Martha Roby talks finances, military

U.S. Congresswoman Martha Roby is making the rounds in the Wiregrass, bringing home thoughts of issues and actions in Washington.

On Wednesday, Roby was the guest speaker at the Pike County Republican Women’s luncheon in Troy.

“I always feel like I am home here,” Roby said of Pike County. “It’s almost like a fuel stop to get recharged.”

The congresswoman spoke frankly about her efforts in Washington and her desires to make changes she feels are for the better when it comes to fiscal responsibility.

“In 10 years, we will be spending more money on our debt interest than we are on our national defense,” Roby said. “We have got to get serious about how we are going to save this country for future generations.”

Roby spoke to those gathered about the effects of sequestration on the nation’s military and how military bases and industry in and around Pike County may feel more of a crunch in the future.

Roby said she also believes now is the time to take a look at healthcare reform so that health care and social security programs don’t go bankrupt.

“We have to do something,” Roby said.

Currently, an interesting issue the congresswoman is working on in Washington as she sits as chair of the Subcommittee on Military Oversight and Investigations is Benghazi.

“It is a very important role and absolutely one that I do not take lightly,” Roby said.

Roby said testimony from military members on the ground has been “consistent.”

“What I can tell you is they made the best decision they could with what they had,” Roby said, noting that she planned to take the investigation “to the top to get to the bottom of why those decisions were made.”

Roby said it is her hope that Congress can put aside party lines and begin to do what is best for the country.

“We’ve got to be unified around ideas that are solving problems,” Roby said.

Judge Reese McKinney, Roby’s uncle, also spoke briefly at the meeting about his run for Secretary of State.

The Pike County Republican Women meet for a monthly luncheon at the American Legion building in downtown Troy and host a prominent speaker with Republican values. The public is invited.

For more information, call 807-0030 or 566-7580.