U.S. Rep. Steven Horsford, D- Nev. 4th dist. Visited Hawthorne over Armed Forces Day weekend. Horsford marched in the parade

U.S. Rep. Steven Horsford passes out candy to the little ones during the Armed Forces Day parade on Saturday.

U.S. Rep. Steven Horsford, D- Nev. 4th dist. Visited Hawthorne over Armed Forces Day weekend. Horsford marched in the parade, spoke at the USO building dedication, spent time at with the fire dept. and found time to speak to the Independent News.

Horsford said legislative duties kept him busy of late, but he thought several pieces of legislation beneficial to Nevadans showed promises of fruition.

“My primary focus has been on creating jobs for people in Nevada. I’ve been working to pass the Yerington Land Exchange bill, which we passed out of committee. We’re waiting for a vote by the full House of Representatives,” Horsford said.

“It’s been scheduled for a vote in the Senate that will create about a total of 1000 jobs in southern Lyon County. About 600 in mining and 400 construction jobs as well as provide a designated wilderness area for the Wovoka Wilderness area. That’s one of the biggest projects I’ve been working on this year,” Horsford continued.

Hordford also said he is taking an active role in working on bills to transfer federal lands to Nevada state control for economic and job growth as well as conservation purposes.

While the congressman is up for election this year, he has not yet participated in debates. “There are five Republicans running in the June10 primary. “After that, we can focus on our opponent,” Horsford said.

The congressman also mentioned he has two other opponents, one registered as an Independent and the other as a Libertarian.

Upon returning to Washington, Horsford hopes to help push through a bill to extend unemployment benefits for 3 million Americans, including 37,000 Nevadans. Horsford said it bothered him that some in congress do not mind creating tax loopholes for multi-billion dollar corporations to ship jobs overseas, but refuse to help middle class Americans in need. 

“They (congressmen) would rather just say no instead of finding a way to say yes,” Horsford said.

The congressman enjoyed his time in Hawthorne. “I loved it. Armed Forces Day is an important tribute to our men and women who served, continue to serve, or those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom,” Horsford said.