Newsletter - Barletta Bulletin 7/16/13

Statement

As you may know, since my first day in Congress, I have been working to fix our broken immigration system. I believe there should be no talk of amnesty until our borders are secure.

In the wake of the Senate passage of an illegal immigration bill, I am reminded that we have immigration laws for two reasons: to protect our national security and to protect American jobs. The Senate bill violates both principles. We must make sure our visa program is repaired, and we need a full accounting of what went wrong when amnesty was granted in 1986.

Therefore, on July 9, 2013, I introduced two pieces of legislation to address these problems: the Visa Overstay Enforcement Act of 2013 (H.R. 2631) and the 1986 Amnesty Transparency Act (H.R. 2630). The first bill establishes for the first time that a visa overstay is a felony criminal offense as opposed to a civil offense. It also enacts a biometric exit program at all ports of exit. H.R. 2630 requires the Comptroller General to provide a comprehensive report on the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. For more information about these two bills, visit my website.

From Washington...

Remembering and Recognizing America's Fighter Aces

I cosponsored the American Fighter Aces Congressional Gold Medal Act (H.R. 685), which establishes a Congressional Gold Medal to honor United States pilots who destroyed at least five enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The estimated 1,500 pilots qualified as aces nationally would be honored collectively with one medal to be displayed at the Smithsonian Institution. Additionally, several Fighter Aces hail from our region of Pennsylvania, including Thomas J. Lynch, Hazleton (top left); William R. Beyer, Danville (top right); Charles Hauver, Bloomsburg (bottom left); and Joseph Kruzel, Wilkes-Barre (bottom right).

These brave men were vital in our efforts to preserve and promote peace and freedom, as they risked their lives with every mission they undertook. It is essential we take the steps to honor this elite group of heroes who gave so much of themselves to preserve the American way of life.

Ensuring American Taxpayer Dollars Are Spent Responsibly

As the Chairman of the Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I introduced a bill to reform the General Services Administration (GSA) and save taxpayer money. The Public Buildings Savings and Reform Act of 2013 (H.R. 2612) would reduce the space footprint, space utilization, increase transparency, and ensure effective oversight, including requiring reporting of conferences prior to events.

There are thousands of square feet of unused office space spread around federal buildings, and in one case -- the Nuclear Regulatory Commission -- they have asked for more, even though they are not fully using the space they already have. The Committee has already approved reductions in office space that will save nearly $500 million dollars, but there is still more work to be done.

Additionally, government agencies have made headlines with their extravagant parties and conferences. We have to have a better grip on that frivolous spending. Across Pennsylvania and our nation, families and businesses operate under a budget. They are forced to live within their means. For too long, federal agencies have spent taxpayer resources with little conscience, and it's time they are held accountable.

On July 10, 2013, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure unanimously approved H.R. 2612. This legislation currently awaits a vote by the full House.

Putting America's Students First

As you may know, subsidized student loans increased from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent on July 1, 2013. I am extremely disappointed that the Senate failed to act on the Smarter Solutions for Students Act (H.R. 1911), which the House passed on May 23, 2013. This legislation moves all federal student loans (except Perkins loans) to a market-based interest rate, similar to the president's proposal in his budget request for Fiscal Year 2014 (FY14).

As a father who helped send my four daughters to college, I recognize the importance of creating certainty for parents and students about federal financial aid programs. It is my sincere hope that the Senate will put America's students first by acting quickly to fix the increase in rates as soon as possible.

In Case You Missed It

The Obama Administration has postponed the implementation of the employer mandate of Obamacare. The fact that the employer mandate has now been put off for another year is further proof that the program just doesn't work. I have always believed that Obamacare is a bad law and a bad deal for hardworking Americans.

...To Pennsylvania
Touring Sunbury Textile Mills

On Friday, July 12, 2013, at Sunbury Textile Mills, I had the opportunity to announce a grant of $799,994 to the City of Sunbury for improvements to its storm water system from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA), which will be matched with funds from the Sunbury Municipal Authority.

This grant will help the City of Sunbury to be better able to handle flood waters. These emergencies are not entirely predictable, but what we do know is that the infrastructure leading to the Spring Run Pump Station is antiquated, insufficient, and is just a disaster waiting to happen. Floods can cause loss of life and property, and as Sunbury experienced, can be heavily damaging to the local economy.

At present, Sunbury's Spring Run Pump Station is served by an undersized, old style storm water system consisting of terra-cotta and concrete pipes. This system has repeatedly reached capacity during heavy rains, and is unable to discharge excess storm water to Shamokin Creek or the Susquehanna River, resulting in water back-up and potentially damaging floods. Increasing the capacity of the storm water system will allow excess flows during heavy rain events to be conveyed to the Pump Station, which has the capability of pumping additional storm water into Shamokin Creek.

I am pleased to see this important grant awarded and I am hopeful that the improvements to the storm system will help alleviate problems with flooding and protect businesses and jobs. For more information on this important project, visit my website.

Honoring America's Veterans

On July 3, 2013, I presented long overdue medals to nine veterans during a ceremony at my Hazleton District Office. I find it fitting that on the eve of the celebration of our nation's Declaration of Independence from tyranny, we were able to honor these brave men who put their lives on the line to preserve our freedoms.

Receiving medals (pictured above from left to right) were: James Gresavage, Deborah Peduto (accepting for her father, Robert C. Keil), John Chernock (accepting for his father, John Chernock), Lorenzo Ferraro, Francis Turner, Rolland Raber, Leonard Brown (accepting for his father Leonard Brown), Nicholas Migliori, and Michael Litchko.

Coal Miner Stamp to Debut in August

The U.S. Postal Service announced that it will issue a coal miner stamp in August to honor the men and boys who mined coal in Pennsylvania and across the country. The stamp will be part of a 12 stamp series called "Made in America: Building a Nation."

Eleven of the 12 stamp images were taken by photographer Lewis Hine, a chronicler of early 20th century history. The coal miner's image is from the Kansas Historical Society.

In the 112th Congress, I introduced a resolution to create a coal miner stamp in memory of our nation's coal miners and their contribution to America. Therefore, I believe this tribute is long overdue for America's coal miners to get the recognition they rightfully deserve.

Local High School Artist Comes to Washington

Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent across the nation and in each congressional district. Since the competition's establishment in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated.

This year, Deanna Dinelli from Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, was chosen as Pennsylvania's 11th District winner. Deanna's acrylic and charcoal artwork depicts an Origami Orange Crane.

For more information about the Congressional Art Competition, click here.

In Case You Missed It

- Sarah Murnaghan is still recovering from her second lung transplant, but she seems to be in good spirits. Please continue to keep Sarah and her family in your thoughts and prayers. See a video of Sarah here.

- I held a U.S. Service Academy Day on July 2, 2013 at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle. For a young person, getting into a good college is a wonderful thing, but being accepted at one of our service academies is a singular honor. Interested students and their families should contact my Hazleton District Office for more information or visit my website.

Legislative Update
Legislative Letters Sent to:

- Secretary of Defense Hagel expressing concern about the determination that civilian workers at entities funded through Defense Working Capital funds are subject to furloughs and requesting an explanation.
- Congressional Leadership asking them to reject further cuts to Medicare Part B reimbursement for drugs and biologics that fight cancer.
- President Obama expressing concern about the Environment Protection Agency's (EPA) plans to issue greenhouse gas regulations for new electricity generating units. If implemented, this will likely discourage the construction of new coal-fired power plants as well as the upgrading of existing facilities.
- Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Sebelius asking HHS to provide flexibility to the Pennsylvania Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and to exempt the state from having to transfer a significant portion of its enrollees into the Medicaid system. Adding more children to Medicaid when they already have adequate coverage through PA CHIP is unnecessary.

Cosponsored Legislation:

- Government Employee Accountability Act (H.R. 2579), which would allow federal agencies to withhold the salaries of Senior Executive Service employees who are under investigation.
- STOP IRS Act (H.R. 2565), which would add political targeting of taxpayers to the list of reasons Internal Revenue Service (IRS) employees can be dismissed under the IRS code.
- H.Res. 35 expressing no confidence in the Attorney General of the United States and calling for his immediate resignation.
- Taxpayers' Cancer Research Funding Act of 2013 (H.R. 1293), which would allow taxpayers to designate a $5 contribution ($10 for couples) on their tax refund to the Breast and Prostate Cancer Fund to award grants for breast and prostate cancer research.
- Transparency and Accountability in Medicare Billing Act of 2013 (H.R. 2375), which would delay the implementation of Round 2 of the controversial Medicare bidding program.
- Medicare Audit Improvement Act of 2013 (H.R. 1250), which would improve the Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) program, which has caused additional administrative burdens and costly and improper payment denials for hospitals.
- H.R. 318 to authorize a Wall of Remembrance as part of the Korean War Veterans Memorial and to allow certain private contributions to fund the wall.

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