out a sign to show that there He makes men''; Whereas both the proud visage and the steadfastness of the Old Man embodied the character traits of independence, strength, and a dedication to live free that are embedded in Granite Staters; Whereas the home of the Old Man, New Hampshire, possesses a clear sense of its place in the history of the United States as- (1) the first State to adopt its own constitution;(2) the State whose ratification of the Constitution of the United States helped bring forth this country; and(3) the State that, as host of the first presidential primary in the United States, has a continuing role in each election of the President; Whereas the Old Man was visited by sightseers from around the world, who found strength and inspiration in his image; Whereas visits to the Old Man have inspired reverence for that which is irreplaceable; Whereas, for 10 millennia, the Old Man survived legendary winds, snow, rain, and ice; Whereas, on May 3, 2003, the time-worn granite ledges of the visage of the Old Man released their hold on the mountain and fell into history; Whereas the loss of the Old Man forever changed the face of New Hampshire and was felt by all people of the State accustomed to living under his watchful gaze; Whereas the Old Man, who lived in the heart of the White Mountains, now lives on in the hearts of the people of New Hampshire; and Whereas, while Granite Staters mourn the loss of their granite man, they pay tribute with a long glance up at the bare face of the grey mountain and a pause in remembrance of the first citizen of the beloved State: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate- (1) recognizes the 10th anniversary of the loss of the Old Man of the Mountain; (2) encourages the people of the United States to preserve the legacy of the Old Man of the Mountain; (3) recognizes the inspiration provided by the Old Man of the Mountain to generations of Granite Staters and visitors to the State of New Hampshire; and (4) recognizes the Old Man of the Mountain as a symbol of liberty, freedom, and independence. ###     http://ayotte.senate.gov?p=press_release&id=935 Thu, 02 May 2013 18:42:00 EST (WASHINGTON, D.C.) - U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) today joined a broad, bipartisan coalition of senators in calling upon the White House to take direct and urgent action to end the current Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability claims backlog. In the letter sent this morning to President Obama, the senators pointed to the unacceptable delays veterans are facing across the country, which in some cases reach more than 1000 days. More than 600,000 veterans are still stuck in the VA's disability claims backlog, and the number of claims pending has grown by over 2000% over the past four years. The average wait time for first time disability claims currently stands at between 316 and 327 days. 'Our men and women in uniform have made tremendous sacrifices for our country, and they should not have to spend months fighting an unresponsive bureaucracy to receive the benefits they have earned,' said Shaheen and Ayotte. 'We can and must do better, and we will aggressively push the VA to resolve the unacceptable disability claims backlog.' Shaheen and Ayotte, both members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, have worked to advocate for veterans and make sure they receive the benefits and protections they deserve. Shaheen worked to exempt veterans' healthcare benefits from sequester cuts and has led efforts on the VOW to Hire Heroes Act and Veterans Jobs Corps Act, two pieces of legislation designed to help veterans find good-paying jobs after they complete their service. Ayotte recently raised the backlog issue during a Senate Armed Services Personnel Subcommittee hearing with senior Pentagon officials. At a Budget Committee hearing last week, Ayotte also pressed VA Secretary Eric Shinseki and other senior VA officials to provide better health care to veterans living in New Hampshire's North Country. The full text of the letter sent today is below: April 29, 2013 Dear Mr. President: We are writing to request that you take direct action and involvement in ending the current Veterans' Administration (VA) disability claims backlog. After a decade of war, and despite the VA's efforts to modernize, more than 600,000 veterans are still stuck in the VA's disability claims backlog. While the average wait time for first time disability claims currently ranges between 316 and 327 days, veterans in certain parts of the country are waiting even longer - 681 days in Reno, 642 in New York, 625 in Pittsburgh, 619 in Los Angeles, 612 in Indianapolis, 586 in Houston, and 510 in Philadelphia. In the worst cases, veterans have waited and continue to wait 800 days, 900 days, and even more than 1000 days for a disability claims decision from the VA. In the last four years, the number of claims pending for over a year has grown by over 2000%, despite a 40% increase in the VA's budget. As a reminder, during this same time period, Congress has given VA everything it has asked for in terms of more funding and more employees; however, this has not eliminated the backlog of claims. Solving this problem is critical for veterans of all generations. We need direct and public involvement from you to establish a clear plan to end the backlog once and for all. This country must be grateful for the safe homecoming of every single man and woman who has served in harm's way. Our joy at their return must be reflected in our commitment to helping all who have served. We respectfully ask you and your administration to find a solution that ensures that no veterans are stuck in the VA backlog. Thank you for your consideration of this matter. Sincerely, Signatories: Robert Casey (D-PA); Dean Heller (R-NV); Mark Warner (D-VA); Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY); Kelly Ayotte (R-NH); Tammy Baldwin (D-WI); Mark Begich (D-AK); Richard Blumenthal (D-CT); Roy Blunt (R-MO); John Boozman (R-AR); Maria Cantwell (D-WA); Ben Cardin (D-MD); Tom Carper (D-DE); Saxby Chambliss (R-GA); Thad Cochran (R-MS); Susan Collins (R-ME); John Cornyn (R-TX); Mike Crapo (R-ID); Ted Cruz (R-TX); Joe Donnelly (D-IN); Richard Durbin (D-IL); Mike Enzi (R-WY); Dianne Feinstein (D-CA); Jeff Flake (R-AZ); Lindsey Graham (R-SC); Chuck Grassley (R-IA); Kay Hagan (D-NC); Tom Harkin (D-IA); Orrin Hatch (R-UT); Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND); Mazie Hirono (D-HI); Johnny Isackson (R-GA); Tim Kaine (D-VA); Angus King (I-ME); Mark Kirk (R-IL); Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ); Joe Manchin (D-WV); John McCain (R-AZ); Claire McCaskill (D-MO); Mitch McConnell (R-KY); Robert Menendez (D-NJ); Jeff Merkley (D-OR); Jerry Moran (R-KS); Lisa Murkowski (R-AK); Christopher Murphy (D-CT); Bill Nelson (D-FL); Rand Paul (R-KY); Rob Portman (R-OH); Mark Pryor (D-AR); Harry Reid (D-NV); James Risch (R-ID); Pat Roberts (R-KS); Jay Rockefeller (D-WV); Marco Rubio (R-FL); Brian Schatz (D-HI); Tim Scott (R-SC) Jeff Sessions (R-AL); Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH); Debbie Stabenow (D-MI); John Tester (D-MT); John Thune (R-SD); Pat Toomey (R-PA); David Vitter (R-LA); Elizabeth Warren (D-MA); Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI); Roger Wicker (R-MS); Ron Wyden (D-OR). -30-   http://ayotte.senate.gov?p=press_release&id=934 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 17:04:00 EST WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Senator Ayotte hosted dozens of Granite Staters visiting the nation's capital this week.  She spent time visiting with several families and school groups from across New Hampshire during her weekly constituent coffee on Capitol Hill.  Click here for more photos.     http://ayotte.senate.gov?p=press_release&id=933 Fri, 26 Apr 2013 15:30:00 EST (Washington, D.C.) -U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), both members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, invite New Hampshire students interested in attending any of the country's military service academies to attend New Hampshire Military Service Academy Day on Saturday, May 11, in Concord. The event will feature representatives from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. They will be available to provide information and answer questions from interested students. Staff representatives for Senators Shaheen and Ayotte and Congresswomen Annie Kuster and Carol-Shea Porter will also be available to answer questions about obtaining service academy nominations. To be considered for appointment to a service academy, applicants must be nominated by a Member of Congress or other authorized nominating source. New Hampshire Military Service Academy DaySaturday, May 11, 20139:00 AM - 11:30 AM New Hampshire National Guard Headquarters, Building 'M', ConcordPlease enter the Headquarters using the entrance on Pembroke Rd. RSVP by email to RSVP@shaheen.senate.gov or contact Senator Shaheen's office at (603) 647-7500.   http://ayotte.senate.gov?p=press_release&id=931 Fri, 26 Apr 2013 12:37:00 EST (Washington, D.C.) - On Tuesday evening, the Senate unanimously passed a resolution introduced by U.S Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) recognizing the month of April 2013 as the National Month of the Military Child. Murray and Ayotte led a bipartisan group of Senators in introducing the resolution, including Senators Max Baucus (D-MT), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), Mark Pryor (D-AR), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Mark Warner (D-VA), Kay Hagan (D-NC), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Joe Machin (D-WV), Dean Heller (R-NV), Brian Schatz (D-HI), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). 'Too often the sacrifices families make when their loved ones serve go unnoticed,' Senator Murray said. 'I am so proud to join Senator Ayotte in co-sponsoring this resolution to honor the unprecedented sacrifices that military children have made, and continue to make.' 'As the spouse of a veteran and the mother of two young children, I know firsthand the commitments required of military families, including the children of service members,' Senator Ayotte said. 'I'm pleased that the Senate has officially recognized the daily sacrifices made by military children while their loved ones are away serving our country.' It is estimated that of the more than 2 million men and women serving in the Armed Forces, 43.9% leave families with children behind. As of March 2013, 4,802 children had lost a parent serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. The full text of the Resolution follows: Honoring military children during National Month of the Military Child. Whereas more than 2,000,000 men and women are demonstrating their courage and commitment to freedom by serving in the Armed Forces of the United States; Whereas 43.9 percent of members of the Armed Forces, when deployed away from their permanent duty stations, leave families with children behind; Whereas no one feels the effect of deployments more than the children of deployed members of the Armed Forces; Whereas, as of March 2013, 4,802 children had lost a parent serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom; Whereas the daily struggles and personal sacrifices of children of members of the Armed Forces too often go unnoticed; Whereas countless children live with a service member parent who bears the visible or invisible wounds of war; Whereas the children of members of the Armed Forces are a source of pride and honor to the people of the United States and it is fitting that the Nation recognize their contributions and celebrate their spirit; Whereas the National Month of the Military Child, observed in April each year, recognizes military children for their sacrifices and contributes to demonstrating the Nation's unconditional support for members of the Armed Forces; Whereas, in addition to Department of Defense programs to support military families and military children, various programs and campaigns have been established in the private sector to honor, support, and thank military children by fostering awareness and appreciation for the sacrifices and the challenges they face; and Whereas a month-long salute to military children will encourage support for those organizations and campaigns established to provide direct support for military children and families: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate-- (1) joins the Secretary of Defense in honoring the children of members of the Armed Forces and recognizes that those children also share in the burden of protecting the United States; and (2) urges the people of the United States to join with the military community in observing the National Month of the Military Child with appropriate ceremonies and activities that honor, support, and thank military children.   ###   http://ayotte.senate.gov?p=press_release&id=927 Wed, 24 Apr 2013 17:45:00 EST