Senator Bob Corker : Celebrating Independence Day

Update from Senator Bob Corker
July 1, 2011

Celebrating Independence Day

In honor of Independence Day, Monday, July 4, Sen. Corker said:

“As we celebrate our independence and enjoy traditions like barbecues and fireworks, I hope Tennesseans will join me in giving thanks for our incredible service men and women who sacrifice every day to protect the freedoms we enjoy. I hope their example and the remarkable moment of our independence will inspire all of us to confront our nation’s challenges head on as we should and leave behind a great legacy for future generations of Americans.”

Calling for a Vote on a Balanced Budget Amendment

April 29, 2011 – Sen. Corker speaks at a news conference in the U.S. Capitol about the balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.

Sen. Corker said Congress needs a straitjacket to restrain spending and a constitutional amendment to ensure a future Congress doesn’t "fall off the wagon." Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell began a process this week to secure a vote on a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution supported by all Senate Republicans.

“For anyone who believes Congress has no discipline when it comes to spending, I can assure you it is far worse than you think. It’s been almost 800 days since the Senate passed a budget. That’s why we need to put an enforceable straitjacket on Congress, like the CAP Act, and then look at a constitutional amendment to ensure Congress doesn’t fall off the wagon,” Corker said.

Read more: Corker Says Balanced Budget Amendment is Needed; Congress Will Fall off the Wagon
Chattanooga Times Free Press Editorial: Sen. Corker for 'real' budget

Opposing Authorization for Military Mission in Libya until U.S. Interests Clarified

***Click on image to view video***

Sen. Corker voted against a resolution authorizing U.S. military involvement in Libya this week in the Foreign Relations Committee, saying:

“Since April 14, 2011, I have been requesting information to ensure we are acting in the interests of the United States, and the administration has been very slow and inadequate in responding to my requests and has yet to make the case that our engagement is in our country’s national interests. Further, U.S. engagement in this operation has exposed some serious gaps in the capabilities of our NATO partners and within the laws that govern U.S. use of force abroad. For those reasons, I voted no on final passage of the resolution today.

“This administration has needlessly generated a showdown with Congress because of its repeated failure to clearly explain the true nature of our involvement in Libya or to respect Congress’ role in authorizing military action through the War Powers Resolution. They refuse to either assert that the resolution is unconstitutional or admit that the U.S. is clearly engaged in hostile action through drone strikes and other military activities. By claiming compliance with the law and yet refusing to admit the obvious, they are setting a precedent that will create even greater conflicts down the road between Congress and the president.

“We owe it to every man and woman who puts on a uniform to serve our country and every taxpayer who funds the operations to be clear that our entry into any conflict has been thoughtfully considered, contains clear justification, a clear mission and a clear debate of the risks and benefits.

“I hope that over the next several weeks the gaps in information and justification can be adequately addressed so that Congress can finally move forward on this issue.”

Voting for DeMint Amendment to Prevent U.S. Taxpayers from Funding Greek Bailout

In an effort to prevent U.S. taxpayers from contributing to bailouts of foreign country’s like Greece, Sen. Corker voted for an amendment offered by Senator Jim DeMint, R-S.C., to remove a $100 billion line of credit available to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and require Senate confirmation for nominees to the IMF Board of Governors. The line of credit was established as an emergency fund to help calm a temporary cash crisis and was never intended to assist insolvent foreign governments unable to pay their bills. The DeMint amendment failed by a vote of 44 to 55.

“With an urgent debt problem of our own that requires immediate attention, American taxpayers should not be lending money to overly indebted countries that are unable to pay their bills. We simply can’t afford it,” Corker said. “This is a European problem and the European Central Bank needs to work with member countries to solve it. What’s happening in Greece, where foreign countries are dictating painful cuts in domestic spending to avoid a Greek default, should be a warning sign about what could happen here if we don’t put a stop to out-of-control spending in Washington immediately.”

Addressing Prescription Drug Shortages

In a letter to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Sen. Corker joined Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Richard Burr (R-NC), Bob Casey (D-PA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and John McCain (R-AZ) expressed a growing urgency to deal with drug shortages that are adversely affecting patient care.

“Given the growing severity of this problem, we strongly urge you to hold a public hearing on this issue as soon as possible in order to help facilitate a meaningful discussion of potential solutions to address these shortages,” the senators wrote.

The FDA has a public meeting scheduled in September, but the Senators expressed the need to convene the meeting at the earliest possible date.

“While we appreciate this progress, the Department’s actions must reflect the urgency of this matter and we believe that a hearing in September falls short of this objective,” the senators wrote. “Therefore, we strongly urge you to work with the FDA and other relevant operating divisions within the Department to convene this public meeting at the earliest possible date.”