Walberg Weekly Wrap-Up

Statement

WALBERG WEEKLY WRAP-UP

Washington, Nov 16 - Michigan Counties Eligible for Disaster Relief

This week the Department of Agriculture (USDA) reviewed the Damage and Loss Assessment Reports for 83 Michigan counties and determined that there were sufficient production losses to warrant a natural disaster designation due to our recent drought.

This designation makes farm operators in 83 Michigan counties eligible to be considered for low interest emergency loans from the Farm Service Agency, provided eligibility requirements are met. FSA will consider each application on its own merit by taking into account the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability. Local FSA offices will provide affected farmers with further information.

Many Michigan farmers endured the worst drought in years, and this designation will assist hard-working family farmers in need.

Energy Costs Continue to Rise

Many of you are frustrated because gas prices are increasing again and home heating expenses are starting to climb. Along with rising health care costs, the high cost of energy is one of the topics I receive the most feedback on.

Sadly, there has been little progress towards finding solutions to the high price of energy in the House this year. Right now, the Democratic majority is doing nothing to help everyday Americans with energy costs. The Democratic leadership has spent months drafting an energy bill that has no energy in it and does nothing to provide real world solutions to increasing energy prices.

I am committed to exploring ways in which we can broaden our energy supply through American alternative energy sources. America must diversify our nation's energy portfolio and find ways to use cleaner burning, home-grown, renewable alternative sources.

To move toward energy independence, we must also increase our American energy production in environmentally sensitive ways. One such solution is to bolster our own domestic production through exploration in Alaska and the Outer Continental Shelf, moves that would increase supply and bring down the prices of heating our homes and filling up our vehicles.

Finding solutions to the high price of energy will not be easy, but I believe our nation needs an energy policy that will significantly reduce America's dependence on Middle Eastern oil. It is my hope the House can work in a bi-partisan way in 2008 to address this issue.

States should not provide Driver's Licenses to Illegal Aliens

A few weeks ago I co-sponsored a resolution expressing the sense of the House of Representatives in opposition to states issuing driver's licenses to illegal immigrants.

I am also now a co-sponsor of a bill, the Prevention of Unsafe Licensing Act, prohibiting states from issuing licenses and identification documents to individuals that are not lawfully present in the United States. As you may be aware, Michigan is one of only 10 states that that allow illegal immigrants to receive driver's licenses. (More information available here)

The Constitution provides the federal government with broad authorities to enforce immigration law and federal courts have repeatedly reinforced this plenary power, including the right of the federal government to set conditions on admissibility, terms of presence (including access to benefits) and removal.

A driver's license allows access to all kinds of legal documents and activities in our country and granting driver's licenses to illegal immigrants rewards those who have broken our laws. I have consistently stated that any and all attempts to enact immigration reform must not include amnesty for illegal immigrants, and this amounts to backdoor amnesty.

While we all agree there is a major need for immigration reform in the United States, this reform needs to ensure the security and economy of our nation is protected, not threatened.

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