The Friday Faxline

Op-Ed

The Friday FAXLINE

The Weekly Update from Congressman Joe Pitts

Independence Day highlights dependence on foreign energy

Lawmakers left town last week for the Independence Day recess without considering a single piece of legislation that would increase American made energy and decrease our dependence on foreign sources of energy. Yet, while lawmakers are back home with their constituents, there is no doubt they will hear stories about how gas prices are affecting American families. A poll this week conducted by the Associated Press indicated nine out of ten people are expecting the skyrocketing cost of gas at the pump to squeeze them financially over the next six months. Another poll released this week by the Pew Center indicates that a growing amount of people believe we must take more steps to increase production of energy here at home. Perhaps the holiday weekend will encourage Congressional leadership to come back to D.C. and schedule votes on legislation to allow the U.S. to reduce our dependence on foreign sources of energy.

Chinese government cracks down on dissent before Olympics

The Chinese government has shown its true repressive colors this year in the run up to the Beijing Olympics in August. This week, two of my colleagues and friends, Reps. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Frank Wolf (R-VA) were in China and planned to visit with Chinese dissident attorneys. But Chinese security officials kept that from happening by taking the lawyers away or placing them under house arrest. Smith noted the crackdown is more of the same in the run up to the Olympics. "Tragically, the Olympics has triggered a massive crackdown designed to silence and put beyond reach all those whose views differ from the official 'harmonious' government line," Smith said. On this Independence Day weekend, it is important to note that many millions of people throughout the world, including those in China, continue to live without the most basic freedoms we enjoy here in America.

Columbian hostages, including 3 Americans, freed without harm

Good news came from Colombia this week as the Colombian military, in a brilliant operation, freed 15 hostages being held by the leftist terror group FARC. The hostages, some of which had been held for years, included three American security contractors. The operation went off without a single shot fired, as Colombian security officials had infiltrated FARC and tricked the rebels into putting the hostages on a helicopter that eventually brought them to freedom. It is yet another victory for Colombian President Alvaro Uribe in his effort to crack down on the terrorist and paramilitary forces that have made life in Colombia brutal and violent for years. President Uribe, a strong U.S. ally in the region, has done yeoman's work in establishing peace and security in Colombia. The effort is yet one more reason why Congress should move quickly to confirm a trade agreement with Colombia that would further support Uribe's efforts to turn Colombia into a stable, democratic nation in a region that has turned decidedly anti-American and un-democratic in recent years. Unfortunately, the trade agreement is being held hostage by Speaker Pelosi's office over claims of labor union violence and a dispute with President Bush over procedure.

Remembering those away from home for Independence Day

As we celebrate the 4th of July holiday this year, it's important to take a moment and honor the service of our men and women in uniform. There are many in our armed services who will not be able to attend family picnics and barbecues with friends, because they will be serving abroad, many in harm's way, or have given the ultimate sacrifice. We would not celebrate an Independence Day each year if we did not have such dedicated troops serving to defend our freedoms and our way of life. It is our brave soldiers that continue to take up the call to service that stand vigilant in protection of our most basic freedoms. We owe a sincere debt of gratitude to their service.

Quote of the Week

"The people who can least afford this are getting hit the worst."

-- Glen Falk, retail pricing manager at the Oil Price Information Service, on the impact soaring gas prices are having on low-income, fixed-income, and rural Americans.

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