The Senate has remained in session late into the night these past few weeks and we have much to show for it. My colleagues and I passed two education bills that will help make college more affordable and improve access to technology in Minority Serving Institutions. We passed a Homeland Security bill appropriating $3 billion to regain control of our borders and more aggressively enforce our immigration laws on the books. And, we enacted the first raise in the federal minimum wage in over a decade - a step forward for economic fairness in our country.

I am also pleased to report that the House Armed Services Committee passed legislation similar to my dwell time amendment requiring that active duty troops have at least the same time at home as the length of their previous tour of duty overseas. This is a significant development, signaling bi-partisan support for responsible rotational cycles in both houses of Congress.

As the Congress adjourns next week for August recess, I invite you to continue to be in touch with me and my staff. I also encourage you to forward this newsletter to friends and family and invite them to do the same. Your input is important to us. We are also continually updating our website, webb.senate.gov. So, check back regularly to see what's new.

Jim Webb

WARTIME CONTRACTING COMMISSION

In July, Senator Claire McCaskill and I, in conjunction with our fellow Democratic freshman Senators, introduced a bill to establish an independent, bipartisan Commission on Wartime Contracting to investigate U.S. wartime contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan. After more than four years in Iraq, we have poured hundreds of billions of dollars for reconstruction and stabilization efforts in Iraq alone, creating a strong potential for waste, fraud and abuse. The Commission would significantly increase transparency and accountability and generate important solutions for systematic contracting problems, potentially saving taxpayers billions of dollars.

At a time when more contractors are in Iraq than military personnel, the Commission will also address the widespread use of government contractors instead of American combat troops and investigate the impact of the governments growing reliance on civilian contractors to perform wartime functions. The Commission will work with a newly-expanded Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGIR) that will be authorized to audit defense wartime contracts for logistics support, as well as other federal agency contracts for security and intelligence functions in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

We are outsourcing this war in ways we've never seen. Defrauding the government of millions of taxpayer dollars should not be considered 'the cost of doing business.' Its time for Congress to stand up on behalf of the American people and say: 'We want our money back.'

To read the press release on my amendment, visit: http://webb.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=279253

To read a recent article on this legislation, visit: http://webb.senate.gov/newsroom/record_article.cfm?id=280177&&

EDUCATION BILL

This week, we voted out two pieces of legislation that will make college more affordable for Virginia's students and working families. The Higher Education Authorization Bill and the Higher Education Access Act of 2007 include provisions that will provide significant help to students receiving financial aid.

The bills will increase the maximum amount students are eligible to receive in Pell grants to $5,100 by 2008, simplify the financial aid process, require lenders to disclose more information to student borrowers, and provide loan forgiveness and create a loan repayment program for students who work in public service.

Virginians can expect to see many benefits provided by the passage. Total Pell grant aid to Virginia students will increase by $46 million in 2008 alone. The bills also include an amendment Senator Warner and I introduced to establish a grant program to provide funding for increased technology access to minority serving institutions, including the six historically black colleges and universities we have here in Virginia.

To read the press release, visit: http://webb.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=279668&

To read more about my amendment to improve technology access to minority serving institutions, visit: http://webb.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=279657&

SUPPORTING OUR TROOPS

Amendment on Responsible Troop Rotational Cycles. On July 11, my amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act regulating troop deployment cycles obtained 56 votes in the Senate. This amendment received the highest number of votes among military readiness amendments, a clear majority. Unfortunately, it fell four votes short of the number needed to break a Republican filibuster.

The amendment would have required active-duty units and troops have at least equal time at home as the length of their previous deployments for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. In addition, the amendment would have set a minimum 1-to-3 year ratio for National Guard and Reserve units and members.

The measure is gaining traction in the House of Representatives. On Friday, the House Armed Services Committee passed a bill similar to my amendment, introduced by Rep. Ellen Tauscher (D-CA). This is a significant development, signaling bi-partisan support for responsible rotational cycles in both houses of Congress.

To read the press release on my amendment, visit: http://webb.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=278436

Call for Hearing on Redeployment with Sens. Clinton, Byrd, and Bayh. On July 23, Sen. Hillary Clinton, Sen. Robert Byrd, Sen. Evan Bayh, and I called for a Senate Committee on Armed Services hearing to focus on Department of Defense planning for the redeployment of U.S. forces from Iraq. The hearing would require Administration officials to testify on the status of this planning and solicit the views of outside experts who have experience in the redeployment of large numbers of troops. We sent a joint letter to Armed Services chairman Carl Levin; and our request was accepted.

To read the letter sent to Armed Services Chairman Senator Carl Levin, visit: http://webb.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=279560

ETHICS REFORM

On July 25, eight freshmen Senators and I held a press conference to highlight the need for expeditious conference negotiations on the House and Senate ethics reform bills. Both houses of Congress passed separate bills in January. I would like to see this important legislation sent to the President before Congress adjourns for August recess.

I am pleased that after our press conference, the Senate leadership announced that an agreement had been reached, and we now expect a Senate and House vote on the bill this week. As an original co-sponsor of the Senate ethics bill, I believe that this legislation is a crucial step towards restoring Americans faith in government.

To read the press release, visit: http://webb.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=280054

To listen to audio highlights of the press conference, visit: http://demradio.senate.gov/actualities/webb/webb070725.mp3

MINIMUM WAGE

Last Tuesday, the first raise in the federal minimum wage in over a decade went into effect, a step forward for economic fairness in our country. The 110th Congress passed the raise in February and the President signed the bill in May. As a centerpiece of my economic fairness agenda, The Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007 was one of the first bills that I sponsored upon taking office in January.

Over 172,000 of Virginia's workers will benefit from the legislation which raises the federal minimum wage from $5.15/hour to $7.25/hour in three phases over two years. By raising the minimum wage, we've taken an important step toward easing the burden facing American workers who are being squeezed by stagnant wages and a rising cost of living.

To read the press release, visit: http://webb.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=279684

V.A. HEALTHCARE IMPROVEMENTS

The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee passed key provisions in the Rural Veterans Healthcare Improvement Act of 2007 this week. This legislation, which I sponsored, will provide better access to healthcare for veterans living in rural areas at great distances from a major V.A. medical facility. The provisions that passed will allow the V.A. to partner with the Department of Health and Human Services and the Indian Health Service, create a VetsRide Grant Program to assist veteran travel to facilities, establish better travel reimbursement rates and require reports on the progress of the V.A.s Office of Rural Health.

To read the press release, visit: http://webb.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=278389

VIRGINIA FARMER DROUGHT ASSISTANCE

This summer, vast parts of Virginia have been experiencing a significant drought. Already, Governor Kaine has requested federal drought disaster designations for ten localities in the Commonwealth: the counties of Bland, Brunswick, Caroline, C ulpeper, Lee, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Washington and Wise.

Recently, I contacted the Secretary of Agriculture asking him to approve federal assistance to Virginia farmers and livestock producers in communities affected by these environmental conditions. I believe it is paramount that the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture expedites the disaster declarations required to help our local farming communities during this difficult time.

Working with Governor Kaine and Virginia Members of Congress, we have sought assistance from the U.S. Farm Service Agency as well as the Department of Agriculture's Emergency Conservation Program (ECP). The U.S. Farm Service Agency provides low-interest loans to designated farmers who lose 30% of their farm income. The ECP reimburses farmers for hay and water purchases for orchards, vineyards, and livestock. I will continue to work with State and Federal officials to secure federal assistance to farmers affected by recent drought conditions.

To read the press release, visit: http://webb.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=279538&

To find out more about the U.S. Farm Service Agency, visit: http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&subject=landing&topic=landing

To find out more about the Department of Agricultures Emergency Conservation Program, visit: http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&subject=copr&topic=ecp

(Photo courtesy of Harold Jerrell, Lee County Extension Agent.)

WOODROW WILSON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY IN STAUNTON

Senator Warner and I introduced legislation to provide a grant from the National Archives to build the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library in Staunton, Virginia. This would be the first presidential library in Virginia. As President Wilson was born in Staunton, there is truly no better place to preserve his works and memorabilia. The library will offer research and educational outreach programs that will economically benefit the community of Staunton and the Commonwealth of Virginia. I will work with my colleagues in Congress for the establishment of this historic landmark.

To read the press release, visit: http://webb.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=279973

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