Walberg Weekly Wrap-Up
Press Release
Honoring Our Veterans
Through the coming days, as we honor the sacrifice and service of veterans who have bravely defended our freedoms, I look forward to participating in remembrances across the district.
This week the House passed two important bills dealing with veterans health care with my strong support. The Veterans Emergency Care Fairness Act of 2007, H.R. 3819, would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to pay for veterans enrolled in VA health care that receive emergency treatment at non-VA hospitals. The bill would also require the VA to reimburse veterans with service-related disabilities for emergency care paid for out of pocket at a non-VA hospital. This will help ensure that veterans can receive the emergency care they deserve, without bureaucratic red tape holding up payments.
The Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2008, H.R. 5826, provides a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for the disability compensation of disabled veterans. With the cost of food, energy, and other necessities in life increasing, it is vitally important we do not leave our disabled veterans behind.
We need to continue to honor our veterans, thank them for their service and provide them with the best health care and services available. It is the least we can do for the brave men and women of our Armed Forces who have defended the freedoms we enjoy.
Simplify Our Gasoline Supply To Bring Down Price
This week I co-sponsored the Boutique Fuel Reduction Act (H.R. 2493), which will simplify our nation's gasoline supply and limit the number of costly, regional "boutique fuels." Summer blends are currently being instituted nationwide and are causing rising seasonal prices on top of the already high prices for crude oil. Limiting the number of boutique fuels will reduce price spikes.
The current gasoline supply stock used by U.S. motorists includes "boutique," or specially formulated fuels, which are required by law in different regions and different seasons. When supplies are limited, prices tend to rise quickly, substantially and sometimes with very little prior notice. H.R. 2493 would reduce the number of "boutique fuels" which would benefit consumers by preventing specialty blends from driving up gasoline prices and allow different regions to access a national fuel supply.
We need to do all we can to bring down the price at the pump, and this bill is a component which will bring gasoline to the market quicker, at a lower cost and with less confusion. Along with limiting fuel blends, Congress needs to allow more environmentally sound exploration of oil and natural gas in Alaska, the Outer-Continental Shelf and the Gulf of Mexico and streamline the process to build new refineries.
I strongly support the No More Excuses Energy Act, H.R. 3089, a bill crucial to lowering our electric bills and the price at the pump. It would encourage the construction of new refineries, boost alternative energy development by extending the Wind Production Tax Credit for 10 years, increase American oil production by allowing environmentally sound drilling in Alaska, the Outer-Continental Shelf and the Gulf of Mexico and help increase our supply of electricity by encouraging the construction of new nuclear power plants.
I have also co-sponsored legislation to provide incentives for solar, wind, cellulosic ethanol, bio-diesel and energy conservation. He also supports an increase in domestic energy production through carbon-free nuclear power and clean-coal technology. I have co-sponsored legislation that would encourage conservation with incentives for green buildings and legislation that would spark a revolution in clean hydrogen technology.
U.S. Service Academy Day
I will be hosting my second annual Service Academy Day at 3 p.m. on May 30 at Baker College in Jackson. This is a unique opportunity for students and parents to meet with representatives of the service academies to discuss the application process, academy life, and career opportunities within the various branches of the military. If you would like more information, please call my office at 877-864-6407.
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