Today's National Debt:  $9,373,729,830,399.19
Your Share:  $30,835.19

This week in Congress I worked hard on two issues that are critical to Arkansas’s working and farm families. I not only helped pass bipartisan legislation that will significantly reduce gas prices, but I was also proud to preside over the U.S. House of Representatives during the debate and passage of the 2008 Farm Bill, which is based on sound farm policy, and will provide our farmers with a safety-net.

Working to pass critical legislation in the House to temporarily suspend the filling of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve until the end of the year is a tool I believe will help bring down the price at the pump in the short term if the President signs this bill into law. Our nation’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve is roughly 97 percent full – its highest level ever – with enough oil to meet our national security needs. Temporarily suspending its filling could reduce gas prices from 5 to 24 cents a gallon which will help American families and businesses at the pump this summer.

In addition, I worked with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in the U.S. House and Senate to write and pass a Farm Bill that will benefit our farmers. I was proud to help pass this Farm Bill because it guarantees that Arkansas’s farmers and farm families are equipped with the tools and resources necessary to help them continue providing our nation with a safe and secure source of food and fiber, while helping our nation better meet our energy needs of the 21st Century. Specifically, this Farm Bill will maintain the safety-net within the commodity title, as well as include a responsible disaster assistance program to provide relief for farmers whose crops are stricken by severe natural disasters. It invests $1 billion to expand renewable fuel production such as biodiesel and cellulosic ethanol to encourage American energy independence.

Unfortunately, the President has voiced his opposition to both of these critical measures that could have a significant impact on Arkansas’s working families and farmers. Therefore, I urge the President to reconsider his position and recognize the importance these worthwhile policies have on our economic and domestic security. You have my assurance that I am committed to seeing that these two key measures become law. Immediate relief for working families who are paying record prices at the pump, and a sound farm policy are both vital to our nation’s energy supply and food security.

Sincerely,

Mike Ross

Please remember that if you have issues related to the federal government such as Social Security, Medicare and veterans benefits, you can visit with staff from my office in a community near you. My office will host community office hours at the following locations, dates and times:
Blue Mountain - May 21st at 9:00 a.m., at the Blue Mountain City Hall located at 258 Logan Street;
Magazine - May 21st at 10:30 a.m., at the Magazine City Hall located at 23 N. State Highway 109.