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Roby visits Tallassee

By Michael Butler

U. S. Representative Martha Roby enjoyed lunch at Cozumel Mexican Grill with Tallassee Rotarians and several other dignitaries on Thursday. Among the main concerns outlined in her speech was the U. S. Military.

Roby stressed the importance of a recent passage for increased military funding. An original proposal would have set military spending at sequestration levels.

"In the short term, this is a good solution to make sure the defense dollars are there, but we need to fix sequestration for the long term," she said. "We've cut through the muscle to the bone. When I have to send our soldiers into harm's way, I will do so knowing I've given them all the resources. All we have to do is look at the world around us now."

The increased funding will benefit Alabama's bases, Roby noted. "It's going to be good for Fort Rucker, Maxwell/Gunter and right here in Tallassee as well."

In addition, Roby talked about the issues with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

"We've made promises to people who signed up to serve. We owe it to our veterans and then some."

Roby added that there has been a changing of the guard within the ranks of the VA. "We passed this accountability act that gave us the tools to get rid of the bad apples. Things are maybe moving in the right direction," she said. "We found that the VA hospital in Montgomery is the worst and Tuskegee is second worst nationally for patients seen.

"Everytime they send me a piece of paper telling me how well they've been doing, I tell them I'll believe it when my phone is ringing off the hook from veterans. I'm done listening to the VA's excuses. Let's put it this way, this is what governement run health care looks like."

Now in her third term serving Alabama's 2nd District, Roby said that her office receives calls from vets on a daily basis.

"This is my number one priority. I told the VA in Washington, I'm not going away. I have never served in the military, but I sure am thankful for those that have. "

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