WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Scott DesJarlais, M.D., has hired Amy Dennis, a Fourth District native with years of experience as a legal assistant, to serve as his Field Representative in Winchester.

    Her area of responsibility includes Lincoln, Franklin, Warren, Moore and Marion Counties. “Amy cares about her community, has spent her career assisting her neighbors, and has the skills and understanding to deal with often confusing federal agencies,” said Rep. DesJarlais (TN-04).

    “She knows the area well and will slip right into Isiah’s former role.” Isiah Robinson, the Congressman’s previous Field Representative in Winchester, departed for law school. Ms. Dennis will also be based in Winchester at 200 South Jefferson Street, Suite 311, in the federal building.

    Constituents requiring assistance should call (931) 962-3180 to ask a question or schedule a meeting by appointment only.

    Ms. Dennis is a graduate of Lincoln County High School and Motlow Community College in Tennessee’s Fourth District. “I’m a proud Tennessean and look forward to helping my fellow Volunteers obtain their veterans, Social Security, and other benefits,”  she said.

    “I also look forward to discussing important issues and appreciate this opportunity Rep. DesJarlais has given me to serve the public.”

    Rep. DesJarlais has additional field offices in Murfreesboro, Columbia, and Cleveland. Click here for more information.

###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Scott DesJarlais, M.D., released the following statement in support of President Donald Trump’s most recent executive order. Today’s order directs Departments of the Treasury, Labor and Health & Human Services to foster Association Health Plans for businesses and their employees, limited-term plans for Americans in need of temporary health insurance, and employer-based Health Reimbursement Arrangements similar to health savings accounts: 

“Since its inception, Obamacare has failed America’s middle class, bearing the brunt of increased health care costs, fewer insurance options and a decline in the quality of medical care, as doctors and facilities disappear, particularly in rural districts like mine. Because of excessive taxes and regulations, employers are dropping coverage. At the same time, insurers have fled state exchanges, and millions remain uninsured.

“More federal interference, such as single-payer, is the wrong answer. Giving workers, families and small businesses more choice and flexibility is the right one. The President’s order should help Tennesseans negotiate better prices, find inexpensive, short-term insurance, if necessary, and take advantage of tax-free accounts to purchase better health care. But ultimately, Congress must pass free-market reforms Republicans have advocated for years. The Senate must act.”

Rep. DesJarlais (TN-04) is a member of the House Freedom Caucus and GOP Doctors Caucus, who has voted to repeal Obamacare and replace it with a variety of consumer-centric solutions, such as Association Health Plans, interstate insurance markets, health savings accounts, and generic drug reform.

###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Scott DesJarlais, M.D (TN-04) released the following statement on the President's United Nations speech today:

"I'm heartened to see President Trump reasserting American values and strength. The days of apologizing for our country's greatness and leading role in the world are over. The United States will protect itself and our allies and hold the United Nations to the same promise."

###
 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives passed the Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act (H.R. 3697). Congressman Scott DesJarlais, M.D., voted for the legislation to bar foreign nationals with gang ties from entering the United States and to speed deportation of illegal alien gang members.

            The bill would ensure no suspected or confirmed gang member receive refugee or special immigration status to enter the U.S.  It would make membership in a gang, as designated by the Department of Homeland Security, a deportable offense.

            Currently, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) must wait for a criminal conviction to deport a foreign gang member. “The primary duty of the federal government is to keep our citizens safe,” said Rep. DesJarlais (TN-04). “In order to protect Americans from violent foreign gang members, we must provide ICE with the tools they need to detain and remove them.

            “We cannot tolerate foreign nationals victimizing and intimidating innocent Americans.”

            In the fiscal year 2017, the Trump Administration has deported more criminal gang members than in all of the previous fiscal year. President Trump is targeting the especially violent Central American gang MS-13 with thousands of members across the country.  

            Earlier this year, Rep. DesJarlais voted for Kate’s Law to increase penalties on deported illegal aliens who return to the U.S. and to defund sanctuary cities that harbor illegal aliens. He condemned Nashville’s proposed sanctuary city law, which failed in his home state. “Sanctuary cities encourage illegal immigration, narcotics trafficking, as well as deadly gangs that smuggle drugs and human beings,” he said.  

            “House Republicans and the President are keeping our promises. It’s time for the Senate to pass overdue legislation to keep Americans safe.”

###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – At a House Armed Services Committee hearing today, Navy admirals described a dire picture of military readiness to Congressman Scott DesJarlais, M.D., and other committee members.

    Last month, ten sailors lost their lives, when the USS John McCain collided with a merchant vessel in the Pacific, just weeks after a similar collision involving the USS Fitzgerald, which claimed the lives of seven sailors. This summer, 42 service members died in on-duty accidents, one in Mississippi near Rep. DesJarlais’ home state of Tennessee.

    Fifteen Marines and a Navy sailor died in the aircraft crash in Mississippi. Investigations into specific causes of recent fatalities are ongoing. However, defense experts at today’s hearing underscored the increasing strain on sailors and ships, as a result of expanding global missions and a depleted force.

   To address the danger, Rep. DesJarlais (TN-04) voted to increase troop numbers, their pay, benefits, training and equipment in a defense funding bill that passed the House of Representatives in July. The bill awaits action in the Senate.

    “The USS McCain and USS Fitzgerald accidents are more warning signs that our military readiness crisis is deepening,” said the Congressman. “It is imperative we learn from our mistakes and provide our fighting men and women with all the resources they need to defend our country and to ensure they return home safely to their families”.

    Troops are now more likely to die in “peacetime” accidents than in combat. Rep. DesJarlais is member of the Subcommittees on Readiness, as well as Seapower and Projection Forces, working on rebuilding the military after heavy cuts under the previous administration. North Korea, China, Iran, ISIS and other U.S. adversaries grew more assertive, he explained. “Our job in Congress is to protect our military members, so they can protect us abroad.” 

###

At a House Armed Services Committee hearing, Navy admirals described a dire picture of military readiness to Congressman Scott DesJarlais, M.D., and other committee members.

NASHVILLE - U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-Tenn., warned Thursday that the deaths of 17 U.S. service members in two recent Navy ship collisions represent "more warning signs that our military readiness crisis is deepening."

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Scott DesJarlais, M.D., who represents Tennessee’s Fourth District in Congress, released the following statement, supporting President Donald Trump’s decision to phase-out Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, an Obama-era executive order that expanded work permits and other benefits to almost a million illegal immigrants, encouraging more illegal immigration across the southern border:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Scott DesJarlais, M.D., who represents Tennessee’s Fourth District in Congress, released the following statement, supporting President Donald Trump’s decision to phase-out Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, an Obama-era executive order that expanded work permits and other benefits to almost a million illegal immigrants, encouraging more illegal immigration across the southern border:

“Any solution to illegal immigration must include border security and domestic law enforcement, and Congress must write the law. For that reason, federal courts struck down the former president’s unconstitutional orders, and I support Kate’s Law, defunding sanctuary cities, a border wall, and a legal, merit-based immigration system that works better for American citizens, workers and taxpayers. Our focus should be Americans out of work, underpaid, or concerned for their safety, because of unfettered  illegal immigration and related border crime.”

Rep. DesJarlais recently voted for Kate’s Law to strengthen penalties on deported aliens who return to the U.S. and for the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act, which would deny federal funds to cities like San Francisco, where the local government refuses to cooperate with immigration authorities. He also voted to fully fund the President’s request for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, another bill awaiting action in the Senate. 

###