Update from U.S. Senator John Cornyn

Statement

Since I last wrote you, our nation heard President Obama give his State of the Union address. While I thought the President gave a well-delivered speech and I was happy to hear him mention tax relief for small-businesses, I was on the whole disappointed and remain skeptical about the President's resolve to follow through on his promises based on his track record. We have heard this President commit to cutting wasteful spending, opening up the legislative process, and working across the aisle in bipartisan fashion. There is a disconnect, however, between what this Administration promises and what it actually does. As the White House claims it's turning its focus toward the economy and job creation, our country's unemployment rate still hovers around 10%, as thousands of Texans and millions across the country continue to struggle to find gainful employment -- I'm hoping to see this year more action from this White House and less talk. I discussed more on these issues during my recent appearance on Fox News Sunday and in my response to the State of the Union.

Lawmakers on Capitol Hill last week also received the President's proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2011 from the White House. After vowing to comb through the next budget and eliminate wasteful spending, I was disappointed to see President Obama's budget for next year largely remains bloated with spending, relies heavily on borrowing from abroad, and increases taxes on Texas families and small business. Overall, the President's proposed budget for FY2011 would increase deficit spending by 35% over the next five years, while ignoring entitlement programs that continue on a fiscally-unsustainable path. In addition to failing to streamline these programs, the budget also proposes devastating cuts to NASA's Constellation program, cuts I consider both unnecessary and misguided. Budgeting is about prioritizing, which, as Texans realize, means cutting back in some places where excess exists, so that you don't have to jeopardize important priorities. If the White House would eliminate duplicative spending and reform or streamline entitlement programs, then our country's chief human space flight program wouldn't be on the chopping block. Fortunately the budget is merely a proposal that must be approved by Congress, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure Constellation receives adequate funding, so that we can keep our competitive edge on the global stage and protect Texas jobs.

In an effort to work towards a more responsible and prudent approach to spending in Washington, I joined several of my Republican colleagues in the Senate in introducing legislation that would enact a one-year moratorium on Congressional earmarks, as well as a Constitutional amendment requiring a balanced national budget. This follows legislation I introduced last year to create a Federal Sunset Commission based on the successful Texas model. The bill would create an eight-member bipartisan Commission who would examine the effectiveness and efficiency of federal programs and agencies. The Commission would make recommendations on whether these programs require reform or should be eliminated all together. We in Congress have the critical responsibility of ensuring taxpayer money is spent wisely; in recent memory we have seen billions in stimulus dollars spent on pet projects for lawmakers while failing to lift us out of this economic downturn. At a time when all Americans are having to tighten their belts and be watchful of their spending, so too should the federal government.

I recently was invited to give opening remarks at the First Annual Texas Ag Summit in Central Texas. As a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, this was a good opportunity for me to speak directly with farm and ranch leaders, who have dealt with serious setbacks in recent years due to drought and other extreme weather. I shared my thoughts on the Administration's current cap-and-trade proposal and how I fear it will have devastating effects on Texas' agriculture industry, and reiterated my commitment to be a strong voice for Texas farmers and ranchers in Washington and fight for their priorities.

Recently I had the pleasure of welcoming a large group of Texas' Mayors to Washington, where Senator Hutchison and I provided them with a legislative update and gave them our outlook for the year ahead in Congress. I was also able to sit down with local leaders and government officials from Cameron County last week in my Washington office. We discussed ongoing initiatives to foster trade development along important corridors, as well as taking effective steps to address increased wait times at ports of entry along the border.

Finally, last week I welcomed my newest colleague, Sen. Scott Brown, to the United States Senate. His arrival in the U.S. Senate is significant both for the people of Massachusetts and the legislative process in Washington, and I look forward to working with him in the Senate.

For more information on these and other topics, go directly to my Web site. I also welcome the opportunity to connect through Facebook, where I share updates, articles and videos related to my work in the Senate on a regular basis.To view floor speeches, interviews and other video messages from me, please visit my YouTube Channel. 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

Source