New Campaign Spot Features 2nd District Hoosiers Who Have Faced the Crisis Firsthand.

MISHAWAKA, Ind. – U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski’s (IN-02) campaign today launched a new TV ad highlighting her work on a bipartisan law to combat the opioid and heroin abuse epidemic in Indiana.

The ad features Mary Russell of Elkhart, Ind., who struggled with addiction and is now a recovery specialist at SPA Ministry Homes in Elkhart. The ad also spotlights others from across Indiana’s 2nd District who have dealt with this crisis firsthand, including law enforcement officials and recovered addicts.

“The opioid epidemic is a crisis in Indiana, and Jackie Walorski has fought for bipartisan solutions to help those struggling with addiction,” said Walorski for Congress campaign manager Emily Daniels. “This ad is an opportunity to highlight the people in our district who are confronting this crisis head-on as well as to share the message of Jackie’s leadership in Congress to get them the resources they need.”

The bipartisan Comprehensive Addiction Recovery Act (S. 524), which was signed into law in July, authorized an increase in federal resources to confront the opioid epidemic, treat addiction, and prevent overdose. Congresswoman Walorski was selected to serve on the conference committee that negotiated the final details of the legislation due to her leadership on the issue. Two provisions she authored to protect veterans from opioid overprescription were included in the legislation.

In an editorial (“Our Opinion: Vigorous response to opioid epidemic,” 5/19/16), the South Bend Tribune called the comprehensive legislation that Walorski helped draft “a display of bipartisanship that’s all too rare these days.”

The ad will run on broadcast networks in the South Bend market.

To watch the ad, click here.

Script:

Mary Russell: I know what it’s like to deal with drug abuse addiction. I suffered myself for many years. Today I’m a certified recovery specialist helping others recover. We have a serious drug epidemic and Jackie Walorski is providing strong leadership. Jackie is working to give healthcare providers and law enforcement better tools to handle this crisis. Thanks to Jackie, we can increase prevention services and save lives. Jackie’s on our side.

Jackie Walorski: I’m Jackie Walorski and I approve this message.

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U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski’s (IN-02) campaign released a new ad focusing on her work to fight hunger and help Hoosiers get out of poverty.

“Having seen poverty firsthand overseas and here in Indiana, Jackie Walorski is working tirelessly to make sure no one in our community has to go to bed hungry,” said Walorski for Congress campaign manager Emily Daniels. “Jackie has toured dozens of local food banks and community organizations that are on the front lines of the fight against hunger, and she’s working across the aisle in Congress to fix our nation’s welfare programs so everyone has a chance at the American Dream.”

Congresswoman Walorski serves as chair of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition, which has spent nearly two years examining federal hunger programs to learn what works and what can be improved, with the goal of better helping individuals lift themselves out of poverty.

Last year, Congress passed a bipartisan law, with Walorski’s support, to encourage donations of food to community anti-poverty organizations. The House passed H.R. 644, the Fighting Hunger Incentive Act, to permanently extend the tax deduction for local businesses to contribute food inventory to food pantries and shelters. The legislation was later signed into law as part of a larger bill.

In June, Walorski received the Hunger Leadership Award from the bipartisan Congressional Hunger Center for her “significant contributions to fighting hunger in the United States and around the world.”

To watch the ad, click here.

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“The U.S. House voted 244 to 174 on Thursday to approve Walorski’s legislation, which calls for the suspension of the Guantanamo inmate release program until the authorization of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2017 or the end of the president’s term”

Read the full article here: http://www.chronicle-tribune.com/wabashplaindealer/house-approves-walorski-gitmo-bill/article_19155d2f-c500-59ba-9a61-66b8f8d4f18c.html

U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski’s campaign today released a TV spot featuring a Goshen veteran and his wife, who share his story of being misdiagnosed at a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facility, nearly costing him his life.

U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski’s campaign today released a TV spot featuring a Goshen veteran and his wife, who share his story of being misdiagnosed at a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facility, nearly costing him his life.

More about the Erik & Erin’s Story

In September 2014, former Marine Sgt. Erik Olson and his wife Erin, also a Marine Corps veteran, contacted Walorski after Erik’s health condition deteriorated while under the care of the local VA. Walorski contacted VA Secretary Robert McDonald, and Erik was transferred to a facility in Indianapolis, where he was diagnosed with cancer. He is now in complete remission.

The Olson family’s story was featured in several local news reports, including on WNDU (“Goshen veteran’s family speaks out about treatment at local VA clinic,” 9/30/14; “Veteran blames poor treatment at VA for missed cancer diagnosis,” 5/23/15).

More about Jackie’s work

As a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Congresswoman Walorski has been a leader in the fight to ensure veterans get the care they earned while serving their country and to hold the VA accountable when it fails to properly treat veterans.

Since being elected to Congress, many pieces of legislation that Jackie has introduced or cosponsored have been passed by the House and signed into law. Jackie will not rest until those who have served our country have access to the very best care.

In the wake of the nationwide VA wait time scandal, Walorski introduced legislation to prohibit the VA from waiving its scheduling guidelines. In June 2016, her legislation passed the House as part of a larger bill to fix the VA and protect veterans.

Her legislation to prevent the overprescription of powerful opioids to veterans at VA facilities was recently signed into law in 2016 as part of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, a bipartisan bill to combat the opioid epidemic. Read more on WNDU.

News on Jackie’s Work to Reform the VA

“Congresswoman Walorski introduces bill to help veterans” on WNDU (Link)

“Last summer in a rare act of bipartisanship, Congress overwhelmly voted to change the VA” on WSBT (Link)

“For Walorski, VA Scandal is Personal” in RollCall (Link)

Jackie on Fox News discussing ending bonuses to failed VA employees (Link)

Walorski on CNN discussing needed reforms to the VA (Link)

Watch More:

When the VA scandal broke, Jackie Walorski took action. Watch “Veterans”

Jackie’s work to combat sexual assault in the military. Watch “Lisa”

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