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

March 16, 2007

Dear Friends,                              

This week the Senate continued its debate on Iraq.  I think it is entirely appropriate to debate the War in Iraq on the floor of the U.S. Senate. However, I find it inappropriate to spend weeks debating nonbinding resolutions that amount to nothing more than political theater.  Our enemies and the enemies of the Iraqi people watch our actions and listen to our words. Our Commander in Chief has committed our Armed Forces to a plan, and the Iraqi government has committed to be a full partner.  At such a critical time, when our country is committed to a major battle in the overall Global War on Terror, the words of Congress should not send a mixed message to our troops, the Iraqi people or our enemies. I voted against the resolution by Democratic Leader Harry Reid (SJRes.9) and I am prepared to vote against any resolution that seeks to manage the War in Iraq from Congress or to set arbitrary deadlines for withdrawal.

Freedom of Information Act

On Tuesday, Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas), introduced legislation to achieve meaningful reforms to the Freedom of Information Act of 1966, known as FOIA.  I signed on as a co-sponsor to continue promoting accountability, accessibility and openness in government.  Our government is not based on the need to know but the fundamental right to know. Open government is vital to a healthy democracy.  I am pleased to join Senators Cornyn and Leahy on this legislation to reinforce our national commitment to openness in government.

Specifically, the Openness Promotes Effectiveness in our National Government Act of 2007 contains a number of substantive provisions designed to strengthen FOIA and close loopholes as well as help those who request information from the federal government through FOIA to obtain timely responses to their requests. The provisions also give federal agencies strong incentives to act on FOIA requests in a timely manner and provide FOIA officials with all of the tools they need to ensure that our government remains open and accessible.

Enacted in 1966, FOIA was designed to enable any individual or corporation to request access to existing, identifiable or unpublished executive branch agency records on any topic. Congress last approved major changes to FOIA over a decade ago. 

I signed on to the bill during the third annual Sunshine Week, which is a week devoted to creating a dialogue about government transparency and the public’s ability to access information.

Border Security

I continue to hear from citizens across our country that they support my approach to immigration reform, which is based on the requirement that the first step of any comprehensive immigration reform must be to secure the U.S. borders.  It also spells out in detail the increased manpower, equipment and technology necessary to stop the flood of illegal immigrants into our country.   There is no way you can reform immigration unless you first stop the porous borders and the flow of illegal immigrants.  Please click here for more information on my legislation. 

What’s on Tap for Next Week?

Next week, the Senate will debate a bill seeking to curb the President’s authority to appoint U.S. attorneys without Senate confirmation. The Senate also is expected to begin debate on the Budget Resolution.

Sincerely,
Johnny Isakson