Update from U.S. Senator Bob Corker
June 2007
The Corker Family: Elizabeth, Julia, Emily, and Senator Bob Corker
Thank you for taking some time to read our monthly newsletter. I hope this is one more way we’re able to keep in touch with you about our work in Washington and Tennessee on your behalf.
I hope you’ll also use our website as a resource to contact us about issues important to you and your family and to access services provided by our office.
I know the best way to keep in touch is to see you in person, so I get back to Tennessee as often as possible. Since taking office five months ago, I have visited 36 counties. We hope you’ll come see us, too. We have six offices located across Tennessee ready to address any concerns you may be having, and if your travels bring you to Washington, we hope you’ll stop by and say hello.
As always, I would like to thank you again for the privilege of representing you in the United States Senate. It is a tremendous honor.
Immigration Reform
Three weeks ago, a bipartisan group of senators and administration officials emerged from negotiations to announce agreement on a new comprehensive immigration reform bill. I, like other senators outside of this select group, approached the news with caution.
As the details trickled out, it became apparent an effort was underway to take a complex piece of legislation, reforming over 40 years of immigration policy, and rush it through the Senate before most members could even read it. I voiced opposition and voted against proceeding any further until I felt confident there would be a serious debate over an issue of this magnitude.
Thankfully, those of us who expressed concerns about rushing this important legislation were heard, and Senator Reid decided not to push the bill through in one week, allowing us sufficient time for robust debate and amendments to this complex bill. With a fair process in place, the Senate is now addressing a bill which I cannot support in its current form.
Several principles are guiding my approach during the debate: First and foremost, we must secure the border. Second, we should allow people to work here, but only if they are legal. Third, I believe illegal immigrants who want to work here must return to their home countries and re-enter the United States through legal channels. Fourth, we need to create an instant verification system for worker status, so that employers can easily validate that the people they are hiring are legal. And, fifth, all those who want to become citizens must learn the English language.
At present, I have concerns about this bill meeting these five objectives and others such as the additional strain this may place on our Social Security system, and I am working with other senators to address these issues.
This is a major piece of legislation with tremendous long term ramifications. Our illegal immigration situation in this country is intolerable and requires immediate attention, but we should not pass this or any bill until we can ensure that we are creating an immigration policy that will make our country secure, stronger over the long haul, and will inspire confidence in future generations of Americans.
(Immigration Reform Release)
(Immigration Vote Release)
(Statement on Sen. Reid’s Extension of Immigration Debate)
Energy Security Legislation
Last month, the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, of which I’m a member, passed a bipartisan energy security bill which is scheduled to come to the Senate floor in the coming weeks. This is the first major piece of national energy legislation since the Energy Policy Act of 2005. It promotes swift and continued development of biofuel alternatives to petroleum, increases energy efficiency standards, and promotes development of carbon capture and sequestration technology.
The legislation encourages the continued production of alternative energy sources by promoting research and development of various biofuels, and will displace 15 percent of our gasoline use by 2022.
Tennessee’s climate and terrain make us ideally suited to produce the kinds of feedstocks used in the development and production of biodiesel and cellulosic ethanol. I visited the University of Tennessee in Knoxville this week for an update on the Tennessee Biofuels Initiative, a research and business program that was developed by UT to position our state as a leader in the nation's efforts toward reduced dependence on petroleum. They have set a goal of working with Tennessee farmers to produce 1 billion gallons of “Grassoline™” annually. This level of production would replace approximately 30 percent of Tennessee's present petroleum consumption. I’m proud Tennessee will play an important role in the future of biofuels.
One easy way to reduce our energy consumption and make consumers’ dollars go further is by increasing efficiency. Our bill codifies pending efficiency standards for various household appliances and requires all federal government buildings to transition to lighting that is Energy Star rated or designated as energy efficient by October 2010. If legislators are to change Americans’ attitudes and behavior toward their energy usage, the federal government must practice what it preaches.
Tennessee’s work in the area of clean coal technology makes me particularly interested in the continued use of coal, America’s largest energy resource, in an environmentally friendly way. One concern with using more coal for electricity and fuel is that it releases carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. Provisions in our bill expand research and development into technologies that can capture carbon dioxide from coal power plants and other industrial facilities and then sequester, or store, the gas underground. This will allow the U.S. to take advantage of a huge domestic resource, while simultaneously disposing of a harmful gas.
The Energy Committee has held a number of coal-related hearings since 2005, and several of my colleagues on the Committee joined me in a letter to our Chairman, Jeff Bingaman, encouraging him to hold additional hearings on coal gasification technology as soon as possible in preparation for consideration of the energy security bill on the Senate floor.
On May 24, the Committee held a hearing on coal gasification technology. Two of the five witnesses were from Tennessee, Bill Fulkerson with the University of Tennessee, and David Denton with Eastman Gasification Services Company.
The hearing reinforced coal’s potential to be part of a diversified fuel portfolio to end our dependence on foreign oil and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. This portfolio should also include: continued development of alternative fuels, nuclear power and renewable power sources such as solar and wind; investment in research and technology; the expansion of our refinery capacity to include biorefineries and coal-to-liquid facilities; conservation of our resources; and enhancing domestic oil and gas production in an environmentally friendly way. No silver bullet exists, so I firmly believe we should incentivize technologies, rather than pick winners and losers.
Creating new markets for domestic energy sources not only increases our energy security, it creates tremendous economic opportunities for our state and our country.
(Coal Gasification Hearing Release)
(Video Footage from Coal Gasification Hearing)
Legislative Update
Supporting Our Troops
After months of political posturing and non-binding resolutions on Iraq, I’m delighted Congress finally approved a supplemental funding bill that will actually give General Petraeus and our troops on the ground the time, resources and support they need. (Passage of Iraq Supplemental Funding Release)
Senate Passage of FDA Reauthorization
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Revitalization Act reauthorizes funding for FDA drug approval activities and adds new protections to certify that drugs on the market are safe for consumers. The bill ensures that the FDA can measure and react to safety concerns after drugs are already on the market. It also continues to incentivize and require drug companies to conduct clinical trials on pediatric populations to make sure that drugs are safe for children, helps the FDA review pharmaceuticals and medical devices in a timely manner, and provides patients with better access to information about new drugs and devices that are still in clinical trials.
Senate Passage of Army Corps of Engineers' Authorization
The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) authorizes funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Maintaining and improving water infrastructure is important for public safety, economic development and quality of life. This legislation includes funding for projects that will improve water quality and safety for communities and citizens across Tennessee. (Army Corps Authorization Release)
Focused on Tennessee
One-year Moratorium on Proposed Medicaid Rule
I've had serious concerns about how a proposed change to the rules governing Medicaid program funding to states would affect the accessibility and quality of health care in Tennessee. In March, Senator Alexander and I wrote a joint letter to the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee expressing our concerns about the rule’s funding cuts affecting 19 Tennessee hospitals, including 10 rural facilities, seven urban facilities and two safety net providers. I'm pleased we’ve been successful in suspending any cuts for at least a year, and I look forward to working with the administration on a more constructive way to move ahead on this issue.
(Medicaid Rule Letter)
(Medicaid Rule Moratorium Release)
Bill Honoring Judge Odell Horton Becomes Law
Senator Alexander and I cosponsored legislation redesignating the Clifford Davis Federal Building in Memphis as the “Clifford Davis and Odell Horton Federal Building.” The bill, which was sponsored in the House by Rep. Steve Cohen and supported by the entire Tennessee Congressional delegation, passed both houses of Congress, and the President signed it into law in May. Judge Horton bravely and honorably served his country as a marine, a judge, and a civil rights pioneer. Now his great legacy will be enshrined for future generations of Tennesseans and all Americans. (Odell Horton Bill Release)
Missionary Ridge Cell Tower
Given the proposed location for a cell phone tower on Missionary Ridge, I sent a letter to the FCC asking if the review process was properly conducted. Because of the historic importance of the property adjacent to the cell tower site, it is crucial that the appropriate procedures were followed. In response, the FCC announced construction has been halted pending another look at the potential impact on the surrounding area.
(Missionary Ridge Cell Tower Release and FCC Letter)
Tennessee Walking Challenge 
In an effort to promote physical fitness for citizens in Tennessee, Senator Alexander and I initiated a “healthy” competition between our staffs to measure which office took the most total steps. It was hard to compete against someone who walked a thousand miles across Tennessee, but it was for a good cause. In the end, my staff walked more steps than the Alexander team, but Senator Alexander beat me fair and square. I hope our friendly competition inspired Tennesseans to maintain an active, healthy lifestyle.
(Tennessee Walking Challenge Release)
(Video Footage of Walking Challenge Announcement)
(Tennessee Walking Challenge Results Release)
(Video Footage of Walking Challenge Results)
Arnold Air Force Base’s Bid to House New Battlefield Training Program
I joined a united Tennessee congressional delegation in support of Arnold Air Force Base’s bid to house the Air Force’s planned new Common Battlefield Airmen Training (CBAT) program. The Air Force announced plans to create this new program because U.S. military operations in Afghanistan revealed a need for more intense ground combat training of our nation’s airmen. The entire Tennessee delegation signed a joint letter to Gen. William Looney, the commanding officer for the U.S. Air Force’s Air Education and Training Command, pressing Arnold AFB’s case. It is clear Arnold has the land, location, facilities and room for expansion that would provide a seamless start-up for the program and Tennessee has already committed $1 million for any additional infrastructure needed for completion of the project. The Air Force is completing its environmental impact assessment for the finalist bases and will host public hearings at each base. The Air Force is expected to announce its selection in January 2008.
VA Announces New Veterans Facilities in Hawkins and Madison Counties
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has announced that two new community based outpatient clinics (CBOCs) will be built in Hawkins and Madison counties. Accessibility is a key factor in providing the best possible care for our veterans, and I’m thrilled that health care services will now be closer to home for thousands of Tennessee veterans. Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our country, and I will continue working with Senator Alexander to ensure they are receiving the care they deserve. (VA Announcement Press Release)
Compensation for Cold War Veterans and Their Families
I have joined Sen. Alexander and 15 other senators in a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt and Labor Secretary Elaine Chao asking that the administration provide sufficient funding to process the claims of Cold War Veterans and their families who are included under Part B of the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program (EEOICPA). Cold War veterans and their families made great sacrifices to serve our country, and they should be treated with respect. I will continue working with Senator Alexander and our colleagues to ensure that they receive the compensation and medical benefits they deserve as quickly as possible. (Cold War Veterans Release)
Photos
Senator Corker tours the University of Memphis Center for Earthquake Research and Information (CERI) with Dr. Shirley Raines, University of Memphis President and Dr. Arch Johnston, Director of CERI.
Senator Corker attends the ribbon cutting ceremony at Chattanooga’s renovated City Hall Building.
Senator Corker meets with teachers from Pigeon Forge Middle School on the steps of the U.S. Capitol.
Senator Corker listens to guide Adrian Macklin on a tour of the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis.
Senator Corker and Congressman Zach Wamp participate in the ACLI Capitol Challenge 5K race in Washington. The annual race is an invitational for teams representing the federal government and the media and raises money to benefit the Special Olympics.
Senator Corker discusses advances in fuel injection technology at the General Motors Spring Hill Powertrain Plant with Engineer Jerry Reamer, GM Spring Hill Manufacturing Site Manager Harvey Thomas, and GM Spring Hill Powertrain Plant Manager Rodney Black.
