February 2010 E-News
Statement
Welcome to the February edition of E-News! This electronic newsletter provides a great way to share information on important issues facing Idaho, the West and our country. Through my website, iTownHall meetings, podcasts, Facebook, YouTube and this newsletter, I will continue to keep you updated on federal efforts and legislation important to Idaho and our country. E-News also offers me a way to update you on matters that may not make national news, but hold great interest for Idahoans. Also, use the "Tell a Friend" form on the lower left to pass this along to friends, co-workers and family members. It is my hope that you will benefit from being aware of changes in legislation of concern to you. As always, it is extremely important to me to stay informed on matters of interest to you.
In this month's E-News, you will find information on:
* Health Care-Update on health care reform
* Budget-The President to release his Fiscal Year 2011 budget request
* Crime and the Judiciary- February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month
* State of the Union-President Obama delivers his first State of the Union Address
* 2010 Census-It's easy, safe and important
* Constituent Coffee-Please join me when you are visiting Washington, DC from Idaho
Health Care
On the morning of December 24, the Senate voted 60 to 39 along party lines to approve H.R. 3590, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. This bill does not lower health care costs for Americans, which is the number one concern that I have heard from Idahoans when asked about health care reform. Instead, this legislation raises taxes by nearly half a trillion dollars, cuts Medicare at the expense of America's seniors and actually increases both health care premiums and federal health care spending. The bill grows the federal government by nearly $2.5 trillion, dumps millions of Americans into a broken Medicaid program and still leaves millions of Americans uninsured.
In his State of the Union address, President Obama clearly stated that if Members of either party have a better approach to health care reform, they should let him know. Republicans have been speaking for months about step-by-step reforms that can lower costs and increase quality, such the ability to purchase insurance across state lines, prevention and wellness initiatives, allowing small business to pool together to purchase insurance and changing incentives in our system from the number of procedures to the quality of outcomes. Even though Senator-elect Scott Brown's victory in Massachusetts has taken the immediate rush to pass this legislation off the Majority's agenda, I am confident that we can work together in a bipartisan manner to achieve quality reform in America without resorting to a government takeover of health care. Return to the top.
Budget
As we await the opportunity to review the President's budget request for Fiscal Year 2011, it's worth noting that we are in a time of unsustainable and unacceptable levels of debt. While the President's call for a modest and narrow 3-year freeze for selected federal spending programs is a small step in the right direction. Such a step would have been more meaningful if this freeze would not have been based on the inflated levels of spending in the last year, where discretionary spending growth averaged 12 percent, and for some programs was more than 23 percent, despite the ever-growing debt.
It is also troubling that the first previewed item released from the President's budget is a tax increase, which almost certainly will be passed on to consumers, at a time when families are already struggling and small businesses are struggling to secure credit. As a member of the Senate Budget Committee, I look forward to the opportunity to question members of the Administration when they appear before the committee to discuss the budget request for their agencies. Please visit my website for updates on the President's Fiscal Year 2011 budget request as soon as they come available. Return to the top.
Crime and Judiciary
More than ten years ago, a trip to a safe house for abused children in Twin Falls County made a lasting impression on me, one that moved and motivated me to make family violence prevention one of my top priorities as a U.S. Senator. Much of my commitment to violence prevention is reflected in my work in the U.S. Senate to improve and strengthen legislation such as the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and the Victims of Crime Act along with regular visits to shelters throughout Idaho and partnerships with various domestic abuse prevention groups to increase awareness about this disturbing problem.
My dedication to violence prevention also includes raising awareness of teen dating violence. In the 2005 reauthorization of the VAWA, I was able to include provisions to make victims of teen dating violence eligible for assistance. Every year since 2004, Congress has passed resolutions designating the first week in February as "National Teen Violence Awareness and Prevention Week." This campaign began with a small group of teenagers who took a stand against teen dating violence. It quickly gained momentum to become the national movement that it is today. Since this initial effort, Congress, and over fifty local, state, and national organizations recognize this effort each year.
This year, in recognition of the growing awareness of this issue and its ramifications, Congress will designate the full month of February as "Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month" with S.Res. 373. This resolution encourages teens to develop healthier relationships and calls upon parents, schools, and community members to observe the month with programs and activities that provide education on teen dating violence and prevention within their communities.
It is very likely that someone that you or your children know has been a victim of teen dating violence. The crime of teen dating violence, including physical, emotional and sexual assault, and harassment via texting, email or Instant Messaging is a reality for many American teenagers. Like drug abuse, it's a reality of which many parents are unaware.
Fortunately, public awareness of teen dating violence and its affects upon victims has dramatically increased in the past year. The message is spreading, but, unfortunately, many parents are still unaware of the extent of these issues, including the growing, harmful impact of abuse via electronic media such as suggestive text messages and internet threats. There is much more to be done, and there is much more we can all do, to bring awareness of this issue to an even higher level nationwide. Please visit my website for more information on combating teen dating violence. Return to the top.
State of the Union
During his State of the Union Address, the President outlined some of the most pressing issues that are facing our nation at this time--the economy, federal debt, financial reform, education and energy. Now we all need to work hard to find common ground and build common sense solutions.
With so many challenges facing our nation, we must prioritize reducing the federal debt, improving the economy and jobs and ensuring that Americans do not face increasing taxes. Our ballooning federal debt will leave future generations saddled with costs that they cannot bear; we are jeopardizing their futures. We need to keep taxes low and develop policies that encourage job growth. We must end the federal government spending spree and find the best ways to put Americans back to work. Listen to my comments on the President's State of the Union Address. Return to the top.
2010 Census
The U.S. Census counts every resident of the United States, and is required by the Constitution to take place every ten years. Taking part in the U.S. Census is easy, safe and important. The results of the 2010 Census will help determine representation in government, as well as how federal funds are allocated to communities for roads, housing, schools, parks and public safety.
The 2010 Census has already begun in a remote Alaska village with the same 10 question forms that will be mailed to most U.S. residents in mid-March. Please visit my website and the U.S. Census Bureau's website for the answers to many frequently asked questions about the 2010 U.S. Census. Return to the top.
Constituent Coffee
Every Tuesday morning when the Senate is in session, I host a weekly coffee for my fellow Idahoans who are visiting Washington, DC. This coffee offers an opportunity for me to visit with Idahoans, and families are welcome to bring their children to the coffee.
The coffee runs from 9:00 to 9:30 a.m. Eastern in The Idaho Room of my Washington, DC, office, 239 Dirksen Senate Office Building. A photographer will be on hand to take your photo with the Senator. Senator James E. Risch is invited to join me each week, although his schedule may not always allow him to attend. For more information on the Constituent Coffee, the 2010 schedule and on how to RSVP for the event, please visit my website. Return to the top.
Still looking for more information? Use the questions to the left to specify issues that are of concern to you.
It is my hope that you will benefit from being aware of changes in legislation of concern to you. Please visit the Issues and Legislation section of my website for information that addresses many issues important to all of us. As always, I highly value the opinions and concerns of my fellow Idahoans. With that in mind, we continue to work to improve my website. But please do not reply to this e-newsletter. Any comments, suggestions or concerns that you have should be sent to me through the E-mail Me section on my website. Also, let me know if there are issues that you would like me to address.
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