Neil's work day on Thursday, July 8, 2009 begins at the office before heading off to a Joint Democratic Whip/Caucus Meeting in the morning on Health Care Reform with Chairmen Miller, Rangel & Waxman in the Capitol. Meanwhile, the House has floor votes scheduled on a number of bills, including a funding measure, the Agriculture Appropriations Act, which will protect Americans’ food safety, boost rural economies, protect consumers against price fluctuations for necessities and help feed struggling families. To maintain fiscal responsibility, the Agriculture Appropriations Act also cuts millions of dollars from programs that are not working.
At 9:30 A.M., Neil's scheduled to attend a joint meeting of two House Armed Services subcommittees-- the Readiness Subcommittee and the Air and Land Forces Subcommittee, which Neil chairs to oversee the Air Force and Army. Committee members later in the day will meet to find a replacement for former Rep. Ellen Tauscher on the Strategic Forces Subcommittee. Tauscher of California resigned her seat in the House earlier this year to accept the post as Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security.
In the evening, Neil has been invited to present a "Service Member of the Year Award" to a Kaneohe, Hawaii Marine. The award is sponsored by the online military news service, "Military Times."
