As we enter a new year, we also enter a new Congress. I’m honored to have the opportunity to return to Washington to serve you. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to grow our economy and reduce the squeeze on hardworking Ohioans over the next two years.

With a Republican-controlled House of Representatives and Senate, I am confident that several of the more than 300 House-passed bills that never received a vote in the Senate will now see the light of day upon re-introduction. This includes the Hire More Heroes Act, a bipartisan bill that passed the House last year by a vote of 406-1.

This week, the House will vote on the Hire More Heroes Act to make it easier for small businesses to hire more veterans. By exempting veterans who are already enrolled in healthcare plans through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or the Department of Defense (DoD) from the mandates within the President’s health care law, businesses will be incentivized to hire them. Additionally, providing businesses with this relief may keep them from cutting back on employees and reducing employee hours in order to comply with the burdensome employer mandate provision outlined in the President’s health care law. It’s a commonsense bill that I expect will once again gain broad bipartisan support.

As it was a priority in the last Congress, ensuring that we take care of our servicemen and women will remain a top priority throughout the 114^th Congress. This past year, the House and Senate came together to pass the Veterans’ Access to Care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act to bring more accountability and necessary reforms to the VA. We also approved the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans (SAV) Act. This legislation, which passed the House with bipartisan support, would increase access to mental health care by creating a one-stop, interactive website with all of the information and services offered for veterans with mental health issues. Lastly, I was proud that two bills I cosponsored, the Veterans’ Advisory Committee on Education Improvement Act and the Vulnerable Veterans Housing Reform Act, were approved by the House. These bills are central to veterans’ transition back to civilian life by providing them access to affordable housing and the education and job training that they need and deserve.

I know that there is much more that needs to be done to restore our promise to veterans. When the new Cleveland Veterans Affairs Regional Office Director was appointed, I made it a point to visit with him and the Veteran Service Organizations that provide claims assistance. Though there is much work to be done, the Hire More Heroes Act is an important first step to helping veterans find work and I am proud to support it.

I’m dedicated to connecting Ohio’s veterans with valuable educational tools and serving as a resource to them. That is why I hosted a Veterans’ Health and Wellness Resource Fair this past June and a Veterans’ Forum the previous year. I encourage you to visit our website at Renacci.house.gov to learn about events for veterans. I also encourage you to visit our website at renacci.house.gov and subscribe to our Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube pages to get the latest updates on my work in Washington and Ohio's 16th District.