Update from U.S. Senator John Cornyn

Statement

Update from U.S. Senator John Cornyn

Dear Friend,

As I met with Texans across the state in May, the number one frustration I heard time and again was record-high gas prices. And high oil prices are now affecting many areas of Texas life. There is a common-sense solution I have advocated for years that would lower gas prices, expand Texas job opportunities, but some in Congress will not allow it.

Senator Cornyn Introducing The American Energy Production Act - May 1, 2008Just recently, I joined my Republican colleagues in the Senate in pushing legislation to increase American energy production that would yield enough oil to fuel the country's energy needs for five years. It would also bring prices down in the near-term by sending an important signal to the markets. Unfortunately, some in the Senate continue to block this legislation, as the price at the pump soars. We need to get government out of the way, let the free market work and increase domestic energy production.

Even more baffling, as families in Texas and across the country are paying an extra $1,400 a year in gas prices, the majority party in Congress has proposed $6.7 trillion climate tax package that could actually raise gas prices by 147 percent. It defies logic that after blocking the American energy production and oil independence, Congress is now pursuing bigger government, more taxes, and higher energy costs with no guarantee of actually improving the climate. I need the support of all Texans in urging Congressional leaders to put the needs of American families first and increase domestic energy production before gas prices climb to $5 a gallon and beyond.

Senator Cornyn in Austin to formally recognize the city as one of the nation's 25 Solar America Cities - May 27, 2008In addition to producing more domestic oil and natural gas to meet our energy needs, we need to be exploring every possible source of alternative energy for the future. I recently invited Under Secretary of Energy Bud Albright to Austin to host a roundtable on local and federal efforts to promote solar energy, and to name Austin a designated "Solar America City." I hope to continue this dialogue with communities across the state on solar and other types of alternative energy, including wind, biodiesel and nuclear.

Sen. Cornyn presenting Gold Medals of Remembrance to children of fallen troops at Fort Sam Houston - May 26, 2008I was privileged this year to spend Memorial Day with some of Texas' true heroes. I shared breakfast with some of our men and women in uniform serving at Fort Sam Houston and later participated in the Fort Sam Memorial Day Ceremony. Hundreds of local veterans and their families joined me in paying tribute to a handful of local children of fallen soldiers as I presented each of them with Gold Medals of Remembrance. It was a moving ceremony and a reminder of the great sacrifices that are made both on and off the battlefield.

Senator Cornyn in Kyle to host a Memorial Day sendoff for all Texas students who will be attending a U.S. Service Academy this fall - May 26th 2008Finally, I hosted a statewide send-off in Kyle for Texas students who will be attending a U.S. Military Service Academy this fall. Lieutenant General Ricardo Sanchez, former commander of coalition forces in Iraq and once highest-ranking Hispanic in the U.S. Army, joined me in paying tribute to these young men and women who will serve as future military leaders. They have chosen a challenging and honorable course to help preserve our freedom, keep America safe and win the war on terror.

It is important that we remember the sacrifices of our veterans and military personnel, not only on Memorial Day, but every day. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I work earnestly to ensure the best in care and benefits for our troops and veterans. This week I was proud to help pass the Mental Health Care and Other Improvements Act of 2008, S. 2162, which would improve veterans' mental health and substance abuse care, enhance mental health outreach, and improve VA research on the invisible wounds of war.

Finally, there has been recent debate on how best to reform the Montgomery G.I. Bill, which provides educational benefits to veterans. I supported and voted for legislation backed by Sen. John McCain and other veterans that would expand the G.I. Bill to strengthen our all-volunteer force and meet the educational needs of servicemen and women in Texas. It also included a new provision, not included in the Democrats' version of the bill, to allow more members of the military to transfer their education benefits to family members. I'm hopeful both parties can work together in Congress to address this very important issue.

For more information on these and other topics, go directly to my Web site. To receive additional updates, please select the issues that interest you listed on the right. It's an honor to serve you in the United States Senate.

Sincerely,

U.S. Senator John Cornyn

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