Kansas Common Sense - Super Committee Fails to Reach Deal as National Debt Hits $15 Trillion
Statement
Dear Friend,
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This week the Senate passed legislation to fund programs within the Departments of Agriculture, Transportation and Commerce for fiscal year 2012. Included in that funding bill was a provision called a "continuing resolution" that prevented a federal government shut down by extending funding for all other government programs not within the Departments of Agriculture, Transportation and Commerce from November 18 until December 16, 2011. It is time we put these short term continuing resolutions behind us and truly find ways to reduce spending in 2012 and beyond. Freeing our country from running deficits and a burdensome national debt will set our country on the path toward a stronger economy.
Super Committee Fails to Reach Deal as National Debt Hits $15 Trillion
Our country's national debt reached an all-time high of $15 trillion this week, amounting to more than $133,000 of debt for every American taxpayer. During the last three years alone, our national debt has increased by more than $4 trillion, underscoring the vital need for Washington to put in place a serious plan to tackle our growing fiscal crisis. I share the tremendous disappointment of many Americans as another opportunity to solve our nation's debt crisis passed us by when the super committee announced today that it would not be able to reach a deal. But the inability of the super committee to find common ground is nothing new for a Congress that often puts political party above love of country.
When I opposed the deal that formed the super committee in August, I did so because I firmly believe each member of Congress was elected to make difficult decisions -- and that those decisions should be debated in the light of day. Tackling our country's fiscal problems takes more than a committee; it takes courage. Now more than ever, Congress and the President must work together to address our country's greatest threat: our government's habit of reckless spending. The failure to do so will jeopardize the future of our country and the American dream for the next generation.
Supporting Kansas Priorities in the Appropriations Process
I was proud to serve on the first appropriations conference committee of the year between the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate to finalize the fiscal year 2012 Agriculture, Commerce/Justice/Science, and Transportation/Housing Urban Development Appropriations bills -- which passed the senate on Thursday. The final conference report was within the budget limits set by the most recent budget agreement and decreases annual spending compared to fiscal year 2011. While not perfect, I believe the final conference report appropriately funds these agencies, while also placing limits on areas where the Administration has overreached with new regulations.
I was particularly pleased to see the emphasis placed on agricultural research in the conference report, as well as Congress' adoption of a directive I authored to encourage the advancement of cereal grain genetic research. The Administration had decided to discontinue funding for this important research, despite the recent global emphasis placed on this issue. My report language directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture to continue to fund competitive grants in this area.
American Entrepreneurs are Job Creators
The United States has long been known as the land of opportunity, where individuals risk all they have to live out their dreams and make a better life for themselves and their families. Every day, entrepreneurs across our country do just that. As they pursue their dreams, these innovators create jobs for millions of Americans. In fact, research has shown that between 1980 and 2005, the majority of jobs in the United States were created by entrepreneurs and their young companies.
This week, I introduced a resolution with Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), which was approved by the Senate, to designate the week of November 14 through 20, 2011, as "Global Entrepreneurship Week." Global Entrepreneurship Week is an initiative to celebrate the innovators and job creators who drive economic growth in America and around the world. Global Entrepreneurship Week began in 2008 after being launched by former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Carl Schramm, the president and CEO of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation in Kansas City.
Small businesses are the true engine of job creation in our country. To get our economy growing again, Congress must encourage the spirit of entrepreneurship in America.
Working to Strengthen the PROTECT IP Act
This week I joined Senator Wyden (D-OR) in objecting to the Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity and Theft of Intellectual Property Act of 2011 (PROTECT IP Act) because of concerns that the bill, as currently written, will have unintended consequences. The PROTECT IP Act would alter the framework of the Internet in an effort to stop the sale of counterfeit goods and online piracy, but would do so in a way that would undermine our national security and stifle innovation by American entrepreneurs -- the backbone of the American economy.
I agree strongly that the online sale of counterfeit goods and online piracy needs to be addressed. However, this bill and the companion Stop Online Piracy Act legislation in the House, unnecessarily risk an overbroad application of new and unprecedented tools by the U.S. Department of Justice. This overreach could fundamentally change the Internet, moving us toward a world where transactions are less secure, ideas are less accessible, and starting a website or online business wouldn't be an option for anyone who couldn't afford a lawyer. In fact, I met with several young entrepreneurs in my office this week who have all started successful businesses on the Internet. They reported to me that had the PROTECT IP Act been the law when they started these businesses, their ideas would never have gotten off the ground and they could not have attracted investors. The leading technology experts in the United States say the provisions of PROTECT IP will kill online startups.
Neutral parties on the Internet should not be liable for the actions of bad actors. Since I support the goals of the PROTECT IP Act to combat online infringement and protect rights holders, I intend to work with Senator Wyden, as well as proponents of the legislation to explore and advance proposals in a way that avoids collateral damage to American entrepreneurs, as well as the security and infrastructure of the Internet.
Urging for the Prompt Confirmation of Tom Hoenig
On Thursday, I was pleased to discuss Tom Hoenig's qualifications to be Vice Chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) at his Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee nomination hearing. A graduate of Benedictine College in Atchison, Tom Hoenig has been nominated by President Obama to serve an agency with many responsibilities under the new Dodd-Frank financial reform law. I am a strong supporter of this nomination, as Tom has the independence and experience necessary to help make certain the largest financial institutions in our country never again threaten the health of our conomy. Additionally, Tom Hoenig has been a longtime advocate and supporter of rural America, and understands how critical a community bank is to a town. As the hearing, I urged my colleagues to promptly confirm Tom to this important job.
Supreme Court to Rule on Health Care Reform Law
On Monday, the United States Supreme Court announced that it will hear a challenge to the health care reform law. The Court stated that it will hear arguments in March 2012 regarding the constitutionality of the law's individual mandate, which forces most Americans to buy health insurance or face a penalty beginning in 2014. A ruling is expected before the Court's session ends in June 2012. Among other issues the Court will consider are whether the rest of the law can stand if the individual mandate is struck down and whether the law's Medicaid expansion is constitutional.
I am pleased the Supreme Court has decided to consider the constitutionality of the health law. This law has generated significant uncertainty for American families and businesses -- compounding the steep economic challenges already facing our nation. This uncertainty imposes an enormous drag on our economy at the worst possible time. The law's individual mandate is an unprecedented requirement and it is critically important that the Court determine as soon as possible whether it is constitutional.
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