A Weekly e-Newsletter
from Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA)

November 18, 2005

Dear Friends,

This week, after eight months of work with the Senate Finance Committee and the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, the full Senate unanimously approved my airline pension amendment to help protect thousands of airline employees from losing their pensions and to help protect American taxpayers from having to pay for those airline pensions. My amendment allows airlines to spread their pension plan funding over a more manageable schedule of 20 years – instead of the current four years – and under more stable, long-range terms. The legislation also helps protect American taxpayers by limiting the liability of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, the federal agency responsible for funding pensions when companies terminate their pension plans.

The Senate also held two important votes this week on amendments seeking to force the President to spell out a strategy for the withdrawal of U.S. troops in Iraq . I voted against both amendments. The first was an amendment from Senator Carl Levin (D-Mich.) that stated that 2006 should be a year of “significant transition” to Iraqi sovereignty, with Iraqi forces taking responsibility for their country’s security. It mandated quarterly reports to Congress by the administration on progress toward that goal as well as an estimated timetable for the eventual redeployment of U.S. forces. The second amendment, which I also voted against, sponsored by Senators Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) and John Warner (R-Va.), was nearly identical to the original amendment, but it did not include the requirement for the administration to establish a timetable for withdrawal. I believe these amendments weakened our efforts in Iraq and undermined our troops by attempting to dictate strategy to President Bush. We must remember that we are fighting a new kind of war. The terrorists don’t want to beat us. They want us to lose our resolve so they can rule the world through intimidation. We cannot disengage or retreat at a time when strength is needed the most.

I also co-sponsored a constitutional amendment this week that would allow the President to use the line-item veto to either eliminate or reduce appropriations in any bill passed by the Congress. We must take bold and immediate steps to end the reckless spending that is threatening the future of our nation. This amendment will give the President much-needed authority to remove items from appropriations bills that are considered wasteful. We need to have politicians justifying what they just spent rather than promising what they will spend.

Also, this morning I had the pleasure of meeting with Judge Samuel Alito in my office to discuss his U.S. Supreme Court nomination. Judge Alito is in person what he has appeared to me to be in print and on television. Our meeting was a confirmation of all the positive things I have heard and read about him. I have seen nothing that would lead me to anything other than a positive vote. I obviously look forward to the confirmation hearings, and I will listen to them closely.

We also received final passage of the fiscal year 2006 Energy and Water Appropriations bill that contains crucial funding for the state of Georgia, including $19.1 million for the deepening of the Brunswick Harbor – a project that is critical to the future of the Brunswick Port and Georgia’s economy. From shore protection to waterway navigation, this funding recognizes the importance of the Army Corps of Engineer projects to our nation and especially to Georgia.

The Departments of State, Justice and Commerce received final congressional approval for the fiscal year 2006 funding, and includes funds for Georgia law enforcement to combat crime. The bill also includes funding for math, science and engineering programs at several Georgia schools.  I am pleased to announce all of these important funds for Georgia.  

What’s on Tap for Next Week?

Next week the Senate will be in recess in observation of Thanksgiving. I wish you and your loved ones a joyous holiday.

Sincerely,
Johnny Isakson