Space Celebrates Seven Months of Accomplishments

Press Release

SPACE CELEBRATES SEVEN MONTHS OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS

As the 110th Congress approaches the August work period, Congressman Zack Space (D-OH) celebrated the extensive record of accomplishments made in just the first six months of the 110th Congress. During his short Congressional tenure, he has emerged as a leader on a number of issues of vital importance to Ohio's 18th Congressional District including stronger ethics reform, providing health insurance to millions of children, fighting efforts to provide amnesty and taxpayer-funded benefits to illegal immigrants, and crafting a Farm Bill based on the needs of Southeastern Ohio farmers.

"I am very proud of what the fresh new faces in Congress have been able to accomplish in such a short period of time," Space said. "I have successfully urged Congress to pass the most comprehensive ethics reform in history, passed provisions to expand rural broadband access, stood up for the needs of my district's farmers, and fought for short-changed veterans. I also voted to ensure millions of children receive health insurance coverage and made sure illegal immigrants are denied taxpayer funded handouts. We have a very long way to go, but we have come much farther than anyone expected."

"When my constituents sent me to Congress, they were looking for a fresh start - a break from the embarrassing representation that gave the 18th a bad name. With so much trust placed in me, I knew I had to hit the ground running, and that effort has already paid off."

"Every day, I fight hard for Ohio's 18th Congressional District, and I am excited about the progress we will make in the next year and a half."

Over the last seven months, Congressman Space achieved a number of accomplishments in the following areas:

Rural Broadband Expansion

* Passed broadband funding loan provisions in the Farm Bill that will make it easier for companies to bring this technology to rural areas
* Held a series of Connecting Appalachia Broadband Summits to gather information from the community and the industry to find solutions to the access problem
* Formed the Rural Broadband Task Force which consists of public officials, local leaders, and representatives of the telecommunications industry

Agriculture

* Included interstate meat shipment in the Farm Bill that opens up the shipping process to make it easier for farmers to bring their livestock to market
* Expanded and streamlined the EQIP program to enhance conservation programs
* Provided for federal coordinators to support RC&D Councils in their mission to make our communities better places to live
* Secured provisions to protect our rural historic landmarks

Ethics Reform

* Outlawed gifts, travel, and meals from lobbyists to legislators
* Brought about the largest increase in oversight and disclosure of lobbyists activities
* Voted to deny retirement benefits for Members who are convicted of crimes

Veterans

* Funded veterans programs at $12.1 billion - more than ever before
* Began to deal with the mental scars that war leaves on our veterans by passing legislation to improve and expand Traumatic Brain Injury care, services, and research
* Worked to significantly reduce the 400,000-plus claims backlog for veterans waiting for disability and other benefits by adding more than 1,100 new claims processors
* Demanded the President take action to fix the disability payment discrepancy which currently pays Ohio veterans the least of any stateHeld the first-ever Joint Field Hearing for the Veterans' Affairs Committees in New Philadelphia

Appalachian Regional Commission

* Reversed efforts to dramatically cut ARC funding
* Secured $48 million in ARC funds to expand alternative energy research in Southeastern Ohio
* Named Co-Chairman of the Appalachian Caucus

"This is only the beginning. I came to Washington as an agent for change, and I will not stop with my efforts until we have restored the faith of the American people in their elected officials," Space said.

Congressman Space represents Ohio's 18th Congressional District. Elected in 2006, he is working to restore integrity to the office, expand Ohio's economy, and support renewable energy.

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