Randy's Roundup (My Call For Fiscally Responsible Emergency Legislation)

My Call For Fiscally Responsible Emergency Legislation

When emergencies - such as the 9/11 terrorist attacks or Hurricane Katrina - occur, Congress often responds by passing emergency appropriations bills to fund the federal response and recovery efforts. Emergency appropriations can be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, they help provide much-needed resources to devastated areas as quickly as possible. However, they often also serve as magnets for unrelated, non-emergency spending.

Take, for example, President Bush's request earlier this year for emergency funds to support the War on Terror. Along the way, additional funds to pay for Hurricane Katrina recovery costs were added. But the additional spending didn't stop there. A closer look at the final bill reveals $2 million for water systems in Hawaii, $400,000 to keep Asian carp out of the Great Lakes, and $30 million was approved for "flood control projects" in Sacramento, California. This is just a sampling of the unrelated items that were tucked into the bill. While these projects may be worthwhile, they had nothing to do with winning the War on Terror or helping the people along the Gulf Coast get back on their feet.

Is there a solution? I believe there is. I have introduced legislation that would restore some order and fiscal responsibility to the emergency appropriations process. My bill - the Responsible Emergency Appropriation Limits (REAL) Supplemental Act - mandates that a supplemental can only provide for a single emergency, contain only emergency spending, and must be free of earmarks.

There are times when emergencies or other unforeseen events take place. And often Congress has a responsibility to respond quickly. But when it responds, Congress should do so while spending taxpayer dollars responsibly. Considering each emergency bill on its own merits and keeping earmarks far away from the bill will help us reach these goals.

House Passes Series of Bills to Bolster National Security

The House passed a series of measures last week that will help our military and our intelligence fight and win the War on Terror. These bills addressed a wide range of topics including military housing, tracking terrorists and securing our ports.

On Friday, the House approved the SAFE Port Act, which provides $400 million per year for port security grants, and requires the Department of Homeland Security to deploy nuclear and radiological detection systems to cover 98% of all incoming cargo. The bill also establishes three pilot programs to evaluate the feasibility of conducting 100% scanning of cargo containers for nuclear and radiological material at foreign seaports.
Another bill that we worked on last week authorizes the Department of Defense to fund the construction of 199 new homes at Dyess Air Force Base. I have worked closely with House leadership and DOD to make sure these funds - a total of $49.2 million - are made available. The brave men and women serving at Dyess and their families deserve quality housing, and this money will help make that a reality.

To read more on the other national security bills that will help capture and prosecute terrorists, visit the "Newsroom"on my website

http://www.house.gov/list/hearing/tx19_neugebauer/morenews/RR100206.html