Maria's Monday Memo
Maria's Monday Memo
Monitoring U.S. Military and Reconstruction Efforts in the Middle East
This week, I am joining a Congressional delegation to the Middle East to support U.S. troops and to monitor reconstruction efforts in the region. I hope to see first hand the challenges our troops face in the region. It is imperative to make sure the U.S. is making good on its commitment to rebuild Iraq. A secure and stable Middle East will strengthen our national security.
The Middle East tour includes stops in Afghanistan, Iraq, Israel, and Pakistan. I am traveling with a bipartisan delegation led by Sen. John McCain of Arizona.
In preparation for my trip, my staff met with various Washington state groups and organizations to hear their questions and concerns. Like me, these organizations are concerned about the safety of U.S. troops and the current infrastructure needs - like access to water and electricity - in Iraq and Afghanistan. I will provide you with a full report when I return.
The Month Ahead
During the remainder of the August recess, I will not be writing my Monday memo. I'll resume my weekly updates when the Senate returns to session early in September. There is much to do when we reconvene. In addition to fighting for more funding for Head Start, I'll continue to press for workforce training dollars. With our economy still in the doldrums and unemployment at high levels, we must protect and expand worker training programs. I'll also fight to ensure that my amendment creating oversight of pharmacy benefit managers is included in the final conference report on the Medicare bill.
In addition, I will work hard to advance my bill creating relief for victims of the growing crime of identity theft, and to pass legislation to protect the Wild Sky area and to protect the Upper White Salmon River.
Visiting Washington, D.C.?
I will host one of my regular coffees with constituents visiting Washington, D.C., in my Senate office on Thursday, September 4, at 8:30 a.m. If you will be in the nation's capital and would like to attend, please call my Washington D.C. office at (202) 224-3441, or fill out a reservation form online by clicking here to visit my web site.