Pickering's Mississippi E-Memo #43
Pickering's Mississippi E-Memo
Congressman Chip Pickering
Friday - 11/18/2005 - #43
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: Congress prepares to leave Washington DC tonight for the Thanksgiving District Work Period. This week the House of Representatives passed a number of important measures including the Deficit Reduction Act (HR4241), Military Quality of Life and VA Appropriations Act (HR2528), Hurricane Regulatory Relief Act (HR3975), National Flood Insurance Program (HR4133), Federal Youth Coordination ACT (HR856), Child Medication Safety Act (HR1790), Departments of Transportation, Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act (HR3058), a continuing appropriations act (HJRES72), and a resolution commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (HConRes288). Congressman Pickering voted for these measures. (For more information on the education bills: www.house.gov/pickering/ThreeEducation.htm)
The House of Representatives rejected two significant measures this week and Congressman Pickering voted to reject these measures. First was the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (HR3010). Pickering voted against this measure because important funding for rural healthcare and Mississippi healthcare facilities had been stripped from the bill. Pickering hopes when the bill is reworked and reconsidered, that Mississippi's healthcare needs will be addressed. (For more information: www.house.gov/pickering/HealthCare.htm). Second was a resolution (HRES572) calling for the immediate withdrawal of American troops from Iraq. Congressman Pickering believes our troops should not be in Iraq one minute more than necessary to complete their work. But he believes to cut-and-run and let the enemies of freedom embroil Iraq in civil war, establish a terrorist friendly regime, destabilize the region and return oppression to the people of Iraq would squander the legacy of our soldiers. Pickering voted against this measure, the defeat of which gave resounding reassurance to our troops that Congress supports their mission: the vote to immediately withdraw failed 3 to 403 with 6 voting "present."
FEDERAL FLOOD INSURANCE INCREASED: The federal flood insurance program that provides funds for those whose homes were damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Katrina and had flood insurance initially had borrowing authority for $2 billion. The damage from Katrina and Rita is expected to cost the program about $22 billion. Soon after the storm, Congress increased the borrowing authority to $3.5 billion and earlier this week the House approved a measure increasing it again to $8.5 billion. The Senate increased the House authorization to $18 billion and passed that measure Friday afternoon. Friday evening shortly before midnight, the House of Representatives approved by unanimous consent that $18 billion borrowing authority. Those with flood insurance will soon receive their money. (Congress continues to work toward assisting those not in the federal flood zone and for more information on that see: www.house.gov/pickering/HomeAct.htm)
MEDICAID FUNDING FOR MISSISSIPPI APPROVED: The Deficit Reduction Act (HR4241) passed by the House of Representatives this week was a victory for fiscal responsibility, but also provided relief to Mississippi's state budget by funding 100% of Mississippi's Medicaid budget for 8 ½ months: which could save $850 million for Mississippi. This provision, included by Congressman Pickering as a relief measure as a result of Hurricane Katrina, will allow Mississippi to fund healthcare needs and strengthen the budget to address education, infrastructure and economic expansion projects. (For more information: www.house.gov/pickering/MSMedicaid.htm)
AGRICULTURE UPDATE: This week HR4341 was introduced with Congressman Pickering as an original cosponsor. This legislation removes excessive regulation from farmers including poultry and cattle ranchers. The legislation would exclude manure from consideration as a hazardous substance. As farmers return nutrition to their land by spreading manure, and as organic farming which needs natural fertilizer increases in size, this legislation will prevent agriculture lands from being designated in the same way as hazardous and toxic industrial areas. This legislation will remove an excessive environmental regulation from agriculture and clarify Congress's original intent in previous environmental legislation.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY: Friday morning Congressman Pickering worked at a Habitat for Humanity house on the National Mall before heading to Congress. The house was one of 51 being constructed and shipped to victims of Hurricane Katrina and Rita. Pickering worked with other Mississippians and volunteers from the Washington DC area. "Habitat for Humanity provides an example of what the private sector can do through volunteer work and compassion to assist families in need. These houses are more than a place to stay warm and dry, they provide stability and communicate caring and let Mississippians in need know the rest of the country has not forgotten us," Pickering said. (For more information: www.house.gov/pickering/CoastHousing.htm)
$16.7 MILLION IN FUNDING FOR 3RD DISTRICT: Friday, the House of Representatives passed legislation bringing more than $16.7 million in federal funding to Mississippi's Third District. Funds were directed to Mississippi airports, highways, a school, tourism projects, Mississippi State University and community development projects. Pickering said, "These local priorities increase the quality of life and value of our communities and I am pleased to work with Senators Cochran and Lott to seek funding for these projects. Efficient transportation, better schools, increased tourism and community development mean more jobs and greater prosperity for Mississippi." (For more information a list of projects: www.house.gov/pickering/Approps.htm)
MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT TV: This weekend on Saturday (November 19) and Sunday (November 20) at 5:30pm (central), Dr. Mark B. McClellan, Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), will appear on CNBC on a paid program sponsored by the Department of Health and Human Services to explain how the new Medicare prescription drug coverage works and how people with Medicare can choose a plan. For those making a decision, I encourage you to watch this program. Other sources of information include calling 1-800-MEDICARE, visiting www.medicare.gov online or visiting www.eldercare.gov to find sources of personalized assistance in your neighborhood. Congressman Pickering said, "One easy way for seniors to pick their Medicare prescription drug benefit is to visit their pharmacist with a list of their medicines and dosage. The pharmacist can help seniors find the best plan to save the most money in drug costs. Community health centers, faith based organizations, friends and families should also help seniors who are having trouble picking a plan. (For more information: www.medicare.gov)
CHIP PICKERING ONLINE NEWS:
Pickering says deficit cutting bill has money for Mississippi Medicaid (AP: 11/18)
Pickering: $16.7 million in 3rd District Funding (Release: 11/18)
Pickering: House Passes $850 Million for Mississippi Medicaid (Release: 11/18)
Pickering: $5.4 million for Simpson, Lincoln, Covington, Marion, Adams Counties (Release: 11/18)
Pickering: $8.7 million for Rankin / Madison Transportation Projects (Release: 11/18)
Pickering: $2.7 million for Starkville Projects (Release: 11/18)
Pickering: $600K for Meridian Projects (Release: 11/18)
Pickering Builds With Habitat for Mississippi Coast (Release: 11/18)
Pickering Column: Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Sign-Up Begins (Release: 11/17)
Barton Eyes December Action on Telecom Reform Measure (NJ Telecom Update: 11/17)
Pickering Supports Mississippi and Rural Healthcare with Vote on Labor/HHS (Release: 11/17)
Mississippi Highway 16 opens with ribbon cutting ceremony (Neshoba Democrat: 11/16)
From broadcast to broadband (UPI: 11/16)
Pickering: House Passes Hurricane Education Bill; 3 More Education Bills (Release: 11/16)
Conservatives Mobilize Against Activist Atheist (CNSNews.com: 11/15)
Cochran to push relief grants (Jackson Clarion Ledger: 11/15)
Pickering Urges Seniors to Sign-Up for Medicare Drug Benefit (Release: 11/15)
http://www.house.gov/pickering/EMemo43.htm