The Washington Hotline
Op-Ed
The Washington Hotline
This week the House convened for legislative business on Tuesday and concluded votes on domestic legislation Thursday evening. Early in the week, General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker appeared before Congress to deliver their second, long awaited Iraq Progress Report. Wednesday, the House successfully passed the National Landscape Conservation System Act (H.R. 2016), which aims to conserve, protect, and restore nationally significant landscapes. Read on to learn more about my week.
On Capitol Hill
Response to Iraq Progress Report
I regard the Petraeus-Crocker presentation as positive. Their testimony strongly reinforces my view that we must move now to lay the groundwork for a systematic reduction of our troop presence in Iraq and change our mission in the region. If there is any pause in the drawdown of American troops, it must be temporary and coupled with a clear commitment to achieve a major transition this year. While our troops have successfully reduced violence and seriously compromised Al-Quaida in Iraq's capabilities, we need to shift more of the responsibility for security to the Iraqi government. More of story
To learn more about my work on Iraq War policy, click HERE.
Affordable Housing Initiative
This week the House Ways and Means Committee advanced H.R. 5720, the Housing Assistance Tax Act of 2008, which aims to promote affordable housing initiatives in local communities. At a time when American families are feeling the financial squeeze from the slowing economy, Congress ought to pursue policies that will stabilize the housing market and ensure Americans can continue to achieve the American dream of homeownership. Although this legislation is not as strong as I would have liked, it will likely serve as a step forward in helping to ease the burden of the current housing crisis on American working families. More of story
To learn more about my work on tax policy, click HERE.
Freeze Members' Pay
In recent weeks, House leadership has made clear that Members can expect a salary increase next year. Since taking office, I have consistently opposed every congressional pay raise. The current subprime housing crisis coupled with volatile energy prices, rising costs in healthcare and looming tax increases has threatened the financial well being of American working families and employers across the country. Now, in the face of new, unprecedented economic challenges, Congress wants to give itself a pay raise? It is simply absurd. More of story
In District
Congratulations!
The following libraries in Pennsylvania's 3rd district received this year's National Endowment for the Humanities' (NEH) "We The People" Bookshelf program award. The libraries will each receive 17 classic books on the theme of "Created Equal."
East High School Library in Erie County
Conneaut Lake Elementary School Library in Crawford County
Community Library of the Shenango Valley in Mercer County
Moniteau Junior-Senior High School Library in Butler County
For more information on this program, click HERE.
3rd District Services
Don't forget, my 3rd district staff can assist local residents with problems they might have with federal agencies such as Social Security, Medicare, military and veteran's affairs and immigration. U.S. Flags can be purchased through my office and we can even assist you with your visit to the nation's capital.
For more information contact one of my offices today.
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