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Mr. Smith's plain talk on 'Inside the Beltway' matters
by Judith Pannebaker
BCC Editor
Published April 3, 2008
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During a recent fundraiser in Kendall County, US District 21 Rep. Lamar Smith, a self-described "thorn among roses," greeted Boerne High School teacher Kim Grosenbacher, left, and her Advanced Placement Government students, Nicole Lopez and Audrya Houde, winners of an AP essay contest.
Staff Photo by Judith Pannebaker
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Offering some words of wisdom from “inside the beltway,” District 21 United States Representative, Lamar Smith, recently attended a fundraising reception sponsored by the Kendall County Republican Women. Smith’s district includes Kendall and Bandera counties, among others.
No bad legislation
Despite the Republicans current role as minority in the House, Smith proudly told his constituents “… not a single piece of bad legislation had been passed over the last year.”
As ranking member of the powerful House Judiciary Committee, Smith has developed a surprisingly close working relationship with Chairman John Conyers Jr. (D-Michigan). Not only does Conyers typically consult with Smith on 80 percent of proposed legislation, he usually adheres to Smith’s advice on legislative questions.
That, however, could be subject to change. “Conyers has initiated impeachment resolutions against every Republican in Congress,” Smith said, but so far the Hill Country’s favorite congressman has managed to stay out of Conyers’ crosshairs.
In a goodwill gesture, Smith recently attended a fundraiser for Conyers, and discovered he was the only member of Congress present at the event. “Mr. Conyers thanked me for coming at least three times during the evening,” he said, adding, “I think that’s worth at least three amendments.”
FISA fiasco
Nonetheless, all appears not so rosy with the Democratic House majority’s handling of FISA – the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. “It’s incomprehensible how far to the left the Democrat Party has pulled,” Smith said.
Democrats are demanding government agencies obtain court orders not only to monitor communications between one terrorist to another, but those communications from terrorists to unknown parties, according to Smith. “Of course, court orders must be obtained for monitoring contacts between terrorists and American citizens,” he said, “but if the agency does not know whom the terrorist is calling, Republicans don’t feel it’s necessary to obtain a court order. If the agency discovers the call has been placed to an American citizen, then, of course, a court order must be obtained to continue monitoring the communication.”
Due to Democrats’ recalcitrance on FISA, Smith said the United States has lost two-thirds of its opportunities to gather intelligence. “For four weeks, we have had no tools to listen in on terrorists’ communications.”
By a vote of 68-29, the Senate passed FISA; however, Speaker Nancy Pelosi refuses to allow the act to be brought up in the House, Smith said. “The Democrats are so far removed from the (American) people, they are sowing the seeds of their own destruction,” he said, predicting, “A day of reckoning will come. If another terrorist attack occurs, Americans must make sure Democrats pay a steep political price.”
‘Lack of will’
Smith is also concerned with the administration’s “lack of will” to enforce current immigration laws. He said since the subject is considered “politically sensitive,” the Bush administration virtually ignores the problem.
“The United States is the only country in the world that grants automatic citizenship to children born in this county to parents who are illegal immigrant,” he said. “In Los Angeles and Houston, two-thirds of the births are to illegal immigrants.” In addition, according to data from the US Census, approximately 380,000 children born annually in this country are to illegal alien mothers.
Smith said proponents of birthright citizenship apply the Fourteen Amendment to the US Constitution to children born of illegal immigrants. However, this amendment was originally enacted to ensure civil rights for the newly freed slaves after the Civil War. Section 1 of the amendment states, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside.”
“This has never been taken before the Supreme Court,” Smith said, who feels the amendment only applies to those who had been held in human bondage, not to foreign-born individuals. In addition, in the absence of a ruling by the Supreme Court, Smith said it becomes the purview of Congress to clarify the meaning of the Fourteenth Amendment.
“We cannot accept everyone into this county who wants to come, but there is a right way and a wrong way to enter the country,” he said. “This country admits 1,000,000 immigrants each year – more than any other in the world.”
Smith felt that a guest worker program couldn’t be initiated until an accurate number of immigrants who enter and exit the US can be accurately tracked.
Economic ups & downs
Addressing the current state of the economy, Smith said the United States is on the cusp of a recession. “A recession is defined as three consecutive months of net job losses. We’ve already experienced two such months,” he said. After acknowledging the subprime mortgage debacle, he noted that housing sales have recovered slightly. “Perhaps the economy’s slump will last for just six months instead of the 18 months as previously predicted,” Smith said.
In addition, he reminded everyone that the US had just enjoyed an unprecedented 52 consecutive months of growth and job creation. “I think President Bush should have gotten more credit for that,” Smith commented.
He predicted that a recovering economy, coupled with troop withdrawal from Iraq, would make Sen. John McCain, presumptive Republican presidential nominee, difficult to beat in November. On the other hand, Smith believed it would be almost impossible for Republicans to regain the majority in the House.
‘Coming to grips’
Prior to concluding his address, Smith asked the 50 diehard Republicans present how many had supported McCain from the beginning of his bid for the Republican presidential nomination. Only four hands were raised.
Smith then segued into a light-hearted look at his party’s “coming to grips” with McCain’s eventual nomination.
He referenced an article published in The Washington Post by John Feehery, entitled “The Five Stages of John McCain.” Feehery’s article parodied the five-stage model developed by Swiss psychiatrist Elizabeth Kubler-Ross to deal with grief and tragedy. According to Feehery, Republicans must grapple with:
• anger. “I’ll never vote for John McCain. He screwed us on campaign finance reform; he’s a tool for George Soros. He screwed us on immigration; he supports amnesty. I don’t trust him on taxes. He said Americans should sacrifice for the war on their tax bills. He’s no conservative. I’ll never vote for this guy. I’d rather vote for Hillary Clinton.”
• despair. “I can’t believe that McCain is going to get the nomination. What happened? McCain is too old. Conservatives won’t vote for him. We’re doomed. I’m doomed!”
• confusion. “I can’t stand McCain, but he’s a war hero and authentic. Campaign finance was wrong, but he was right on the surge. He’s bad on taxes, but good on spending. The base hates him, but independents can’t get enough. And even Phil Gramm and Grover Norquist think he’s okay.”
• acceptance. “Well, McCain is going to get the nomination. I guess I can live with it. He’s a war hero, after all. He was right on the surge. And he plays well with independents. I know he’s old, but look at his energy level – I couldn’t keep up with him. Let’s face it. McCain will be our nominee, and Rush Limbaugh is going to have to get over it.”
• excitement. “Hey, McCain is going to be great! We need a maverick running our party. Look at those poll numbers! He can beat Clinton! Imagine that. We’re going to win! I think I’m going to give McCain some money. What a war hero he is! Seventy-one is the new 61! Let’s go! Mac is back! Would somebody tell Limbaugh to shut the hell up?”
In the last national poll, Smith said McCain had prevailed over both Clinton and Sen. Barak Obama. “Isn’t that just amazing?” he asked rhetorically. Smith, himself, is a recent convert to McCain’s candidacy. Earlier, he had supported Mitt Romney for the Republican nomination.
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The Latin Crisis
By Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
Published April 3, 2008
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U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
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This month Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez opened the next phase of his dangerous political career by nearly provoking a war with Colombia.
In the aftermath of his military threats, the Colombian government learned disturbing information about the relationship between Mr. Chavez and the terrorist group FARC — the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia. In light of those revelations, and their implications for U.S. national security, perhaps it is time the Bush administration placed Venezuela on the list of state sponsors of terrorism.
On March 1, the Colombian military retaliated against numerous unprovoked FARC attacks in their territory and struck one of their clandestine camps — in Ecuador, killing one of the organization's top leaders. FARC, a formerly Soviet-backed insurgency, today makes a living off international kidnapping, drug trafficking and terrorism.
It still holds hundreds of hostages for ransom, including American missionaries and a former Colombian presidential candidate. It has been designated as one of the world's leading terrorist organizations by the State Department.
In the days after the raid, Colombia uncovered e-mails in which FARC operatives reported, after meeting with Mr. Chavez, that significant financial support and even munitions would be forthcoming from the Chavez government. Evidence suggests Venezuela may have provided as much as $300 million to FARC since Mr. Chavez came to power.
If indeed Venezuela has provided money, weapons and other logistical or diplomatic support to FARC, it is guilty of supporting terrorism, a grievous violation of international law. In the wake of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the United Nations Security Council reaffirmed the obligation of all states to refrain from assisting terrorists or tolerating their presence inside the country. The United States does not distinguish between terrorists and those who harbor them and support them — and neither should any of our allies.
Venezuela must now be held accountable for its descent into a terrorist haven, and Ecuador should not protest when free countries, like Colombia, step across boundaries to protect innocent lives from plotting terrorists.
On March 17, when the Organization of American States held its summit in Washington, it missed an opportunity to take a strong stand against terrorism and instead passed a resolution condemning Colombia's actions in self-defense.
While imposing additional sanctions on Venezuela could cause adverse short-term economic consequences, Mr. Chavez needs us more than we need him. Venezuelan oil has an extremely high-sulfur content, which requires special refineries to turn it into gasoline. Most of those refineries are in the Southern U.S. along the Gulf Coast. In short, Venezuela would have a very hard time finding other buyers if it loses its most important customer.
And with the increased willingness of Venezuela's military to stand up to Mr. Chavez — not to mention his sinking popularity among the public — the United States is one customer Mr. Chavez can't afford to lose.
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Cornyn: I hope we can reach bipartisan agreement on Housing Relief Bill
Published April 3, 2008
WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, Vice-Chair of the Senate Republican Conference, expressed optimism Tuesday, April 1, that a bipartisan accord could be reached on a housing relief bill and pledged to work with Senators in both parties to help achieve that goal. Sen. Cornyn’s comments followed an announcement on Capitol Hill by Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell that they would work to bring a bipartisan bill to the Senate floor later this week instead of a Democratic plan that faced strong opposition and would have led to higher interest rates for homeowners.
“I welcome the bipartisan cooperation that has returned to the Senate this week. Every member of Congress recognizes that our country faces problems in the housing market. Many of us believe we need to pass legislation to stabilize and improve this situation. I am hopeful that bipartisan negotiations this week will yield a solid, well reasoned plan for combating the challenges in the housing market.
“I believe at the end of the day, the Senate needs to take steps to help families with distressed mortgages, but without providing taxpayer-funded bailouts to real estate speculators who took irresponsible risks. We also need to take steps to make sure these same problems are avoided in the future by focusing on increased transparency and information for prospective borrowers.
“Finally, the Senate should make sure that any proposal does not produce insurmountable challenges to prospective and current home owners. For that reason, I would be hesitant to support any proposal that increases the size of the government’s budget at the expense of the family budget. The Senate should also be careful not to make homeownership more expensive for working families or make it more difficult for small businesses to grow and create jobs here at home.
“This announcement today is a good first step though and I hope both parties can work together and pass a good bill that will help families who need help now.”
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Articles in the federal issues section of the on-line Courier:
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Mr. Smith's plain talk on 'Inside the Beltway' matters
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Published April 3, 2008 |
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The Latin Crisis
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Published April 3, 2008 |
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Cornyn: I hope we can reach bipartisan agreement on Housing Relief Bill
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Published April 3, 2008 |
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Smith announces House Fellows Program for area teachers
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Published March 27, 2008 |
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US budget should create solutions, not challenges
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Published March 27, 2008 |
Cornyn: Supreme Court should affirm Second Amendment right for all Americans
Comments on Historic Case before the Nation’s Highest Court
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Published March 27, 2008 |
Cornyn: Texas justice prevails in US Supreme Court
Says court correctly decided Medellin v. Texas case
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Published March 27, 2008 |
Cornyn: new reports highlight crisis facing Social Security and Medicare
Says Congress must work in a bipartisan way to pass entitlement reforms
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Published March 27, 2008 |
'Congress can and must do better than this bill.
'Our liberties, our security and the future of our nation depend on it.'
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Published March 20, 2008 |
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D.C. Gun Case Has Implications for All Americans’ 2nd Amendment Rights
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Published March 20, 2008 |
Emergency bill helps high-tech companies
Smith discusses H-1B
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Published March 20, 2008 |
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Cornyn: House should pass bipartisan Seante bill to protect America
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Published March 20, 2008 |
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Protect America – Act Now
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Published March 20, 2008 |
Cornyn seeks critical safeguard against future tax increases
Legislation would require 60-vote majority on all future income tax hikes
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Published March 20, 2008 |
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Cornyn, Leahy introduce new OPEN FOIA bill on eve of Sunshine Week
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Published March 20, 2008 |
Senate passes Cornyn-backed bill to further expedite citizenship for service members
Bipartisan bill builds on 2003 law to reduce wait times for non-citizens serving in U.S. military
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Published March 20, 2008 |
Cornyn opposes largest tax increase proposal in history
Announces Intent to Vote Against Democratic Majority’s FY 2009 Budget
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Published March 20, 2008 |
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House Dems’ budget – largest tax hike in history
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Published March 13, 2008 |
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Free markets, personal responsibility can help housing decline
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Published March 13, 2008 |
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Cornyn co-sponsors new legislation to provide housing relief to Texas families
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Published March 13, 2008 |
Cornyn announces support for one-year moratorium on earmarks
Says Taxpayers Deserve and Demand Greater Accountability from Washington
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Published March 13, 2008 |
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A real Energy Independence Plan
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Published March 6, 2008 |
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Progress in the War on Terror: A First-Hand Report
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Published March 6, 2008 |
William F. Buckley
“He was the embodiment of ‘morning in America’”
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Published March 6, 2008 |
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Cornyn backs bill to further expedite citizenship process for service men & women
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Published March 6, 2008 |
Cornyn seeks to strengthen access to affordable health care
Introduces critical legislation aimed at helping doctors & patients
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Published March 6, 2008 |
Cornyn: Consumer Product Safety Bill will help keep children safe
Says certain improvements are necessary during reconciliation with House
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Published March 6, 2008 |
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Federal articles from Feb., 2008 |
Federal articles from Jan., 2008 |
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Federal articles from Oct. & Nov., 2007 |
Federal articles from Sept., 2007 |
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Federal articles from August, 2007 |
Federal articles from July, 2007 |
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Federal articles from June, 2007 |
Federal articles from May, 2007 |
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Federal articles from April, 2007 |
Federal articles from March, 2007 |
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Federal articles from Jan. & Feb., 2007 |
Federal articles from 2005 & 2006 |
Smith announces House Fellows Program for area teachers
By Congressman Lamar Smith
Published March 27, 2008
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U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith (District 21) represents Bandera County in Washington
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Washington, DC - Congressman Lamar Smith (R-TX) announced March 25 his participation in the U.S. House of Representatives 2008 House Fellows Program for high school teachers. One high school American history and government teacher will be selected from the 21st District to participate in a program in Washington, D.C. from July 28th-August 1st. The program will provide teachers with insight into how the House of Representatives functions.
This year the House Historian chose the 21st Congressional District as one of the 12 participating Districts and will select one teacher to participate in the program. Fellows will observe the House in session and participate in briefings from the Office of the House Historian, the National Archives, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Library of Congress. Fellows will receive free room and board during the program.
During the school year following their participation in the House Fellows Program, each Fellow will have the responsibility to present their experiences and lesson-plans to at least one in-service institute for other teachers of history and government. It is in this way that the House Fellows Program will be able to impact over 10,000 high school teachers, providing an inside account of how the House functions, and energizing thousands of students to become informed and active citizens.
Application Process
Applicants must be employed by a public, private, or parochial school in the 21st congressional district; teach or supervise high school level American history or government. They also must submit a resume, letter of intent stating their desire to participate in the program and provide a one page proposal for a possible lesson plan relevant to the history and practice of the House of Representatives.
Applications can be sent via fax (202-226-2931), email (historian@mail.house.gov), or mail by April 1 to the Office of the Historian, U.S. House of Representatives, B-56 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC, 20515. The Office of the Historian will notify recipients by April 18, 2008. Fellows will receive all lodging and meal expenses during the week. Participants are responsible for all personal travel expenses.
For further questions, contact the program coordinator Michael Cronin at the Historian's Office at 202-226-5525.
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US budget should create solutions, not challenges
By Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
Published March 27, 2008
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U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
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As the U.S. economy slows, and perhaps even retracts, many American families are taking a hard look at their budgets and making choices about how they’ll spend their income. Likewise, Congress is now deciding the nation’s spending priorities in the budget for the next fiscal year. The federal budget directly affects all Americans, either offering solutions to the challenges we face or creating new burdens for future generations.
On March 14, the Senate passed the Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Resolution which provides resources to keep our nation safe and improves America’s ability to compete in a global market. Unfortunately, the budget also contains an historic tax hike that will burden American families and constrain our economic future.
One of the most important responsibilities of the Congress is to protect the American people. The budget allows us to do that by funding the U.S. Department of Defense, including all operations in the Global War on Terror. As our brave service members fight violent extremism around the world, it is imperative that we give them the resources they need to complete their mission.
It is also our duty to ensure that America remains a world leader in research, innovation and technology. The budget supports this goal by increasing funding for research investment and improving teacher education in math, science, engineering and other technical disciplines
Despite these worthwhile endeavors, the budget also has major flaws.
It eliminates the tax cuts from 2001 and 2003 that generated record growth, and it imposes a $1.2 trillion tax increase on American families – the largest tax hike in U.S. history. This will directly impact 43 million families across our nation, including many in Texas. An average one-wage-earner family of four with an income of $50,000 will pay $2,300 more per year in federal taxes. For $2,300, a family could buy several months of groceries, pay utility bills for an entire year, provide health care expenses for nearly a year, or gas up two cars for nearly a year. Instead, these families will be forced to send more of their hard-earned money to the federal government.
The budget is also a direct attack on small business owners who are the backbone of the American economy. Because of this legislation, 27 million small businesses will be forced to pay $4,100 more in taxes each year.
Ironically, the budget comes on the heels of an economic stimulus package that Congress passed a few weeks ago to provide tax rebates to spur our struggling economy. Now, the majority party in Congress is burdening many of the very same people with more taxes. Given our current economic climate, it is incomprehensible to me that Congress would negate the benefits of the economic stimulus package by imposing higher taxes on those who will soon be receiving their rebates.
This budget also fails to cut back on entitlement and discretionary spending that has ballooned out of control. Over the next five years, overall spending will increase by nearly $700 billion. Rather than focus on fiscal discipline, a majority in the Senate decided to pass a budget that will raise taxes, jeopardize millions of American jobs, and put our country’s economic future at risk.
The next few years will present extraordinary opportunities and challenges for our nation, and we must ensure that our budget is correctly prioritized to keep America competitive and assure national security. While those are the priorities, we must cut back the increase in programs that are no longer necessary and scrub every agency to stop wasteful spending.
As our financial institutions battle a liquidity crisis that threatens our whole economy, we do not need a budget that reverts back to the same old tax and spend policies that have proven disastrous in the past. I will continue to work for a solution that keeps tax rates low, while also investing in the priorities that are essential for our future.
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Cornyn: Supreme Court should affirm Second Amendment right for all Americans
Comments on Historic Case before the Nation’s Highest Court
Published March 27, 2008
WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, made the following statement regarding March 18’s hearing before the United States Supreme Court which, for the first time in seven decades, may adjudicate the Constitutional right of American citizens to keep and bear arms:
“This case before the Supreme Court has far greater implications than whether or not the District of Columbia’s gun control law is constitutional. Rather, it is an opportunity for the highest court in the land to affirm the ideals and principles established under our Constitution – that all Americans have a Second Amendment right to defend their homes and families.
“It is for this reason I signed an amicus brief to the Court on this case, along with Senator Hutchison. It has the most congressional signatures on any amicus brief ever filed before the Supreme Court. We wanted to make clear that while Texans have long cherished the fundamental individual right to bear arms, all Americans should have that same right. I hope the Supreme Court will uphold the will of our founders and affirm the Second Amendment rights of Texans and all Americans.”
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Cornyn: Texas justice prevails in US Supreme Court
Says court correctly decided Medellin v. Texas case
Published March 27, 2008
AUSTIN—U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and former Texas Attorney General and Supreme Court Justice, made the following statement Tuesday, March 25, regarding the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on the Medellin v. Texas case:
“Jose Ernesto Medellin is a brutal criminal who terrorized and murdered two innocent girls in Texas . Today, the Supreme Court upheld the right of Texans to administer criminal justice under our state’s laws and consistent with the U.S. Constitution. The high court correctly ruled that the President’s unprecedented attempt to unilaterally impose an international treaty obligation on a state and its courts exceeds his constitutional powers. Foreign governments and international law should not dictate how Texas administers justice.
“This ruling is particularly important because other foreign nationals who committed similar crimes in our country would have used this case to extend their appeals process and delay justice. I hope that with the conclusion of this case, the victims of this brutal criminal and their families will finally see the justice they have long sought.”
Background -- José Ernesto Medellín confessed to and was convicted of the brutal gang rape and murder of two teenage girls in Houston . Prior to today’s ruling by the Supreme Court, he had numerous appeals rejected by state and federal courts. The only judicial body to rule favorably for this brutal murderer was the International Court of Justice in The Hague ( Netherlands ) in 2004, in a case brought by Mexico against the United States . Even that court rejected Mexico ’s request for annulment of Medellín’s conviction and sentence. Chief Justice Roberts wrote in the Court’s majority opinion that “[t]he responsibility for transforming an international obligation arising from a non-self-executing treaty into domestic law falls to Congress.”
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Cornyn: new reports highlight crisis facing Social Security and Medicare
Says Congress must work in a bipartisan way to pass entitlement reforms
Published March 27, 2008
AUSTIN—Echoing the dire warnings contained in annual reports released Tuesday, March 25, by the trustees for the Social Security and Medicare programs, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, a member of the Senate Budget Committee, said this afternoon that unless Congress engages in a bipartisan effort to reform entitlement spending, America will soon be facing a financial crisis of unprecedented proportions.
“These reports make clear that our country faces a gathering storm of an entitlement crisis. Unless Congress takes real steps and passes real reforms over the next several years, both Medicare and Social Security will become insolvent. In doing so, we will be breaking the promise of a safety net to current and future generations, while saddling our children and grandchildren with a financial debt of unprecedented proportions,” U.S. Sen. John Cornyn said today. “It is for this critical reason that I was so disappointed with the budget passed earlier this month by the majority in the Senate. It did nothing to address this impending crisis and instead, kicked the can down the road so that the tough decisions which need to be made today, are once again put off until tomorrow.”
In their annual reports released today, trustees for the respective programs said that unless entitlement spending is reformed, the resources in the Social Security trust fund will be depleted by 2041, and the reserves in the Medicare trust fund will be depleted by 2019.
“I hope every Member of Congress will take a close and careful look at these new reports. We must work together in a bipartisan way and do the right thing for our future generations,” Sen. Cornyn concluded.
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'Congress can and must do better than this bill.
'Our liberties, our security and the future of our nation depend on it.'
By Congressman Lamar Smith
Published March 20, 2008
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U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith (District 21) represents Bandera County in Washington
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Floor Statement of Ranking Member Lamar Smith Regarding FISA
Ranking Member Smith: Mr. Speaker, the debate today (March 14) is not about Republican versus Democratic arguments. It’s not about right-wing or left-wing ideologies. It’s about protecting our country. And it’s about protecting American lives.
We should recall the story about the three American soldiers who were killed in Iraq last May. When the U.S. military discovered that the soldiers had been kidnapped by terrorists, they launched a full scale search and rescue mission.
In the early hours of the operation, U.S. intelligence officials on the ground discovered a lead that required immediate electronic surveillance of phone conversations. But the terrorist loophole—which requires a court order from Washington before conducting surveillance on a foreign target—prevented our intelligence officials from gathering information for almost 10 hours.
The body of one of the soldiers was later found in the Euphrates River. Terrorists claim to have executed the other two soldiers.
We will never know if that information could have helped save the lives of our soldiers. But we do know that the terrorist loophole tied our hands then and perhaps is costing us lives now.
Prior to enactment of the Protect America Act, the Director of National Intelligence Admiral McConnell warned Congress that our intelligence community was “missing” two-thirds of all overseas terrorists’ communications.
Three weeks ago, the Protect America Act expired and our intelligence community lost the tools they need to monitor terrorists overseas and protect Americans here at home. We cannot recover the foreign intelligence lost because of Congress’ inaction. This intelligence might have given us information about terrorists’ plots or foreign espionage. I hope these missed opportunities will not lead to a terrorist attack in the U.S. or other countries that could have been prevented.
We are now 27 days late and much intelligence short because of the Democratic Leadership’s refusal to consider the bipartisan Senate bill. If they had brought it to floor three weeks ago, it would have easily passed and America would be safer today.
But rather than modernize the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), the Democratic Majority’s bill weakens it.
First, the Democrats’ bill requires a court order before the government can begin surveillance of a foreign terrorist overseas. FISA has never required a court order to target foreigners overseas. As we saw in May, this causes significant delays in gathering foreign intelligence—placing Americans at greater risk.
Second, the Democrats’ bill denies giving immunity to telecommunications providers who assisted the government following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The past and future cooperation of these companies is essential to our national security.
Ninety-eight percent of America’s communications technology is owned by private sector companies. We cannot conduct foreign surveillance without them. But if we continue to subject them to billion dollar lawsuits, we risk losing their cooperation in the future.
In fact, this bill is so flawed that the President has promised to veto it. Even Senator Reid, the Democratic Majority Leader, acknowledges that this legislation will never pass the Senate. Congress can and must do better than this bill. Our liberties, our security and the future of our nation depend on it.
I urge my colleagues to oppose this fatally flawed legislation and ask the Democratic Majority to bring the bipartisan Senate bill to the floor for a vote.
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D.C. Gun Case Has Implications for All Americans’ 2nd Amendment Rights
By Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
Published March 20, 2008
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U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
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The right to keep and bear arms is secure in Texas, but in our nation's capital it has been taken away.
In 1976, the Washington City Council passed the nation's toughest gun control law, banning handguns completely and requiring rifles and shotguns to be registered, stored unloaded and locked or disassembled.
The D.C. murder rate was declining before this law; in the next 15 years it jumped 200 percent. Besides being ineffective, the ban is simply incomprehensible. Under D.C. law, business owners have the right to use a firearm to protect their store cash registers, but they cannot use the same firearm to protect themselves and their families in their homes.
Federal law enforcement officers protecting citizens and officials in the district with firearms cannot use similar protection in their homes.
This prohibition has been challenged in court, and the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed that the district's ban was not only unreasonable but unconstitutional.
On March 18, for the first time since 1939, the U.S. Supreme Court will rule on the issue of Second Amendment rights when it hears arguments in District of Columbia v. Heller. The court's decision will have major implications for all Americans.
I have filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court with my colleague Jon Tester from Montana – along with Vice President Dick Cheney as president of the Senate, 53 other U.S. senators and 250 members of the House – for the respondent, who simply wishes to exercise his constitutional right to protect himself. It has the most congressional signatures on any amicus brief to the Supreme Court.
The founding fathers knew what they were doing when they put the right to keep and bear arms in the Constitution. It was not an accident. In 1775, the American Revolution began because ordinary farmers decided to fight back against foreign tyranny. Many, if not most, in George Washington's regiments used their own guns.
The Second Amendment says, "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." It is clear that our founders did not use the term "militia" to suggest that gun rights could be used only in an organized army. But gun control advocates have made this argument for years.
If the framers' purpose had been a collective right, they would have been satisfied with Article I, Section VIII of the Constitution, which gives Congress the power to call forth the militia to execute the laws of the union, suppress insurrection and repel invasions.
Instead, to ensure that gun ownership was recognized as an individual right, they included it in the Bill of Rights, a compilation of such other individual rights as freedom of speech, freedom of religion and a fair trial. The location of these words provides strong evidence for the founders' vision.
Thomas Jefferson once wrote, "The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield and government to gain ground." In debate on the Bill of Rights, James Madison wanted the American people to have the right to be armed in order to prevent the kind of tyranny that dominated the rest of the world, especially Europe.
The U.S. Supreme Court has the perfect case to affirm an individual's Second Amendment right to self-defense. Though gun-control advocates have questioned this through the years, Congress never has.
From the Freedman's Bureau Act of 1865 to the Property Requisition Act of 1941, Congress reaffirmed the solemn position of the U.S. as a defender of one's right to protect his being and his home with an operable firearm. I hope the Supreme Court will affirm the individual right to self-defense with a firearm so that it is clear and unambiguous.
It is an opportunity, perhaps, of a lifetime.
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Emergency bill helps high-tech companies
Smith discusses H-1B
By Congressman Lamar Smith
Published March 20, 2008
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U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith (District 21) represents Bandera County in Washington
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“The American economy thrives on high-tech companies that require high-tech workers to remain globally competitive.
H-1B visas are necessary to ensure that these companies have the resources and workers required to succeed.”
Washington, D.C. — Ranking Member Lamar Smith March 14 introduced a bill to address American companies’ immediate need for high-tech, specialty workers. The “Strengthening United States Technology and Innovation Now Act (SUSTAIN Act)” raises the annual cap for H-1B visas to 195,000 for 2008 and 2009.
“American employers have an urgent need for highly skilled foreign workers to fill positions in specialty occupations,” stated Ranking Member Smith. “The American economy thrives on high-tech companies that require high-tech workers to remain globally competitive. H-1B visas are necessary to ensure that these companies have the resources and workers required to succeed.”
“The SUSTAIN Act is an emergency fix that gives Congress and American companies extra time to consider farther reaching changes to the H-1B program,” said Smith. “Specifically, the Act restores the annual cap on H-1B visas to 195,000 for 2008 and 2009.”
“In 2003, the annual cap dropped to 65,000, far below the level needed for high-tech employers,” Smith continued. “In fact, this year, the entire supply of 2008 visas was exhausted in the first three days of availability. H-1B visas for 2009 become available on April 1. They are likely to be exhausted almost immediately.”
“When high-tech companies and firms go to American universities to recruit, they seek the best graduates regardless of their nationality,” added Smith. “In many cases, the best students are foreigners. By denying them positions here in the U.S., we let many talented and highly educated workers take positions with our competitors overseas. That is not good for business and it is not good for the American economy.”
“American companies lead the world in developing new technology and high-tech innovation,” concluded Smith. “But in order to remain competitive in the fast-pace, global economy, we must be sure to keep attracting and hiring the best workers. The SUSTAIN Act helps companies fill immediate needs now, while Congress considers larger policy goals for the future.”
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Cornyn: House should pass bipartisan Seante bill to protect America
Published March 20, 2008
WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, a member of the Senate Armed Services and Judiciary committees, made the following statement Friday, March 14, regarding the House Democrat leaders’ inadequate Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act legislation:
“It is deeply troubling that House Democrat leaders insisted on passing a partisan bill that undermines our national security. They had ample opportunity to approve bipartisan Senate-passed legislation that enjoyed majority support in the House.
“Democrats and Republicans alike agree that the Senate-passed terrorist surveillance bill is critical to keeping our troops and citizens safe. But it has become clear that House Democrat leaders would rather cater to their left-wing base and trial lawyers than give our troops and intelligence professionals the terrorist-tracking tools they need.”
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Protect America – Act Now
Published March 20, 2008
Monday, Feb. 25 -- Last May, three U.S. troops were kidnapped in Iraq, south of Baghdad, by al Qaeda terrorists. The U.S. military immediately launched a search and rescue operation, including electronic monitoring of phone conversations.
What happened next is extremely disturbing. Within hours, a new source of information was discovered that required electronic surveillance. Then, a maze of complicated U.S. laws kicked in, stopping progress for nearly 10 long hours.
Weeks later, the body of one missing American was found in the Euphrates River. The terrorists claimed the other two had been executed. No one can be certain whether they might have been found if the intelligence lead had been immediately followed.
We do know that restrictions in an outdated federal law seriously complicated rescue efforts while government lawyers back in the U.S. sorted through a legal quagmire to develop “probable cause” for electronic surveillance. A Texas soldier, Cpl. Ryan Collins of Vernon, was killed while participating in the unsuccessful attempt to find the missing troops.
There is no dispute that laws must be followed. That is what our American soldiers did that day in Iraq. It’s also clear, however, that existing law can prevent immediate use of our latest and best intelligence technology, when quick action is critical to the lives of Americans. When this is the case, it’s up to Congress to change the law.
We must do better in fulfilling this duty. At the time of this Iraq incident, electronic surveillance for intelligence and military use was subject to the 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). Last year, Congress approved a temporary update, the Protect America Act. In early February, a bipartisan majority of the Senate voted overwhelmingly to extend key parts of the Protect America Act for six years.
But instead of approving the Senate bill, House leaders left for a 10-day recess. This meant the Protect America Act expired on Feb. 16. Now our troops and intelligence community are again operating under legal constraints that delay tracking terrorists who use Internet and cell phone devices that did not exist when FISA was enacted.
America leads the world in electronic technology. Some 98 percent of it is owned by private companies, and their cooperation is necessary in preventing terrorist attacks. But trial lawyers have filed lawsuits seeking billions of dollars from telecommunications firms that have helped our government stop another 9/11.
The Senate-passed bill provides protection against lawsuits for firms acting in good faith on government requests for help. This lawsuit protection is necessary to make certain they can protect their shareholders from legal expense even while they do their part to keep Americans safe.
Top U.S. intelligence officials certified that in the week after Congress allowed the Protect America Act to expire, our country lost significant national security information. We are asking our troops and intelligence officials to operate with one hand tied behind their back. We are less safe than we were before Feb. 16.
National defense is the first duty of our federal government. Good intelligence helps protect our troops and win wars. Undercutting it hampers our efforts to defend ourselves, and endangers the lives of Americans.
Our nation is grateful to Cpl. Ryan Collins, his family and the sacrifices of those who help protect our country. I will fight to reverse the recent lapse in judgment by Congress, and ensure our intelligence community and security forces have every tool available to keep us safe. We owe that to our citizens, and to the memory of Cpl. Collins.
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Cornyn seeks critical safeguard against future tax increases
Legislation would require 60-vote majority on all future income tax hikes
Published March 20, 2008
WASHINGTON—Renewing his past efforts to prevent irresponsible tax increases on working families, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, a member of the Senate Budget Committee, re-introduced legislation in the Senate Wednesday, March 12, that would require a super-majority of the Senate, or 60 votes, to pass any legislation that increases income tax rates on the American people.
This legislation, introduced as an amendment to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 budget resolution, mirrors a similar Cornyn-backed measure passed by the Senate last year. Unfortunately, that provision was ultimately stripped-out behind closed doors by the Democratic leadership before Congress voted on the final FY ’08 budget resolution.
“Last year, the United States Senate overwhelmingly approved this exact measure by a vote of 63-35. Unfortunately, through subsequent legislative maneuvering this pro-taxpayer provision was stripped from last year’s budget. Today, I’m giving the Democratic majority another opportunity to stand on the side of working families and small business owners,” Sen. Cornyn said.
“Creating a 60-vote threshold is an insurance policy to make sure Congress focuses on eliminating government waste, fraud and abuse and not on the pocketbooks of taxpayers across Texas and across America . Given the current concerns families and small businesses have about the economy, now more than ever we need to make sure people have more of their money to spend and invest as they see fit. I would ask my colleagues once again to support this strong bipartisan protection for American taxpayers,” Sen. Cornyn concluded.
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Cornyn, Leahy introduce new OPEN FOIA bill on eve of Sunshine Week
Published March 20, 2008
WASHINGTON—As Sunshine Week nears, open-government leaders U.S. Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., Wednesday, March 12, introduced their latest tandem effort to peel back the curtains on government secrecy and further strengthen the nation’s primary open government law, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
Their new bill would add new transparency and accountability standards when Congress considers adding new FOIA exemptions to the law. The OPEN FOIA Act would require Congress to explicitly and clearly state its intention to provide for statutory exemptions to FOIA in new legislative proposals. Similar legislation unanimously passed the Senate in the last Congress. The new OPEN FOIA Act follows the passage of the Leahy-Cornyn OPEN Government Act, which the President signed into law in December, adding the first reforms to FOIA in more than a decade, including restoring meaningful deadlines for agency action under FOIA and imposing real consequences on federal agencies for missing FOIA’s 20-day statutory deadline.
“It was encouraging to see Congress take major steps recently to expand the American people’s right to government information,” Sen. Cornyn said. “This latest bill is an effort to further enhance government transparency and accountability. Sunshine Week is an opportunity to highlight these important principles of our founding fathers—a truly self-governing society depends on an informed citizenry. Chairman Leahy and I will continue working together to ensure the public’s fundamental right to know what their government is doing.”
The exemptions to FOIA addressed in the OPEN FOIA Act, known as (b)(3) statutory exemptions, are typically buried in complex and lengthy legislative proposals, making it difficult for requestors to determine whether access to information is subject to FOIA. The OPEN FOIA Act would provide more transparency when Congress includes such exemptions in legislation.
“This Congress has signaled its support for strengthening the Freedom of Information Act,” Sen. Leahy said. “Senator Cornyn and I have worked together for years to restore openness and transparency to a government that has become increasingly secretive. While some government information needs to be kept secret, we cannot allow the government to hide behind the veil of secrecy and curb the public's right to know, just to avoid accountability. Our new legislation will take steps to make clear those exemptions to FOIA, and this is a fitting start to Sunshine Week.”
Sunshine Week is a national program highlighting the importance of open government and freedom of information. News organizations, schools, nonprofit groups and others have celebrated Sunshine Week since 2005, and this year the commemoration is set for March 17-21. Leahy and Cornyn are longtime advocates for open government.
On the Web: www.cornyn.senate.gov/FOIA
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Senate passes Cornyn-backed bill to further expedite citizenship for service members
Bipartisan bill builds on 2003 law to reduce wait times for non-citizens serving in U.S. military
Published March 20, 2008
WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, Ranking Member of the Immigration and Border Security subcommittee, made the following statement Wednesday, March 12, regarding unanimous Senate passage of legislation he co-sponsored to further expedite the citizenship process for non-citizens serving in the U.S. military. The Kendell Frederick Assistance to Citizenship Act, S. 2516, builds on legislation Sen. Cornyn enacted into law in 2003:
“Thousands of service members who are not yet U.S. citizens put their lives on the line every day to defend America and protect our freedom. But bureaucratic delays in processing military citizenship cases have hindered their ability to gain the privilege and honor of citizenship. I’m encouraged that the Senate unanimously passed this appropriate legislation to help honor those who serve in our all-volunteer military. We are sending a clear message to these troops that we welcome their service and will be proud to call them fellow Americans.”
Background:
• Shortly after 9/11, President Bush signed an executive order allowing non-citizens on active duty to file for citizenship immediately upon enlistment, instead of having to first complete three years of service.
• But delays in background checks and obstacles to inter-agency file-sharing prevented the citizenship process for immigrant members of the military from being expedited, leading to delays of up to years.
• The Kendell Frederick Assistance to Citizenship Act, S. 2516, authorizes the Department of Homeland Security’s use of fingerprints submitted by military personnel at the time of enlistment to adjudicate military naturalization applications. S. 2516 also requires centralization of military naturalization cases and adjudication within 180 days from receipt of all background checks.
• Sen. Cornyn’s Military Citizenship Act enacted in 2003 expedited citizenship applications for non-citizens in the U.S. military by reducing the required period of service from three years to two and authorizing naturalization proceedings at U.S. embassies, consulates and military installations abroad.
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Cornyn opposes largest tax increase proposal in history
Announces Intent to Vote Against Democratic Majority’s FY 2009 Budget
Published March 20, 2008
WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, a member of the Senate Budget Committee, made the following statement Thursday, March 13, regarding his opposition to the Democratic Majority’s FY 2009 federal budget proposal – the centerpiece of which is a $1.2 trillion tax hike on 43 million American families, the largest tax hike proposal in U.S. history:
“Across Texas and America, working families are facing rising gas prices, high health care costs, and an uncertain economic future. They make sacrifices and tough economic decisions day in and day out in order to live within their means. The United States Congress should be held to no less of a standard with its budget.
“Yet, instead of putting more money back in the pockets of working Americans or making the tough decisions that will secure Social Security and Medicare for future generations, this budget does the exact opposite. It raises taxes by more than $2,300 on 43 million families, it increases federal spending by $210 billion and it grows the federal debt by $2 trillion.
“Quite simply, the family budget of millions of Texans would be harmed if Congress were to make this majority party’s budget law. It is filled with gimmicks that are focused on the next election, and not the next generation. It is a classic tax-and-spend proposal that symbolizes why Washington is broken and needs to be fixed.”
The Senate is scheduled to vote on final passage of the FY 2009 budget proposal late in the evening, March 13.
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House Dems’ budget – largest tax hike in history
By Congressman Lamar Smith
Published March 13, 2008
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U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith (District 21) represents Bandera County in Washington
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After House Democrats unveiled their fiscal year 2009 budget proposal, an apoplectic District 21 Congressman Lamar Smith issued the following statement March 5.
According to Smith, this budget would raise taxes by $683 billion over five years. As the largest tax increase in American history, this will cost 116 million taxpayers an average tax hike of $1,833.
“These tax hikes will have a major effect on families’ standard of living. With the increase in gas prices in Texas – coupled with a slowing economy – the last thing those families need is to pay more in taxes,” Smith said.
“This is a fiscally irresponsible budget that does not reign in excessive, unnecessary spending. Reckless spending puts an undue burden on those who can least afford it -- hard-working Americans. The budget also does not address fundamental priorities, like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid entitlement programs.”
Smith concluded, “This budget does not meet our national, economic and personal security needs and does not address the real problems facing the country.”
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Free markets, personal responsibility can help housing decline
By Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
Published March 13, 2008
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U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
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There is no greater symbol of the American Dream than home ownership. In a country that prizes freedom and economic independence, Americans’ homes are a lifelong investment and, for many, their primary asset. However, in recent months, a decline in the U.S. housing market has threatened the financial security of many Americans and has placed the nation’s economy at risk. As lawmakers scramble for a fix, it is preferable that solutions be guided by free market principles, rather than sweeping government intervention or taxpayer-financed bailouts. A fair assessment of the situation is the first step to an appropriate response.
During the final quarter of 2007, home prices declined 8.9 percent -- the largest year-to-year drop in the 20-year history of the index. In January, sales of existing homes dipped to a 10-year low. Though some are able to shoulder the burden of zero or negative equity, others can’t afford their mortgage payments. This has led to a rise in foreclosures. Almost all homeowners have been affected, because low home sales and foreclosures have created a housing surplus that has driven down home values. Falling home prices have placed many homeowners in the precarious position of owing more on their mortgages than their houses are worth.
Yet, there are some positive indicators that are often overlooked. The U.S. Census Bureau reported that homeownership rates were still near an all-time high at the end of 2007. Of the 51 million American households financing their homes, 93 percent pay their mortgages on time, with only two percent of these households in foreclosure. Further, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association, foreclosures among prime loans and Federal Housing Authority (FHA) loans have remained stable since 2001.
But it is the disproportionate rise in subprime adjustable rate mortgages that are in default and risk foreclosure that is cause for real concern. These loans are granted to borrowers who don’t qualify for the best market interest rates. They are periodically adjusted to a range of market indexes, as opposed to a more stable fixed rate mortgage. Only 13 percent of all outstanding mortgages are subprime, but defaults on these loans accounted for 50 percent of the foreclosure starts in the third quarter of 2007. These foreclosures negatively impact the overall economy and require a measured response to help prevent or combat recession.
In the last year, the Federal Reserve has implemented multiple interest rate reductions to avert recession and make adjustable rate mortgages more affordable. Congress enacted a law in 2007 that extends mortgage insurance premium deductibility and makes mortgage forgiveness non-taxable for three years. Last month, Congress passed, and President Bush signed into law, a broad stimulus package. The stimulus plan raises the loan limits for the FHA and government sponsored entities (GSE) Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Congress now should quickly consider bipartisan legislation to modernize the FHA and reform regulatory oversight of GSEs and the Federal Home Loan Banks.
The housing industry has also been actively involved in efforts to help stabilize the market. They have begun streamlining the process of modifying subprime loans and making resources more available to borrowers facing foreclosure. HOPE NOW, an alliance of private sector businesses assisting struggling homeowners, recently announced that, since July, loan modifications or repayment plans have helped more than 1 million borrowers avoid foreclosure.
Responsibility also rests in the hands of homeowners. Many homeowners were tempted by low rates and rising real estate values, yet chose not to not to make careless investments. Stabilizing the housing market will improve their home values over time, and reward their efforts. Those who are underwater but are able to make their mortgage payments should fulfill their obligations. On the other hand, borrowers who legitimately cannot afford their mortgages must reach out for help and demonstrate that they want to keep their homes. In order for any government or private sector initiative to be effective, homeowners must be willing to learn about and use the resources made available to them.
There are some in Congress who would enact sweeping government intervention, but many of the tenets of such measures are unnecessary, costly, and counterproductive. Our approach to the housing downturn should provide responsible relief but fall short of a bailout. We must allow the market to correct itself, while lending aid to those at greatest risk.
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Cornyn co-sponsors new legislation to provide housing relief to Texas families
Published March 13, 2008
WASHINGTON—With home foreclosures rising in many states across the country, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn announced Monday, March 10, that he has joined several other Republican Senators in co-sponsoring legislation to provide relief for families currently suffering from the growing housing mortgage crisis.
“Home foreclosures do more than harm individual families and threaten their achievement of the American dream. It also harms their neighbors and communities impacted by rising crime and decreasing property costs,” Sen. Cornyn said today. “Congress should not be bailing out those who took unnecessary risks or sought to make a quick dollar through real estate speculation. But we can take reasonable steps to help states and communities dealing with this growing crisis and provide tax incentives for families to purchase homes that have been foreclosed. I hope Senators in both parties work together to address this growing problem. I believe this legislation represents an important step forward.”
The Security Against Foreclosures and Education (SAFE) Act, co-sponsored by Senator Cornyn and others today, seeks to boost the nation’s confidence in the housing market by providing:
- $10 billion in bond authority to refinance distressed subprime mortgages;
- $15,000 tax credit (spread over three years) for the purchase of a new unoccupied or foreclosed home;
- Expedited delivery of $180 million in loan counseling funds to help families avoid foreclosure that was included in the Omnibus appropriations bill that became law in December;
- Updating Truth In Lending requirements that don’t currently cover newer adjustable rate mortgages so consumers will better understand the loans they are considering;
- Extension of foreclosure protection for veterans from 90 days to six months;
- Federal Housing Administration (FHA) reforms that would make purchasing a home more affordable for many Americans by increasing the loan amounts that FHA can insure and reducing the minimum down payment from 3 percent to 1.5 percent.
Background:
The Mortgage Bankers Association reported last week that loans past due or in foreclosure jumped to 7.9 percent of the total in the fourth quarter, from 7.3 percent at the end of September and 6.1 percent from December 2006. Before the third quarter, the rate had never exceeded 7 percent since 1979, the earliest year for which figures are available.
In addition, the Federal Reserve also reported Thursday that homeowner equity fell below 50 percent in the second quarter of last year, and it fell below 48 percent in the fourth quarter. This marks the first time, since the Federal Reserve started tracking this data in 1945, that the amount of debt tied-up in U.S. homes exceeds the equity homeowners have built up.
Although Texas did have the third-highest number of foreclosures in the country in January, the Dallas Morning News reported Friday that economists from Moody’s Economy.com “continue to see Texas' housing markets holding up well in the current national downturn. Moody's analysts say that the Texas economy – unlike those in California, Nevada, Arizona, Florida and Michigan – is still expanding.”
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Cornyn announces support for one-year moratorium on earmarks
Says Taxpayers Deserve and Demand Greater Accountability from Washington
Published March 13, 2008
WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, Vice-Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference and a member of the Senate Budget Committee, made the following statement March 11 regarding his decision to co-sponsor an amendment offered by Senator Jim DeMint, R-SC, to implement a one-year moratorium on all congressional earmarks during the FY 2009 appropriations cycle:
“America ’s founding fathers understood a free society could not exist without informed citizens and an open, accessible government. That’s why strengthening government transparency and accountability has been among my highest priorities since coming to the Senate. The more information that we can put in the hands of the American people about what Congress does on a daily basis, the stronger our democracy will be. I can think of no area where accountability is more important than the process of how taxpayer dollars are spent.
“Members of Congress, and not just bureaucrats in Washington , should have a say in how their constituents’ tax dollars are allocated. But every earmark ought to be debated and voted on in the clear light of day. There should be a sufficient time period for review and a searchable database so that interested citizens can study the merits of earmarks before they are voted on.
“The current system is broken and it needs to be fixed. Taxpayers in Texas, and across the country, demand and deserve greater fiscal discipline and accountability in Washington. I’ve worked hard in the Senate to reduce the size of government and eliminate wasteful spending—saving taxpayers’ money. It is my hope that by implementing this moratorium and working together to fix this broken process, Congress will send a clear message to the American people that we are listening.”
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A real Energy Independence Plan
By Congressman Lamar Smith
Published March 6, 2008
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U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith (District 21) represents Bandera County in Washington
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Our nation's energy plan should strengthen our economy, lower consumer prices, reduce our dependency on foreign oil and protect the environment. Renewable energy is a very important component to achieving these goals.
The “Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2008” contains some beneficial provisions, such as creating incentives to make energy efficiency improvements to new and existing homes and extending tax credits to encourage the production of alternative forms of energy.
But while it is appropriate to encourage alternative energy development, Congress should not do so by damaging our domestic oil and gas industry. More than one-fourth of the United States natural gas production occurs in Texas, making it the Nation’s leading natural gas producer.
According to the Department of Energy, in 2006 all renewable energy sources provided only 6 percent of the United States domestic energy supply. In contrast oil and natural gas provided 58 percent of our domestic energy supply.
There have been significant advancements in utilizing alternative energy sources and achieving energy efficiency. There are over 2,000 wind turbines in West Texas alone. Texas leads the Nation in wind-powered generation capacity. But our economy still depends on oil and natural gas for significant amounts of its energy. Our economy and way of life demand an energy plan that not only meets today’s needs but prepares us for future needs.
Furthermore, almost two million Americans are directly employed in the oil and natural gas industry.
Punishing one of our Nation’s most important industries does not constitute a national energy policy.
The answer to lowering gas prices and reducing our dependence on foreign oil is not to remove $17.6 billion in tax incentives from the oil and gas industry. The answer is to utilize our domestic resources, such as the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Environmentally safe oil and gas development in areas such as the ANWR will ensure America’s energy freedom.
The answer is also to build new refineries. But no new major refinery has been built in the United States in the past 15 years. Texas’s 25 refineries can process more than 4.6 million barrels of crude oil per day. This accounts for more than one-fourth of the United States total refining capacity.
Another answer is to develop more nuclear energy, as most European and Asian countries have done. But no new nuclear facility has received a construction license in the United States for 30 years, even though safe technology is available.
Instead of penalizing the oil and gas industry, Congress should pass real energy reform, expand domestic exploration of oil and gas, build more refineries and construct more nuclear facilities.
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Progress in the War on Terror: A First-Hand Report
By Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
Published March 6, 2008
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U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
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Last week, I traveled to Iraq, Pakistan, and Afghanistan to evaluate the War on Terror, discuss diplomatic strategies with foreign leaders, and visit our brave troops. Undeniably, we are making dramatic progress in all those countries.
Thanks to the leadership of General David Petraeus and the courage of our servicemen and women, the gains in Iraq have been particularly impressive. The murder rate in Baghdad has plunged by 80 percent, and Al-Qaeda has been routed in every neighborhood. Iraqi forces have formally taken control of security across much of the country, and violence is at its lowest level since 2003. Roadside bomb attacks have receded to a three-year low, while discoveries of “weapons caches” have more than doubled in the last year. The Iraqi Security Forces have grown to 440,000 trained and equipped.
There have also been noteworthy political developments in recent weeks. The Iraqi parliament has passed two laws that should go a long way toward bringing the Sunnis more fully into the governing process, and achieving national reconciliation. The first is a partial amnesty for political prisoners, 80 percent of whom are Sunni, in an effort to achieve reconciliation among the different sects. The other is a $48 billion national budget that allocates government revenue - about 85 percent of which is from oil - to the provinces, allowing more local control, and less from the central government. Taken together, the recent military and political news out of Iraq provides further evidence that our strategies must be determined by events in theater, not timetables set by politicians 6,000 miles away.
In Baghdad, I also visited a local police station to witness the embedding of U.S. troops and Iraqi police. The Iraqis are taking more responsibility as they are being trained. As that transition moves forward, it will be a major step toward decreasing the U.S. presence in Iraq.
While I was in Baghdad, I visited with Texas troops from Dyess Air Force Base, Fort Hood, the Red River Army Depot, and others from the Texas State National Guard. I always treasure the opportunity to speak with our state’s heroes and personally thank them for their tremendous service. Although they remain confident of victory and morale is high, many troops are concerned about V.A. benefits when they return home. I will continue to do everything I can to make sure their needs are met once they leave the battlefield. A grateful nation must care for our fighting men and women even after the guns fall silent.
In Pakistan, I met with President Pervez Musharraf and also the head of the opposition party that led in the recent elections. During these discussions, I expressed my hope that Pakistan and the United States can continue to build our partnership in the fight against terrorism. In addition, I encouraged the Pakistani leaders to work together to resolve their disputes, and put the together a coalition government to strengthen the democracy. A stable, democratic, and terror-free Pakistan is in everyone’s interest.
I also traveled to Afghanistan, where I received military briefings at Bagram Air Force Base and met with many of our courageous service members.
Our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Guardsmen have sacrificed greatly to keep us safe and free, and we must continue to support them as they complete their mission. If we allow al-Qaeda to assume control of Iraq or Afghanistan, the terrorists will escalate their attacks against America and other free countries. Given the high stakes, a premature withdrawal from that part of the world would be short-sighted, irresponsible, and detrimental.
Looking ahead, we must maintain our resolve to win the War on Terror, using the military to hunt down terrorists wherever they live, while also using diplomacy in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iraq to promote peace and democracy in that region. Although some politicians may call for surrender, I remain committed to victory, so that future generations may experience the same freedom that past generations gave to us.
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William F. Buckley
“He was the embodiment of ‘morning in America’”
Published March 6, 2008
SAN ANTONIO —U.S. Sen. John Cornyn made the following statement Wednesday, Feb. 27, regarding the death of William F. Buckley:
“William F. Buckley was the intellectual inspiration for the modern conservative movement. For more than a half-century, he prodded, and questioned, and amused and inspired millions. His work served to lift up countless Americans. His influence on both policy and history is almost immeasurable. America is safer, stronger and freer thanks to his life.
“Mr. Buckley has been honored by President Reagan and countless others for his contributions, and justifiably so. He was the embodiment of “morning in America ,” the optimistic conviction that our values are enduring and our best years are still ahead. His role in the development of conservative thought was unique, and he can never be replaced.”
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Cornyn backs bill to further expedite citizenship process for service men & women
Published March 6, 2008
New bill builds on legislation Sen. Cornyn enacted into law in 2003 to greatly reduce waiting times for those serving on front lines of war on terror.
WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, Ranking Member of the Immigration and Border Security subcommittee, Monday, March 3, announced his support for new legislation that would further expedite the citizenship process for immigrant men and women serving in the U.S. Military. This bill builds on legislation Sen. Cornyn successfully enacted into law to expedite the naturalization process for service members who are not citizens. Sen. Cornyn authored the Military Citizenship Act, S. 897, which was incorporated into the Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004.
Currently, many immigrant members of the United States ’ all-volunteer military are waiting months, even years, for their citizenship applications to be approved. The Kende | | |
