Walberg Weekly Wrap-up

Press Release

WALBERG WEEKLY WRAP-UP

It has been a busy week on the legislative front in the House. Here is a brief update:

- Thursday, I voted against the Democratic budget which passed the House 216-210. The budget would impose the largest tax increase in American history and raise taxes nearly $400 billion over 5 years. This budget also would hit 115 million taxpayers with a $1,795 tax increase in 2011 and 26 million small business owners would see their tax bill rise by nearly $4,000 that year. Additionally, under this budget bill, marriage penalty relief would be eliminated for 23 million taxpayers, who would see their taxes increase, on average, by $466 in 2011. Here is an excerpt from a speech I made on the House floor about the budget that eventually passed the House:

"Congress needs to pass a balanced budget bill without raising taxes. We need to make tax relief permanent for hard-working American families and reform unsustainable entitlements. The American people long for a Congress that puts our fiscal house in order on a federal level, but they want this done without expanding the size and scope of the federal government. I urge my colleagues to oppose any budget plan that embraces a ‘Spend now, reform later' mentality."

- Monday night I voted for legislation that prohibits any individual from sponsoring or exhibiting an animal for fighting purposes. I believe animal fighting is a brutal, inhumane practice and that animal fighting needs to be prevented. The legislation passed the House with bi-partisan support.

- On Wednesday, I voted to ensure America's injured and wounded soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines receive the finest healthcare available through the military health system and ensure that there is seamless transition between the military and VA hospitals. I was one of 28 co-sponsors of H.R. 1538, the Wounded Warrior Assistance Act of 2007, which passed the House. This legislation directly addresses the dreadful conditions found at Walter Reed Hospital Building 18 and works to correct this problem from happening in the future. It also stipulates that every wounded veteran be assigned a "medical care case manager" and allows greater cooperation between the Defense Department and Veterans Affairs Department in sharing medical records. The bill also would require military officials to begin notifying Congress whenever a soldier is evacuated from a combat zone to a medical facility. This notification will allow lawmakers to reach out, contact the families of wounded soldiers and ensure that the wounded soldier has a louder voice if needed. Here is an excerpt from my statement on the bill:

"Every member of the military, and especially the brave men and women who have been injured in combat, deserve the finest medical care available. This legislation ensures that our courageous Americans wounded in war have access to necessary care in a prompt and timely manner and helps ensure quality care continues when they leave the military for the VA hospital system. We have the best trained soldiers in the world, and I will continue to fight to make sure they receive the world-class health care they deserve."

As always, I welcome your input on these and other key issues. My office can be reached at 202-225-6276.

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