E-Newsletter
E-Newsletter
October 7, 2005
Dear Friends:
Gas and home heating prices are skyrocketing in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Yet today, House Republicans missed a critical opportunity to provide real relief for American families. Instead they passed legislation (H.R.3893) which weakens the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) authority to address price gouging and rolls back important environmental and public health standards. This bill, which I strongly opposed, gives massive subsidies to oil companies at the expense of consumers and the environment. I supported a substitute bill to stop price gouging and move our nation toward a sustainable and energy-independent future.
Earlier this week, Congress failed to make necessary improvements to our emergency response system and provide agencies with the resources they need to keep our communities safe and prepared for a disaster. I supported a substitute bill to make $1.7 billion in new investments for disaster preparation and terrorism grants to state and local municipalities. Sadly, Republicans rejected this common-sense proposal along party lines, and the House passed legislation funding the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) which makes deep cuts to funding our first responders and law enforcement officials.
The experiences of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita clearly illustrate that our nation needs to do much more to prepare for emergencies and that FEMA needs significant reform now. The American people need to be reassured that their government is doing all it can to protect them.
Next week, I plan on hosting several town halls and would like to hear your thoughts.
Town Hall with State Rep. Tim Mahoney and District 2 Community Council
7:00 to 8:00pm on Tuesday, October 11th
National Guard Armory (Eastside St. Paul)
1530 Maryland Avenue E
Saint Paul, MN
Town Hall with State Sen. Satveer Chaudhary
7:00 to 8:00pm on Wednesday, October 12
New Brighton Family Service Center
400 Tenth Street NW
New Brighton, MN
For more information on the town halls, please contact my District Office at (651) 224-9191. I look forward to hearing from you!
Sincerely,
Congresswoman Betty McCollum
Serving Minnesota's Fourth Congressional District
http://www.mccollum.house.gov/vertical/Sites/%7B6CD95013-7C42-4AD8-A464-EB8D8679E9C9%7D/uploads/%7BE9122D78-4792-404D-A3B9-A754F55BB25F%7D.PDF