Op-Ed: U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert E-Newsletter

Statement

Dear Friend,

This week in Washington ended with a small victory for taxpayers. Yesterday, by a vote of 345-75, the House voted to cut off all funding to an organization known as ACORN. I was among those voting to stop the flow of federal money to this group, which has been repeatedly linked to organized voter fraud and most recently made headlines after ACORN employees were videotaped providing advice for criminal tax evasion. Even before the vote, I had been working to protect taxpayer dollars from ACORN; earlier this week, I signed on as a cosponsor to H.R. 3571, the Defund ACORN Act. And yesterday, as the Ranking Member of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, I called for a hearing into ACORN's activities. Click here or on the image below to watch the video.

Judy calls for an investigation of ACORN
But, as you are probably aware, healthcare remained the biggest topic of discussion this week. On Wednesday, Senator Max Baucus introduced his long-awaited, supposedly bi-partisan, healthcare bill; unfortunately, I don't think that this is the sort of healthcare bill the country needs, and reports indicate that members from both sides of the aisle agree. Personally, I'm not convinced that it will actually reduce long-term healthcare costs while preserving the high-quality private coverage that many enjoy today. It also relies heavily on new taxes on American businesses and significant cuts to Medicare.

On the foreign policy front, there are two recent developments that I'd like to comment on. Yesterday it was announced that the Administration has canceled plans to deploy a missile defense system in Poland and the Czech Republic. Long opposed by Russian leaders, the system was designed to protect Europe from the long-range missile threats posed by Iran and other rogue states. Previously, America's commitment to move forward with the deployment despite Russian criticism had helped strengthen our ties of respect and friendship among key allies in the Czech Republic and Poland. Unfortunately, much of that good will was squandered yesterday, exactly 70 years to the day after the Soviet Union invaded Poland in 1939. I think we should have stuck by our friends, and I'm disappointed by this Administration's decision to abandon this important strategic defense initiative.

Finally, last Saturday night, the Administration also initiated what some view as the beginning of a trade war with China, imposing a 35% tariff on tires imported into the United States. In doing so, we have not only invited Chinese counter-measures, but I feel that we have diminished our position as a global leader on free trade. I have always fought for free trade and been a firm believer in the old adage that "political friendships follow the trade lanes." These policies have consistently resulted in economic benefits for the United States and I'll continue to fight for them -- even if it's not popular at the White House.

As always, it is an honor to serve you. Please do not hesitate to contact my office in Willowbrook at (630) 655-2052 or in Washington, DC at (202) 225-3515 if I can be of assistance to you.

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