Bradley Byrne: Working for you
When most people think about the job of a member of Congress, they often think about casting votes or attending committee meetings. While these are important parts of the job, much of my time is spent providing important services to the people of Southwest Alabama. One of the key roles of my Congressional office is known as casework. This means helping residents of Alabama’s First Congressional District navigate the federal bureaucracy. We can do this by intervening on your behalf to check on the status of issues with agencies like Social Security or Medicare. The overwhelming majority of the cases my office works on are related to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This is due to both the unusually high number of veterans in Southwest Alabama and the incompetent management of the VA on the benefits and health care sides of the department. If you are having issues with the VA or any other federal agency, please contact my office so we can check on the issue for you. My staff and I cannot promise perfect outcomes, but we will do everything we can to ensure you are treated fairly and that your case receives the attention it deserves. If your business or organization is having an issue with other federal agencies, my staff may be able to assist with that as well. The same goes for any issues you may be experiencing with obtaining a passport for international travel. It is important to remember that my office can only assist with federal agencies or programs. We do not have the ability to intervene on local or state issues. Additionally, my office does not get involved in legal matters. If you have questions about these issues, my staff and I are happy to try and point you in the right direction. Another service my office provides is nominating young men and women from Southwest Alabama to serve in one of our nation’s military service academies. In order to attend most of our service academies, students must be nominated by a U.S. Congressman or Senator. Each year, I hold a Service Academy Night to allow young people to learn more about the process and visit with representatives from each of the academies. This year’s Academy Night is Oct. 3 at St. Paul’s Episcopal School in Mobile. The honor of attending a service academy comes with an obligation to serve for a minimum of five years upon graduation. My office also can help arrange for you to receive a flag that has flown over the United States Capitol. Many people have found these flags to be the perfect gift to recognize a friend or loved one upon their retirement, graduation, birthday, or other occasion. Some families also request a flag for the funeral of a deceased veteran, and we are honored to expedite such requests. If you are planning a visit to Washington, D.C., my staff can also help arrange for tours of some of our national landmarks like the U.S. Capitol, the Library of Congress, or the Supreme Court. We can also assist with tours of the White House, but those requests should be made at least six weeks in advance. These are just a few of the services my office provides that you may not have been aware of. Of course, my staff and I are always available to answer questions about federal legislation or other issues under debate in Congress. • • • Bradley Byrne is a member of U.S. Congress representing Alabama’s 1st Congressional District.
Bradley Byrne: A busy August
Each August, the House of Representatives goes out of session and members of Congress spend time back in their home state for a District Work Period. While these District Work Periods are sometimes known as “recess,” that does not mean members of Congress are on vacation. Instead, some of the most valuable time I have comes in August when I travel throughout Southwest Alabama and engage directly with the people I represent in Congress. I kicked off the District Work Period last week with a “Better Way to Fight Poverty” tour in Mobile and Washington counties. I toured organizations in Fruitdale, Chatom, and Mobile that are leading the way in the fight against poverty. I also held a joint roundtable discussion to talk about what works and what does not work in the war on poverty. In addition to our roundtable on poverty, I will also hold roundtable discussions with economic developers, our local school superintendents, and the leaders of our colleges and universities. These roundtable meetings help me to better understand issues facing our area, but they also allow for the sharing of ideas and collaboration among the other attendees. Another important way I spend the District Work Period is visiting local businesses to listen to their ideas and concerns. It is so helpful to spend time on the production line or behind the scenes to see how businesses operate and learn more about the various challenges facing their industry. August also gives me an opportunity to visit with local organizations and civic clubs. For example, last week I spoke to the Southwest Mobile Chamber of Commerce in Tillman’s Corner. We had a great discussion about the economic progress in our area and ways we can continue to move Southwest Alabama in the right direction. Later in the month, I will be speaking to other groups ranging from farmers to school groups about ways they can be a part of our area’s impressive progress. I also want to make sure everyone has an opportunity to share their concerns with me, so we have scheduled a number of town hall meetings. These meetings give you an opportunity to ask me any questions you may have or to share your concerns. This August, my town hall meetings will be in Citronelle, Grand Bay, Stockton, and Summerdale. We will also have more town hall meetings throughout the year. Later in August, my wife, Rebecca, and I will host our annual “Women’s Forum.” The theme this year is “Charting Your Own Course,” and the event provides networking opportunities for women in our area. I am especially excited this year’s event will include a special appearance by Congresswoman Cathy McMorris-Rodgers, the highest ranking woman in Congress. You can get more information about all of these events online at Byrne.House.Gov or by calling my office in Mobile at 251-690-2811. At each of these stops and events, I am talking about the Better Way agenda, which offers an alternative to the big-government policies that have become all-too-common over the last eight years. My hope is to share the ideas of the agenda with you, so I can get your feedback about what you like and what you disagree with. That way, when I head back to Washington in September, I can share your feedback with my House colleagues. You elected me to serve as your voice, and in order to do that, I must hear from you. That is why the August District Work Period is so important. I hope to see you around this month! • • • Bradley Byrne is a member of U.S. Congress representing Alabama’s 1st Congressional District.
Know a vet getting the government run around?
Soon our nation will be celebrating Memorial Day. More than a three-day weekend marking the beginning of summer, Memorial Day is time to pay tribute to the soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. It’s also a time to say thank you to our nation’s many vets and our current service members who are still manning the front lines to protect this great nation. Often times our nation’s veterans and military have issues with the federal government and need help. Did you know that you your Congressman and Senators are often your best resource when you can’t get an answer from a federal agency in a timely fashion, or if you feel you have been treated unfairly. For those currently in the military, or their families, experiencing difficulties with the U.S. Department of Defense and/or any of its military branches (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and the U.S. Merchant Marines), TRICARE, or the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) a Congressional office can often intervene and help you receive a fair and timely response to your problem. For veterans, a Congressional office can assist efforts to obtain military records and medals, in answering questions they have concerning eligibility for benefits provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), or those who might be having difficulties with the VA Health Care System or the VA claims and appeals process. Offices are also available to assist with a myriad of other constituent services areas that include, but are not limited to: Citizenship and Immigration Services: dealing with USCIS — relating to the process of becoming a U.S. Citizen, how to renew a Permanent Resident (Green) Card Consumer Complaints: complaints about a product or business General Financial and Emergency Assistance: facing financial difficulties and looking for temporary financial assistance Internal Revenue Service: federal tax-related problems, tax-fraud Medicare: problems with Medicare Part A, Medicare Part B, Medicare Part D Prescription Coverage, a Medicare Advantage Plan (also known as Medicare Part C) or CMS Passports: figuring out where you should submit your application, figuring out which application to use, and deciding when you need to submit application to ensure that you get your Passport prior to your travel date Preventing Identity Theft and Fraud: provide information about steps that individuals may take to as a way to proactively protect themselves from identity theft and what can be done to protect your credit information from use in fraudulent ways Small Business Administration: provide information on any available government financing, counseling, and training programs to individuals who are interested in starting or expanding Alabama-based business Social Security Administration: difficulties with the Social Security Administration with obtaining disability benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), retirement or other Social Security-related benefits, or if you simply need some help in obtaining documents If you’re facing an issue with the federal government, don’t hesitate to reach out to your respective Representative or one the Senators for assistance. Alabama’s 1st Congressional District: Rep. Bradley Byrne Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District: Rep. Martha Roby Alabama’s 3rd Congressional District: Rep. Mike Rogers Alabama’s 4th Congressional District: Rep. Robert Aderholt Alabama’s 5th Congressional District: Rep. Mo Brooks Alabama’s 6th Congressional District: Rep. Gary Palmer Alabama’s 7th Congressional District: Rep. Terri Sewell Statewide: Sen. Jeff Sessions State-wide: Sen. Richard Shelby Not sure of your congressional district or who your member is? You can use this easy service to find out.
