Update from U.S. Senator John Cornyn

Update from U.S. Senator John Cornyn

As Americans prepared to celebrate Labor Day last week, we learned that the economy created 144,000 new jobs in August and the unemployment rate dropped to its lowest level in three years. These latest job numbers show the economy continues on a path to recovery, but more importantly the trends in the past year are very positive. Since Labor Day one year ago, we have seen job growth every month and a total of 1.7 million new jobs. But there is still work to do in some parts of Texas, and we'll continue working to ensure that all Texans and Americans who want a job can find one.

Making Texas and America Safer: Post-9/11 Intelligence Reforms

Last month, I participated in special hearings of the Senate Armed Services and Judiciary Committees to look at the 9/11 Commission's report and implementing key intelligence reforms. President Bush also took important action to strengthen our intelligence gathering capability by giving authority to an interim national intelligence director and establishing a
National Counter-Terrorism Center.

The 9/11 Commission has made some productive suggestions, but it's important to note that we have not waited for three years after the terrorist attacks of September 11 to act on intelligence reforms. We are much safer today than we were on 9/11, due to changes such as creation of the Department of Homeland Security, passage of the Patriot Act and creation of the Terrorist Threat Integration Center. And we will keep doing all we can to keep communities in America safe as we improve homeland and hometown security.

Texas Combats Human Trafficking: New Task Force Created

Last month I joined federal, state and local officials in Houston to announce a new task force to combat the terrible scourge of human trafficking and slavery, and to provide comprehensive services to victims of these crimes. At a hearing I chaired in July, we learned that a task force such as this one is an effective means of eradicating thesegrave human rights violations.
In addition to the task force in Houston, I'm pleased that there will soon be others unveiled in Texas. The Bush administration has engineered a remarkable campaign to stop human trafficking and slavery, but federal, state and local officials must work together to uncover this scourge hidden in communities across Texas and America.

I'm proud that Texas has led the way in enacting laws to criminalize human trafficking and in giving officials the incentives and tools they need to investigate and prosecute these terrible crimes.

The Texas Border Region: Growing the Economy

After continued efforts, I was able to get the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to agree last month to extend the length of time that laser visa holders traveling from Mexico can stay in the United States.

Mexicans visiting with laser visas invest in our real estate, own businesses and support local industry. They have shown that they are willing to visit this country legally, and should be allowed to stay as long as Canadians engaged in similar travel and commerce. It's the right thing to do for both our border economy and our short-term, non-immigrant visitors.

This move is a positive step in the right direction, but I'll continue pushing for full parity to the borders with Canada and Mexico, ensuring that Mexican tourists, businesspeople and other short-term travelers can stay for up to six months as Canadians do.

As Senator, I've made several visits to border communities, and held numerous meetings with South Texas officials. Extending the time limit for laser visa holders has been among the most regular concerns raised in these meetings, and I'm pleased that the department is making these important changes.

More Troops to Texas?

President Bush in August announced that 60,000 to 70,000 troops and roughly 100,000 family members would be leaving overseas bases and returning to the United States, the largest troop realignment since the Cold War. The troops and their families will be stationed at domestic bases over the next decade. I continue to advocate for bringing overseas troops to Texas, including during three meetings with Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld this year. I'm optimistic that the redeployment of troops recently announced by President Bush has the potential to strengthen Texas military facilities.

A Look Ahead: The Senate in September

As the Senate returns from its summer adjournment this week, one of the first items on the agenda will be a vote on Texas Supreme Court Justice Michael Schneider to be the U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Texas. Justice Schneider's temperament and experience, along with the overwhelming support of the community, make him an excellent choice for the East Texas bench. I can think of no better candidate for this position, and am pleased the Senate is voting on his nomination.

Other business this month will possibly include consideration of a new Director of the Central Intelligence Agency and a look at other important intelligence reform measures.

Come See Me

If you're traveling to Washington for business or pleasure, I would greatly appreciate the chance to say hello while you're here. I have an open house in my office, Hart Senate Office Building , Room 625, from 9:00 to 9:30 AM every Tuesday while Congress is in session, so I can greet and talk with Texans who are here. Please call Denise Pleasant in my office at (202) 224-2934 to let me know you'll be coming.

Best regards,

Senator John Cornyn