Delivering For Nevada’s 4th
In 2013, my office delivered over $1.5 million in services and savings to constituents
“Washington is broken.”
It’s a common and true refrain. Our nation’s capital is dysfunctional, and Nevadans know it.
Capitol Hill gridlock doesn't make legislating impossible, but it can bring progress close to a standstill. House Republicans refuse to act on measures supported by the overwhelming majority of Americans: reforming our broken immigration system, extending unemployment insurance, and raising the minimum wage.
The 2012 Congress was the least productive in American history. The 2013 Congress set that historic low bar even lower. While I’m hopeful we can get something done for the American people, it’s clear that this fever of polarization and procrastination will not break any time soon.
That’s why many frustrated lawmakers are strengthening constituent service operations in their home districts. It makes sense to me: while I have been able to move important legislation like the Yerington Jobs Bill forward, the congressional process is broken. Partisanship can’t block direct services and grants that help constituents.
I’m here to help you.
In 2013, I secured $1.5 million for constituents in Nevada’s 4th Congressional District. No hyped political battles. No legislative gamesmanship. Just hard work.
My office has recovered Social Security funds, sped up claims at the VA, helped Nevadans navigate the IRS, and more. With this blog, I hope to keep Nevadans up-to-date on the progress we've made helping constituents in the 4th Congressional District.
Helping Hawthorne
The tragic live-fire training accident that resulted in death or injury for several Marines at Hawthorne Army Depot shook Nevada and the country.
I remember hearing about the accident, calling the Governor and local officials, and trying to find a way to get to Hawthorne as quickly as possible.
When I arrived, I visited five men injured in the accident in the hospital: four Marines and one Navy Corpsman.
The Corpsman suffered serious injuries from the explosion, but as the medic responsible for the health of his unit, he refused medical assistance for over an hour until his Marines were treated.
He is alive today because he was able to treat his own wounds while others received care. If that isn't a lesson in courage, I don’t know what is.
When I visited this young man in Reno, he could not speak, but he wrote me a note. It is something I carry with me every day as a reminder of the sacrifices of our men and women in the military.
Traveling to Hawthorne for the memorial service, I asked the community what I could do to help. The first responders told me that they had to carry the wounded from the site of the accident for miles off the range to get to help. They explained that the lack of an ambulance capable of reaching the Marines slowed down their response time.
After hearing this, I worked with the Mineral County Commission and the United States Department of Agriculture to identify a grant to aid in the purchase of an off-road ambulance.
The Mineral County Fire Department told me they did not have sufficient resources, and that an ambulance could improve safety and potentially save lives.
After working with all parties involved and submitting a letter of support, the Mineral County Fire Department was awarded $12,500 in federal funding to purchase an off-road ambulance. The grant funding made the ambulance more affordable and hopefully this investment will save lives and make our community safer.
Public service is about listening and finding ways to help in any way you can. For the people of Hawthorne, I will never forget the accident and will continue to work to help the community recover.
Navigating the IRS
The Internal Revenue Service is frustrating. Its bureaucratic process is confusing, slow, and results in thousands of dollars being improperly withheld from taxpayers.
For many folks in Nevada struggling to pay the rent and put food on the table, there is no time to learn the art of cutting red tape. It’s not a process anyone should go through alone.
Thankfully, my office has been able to help Nevadans navigate the IRS.
One person we’ve helped is Dona Goldstein. She has been taking care of her daughter and grandchildren since 2009. But because of an IRS filing issue, Dona had been paying too much in taxes.
She was having problems resolving the issue, and her progress with IRS had come to a halt.
She contacted our office, and we were able to get over $9,000 in frivolous fees waived, and she received a refund as well. We were able to do this because my staff is trained to deal with federal agencies. My Community Liaisons are tasked with finding a way through the maze of federal bureaucracy for the constituents of Nevada’s Fourth Congressional District.
We are only a phone call (702-802-4500) or an email away. Dona’s story is not as rare as you may think.
Recovering Social Security
Another constituent, Bruce Thompson, was waiting for a disability hearing date with the Social Security Administration (SSA).
He reached out to ask if we could help him get more information about his case.
Upon reviewing his file, it was discovered that Bruce was in the midst of foreclosure, deeming his situation critical and qualifying him for an expedited hearing.
The SSA subsequently moved his hearing date up six months. We continue to be a resource for Bruce, and we’re glad we were able to speed up the process.
These are all success stories, and there are many more. I hope to continue to provide my constituents with the services they need.
Every Nevadan has a unique situation, and for constituents who do not know the ins-and-outs dealing with federal agencies, they need a guide.
These untold stories are often the most important. I encourage each and every one of my constituents to call, email, and visit my office with any and all questions.
When government seems confusing, and you are not sure if you can navigate it alone, we will always be a lifeline.
That is why each and every one of my staff chose to work in my office: to serve the people of Nevada’s 4th Congressional District and to make our communities and our country a better place to live.
