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

October 5, 2007

Dear Friends,

This week, the Senate passed the Fiscal Year 2008 National Defense Authorization Act, which authorizes funding for our military men and women and their families, critical military construction projects at Georgia bases and Georgia-made weapons systems.  The bill provides $648.8 billion in funding, including $130 billion in war-related Global War on Terrorism funding. It provides a 3.5 percent raise for all military personnel across the board, includes $4 billion for mine resistant vehicles to protect our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan from Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), and many provisions to improve compensation and quality of life for the men and women in uniform.  Georgia is a big winner in this Defense Authorization bill, thanks in large part to the work of Senator Chambliss on the Senate Armed Services Committee.  This legislation sets the priorities for our nation’s military needs and I am proud of the strong commitment it shows to Georgia. 

The FY 08 National Defense Authorization Act also authorizes the projects included in the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Bill. The bill also authorizes $481 million for construction at military bases in Georgia, which is the sixth largest amount in the nation.  For more information on the military construction projects authorized for Georgia, click here.

Border Security Funding Approved
On Wednesday, I had the opportunity to vote in favor of an amendment to the Department of Defense appropriations bill that would provide funds to immediately pay for some of the manpower and technology necessary to secure the U.S. border.  The amendment passed by a vote of 95 to 1.  There’s no greater domestic issue in this country than the problems on our southern border with Mexico, and it is time that Congress makes a commitment to make border security a reality.  This amendment is a step in the right direction.  It is time we stop making promises and start delivering.  America is too important, and this issue is too critical to the American people. 

Major provisions of the amendment include establishing full operational control over 100 percent of the U.S.-Mexico land border; providing funding to procure unmanned aerial vehicles, ground sensors and vehicle barriers; providing funding to construct 700 miles of border fencing; and increasing the ability to detain illegal immigrants caught within U.S. borders.  In addition, the amendment provides $60 million to improve the nation’s employment verification system, which I believe is critical to achieving control of the border.

Water Control Plan
I continue to work every day on the water crisis facing our state. Last Friday, Senator Chambliss and I sent a letter to the Secretary of the Army, Pete Geren, strongly urging him to honor his pledge to update the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ outdated water control plan for the two river basins that serve Georgia, Alabama and Florida.  On September 13, Judge Charles B. Renfrew sent a letter to Judge Karen Bowdre stating that “we are at an impasse in the mediation between Alabama and Georgia,” and “there is no any prospect of reaching a resolution at the present time or for the foreseeable future.”  At an August meeting with Senator Chambliss and me, Secretary Geren made a commitment that if or when mediation broke down, he would begin the update of the water control manuals that his predecessor had committed to begin in January 2, 2007. 

Last week, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources issued a drought declaration prohibiting most types of outdoor residential water use in the northern third of the state while the remaining Georgia counties remain subject to outdoor watering limits. Many local jurisdictions in Georgia have also put in place watering restrictions that are more stringent than those mandated by the state. The state of Alabama has not mandated any watering restrictions despite the record drought.

I am continually dismayed by Alabama’s reactions in recent years as they have challenged every Georgia water permit in federal court and refused to negotiate in good faith to resolve problems in these basins.  These actions have hurt lake levels across our state.  It is imperative that we update the water control plan to reflect 21^st century demand and usage, and I will continue to work to bring about a resolution between the states and will work to see that the threat to our Georgia lakes is stopped. 

This week, the Army Corps of Engineers made temporary progress by reducing water flow into the Alabama River from Allatoona Lake by approximately 129 million gallons a day.  I will continue to push the Corps for results on this issue.

Permanent Ban on Asbestos in the U.S.
Yesterday, the Senate passed legislation I authored with Senator Patty Murray, D-Wash., to ban for the first time ever the production, manufacture and distribution of asbestos, a deadly carcinogen that is still legally used in the United States.  The bill establishes a permanent ban of asbestos that will be enforced by the Environmental Protection Agency.  The bill mandates the most thorough government study of asbestos to date.  The study will ensure the best experts from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, the National Academy of Sciences and the EPA examine all aspects of asbestos, including its natural properties, its geographic distribution across the United States and its effects on the human body.  This bill is the culmination of months of bipartisan work to find common ground on this important issue, and I am extremely pleased the Senate acted so quickly to approve it.  Banning asbestos is simply the right thing to do.  This legislation provides the framework for how we must go about achieving that goal, and I plan to work with my colleagues in the House to make sure this bill reaches the President’s desk.

Senate Approves Legislation to Rename Augusta Veterans Center in Honor of the Late Congressman Charlie Norwood
The Senate approved legislation this week Senator Chambliss and I introduced to rename the Augusta Veterans Affairs facility as the “Charlie Norwood Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center,” in honor of the late U.S. Rep. Charlie Norwood, R-Ga., who passed away on February 13, 2007. The legislation was included as an amendment to the 2007 National Defense Authorization Act approved by the Senate Monday.  I am so thankful for the contributions Charlie made to our state and to this Congress.  It is only fitting that we dedicate the Augusta VA Center to a man who was so diligent in his efforts to ensure that the treatment and services we give our veterans are equal to the sacrifice they have made for our country. I’m extremely pleased my colleagues were supportive of this measure to honor this wonderful public servant.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Nearly all Americans have either themselves been diagnosed with some form of breast cancer or have had a close friend or loved one who has been touched by this disease.  I am pleased that there are so many organizations dedicated to researching better treatments for, and eventually eliminating breast cancer.  I hope many Georgians will find a way to help in some small way this month.

What’s on Tap for Next Week?

Next week, the Senate will be in recess and I will be in Georgia for meetings with constituents.

Sincerely,
Johnny Isakson