NV-2

On May the 4th, the House of Representatives passed their version of health care reform (H.R. 1628) without a single hearing or any input from the Democratic minority. The vote was 217 to 213. All 193 Democrats voted no, as did 20 Republicans:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-2) commended the House Natural Resources Committee’s unanimous passage Wednesday of his bill to allow public land to be held in trust for six different tribes throughout Nevada. H.R. 2733, the Nevada Native Nations Land Act, would greatly benefit the people of these regions by providing increased opportunities for economic development.

Congressman Mark Amodei, NV-2, voted Thursday in favor of legislation known as Trade Promotion Authority, which would set parameters and restrictions on the negotiations of a free trade agreement known as the Trans Pacific Partnership and provide for an up or down vote on the resulting agreement. It passed the House 218 to 208.

The TPA bill has been available to the public online for more than a month. Amodei released the following statement:

Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-2), along with 29 original cosponsors, took steps Wednesday to address the strategic and economic vulnerabilities presented by mineral production, including rare earth elements — an industry dominated by China and other foreign nations.

The introduction of H.R. 1937, the National Strategic and Critical Minerals Act of 2015, is intended to address American dependence on foreign minerals and to enable the United States to more efficiently develop its own mineral supplies, upon which, according to a recent 60 Minutes report, “modern U.S. life depends.”

Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-2) will hold a veterans' town hall meeting in Reno on Tuesday, Feb. 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., at the McKinley Art and Culture Center at 925 Riverside Dr.

"This veterans’ town hall in Reno continues our efforts across Northern Nevada to meet with and listen to veterans regarding the issues and challenges they face," said Amodei. "In addition to thanking them for their service, this is an opportunity to connect them with the assistance my office can provide."

UPDATE: Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-2) voted Wednesday in favor of H.R. 240, the FY 2015 Homeland Security Appropriations bill, which included amendments to defund the President’s executive action on immigration. Nevada Sen. Harry Reid said the legislation, which passed 236 to 191, would put national security at risk.

The vote makes good on the House Republican strategy to use a three-month Continuing Resolution to delay a vote on the DHS appropriations bill until that time it could be passed and sent to a Republican-controlled Senate in the 114th Congress.

Pete Livermore, a longtime Carson City elected leader and business owner, died Monday at Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center. He was 73.

Livermore was a Nevada Assemblyman who decided this year that he would not seek re-election. He began in the Assembly District 40 on Feb. 7 2011. Before that, Livermore was a member of the Carson City Board of Supervisors, 1998-2010; was Mayor pro Tem, Carson City, 2004-2006.

In a hopeful sign for the Northern Nevada lands bills awaiting a vote in the Senate, Congressman Mark Amodei's (NV-2) Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe – Fish Springs Ranch Settlement Act last night passed the Senate and is now headed to the President for signature.

"I want to thank Senators Reid and Heller for their work to pass this bill, as well as Senator Flake for releasing his hold," said Amodei. "This is good news for water users in the Truckee Meadows."

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-2) today released the following statement on the 13th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks:

“There is a commemorative license plate in Nevada featuring the words ‘United We Stand’ and ‘We Will Never Forget.’ On this 13th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, my thoughts and prayers continue to go out to the 2,977 victims whose lives were mindlessly taken by evil men in the name of radical Islam.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEAugust 17, 2014KristenSpeesforCongess@gmail.com Congressional Candidate Kristen Spees Announces I-80 District TourTour campaign stops announced ELKO, NV-- Today Kristen Spees announced the start of her congressional campaign’s I-80 District Tour throughout Northern Nevada. 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A package of Northern Nevada lands bills — six introduced by Rep. Mark Amodei (NV-2) and one by Rep. Steven Horsford (NV-4) unanimously passed the House Natural Resources Committee Wednesday.

The bipartisan support clears the way for the legislation to be brought to the House floor in September as a non-controversial suspension bill, according to a news release from Amodei's office.

The compromise agreement was made possible after adjustments to the legislation were made to a version passed in January.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-2) provided remarks today on the House Floor on the passing of former Carson City Mayor Marv Teixeira who died June 5, 2014 at his home. He was 79. See the video below.

A celebration of life for Teixeira will be Friday, June 20, 11:30 a.m. at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church, 3000 North Lompa Lane in Carson City. A reception will follow at Eagle Valley Golf Course, 3999 Centennial Park Drive in Carson City.

The House Natural Resources Committee on Tuesday passed the Lyon County Economic Development and Conservation Act coupled with six other Nevada public lands bills out of the Committee sponsored by Representatives Mark Amodei (NV-2) and Steven Horsford (NV-4).

The following is from Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-2):

On Veterans Day and every day, may we be mindful of the enduring truth that freedom is not free. We owe many brave men, women, and their families an enormous debt. As a country, we should come together in agreement that our military veterans deserve to receive the benefits they were promised and earned.

Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-2) voted Friday for a bill to fund the government through Dec. 15 and to permanently delay and defund the Affordable Care Act. The Continuing Resolution keeps in place sequestration spending levels. The measure passed the House 230 to 189.

Amodei stated the following in a news release:

Nevada Senators Harry Reid and Dean Heller and U.S. Rep. Mark Amodei (NV-2) met Wednesday with top officials from the U.S. Department of the Interior to discuss actions that can be taken to help prevent the Endangered Species Act listing of the sage grouse, as well as the negative impact such a listing would have on the economic growth and development of the Silver State.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-2) released the following statement regarding the "fiscal cliff' vote before Congress Tuesday.

View Washoe Drive Fire (1/19/2012) in a larger map

UPDATE 510PM: Fire burns more than 3,000 acres with zero containment; 4,000 evacuated; no count on home and structure losses.

At 4:40 pm this afternoon, Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval, under his constitutional and statutory authority, made a state declaration of emergency which qualifies local governments for federal assistance associated with this event. The National Guard is on standby at the request of Sandoval and Washoe County. California has also provided fire assistance as part of a Governor to Governor agreement with Jerry Brown. “Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been and are being affected by this fire,” Sandoval said. “Declaring a state of emergency ensures that every resource from the local, state and federal level is available to assist. The Nevada Division of Forestry and the Department of Public Safety have also engaged with local responders.” Additionally, Nevada has been approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG). As a result, Nevada is eligible for up to 75 percent funding assistance for eligible costs. The request was made by the Nevada Division of Forestry on behalf of Washoe County at the onset of the fire.

More below the fold.

Update 11:53 a.m.: Congressmen Mark Amodei (NV-2) and Joe Heck (NV-3) released the following joint statement regarding the Caughlin Ranch fire:
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by this disaster. We are in contact with the Governor’s office and the Federal Emergency Management Agency in Washington, D.C. to offer guidance and assistance in providing resources to address the emergency. We are coordinating efforts to ensure the Prepositioned Equipment Program (PEP) located in Las Vegas is prepared to deploy and assist with controlling the fire if needed. Anyone wishing to make financial contributions to help the victims of this disaster may do so through the Red Cross."

Update 10 a.m: The State of Nevada, Washoe County and the City of Reno have declared a state of emergency. More than 9,500 people have been evacuated, according to City of Reno spokesman Chris Good. The 400-plus-acre fire is still zero percent contained. As of now, Galena High School is the evacuation point. If that fills up, Damonte Ranch High School will be the next evacuation point. Go here for the latest from UNR's Nevada Sagebrush and here from MyNews4.com.

Update 8:15: Fire now officially named Caughlin Fire.

Update 7:11 a.m.: KRNV is on the air talking with Reno Fire Chief Michael Hernandez who is saying they have lost about 20 homes so far, and the strong winds are a big problem. He also said the winds are so strong that there is no way to get air attacks on this fire.

An Emergency 211 number is being set up to provide better information for Reno residents.

A wind-driven wildfire has burned more than 400 acres and has consumed at least six homes in the Caughlin Ranch area in southwest Reno this morning. The Pine Haven fire broke out around 12:30 this morning and thousands have been told to evacuate. Residents are being evacuated to Reno High School, the designated area for evacuations. Fire agencies from the Carson City and Carson Valley areas are responding as are from the Lake Tahoe area. Power is out to at least 1,000 homes in the area, according to NV Energy.
Flames are threatening homes near Manzanita Lane and Dant Boulevard, and police officers were going to residences to evacuate residents. An officer went to the house of a panicking Kathy Harrah. The officer told her to take a deep breath and said "you are fairly safe," as she and her two sons, John and Kody, grabbed items and put them into their truck. "I have been watching the fire all night. I didn't know it was going to get this bad," she told the Reno Gazette-Journal before ordering her son to rip a computer out of a wall. The area was thick with smoke that hung over over Manzanita. Flames in the canyon below Manzanita shot up dozens of feet in the air as they hit brush. Go here and here for story.

Videos of the fire

Map of fire area

By Elizabeth Crum / Nevada News Bureau
Politico reports that Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki has formally endorsed Rep. Dean Heller and will “take time” to consider a run for Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District. Quote:

Politico reports that Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki has formally endorsed Rep. Dean Heller and will “take time” to consider a run for Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District. Quote:

The always fun game of political musical chairs has begun following this morning’s news (brought to you right here) that Congressman Dean Heller has told multiple sources he will indeed be running to become Nevada’s next junior Senator.
Two sources confirm that former state senator and current Republican state party chairman, Mark Amodei, will resign and announce a run for NV-2 once Dean Heller formally announces for Senate, which is expected to occur as early as next week.

Sharron Angle is by no means done with politics. So she said to a crowd of 70 conservative grassroots activists during a surprise visit to a Republican town hall meeting Wednesday evening in Las Vegas.
“I have a lot of options,” said Angle. “I am looking at these options. I can’t stop.”
When the crowd welcomed her with a standing ovation and loud cheers, Angle’s eyes filled with tears. She expressed her gratitude to the small group in a voice filled with emotion.
“Thank you so much,” said Angle quietly. “That means so much to me.”