Walberg Weekly Wrap-Up

Press Release

Recently I introduced a resolution with a bi-partisan group of members of Congress that honors the men and women in uniform who have sustained combat injuries in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

This resolution expresses the sense of Congress that America is committed to ensuring the highest quality of care for all of our injured heroes, and it encourages all members of Congress and American citizens to show their support and appreciation for the sacrifices of our troops.

Congress has a responsibility to care for veterans, fight to improve veterans care and make sure our heroes receive medical care that is thorough, meets world-class standards and is patient-centered. I am committed to making sure these goals are achieved.

Please join me in supporting our veterans in your communities and honoring those who have worn and presently wear the uniform in service to our country.

Foreclosure Help Available
The Detroit Free Press recently reported that Michigan ranked sixth in the nation for foreclosure filings in February. According to the newspaper, "Michigan ranked in the top 10 nationally for its foreclosure rate of one foreclosure for every 409 households and for the number of filings at 10,957 in February."

This situation could become even worse in March, and many people with high mortgage payments feel as if they have nowhere to turn. Next week I am hosting foreclosure workshops in Battle Creek and Jackson.

The workshops will consist of an hour of presentations and question and answer time on foreclosure prevention with representatives from federal, state and local organizations. Following the first hour, there will be several hours for credit unions, local banks and lenders to answer questions and provide assistance on an individual level.

Do not ignore the problem of the possibility of foreclosure. If you are concerned about losing your home or if you are behind on your payments, please attend one of the foreclosure workshops.

The Jackson workshop starts at noon on Monday, March 24, and will be at LifeWays Community Building, located at 1200 North West Avenue in Jackson. The Battle Creek workshop is at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, March 26, at Burnham Brook Community Center, located at 200 West Michigan Avenue in Battle Creek.

If you are unable to attend or need more information, please call my office at 877-846-6407.

Farm Bill Update
Congress recently passed another Farm Bill extension, and this time the extension lasts until April 18, 2008. This extension keeps in place certain programs originally passed in 2002.

I remain hopeful that Congress will pass a Farm Bill this year that assists the family farm and agriculture community. Last year's legislation died because the majority party inserted a tax increase on manufacturers into the Farm Bill, and hopefully this destructive tax hike will not be included this year. The recently passed extension only continues certain programs until a new bill is passed.

As the only Michigan member of the House Agriculture Committee, I understand the importance of putting in place a policy that gives our farmers certainty for the future. Already, we are entering in to planting season and without predictability in the weather, the federal government should at least have predictability in its policy.

Farmers throughout the country are planting crops or preparing fields without any idea of what policy, if any, will be in place when their crops are pulled out of the ground later this year. This is unacceptable. Michigan farmers have already waited too.

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