A Weekly e-Newsletter From Senator Johnny Isakson

Statement

A Weekly e-Newsletter From Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA)

August 7, 2009

Dear Friends,

This week, the Senate completed work on several major issues before adjourning for the August work period at home. One of the issues I heard the most about from my constituents this week was the expansion of the "cash for clunkers" auto trade-in program. The Senate passed the legislation yesterday despite my vote against it. This bill will transfer an additional $2 billion from the economic stimulus funds to the "cash for clunkers" program. The program provides vouchers of up to $4,500 to trade in older cars for newer, more fuel-efficient vehicles.

I sought to attach my Homebuyer Tax Credit amendment to the "cash for clunkers" bill to stimulate housing demand and boost the economy by expanding the first-time homebuyer tax credit to a $15,000 tax credit for any buyer of any home. I was disappointed the Senate rejected this amendment by a 47-50 vote.

The "cash for clunkers" program demonstrates what I've known all my life, which is that positive incentives cause positive results. The problem we have, though, is it was not the automobile market that disappeared first in America. It was the collapse of housing market. Every American deserves for Congress to look for positive incentives to bring the housing market back, restore their equity, improve their values and return us back to a vibrant economy. That's why I will continue to offer my Homebuyer Tax Credit whenever I can until it passes.

Judge Sotomayor
On Thursday, Judge Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court was approved by the Senate. I personally interviewed Judge Sonia Sotomayor, and I carefully followed the Judiciary Committee hearings as well as her testimony. After thorough consideration, I voted against her confirmation for two specific reasons. First, Judge Sotomayor's opinions and rulings on cases involving property rights are troubling, especially those favoring the use of eminent domain powers by a government to facilitate the sale or redevelopment of private property. Second, Judge Sotomayor's statement that the Second Amendment to the Constitution is not a fundamental right and that it does not apply to state and local governments is inconsistent with my and, I believe, most Georgians' understanding of the Constitution. I believe a qualified judge is one who understands the value and the strength and the power of the Constitution of the United States of America, who will rule based on the law and who will not legislate based on the position. I do not believe Judge Sotomayor's record has met this standard.

Health Care
The issue that remains foremost on the minds of many of you is health care. On July 15, 2009, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee passed health care reform legislation. I voted against this flawed health care reform plan, because it will cost more than $1 trillion, will put the federal government in an unfair competition with private health insurers and managed care providers and will place a massive financial burden on Georgia and other states to pay for a proposed expansion of Medicaid.

The Senate Finance Committee is also drafting a health care bill dealing with how to pay for this massive health care reform. The HELP and Finance committees are working separately, but at some point their two proposals would be merged in some fashion to bring the issue to the Senate floor.

As a member of the HELP Committee, I recognize the frustrations many Americans have with the current cost and delivery of health care. We must look for solutions to find ways to provide affordable health care to individuals who lack access to health insurance through an employer.

However, the government-run plan included in the HELP bill will decrease choice and quality, because it would be difficult for private entities to compete with the government that regulates them and taxes them and that is exempt from having to pay taxes. I also oppose a mandate in the legislation that would require employers with more than 25 workers provide insurance or pay a penalty, because it will force many small businesses to eliminate jobs.

With a likely cost of more than $1 trillion, I was disappointed that the Committee rejected several amendments designed to reduce frivolous medical lawsuits, which drive up costs and force doctors to order wasteful tests and treatments to cover liabilities.

As part of the legislation, Senate Democrats also proposed an expansion of Medicaid, which would allow individuals who earn up to 150 percent of the federal poverty level to be eligible for full Medicaid benefits. Currently, Medicaid is available only to those who earn up to 100 percent of the poverty level, so the Democrats' plan represents a 50 percent increase. When Medicaid was originally created in 1968, Georgia's total Medicaid spending was nearly $7.7 million, or 1 percent of all state spending. In 2008, Georgia's total Medicaid spending was over $2.4 billion, or 12 percent of all state spending. This proposal would cost Georgia and other states billions of additional dollars to meet the 50 percent increase to their required share of Medicaid costs.

The key to health care reform is stimulating competition in a market-based system that will encourage private health insurers and managed care providers to compete for business and make health insurance more affordable for consumers. Congress should look carefully into proposals that will increase coverage of preventative and wellness care, which will help control the cost of managing chronic disease and drive down the cost of treating largely preventable conditions.

I prefer, and am a co-sponsor of, S.1099, Patients' Choice Act of 2009, which seeks to strengthen the relationship between the patient and the doctor by using choice and competition, rather than rationing and restrictions, to contain costs and ensure affordable health care for all Americans.

Disclosure of Mortgage Terms by Members of Congress
Yesterday, I introduced legislation to increase transparency and strengthen mortgage disclosure requirements for Members of Congress. The legislation would require Members of Congress to make a "full and complete" disclosure of residential mortgages on their annual financial disclosure statements, including the date that the mortgage was entered, the range of the amount, the interest rate, the term, and the name and address of the creditor. Since my first year in Congress, I have always disclosed my home ownership and the mortgages against my home. It's the right thing to do and I believe it should be required of all members of Congress.

I take my role as Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Ethics very seriously and I believe this legislation is a positive step toward increasing transparency.

What's on Tap?

The Senate has adjourned until September 8, 2009. This time at home allows members of the Senate an extensive "homework" period where we are able to travel the state and hear directly from constituents about the work going on in Washington. I look forward to traveling across Georgia and holding statewide conference calls to hear from you on the matters most important to you, your families and your businesses so that I can continue to represent the best interests of all Georgians in Washington.

Sincerely,
Johnny Isakson

Source