Newsletter - Barletta Bulletin 6/12/13
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Employees at the Alcoa plant in Bloomsburg, PA observing a flag that was flown over the United States Capitol in honor of our nation's veterans.
On May 27, 2013, Americans across the country celebrated Memorial Day by honoring our nation's heroes.
We are eternally grateful and indebted to the men and women who have paid the ultimate price in the defense of our nation and the freedoms we hold dear.
Many times, these veterans require medical care and supplemental benefits as a result of their brave service. I believe we owe the men and women who served the United States of America at least that much. Therefore, I will continue to ensure veterans in Pennsylvania and across the country receive the benefits they need and rightfully deserve.
Let us always remember our veterans' sacrifices and offer our prayers and support for those currently serving our nation at home and abroad, as well as their families who give so much for our continued liberty.
From Washington...
SARAH MURNAGHAN'S STORY
For the past week, I have been fighting to bring to light Sarah Murnaghan's fight for equitable treatment and the right to life. Sarah is a 10-year-old Pennsylvania resident suffering from cystic fibrosis, who is in desperate need of a life-saving lung transplant. Sarah was at the top of the transplant list, but was prevented from being at the front of the available organ list because of the differentiation between pediatric and adult lungs. Adult lungs are only available for children ages 12 or older.
Therefore, on June 4, 2013, I questioned U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on Sarah's behalf. Secretary Sebelius' response was disheartening to say the least. She commented, "This is an incredibly agonizing situation where someone lives and someone dies." In response, I sent an official letter to HHS requesting equitable treatment -- not special or extraordinary treatment -- and asking that Sarah be considered for a transplant based on the severity of her illness, not her age.
Last week, a federal judge filed an injunction for her case, buying her a little more time to find a donor. This acknowledged her right to be included in the larger donor pool, not just the pediatric group. Most recently, on June 10, 2013, the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) announced that they would allow for a case-by-case review of pediatric transplant candidates while a year-long review of the policy is undertaken.
This is welcome news and a victory for children like Sarah Murnaghan and Javier Acosta, who have been desperately waiting for lung transplants that seemed almost impossible. Hopefully OPTN's decision will mean a greater chance of survival for them and others who fall into their category.
At the time of this publication, Sarah is recieving a lung transplant. This news is a blessing for Sarah and her family. I can only hope that other children who are facing similar life-threatening situations will recieve the same opportunity for life. Please keep Sarah, her family, and the family and friends of the donor of this potentially life-saving gift in your prayers.
IMMIGRATION UPDATE
As you may know, the so-called "Gang of Eight" in the Senate and the House plan have proposed various immigration reform measures, which include amnesty. I do not believe this is the right path to take on immigration for our nation.
As mayor of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, I saw firsthand how illegal immigration can affect a community. Our population grew by fifty percent, but our tax base stayed the same. If we offer amnesty to untold millions of illegal immigrants already here, or who may be enticed to come once amnesty is offered, the costs to American taxpayers will be staggering.
Additionally, national security concerns should be paramount. We now know that one of the new suspects in the Boston bombing case was allowed back into the country despite having an invalid student visa. Also, almost indescribably, two of the hijackers from September 11, 2011, were not granted their visas until after they had died in the attacks of that fateful day. All of this is unacceptable and would be exacerbated by granting amnesty to perhaps tens of millions of illegal immigrants.
While it is commonplace to discuss border security in terms of our northern, southern, and coastal borders, it is important to remember that nearly half of the illegal immigrants currently in the country arrived on a visa, saw the visa expire, and never returned home. In short, if your state is home to an international airport, you effectively live in a border state.
Finally, granting amnesty would do a great disservice to legal immigrants who have followed our laws in arriving here.
They would be forced to compete for jobs and services that are already scarce. To offer amnesty to illegal immigrants would effectively tell people who followed the law that they wasted their time and that their efforts are worth no more than someone who broke the law.
These immigration plans and any semblance of amnesty should be put aside while we focus on securing our borders first.
PUTTING AMERICA'S STUDENTS FIRST
The cost of attending an institution of higher education has steadily increased over the past several decades. As a result, in 2007, the Democrat-led Congress approved legislation to temporarily phase down the interest rate on subsidized Stafford Loans made to undergraduate students from 6.8 percent to 3.4 percent over four years. Once the law expired in 2012, the interest rates would jump back to 6.8 percent. Despite a one-year extension of the lower interest rate, students and families could see interest rates for new subsidized student loans double on July 1, 2013, unless a long-term solution is enacted.
As a father who helped send my four daughters to college, I recognize the importance of creating certainty for parents and students about federal financial aid programs. Therefore, on May 23, 2013, the House passed the Smarter Solutions for Students Act (H.R. 1911) with my support. This bipartisan commonsense solution moves all federal student loans (except Perkins loans) to a market-based interest rate, similar to the president's proposal in his budget request for Fiscal Year 2014 (FY14). Under H.R. 1911, student loan interest rates would reset once a year and move with the free market, much like they did from 1992 to 2006.
It's time to move away from a system that allows Washington politicians to use student loan interest rates as bargaining chips, creating uncertainty and confusion for borrowers. I will continue to look for ways to reduce college costs and prevent tuition hikes, while also keeping student loan programs available for those students who need it the most.
ADVOCATING FOR TOBYHANNA ARMY DEPOT
Currently, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is considering sites within 150 miles of New York City for the new location of the FAA's Integrated Control Facility for air traffic controllers. However, right now locations outside of New York State are not being considered. Therefore, I sent a letter to the FAA Administrator Michael Huerta advocating Tobyhanna Army Depot as the new location for this facility. Representatives Tom Marino (PA-10) and Matthew Cartwright (PA-17) also signed my letter.
Tobyhanna, which is located 81.3 miles from downtown New York City is a state-of-the-art facility which would provide unique technology and security advantages. Additionally, Pennsylvania could offer a significantly lower cost-of-living standard for current and future employees.
The federal government must eliminate federal overspending. This begins by making commonsense leasing and procurement decisions regarding federal buildings.
..To Pennsylvania
A PENNSYLVANIAN COMES TO D.C.
On May 23, 2013, I had the great pleasure of spending time with Samantha Scott-Murphy as part of Foster Youth Shadow Day on Capitol Hill, where Members of Congress spend time with young people to help them envision themselves in roles of leadership. Samantha has overcome many obstacles in her young life and is looking forward to a bright future helping other young people like herself succeed.
Samantha has spent the past few years working as a youth advocate for both the Pennsylvania Youth Advisory Board and the Juvenile Law Center. She served as the Juvenile Law Center's youth representative on the statewide Youth Advisory Board, which advises Pennsylvania's Department of Public Welfare about foster care issues across the state.
It was great to meet her in Washington, D.C., and I know she will continue to advocate for and aid Pennsylvania's foster youth. Similarly, as a member of the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth and the Congressional Adoption Caucus, I will continue to work to strengthen the child welfare system and improve the overall well-being of youth and families across America.
A DAY IN MONTOUR COUNTY
On May 2, 2013, I had the privilege of spending the day in Montour County. In the morning, I toured the Montour Steam Electric Station. It is an impressive coal-fired plant that puts out 1,525 megawatts, while also reducing particulates and gaseous emissions.
Pennsylvania has always led America's production of energy. I will continue to support clean-coal technology that protects public health and our environment, and I am committed to developing alternative energy sources, which are essential to a thriving economy and our national security.
Later that day, I met with Montour County Commissioners Trevor Finn, Jack Gerst, and Jerry Ward. We discussed several issues affecting the county and Pennsylvania. I am convinced that some of the greatest ideas come from outside of Washington, D.C., and I believe we can effectively work together to address the issues facing our nation.
Legislative Update
LEGISLATIVE LETTERS TO:
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director John Morton and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Deputy Commissioner Thomas Winkowski requesting information on the manner and timeliness in which ICE currently shares student visa-related information with CBP.
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Dr. Francis Collins urging NIH to continue research on dystonia through its ongoing programs and through the proposed Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) urging them to keep knives off planes.
Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary LaHood requesting that DOT support U.S. Airways application to serve Sao Paulo, Brazil from Philadelphia International Airport. Daily, nonstop service to Brazil's largest city would be beneficial to businesses and travelers throughout the Greater Philadelphia Area.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to reconsider its decision to no longer allow small community pharmacies to deliver diabetes testing supplies (DTS) to homebound patients as well as patients in long term care and assisted living facilities.
Treasury Secretary Jack Lew asking that he investigate and provide more information to the public about the targeting of Tea Party organizations by IRS auditors.
COSPONSORED LEGISLATION:
The Student Visa Security Improvement Act (H.R. 640), which would require ICE personnel stationed at overseas high-risk visa issuing posts to review student visa applications. H.R. 640 would also authorize DHS to decertify a school's visa program if the school is caught defrauding the student visa process.
The District of Columbia Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (H.R. 1797) to make abortion procedures performed after 20 weeks illegal in the District of Columbia. H.R. 1797 would provide an exception if the mother's life is at risk.
The Kids First Research Act of 2013 (H.R. 2019) to provide for a 10 year pediatric research initiative, including research for autism, through the Common Fund administered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
IMPORTANT VOTE: Northern Route Approval Act (H.R. 3)
On May 22, 2013, the House passed and I supported the Northern Route Approval Act (H.R. 3), which clears the way for construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. The debate on the Keystone XL pipeline has gone on for more than four years now, and the Administration has used all of its powers to stall and delay.
The benefits of the construction would be many. According to the State Department, the construction of the pipeline will create more than 42,000 American jobs and result in nearly a million barrels of oil per day to U.S. refineries from our neighbor and ally, Canada. Additionally, TransCanada estimates that it will spend $7 billion in the U.S. to build the pipeline, and $585 million in state and local taxes will be paid along the construction route.
In Pennsylvania, we are sitting on vast amounts of natural resources that would make our state a leader in the world -- not just the United States. I will continue to actively examine legislation that will increase American energy production and, in return, lower gasoline prices; create American jobs; generate revenue to help reduce the national debt and deficit; and strengthen our national security by decreasing our dependence on foreign oil.
How I Can Help You
* Federal agencies
* Federal grants
* Military and veterans issues * Service academy nominations
* Tours and tickets in Washington, D.C.
* Internships
How You Can Help Me
I remain convinced that some of the best solutions to America's problems come from outside of Washington, D.C. I will be hosting a series of town halls in the future. I invite you to join me for these events to voice any questions, concerns, or suggestions you may have. Please stay tuned for the exact times and dates.
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