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It’s April, when our thoughts turn to the topic of TAXES. With the 15th falling on the weekend, we received two extra days before the filing deadline. I trust that everyone survived the annual “tax-ing” ordeal. While none of us look forward to paying taxes, it could be considered a small price to live in the greatest country on earth.
Washington Update
H.R. 1591 – “U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007” – The legislation, also referred to as the Defense Supplemental Bill, was passed by the House and is awaiting action by a House-Senate Conference Committee. Democrats in Congress have sent a strong, negative message to our brave troops by passing a bill that will give the enemy an artificial timeline in our Global War on Terrorism. I am very concerned that Speaker Nancy Pelosi feels comfortable playing politics and hamstringing our generals with funding that is needed to assist our brave men and women fighting in harms way.
President Bush and honorable organizations such as Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion and the National Taxpayers Union have demanded that a clean funding bill be brought before the House of Representatives for an up and down vote. I joined more than 150 of my colleagues in sending a letter to the President pledging to sustain his veto of this pork-laden ‘cut and run’ bill. Learn more at: http://republicanleader.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=63433
H.R. 1538 – “The Wounded Warrior Assistance Act” – The House passed this bi-partisan measure that would make important changes to how the Department of Defense (DoD) manages care for injured military personnel. It also addresses the inadequate living conditions and bureaucratic obstacles faced by some service members at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC.
The measure improves the management of medical care, personnel actions, and quality of life issues for members of the Armed Services. Any injured service member will be assigned a case manager and an advocate to assist with treatment, rehabilitation, understanding and communication of the service member’s medical status and the medical care process. It also sets specific limits on the number of cases each manager and advocate could handle to ensure that service members and their families get the help they need.
These new provisions will require use of a uniform separation and evaluation physical by DoD and VA that VA could use for disability ratings. These changes will go far to ensure that service members are not caught between the DoD and VA bureaucracies. It is unfortunate that it takes legislation to make the procedural changes that should be made within the DoD and the VA. I am hopeful that both agencies will take this legislation as a strong signal that improving medical care must become a priority, not a burden.
Democrat Budget Proposal – I am in strong opposition to the Democratic budget plan that would saddle taxpayers with nearly $400 billion in new taxes. This plan also provides for huge spending increases, includes significant budget gimmicks, and ignores the need to bring reform to our nation’s entitlement programs. The tax increases provided for in the Democratic plan includes increases to personal income tax rates, reinstatement of the marriage penalty, adjustment to the child tax credit, and hikes in taxes on dividend and investment earnings. In the end, these widespread tax increases would hit almost 1.5 million South Carolina taxpayers with an average tax increase of $2,482.
Republican tax relief passed in 2001 and 2003 has resulted in 7.6 million new jobs, reduced the unemployment rate from over 6 percent to 4.5 percent, and increased Federal revenues at an average rate of almost 12 percent over the past three years. Instead of ensuring that this tax relief continues into the future, the Democratic budget provides for their cancellation, meaning that Americans will see some $400 billion in new tax increases across the board.
Reducing the deficit requires continued pro-growth economic policies while holding the line on new spending. It does not require saddling over half of South Carolina’s taxpayers with a $2,500 tax increase while ignoring the need to make tough decisions on spending and reform. More information is available at http://budget.house.gov/republicans/
H.R. 1495 – “The Water Resources and Development Act of 2007 (WRDA)” – A strong bipartisan majority passed this legislation authorizing approximately $14 billion in needed water resources studies and construction projects by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Included as part of the bill were several project authorizations sought by local communities to give the Army Corps the tools to improve the environment, conduct critical drainage improvements, and reduce coastal storm damage throughout the Waccamaw and Charleston Regions.
WRDA allows Congress to provide the Corps funding for a wide variety of civil works projects, including navigation channels, flood control projects, ecosystem restoration work, municipal water and wastewater infrastructure, and disaster relief and recovery. Additionally, the legislation includes a number of reforms designed to improve the Corps’ ability to plan and deliver projects. While the House has passed a WRDA bill the past three Congresses, disagreements with the Senate have prevented a bill from becoming law. For details on specific First District projects included in WRDA, visit my web site at www.brown.house.gov
H. Con. Res. 125 – National Seafood Month – This week, I introduced a resolution which recognizes the health benefits of eating seafood as part of a balanced diet and supports the goals and ideals of National Seafood Month, to be observed in October. In addition to highlighting the importance of seafood as part of a healthy diet, it also honors and celebrates the contributions of the seafood and fishing industries. As Co-Chair of the Congressional Shellfish Caucus and the Representative for more than 75% of our state’s coastline, I am pleased to introduce this resolution which has received the support of the National Fisheries Institute.
Doings in the District
A Great Public Servant – This month has brought the passing of a friend and former colleague from the S.C. General Assembly. State Senator William Mescher first came to the Lowcountry to take the helm of Santee Cooper. Following his retirement, he continued to make Berkeley County his home. First elected in 1992, Bill worked tirelessly for the people of his district and our state. In this time of loss, let us keep his family in our thoughts and prayers.
Earthrace Update – The most recent reports show the biodiesel-powered boat is in the Pacific Ocean and at the halfway point of the 24,250 nautical mile trip. As of April 23rd, they have 29 days to beat the world circumnavigation record. For Earthrace status updates, go to their website at www.earthrace.net
Consolidated Medical Clinic – Since my last Newsletter, the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs held a Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Consolidated Medical Clinic to be located at the Naval Weapons Station in Goose Creek. The health of our veterans and armed forces is a top priority, and the facility to be located on this site represents the next generation of military health care. The partnership between DoD and VA is a win-win situation for both active-duty military and our veterans.
Google – Earlier this month, Google formally released their plans to locate a new facility in Berkeley County. I was pleased to be present for this announcement and to welcome them as a new corporate partner in the Lowcountry. As so many others have done in recent years, Google recognizes the factors which contribute to our exceptional quality of life. I want to extend my congratulations to all those who worked so diligently to showcase our community and its assets in what was certainly a very competitive endeavor.
The arrival of Google not only means good paying jobs for the region, but also is a ‘stamp of approval’ from one of the world’s most influential high-tech firms. I look forward to working with Google as they make progress on their facility and become part of our growing business community.”
Vehicles for our Troops – I am very proud of two locally-based companies that are making a life-saving contribution in support of our armed forces. Protected Vehicles and Force Protection are both producing mine-protected vehicles for use in the Middle East and were featured in a recent USA Today story. While the military’s urgent need for these blast-resistant vehicles might represent an economic boon to our economy, one of these company’s employees put it best, “It makes you proud to be part of something that's saving lives. We're building something that works.”
We are Here for You!
I frequently refer people to our web site as a resource for numerous issues, from finding my position on legislation to discovering the process for clearing up a Social Security problem. I am pleased to announce that our site has a ‘new look’ and will soon benefit from expanded content, some of which is already online. I hope you will find it to be more user-friendly and customized to the needs of the 1st District. Take a moment to review the site and let us know what you think, and keep checking back. I welcome your comments and suggestions, and I hope that you will continue to utilize my website as an important tool for learning about issues and for communicating with me. Your opinions are important and help me do a better job of representing you. The site is new, but the address is the same: www.brown.house.gov .
We continue to receive an unusually high number of requests for assistance with passport processing. There has been some concern over the increased processing times and what the State Department is doing to address this. We have been assured that this is only a temporary spike and that they are working diligently to adjudicate all passport applications. If at all possible, make your application well in advance of your departure date. Processing times are averaging 10 to 12 weeks. My offices will continue to make every effort to assist our constituents with their international travel needs.
If you need help with a federal agency, the resources of my office are available to you as a resident of the First Congressional District. Should you be seeking assistance, please do not send an email to my office. You will need to mail or fax a short letter (with all applicable information including your full name, social security number, address, date, your signature and daytime telephone number) to the District Office closer to where you live. To address privacy regulations, you should also include a statement of consent, such as “I authorize you to make an inquiry on my behalf.” My hard-working staff of dedicated professionals is committed to provide the best constituent service possible.
If you are planning a trip to Washington and are interested in Capitol or White House tour information, please contact my Washington Office. That is also the best point of contact if you wish to purchase a U.S. flag. The D.C. staff looks forward to hearing from you. They are also an excellent resource for the issues currently under consideration by the U.S. House of Representatives.
I hope you find this E-Newsletter to be helpful and informative. I encourage you to forward it to friends and family. If someone you know is interested in receiving my Newsletter via e-mail, they need only visit my site and enter their zip code in the “E-Mail Updates” block found on the home page.
Thank you for the honor and privilege of representing the citizens of the First Congressional District. I pledge to do my best in upholding the trust that you have placed in me.
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