Walberg Weekly Wrap-Up
Press Release
Grant Workshop
Over the past 19 months, I have met with numerous elected officials, school leaders, churches, non-profit organizations and small business owners who have all expressed one common message: times are tough, budgets are tight and funds are scarce. Since I've been in Congress, I have discovered that a valuable and under-utilized source of assistance is federal grants.
Many entities in the Seventh District have already enjoyed success taking advantage of federal grants. On February 27, 2008, the Madison Township Fire Department received an Assistance to Firefighters Grant worth $95,000 from the Department of Homeland Security. This is just one example of the many units of government and first responders in our area that have explored the possibility of federal grants and enjoyed remarkable results.
I am hosting a workshop on How to Access Federal Grants on Friday, July 18, 2008, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the Lifeways Center on 1200 N. West Avenue in Jackson. I am excited about this event and believe it can bring much needed good news to south-central Michigan. If you would like more information or want to RSVP, please contact my district office at 517-780-9075.
Funding Our Veterans
Congress has a responsibility to care for veterans, fight to improve veterans care and make sure our heroes receive medical care that is thorough, meets world-class standards and is patient-centered. I am committed to making sure these goals are achieved.
This week I signed on to a letter to President Bush and House and Senate Leaders requesting they keep veterans funding as a priority this year as Congress moves into the appropriations season. Funding veterans is not a partisan issue and should be completed no later than September 30, 2008, as the fiscal year begins October 1.
During this session of Congress, some members have shown they are willing to hold the funding of our veterans and troops hostage because they are more concerned with hiking taxes, unrelated spending priorities and a timeline for defeat than with ensuring our nation's heroes in uniform are taken care of. I am committed to ensuring this does not happen and will work with my colleagues in a non-partisan manner on veterans issues.
Supporting Anti-Drug Programs
In late June, I supported the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program by voting to re-authorize this important program. Sheriffs in south-central Michigan have spoken to my staff and I about the value of this program. Last year, I opposed a bill that Congress passed and the President signed that cut the Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant from $520 million to $170 million, a 67 percent reduction.
The Byrne Program, named after Edward Byrne, a New York City police officer who was murdered by gang members in 1988, supports a systematic approach to dealing with criminal justice and illegal drug problems. By enabling state and local leaders to leverage resources in key areas, it facilitates collaboration among law enforcement, corrections, treatment and prevention programs. At least seventy-five cents of every Byrne-JAG dollar goes directly to local sheriffs and police departments.
I believe this program has been effective and deserves to be funded by Congress. I will continuing working to ensure funding for this program is not cut from future pork-filled budgets.
Pushing Congress to Act to Lower Gas Prices
Another week has gone by and Congressional Leadership still has not scheduled a vote or even debated legislation to increase American energy production. This week I gave a speech on the House floor demanding Congressional action (the speech is available at walberg.house.gov/blog), and I continue to push for a vote on the No More Excuses Energy Act. There are now 154 members of Congress on the discharge petition I introduced to force a vote on more American production. The American people want to see action yet receive nothing from House leadership.
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