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Week of September 15th
STABILIZING THE U.S. ECONOMY: One of the primary responsibilities of the Government is to protect the vulnerable. This week, as we've watched the economic problems facing Main Street America and Wall Street collide, we are all vulnerable. What the American public deserves is more answers to our many questions. Unfortunately, the Administration's inconsistent handling of our current economic crisis has only fueled fear and anxiety, causing more harm. The American people have a right to know how and why one company or financial entity deserves government backing but others are allowed to collapse. Our current economic crisis is a wake-up call. We must heed this warning and do the things that will make this nation competitive again. As a member of the Senate Budget Committee, I plan to work with all of my colleagues to help those who are looking to their government in this time of need.
FBI OVERSIGHT: On Wednesday, as a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I will participate in an oversight hearing of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The sole witness is Robert S. Mueller, III, who has been the Director of the FBI since just before the September 2001 terrorist attacks. I intend to ask the Director Mueller to clarify some of the information provided earlier this year, when the FBI named the late Bruce Ivins, a scientist at Fort Detrick, as the sole conspirator of the 2001 anthrax attacks. Questions still remain about the investigation, the FBI's overall handling of this case, and their results.
As Election Day nears, I also am increasingly concerned about the steps the FBI - and Justice Department as a whole - is taking in terms of enforcing election laws and preparation to combat voter intimidation and suppression. In previous elections we have seen campaigns use deceptive tactics to deliberately marginalize and disenfranchise minority voters. These tactics seem to deliberately target minority neighborhoods and are blatant attempts to reduce minority turnout. Similar to the questions I asked Attorney General Mukasey at a recent hearing, I want to hear the details of the effort the FBI is taking to prepare for this election and how it is coordinating with other agencies within the Department of Justice, state and local election officials and law enforcement. I want to know if they are prepared to enforce the law prior to the election and if they need any additional statutory tools to help them in this effort.
FORT MEADE CLEANUP: On Thursday, as a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, I'll participate in an oversight hearing on federal agency cleanup activities at toxic waste sites, such as Fort Meade. The hearing will include testimony regarding Department of Defense hazardous waste sites in Maryland, Florida and New Jersey, and problems with the cleanup of radioactive contamination at Department of Energy facilities in California. The hearing will also examine funding and coordination between EPA and states regarding the cleanup of toxic sites. Shari T. Wilson, Secretary of the Environment, Maryland Department of the Environment, will be among those testifying. As of this date, the Army has been unwilling to enter into a Federal Facility Agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that would govern investigation and remedial activities at Fort Meade going forward. As a result, in August of 2007, EPA issued a Unilateral Corrective Order to the Army directing the Army, among other things, to undertake specific additional remedial cleanup investigation activities. Because of the Army's lack of responsiveness at Fort Meade, in June 2008, Senator Cardin and Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-MD) requested that EPW Chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-CA) hold a hearing on this topic.
UPCOMING MEDIA: If you live in or around the Eastern Shore, listen to my live interview Thursday morning (September 18) with Bill Reddish at about 7:35am on WICO-1320AM (Delmarva Broadcasting).
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