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

May 23, 2008

Dear Friends,

This week, the Senate debated and passed legislation to provide funds for American troops without setting timelines for U.S. troop withdrawal in Iraq.  It is absolutely wrong to tie the money to support our troops to arbitrary timetables that have nothing to do with success or failure on the ground.  I’m pleased this bill supports our men and women in uniform, who are deployed in defense of freedom, and gives them everything they deserve and everything they need to accomplish their mission.   This legislation also included language to increase educational benefits to all members of the military who have served on active duty since September 11, 2001, including activated reservists and National Guard. To qualify, veterans must have served at least three to 36 months of qualified active duty, with at least 30 days being served after September 11, 2001. The Montgomery G.I. Bill can change lives. It has given countless members of our military access to the college education they otherwise would not have been able to afford.  Our nation’s military and their families have sacrificed tremendously so that our nation can live in freedom. It is important we modernize education benefits for our military to ensure that our servicemembers, veterans and members of the National Guard and Reserve receive the education benefits they deserve.

Amnesty Provision in Emergency War Supplemental Bill
One of the amendments attached to the original Senate version of the Emergency War Supplemental Bill mentioned above included an amendment by Senator Feinstein to give a five-year visa to 1.35 million workers plus their spouses and dependent children to live and work in the United States. The amendment required that illegal aliens be treated as lawful permanent residents.

Adding the amendment to the appropriations bill violated Senate rules because it authorizes or legislates on an appropriations bill. As such, it was subject to a point of order on the Senate floor and removed from the bill.  There’s no greater domestic issue in this country than illegal immigration, and I am pleased the Senate rejected this attempt to grant amnesty on a bill designed to give our soldiers the resources they need in the War on Terror.  The war supplemental was the wrong vehicle to deal with this issue and this was the absolutely wrong approach to handling illegal agricultural workers. Congress can make immigration reform a reality by first delivering common-sense solutions to secure our porous borders and stop the flow of illegal immigrants.

Farm Bill
Last week, the Senate passed a new five-year Farm Bill that continues to provide a safety net for farmers, increases conservation programs, provides incentives for renewable energy production and establishes a permanent disaster program.  I commend Senator Saxby Chambliss for his strong work in crafting this legislation and for making sure that we continue to meet the needs of farmers in Georgia and the Southeast.

This week President Bush vetoed the Farm Bill. However, both the House and the Senate overwhelmingly supported overriding the veto. I was proud to support the override and firmly believe t his Farm Bill is a win for rural America and for farmers in Georgia, where agriculture remains the number one industry in the state. 

Resolution Urges Government Fuel Conservation
Last night, I was pleased the Senate passed a Sense-of-the-Senate resolution urging federal agencies to conserve fuel at a time when rising gas prices are significantly affecting the American economy and the family budget. I was an original co-sponsor of the resolution.

The resolution urges the President to require all federal departments and agencies to take initiatives to reduce daily consumption of gasoline and other fuels by the departments and agencies. The resolution states that an overall reduction of gasoline consumption by federal agencies by even a few percentage points would send a strong signal that, as a nation, the United States is joining to conserve energy.

There are no quick fixes in dealing with this issue, but there are things we can and must do. With skyrocketing gas prices, the federal government should be leading the way in conservation efforts and finding ways to cut consumption among all its federal agencies.

Committee Approves Legislation to Develop Recommendations for Water Strategy
On Wednesday, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee approved legislation to study and develop recommendations for a comprehensive water strategy.  As a member of the EPW Committee, I introduced the Twenty-First Century Water Commission Act of 2008, S.2728, on March 6, 2008. The bill would establish the Twenty-First Century Water Commission, which seeks to develop strategies to increase water supplies and improve the availability, reliability and quality of freshwater resources.

The commission would study current water management programs of federal, interstate, state and local agencies and private-sector entities as well as consult with representatives of such agencies and entities to develop recommendations for a comprehensive national water strategy. The strategy developed by the commission would be required to identify incentives intended to ensure an adequate and dependable water supply to meet U.S. needs for the next 50 years and suggest strategies that avoid increased mandates on state and local governments, considering all available technologies. The commission would also be required to suggest financing options.

U.S. Representative John Linder, R-Ga., has introduced similar legislation in the House. Linder’s legislation was approved by the House during the last two Congresses but this was the first time it has been considered by the Senate.     

As Georgia experiences the worst drought in over 100 years, it has become clear to me that the United States would benefit greatly from a national strategy for drinking water.  The legislation will give states the tools they need to create water policies that reflect 21st century demand and usage.

What’s on Tap for Next Week?

The Senate will recess for the observance of Memorial Day.  I look forward to hearing from my constituents in northeast and northwest Georgia during the week.  I would also like to take this opportunity to ask you to join me in saying a prayer for the families that have lost a loved one in service to our nation over the last year, and tell a servicemember thank you for their many sacrifices on behalf of our nation.

Sincerely,
Johnny Isakson