Obama’s budget a bill we can’t repay

By Lynn Westmoreland

A few years back, Republicans controlled all branches of government and Democrats howled about the GOP’s budget gimmicks and spendthrift ways.

I admit there was some truth to their charges. I fought my fellow Republicans at the time to cut spending and shrink the size of government just like we’d promised our constituents we would do.

But now that Democrats control every branch of government, I can’t help but look back on Republican deficits as mere child’s play compared to what President Obama and his fellow travelers have in store for us: trillion-dollar deficits as far as the eye can see and no plausible plan for ever paying it back.

What has become of America when the leaders of Communist China and socialist Europe can legitimately preach to us about spending too much? The president of the European Union – an organization hardly known for its fiscal conservatism or aversion to big government – recently called Obama’s spending plans a “road to hell.”

I can’t remember ever agreeing with a leader of the EU on economic policy, but I guess there’s a first for everything.

The Democrat budget, set for a vote this week in the House, spends too much, taxes too much and borrows too much.

President Obama promised his legions of young supporters on the campaign trail that he would restore fiscal sanity to Washington and kick all those money-grubbing special interests to the curb. Blue Dog Democrats swore they’d stand up to ultraliberal Speaker Nancy Pelosi and impose “paygo” – which means that every dollar of new spending is balanced out with cuts elsewhere or new revenue.

Ha! Jokes on us, I guess. They pulled a fast one.

Instead of balancing budgets and reforming entitlement spending and “making tough choices” (Remember that Obama phrase?), the Democrats’ plan is quite simple: Just spend, spend, spend. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that Obama’s plan will expand the debt by $9.3 trillion over the next 10 years. That’s more than all the debt accumulated by the nation from George Washington to George W. Bush.

There’s a whack to fiscal sanity.

The CBO further predicts that federal spending will average 23 percent of gross domestic product while federal revenue will equal about 19 percent of GDP. That’s government expansion of 3 percent of GDP.

Double whack!

The Democrats’ $3.6 trillion budget raises taxes on all Americans by $1.3 trillion. Hey, reader, that’s you. Whether you’re a parent struggling to pay the bills, a small business person trying to avoid layoffs or worse, or an employee at a plant worried about keeping your job, the Democrats’ taxes are going to hit you. They promised a “middle class tax cut” but now they’ve dropped that idea. It was merely a sleight of hand to distract attention away from the global warming taxes that will hike costs for every American who turns on a light switch.

Triple whack! Still standing?

The Congressional Budget Office’s budget analysis paints a much more realistic and, hence, much worse scenario for our nation’s future than Obama’s numbers. That’s because Obama’s rosier predictions are based on the assumption that we’ll experience year after year of economic expansion greater than any in American history. How dumb do they think we are?

The Democrats are now scurrying to cover their big-spending ways by adopting the exact same budget gimmicks they deplored the past eight years. These include keeping “emergency” spending items that you know are coming out of the budget, budgeting tens of billions in revenue from the alternative minimum tax which Congress never implements and reducing the budget window from 10 years to five years to hide the exploding deficits in the out years.

That’s hypocrisy. But hypocrisy is a mere misdemeanor compared with the felonious theft from future generations with the trillions in IOUs we’ll be handing them.

Lynn Westmoreland (R-Grantville) represents Georgia’s 3rd Congressional District.
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Isakson, Chambliss Vote Against $3.5 Trillion Budget Resolution

Voice Dismay at Senate’s Refusal to Control Federal Spending, Keep Taxes Low

Expressing dismay over a budget plan that spends, borrows and taxes too much, U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., last night voted against final passage of the $3.5 trillion Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Resolution, which passed by a vote of 55 to 43.

This year’s Budget Resolution, which serves as a nonbinding blueprint for Congress when it decides how to appropriate federal dollars later in the year, was drafted by Senate Democrats who packed it with heavy spending and tax increases.

“The American people are facing difficult times. We are confronting difficult economic circumstances, and this Congress thinks the solution to our economic struggles is to dramatically increase government spending, raise taxes on American families and businesses, and put our nation deeper in debt,” Isakson said. “That’s absolutely the wrong answer. We must alleviate the tax burden placed on our citizens, not increase it. We must stop the reckless spending.”

“In this time of economic volatility, Americans are worried. They are concerned about their jobs, their mortgages and their mounting debts, and where our country is headed financially,” said Chambliss. “This freewheeling budget that borrows too much and includes the largest tax increase in history will do little to quell those worries. I have four grandchildren – two of them are newborns. They are the ones that will be charged with paying this debt. With this budget, we are making no sacrifices. We are doing ourselves and future generations no favors.”The Budget Resolution increases discretionary spending by $490 billion over the next five years and adds $4.96 trillion to the gross national debt. It also raises taxes by $361 billion and allows for $1.3 trillion in additional tax increases.

The Senate rejected a number of amendments supported by Isakson and Chambliss, including measures to:

· Establish a bipartisan commission to examine the long-term fiscal imbalances in the federal budget;
· Ensure millions of middle-income families do not face an alternative minimum tax increase in 2013 and 2014;
· Create a new a 60-vote point of order on earmarks for private for profit entities that are not competitively bid, earmarks that have not been the subject of public hearings where the sponsor has testified on behalf of the earmark, earmarks that have not been posted on a member’s website for at least 72 hours before consideration of the legislation and earmarks that are traded for political favors;
· Create a 60-vote point of order on any budget resolution that projects a ratio of debt-to-GDP for any fiscal year in excess of 90 percent to ensure the continued viability of the U.S. dollar and prevent doubling or tripling the debt burden on future generations;
· Encourage exploration and production of oil and natural gas in the Outer Continental Shelf by setting up a revenue sharing mechanism for states;
· Ensure full funding for construction of the Southwest border fence by creating a 60-vote point of order against any appropriations bill that fails to fully fund the construction of the Southwest border fence;
· Protect the freedom of conscience for patients and the right of health care providers to serve patients without violating their moral and religious convictions; and
· Protect the health of all Americans by ensuring that the government does not use comparative effectiveness research as a tool to ration or deny health care, allowing doctors and patients to decide what care is appropriate rather than the government.

Unlike the House Budget Resolution, the Senate Budget Resolution does not include any reconciliation instructions, which could allow major, controversial legislative measures to bypass the committee process and pass the Senate by a simple majority vote. Isakson and Chambliss believe including reconciliation instructions in the budget would allow the Democrats to pass their legislative agenda without debate or bipartisanship. Isakson and Chambliss joined with a majority of the Senate in passing an amendment to the Budget Resolution to prohibit using the reconciliation process to pass the Democrats’ energy tax in the form of a "cap-and-trade" plan to combat global warming.

The Senate unanimously passed an amendment by Isakson to create a deficit-neutral reserve fund for providing a nonrefundable federal income tax credit for the purchase of a principal residence during a one-year period. The amendment would ensure that there is room available in the Fiscal Year 2010 budget levels for a homebuyer credit to be passed at a later date. Isakson plans to introduce his $15,000 tax credit as a stand-alone bill in the next few weeks in an effort to quickly revive the U.S. housing market.
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Isakson Co-Sponsors Legislation to Force SEC to Reinstate Uptick Rule

Says Bill Will Impose Discipline, Allow Stock Market to Restore Itself

U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today announced that he is co-sponsoring legislation by Senator Ted Kaufman, D-Del., to require the Securities and Exchange Commission to reinstate the “uptick rule” in order to stabilize the financial markets and protect the American consumer from traders forcing down the price of a stock. Isakson has been calling for the SEC to reinstate the rule since last fall.

“Senator Kaufman has introduced a piece of legislation that is right for America, it is right for America's investors, and it is right for our stock market as it still languishes today somewhere down near what we hope is the bottom,” Isakson said during a speech on the Senate floor. “One way to ensure that bottom exists is to stop rewarding those who would feed off of it and instead reinstate good discipline that ensures good practices and allows the market to restore itself back to a good equilibrium.”

In his remarks, Isakson argued that the market deterioration was impacted by short sellers rushing to the market, shorting financial stocks and accelerating the decline of those values. Isakson believes the uptick rule should be reinstated to ensure that traders are not coming into the market to take advantage of these difficult economic times.

Last fall, Isakson contacted Chris Cox, then-chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, urging him to reinstate the uptick rule. Isakson has since spoken on the floor of the Senate calling for the SEC to reinstate the rule. On March 13, 2009, the SEC announced it will meet on April 8 to consider whether to propose short sale price test rules.

The legislation Isakson is co-sponsoring directs the SEC to write regulations within 60 days to end abusive short selling. These regulations must reinstate the substance of the uptick rule that prohibited short sales that are not made on an increase in the price of the stock as well as require exchanges and other trading venues to execute the trades of long sellers ahead of short sellers, all other things being equal.

With the concurrence of the Secretary of the Treasury and the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the bill also directs the SEC to prohibit short sales of the securities of any financial institution unless that trade is affected at a price (in minimum lots specified by the Commission) at least 5 cents higher than the immediately preceding transaction in such securities.

Additionally, the legislation directs the SEC to prohibit any person from selling securities short unless that person has at the time of the short sale a demonstrable legally enforceable right to deliver the securities at the required delivery date and require that all short sales settle on the same time frame employed for long sales of the same securities.
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Chambliss, Isakson Applaud Passage of Legislation Recognizing Enslaved African Americans’ Contributions to Construction of Nation’s Capitol

U.S. senators Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., and Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., co-sponsored a resolution recognizing enslaved African Americans’ contributions to the construction of the nation’s Capitol. The measure passed the Senate unanimously late yesterday evening.

The resolution authorizes a plaque to be placed near the original east front wall of the Capitol to acknowledge the role and contributions enslaved African-American laborers played in the evolution of the building, and, by extension, our democracy.

“It is one of the great, sad ironies of American history that the very foundation of this building in which we have debated essential questions of liberty – and even decided who was free and who was not – was laid by those in shackles,” said Chambliss. “We can never pay these laborers their due, but we can, even belatedly, recognize their significant contributions.”

“Slavery is one of our nation’s greatest tragedies and regrets, and I’m very pleased Congress will officially recognize the significant role that enslaved African Americans played in constructing our U.S. Capitol,” Isakson said. “History is our greatest teacher, and I believe it’s essential for future generations to know the important role these individuals played in building our democracy.”
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Isakson Outlines Keys to Getting Economy Back on Track

U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today outlined four principles he believes are imperative to helping improve the U.S. economy during a speech on the Senate floor.

“Our people are in difficult times. We have difficult economic circumstances and it's imperative that we move forward together, members of the House and Senate with the executive branch, to find the solutions to the challenges before us,” Isakson said. “I believe it is time to address the fundamentals of our economy and the fundamental problems that we face.”

First, Isakson believes jump-starting the demand for housing is essential to boosting the economy. Isakson announced he will continue to push a housing tax credit for all purchasers of any home without income restrictions. Isakson’s $15,000 tax credit for all purchasers of any home was removed during conference negotiations between the House and Senate on the final version of the economic stimulus bill, despite its unanimous approval by the Senate. Instead, House and Senate negotiators made only small modifications to the first-time homebuyer tax credit that was enacted in 2008 as part of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008.

Second, Isakson called for all homeowners to be eligible for the re-financing opportunities outlined by President Obama to help homeowners in trouble. Isakson does not believe responsible homeowners should be penalized or denied access to the proposed re-finance opportunities.

Third, Isakson called for the SEC to reinstate the Uptick Rule in order to stabilize the markets and protect the American consumer from traders forcing down the price of a stock. In his remarks, Isakson argued that the market deterioration was impacted by short sellers rushing to the market, shorting financial stocks and accelerating the decline of those values. Isakson called for the Uptick Rule to be reinstated to ensure that traders are not coming into the market to take advantage of these difficult economic times.

Finally, Isakson stated that Mark to Market rules (FAS 114) are disproportionately penalizing the very people we serve. Given the declines our nation has seen in the mortgage-backed securities and in real-estate, mark to market has caused tremendous problems for our nation’s banks.

“When the FDIC comes into your bank and says you are going to have to mark to market as real estate asset that might have been worth $20 million two years ago but is unfortunately worth $6 million today due to the economy, you are going to have to take a $14 million dollar loss in your bank asset ledger. Mark to market is making good loans look like problems therefore taking good banks and making them into troubled banks.” Isakson said. “This is devastating to our bankers as real estate is absorbed over time and not in one fell swoop. Mark to market should not be an arbitrary write-down to zero, it should be a recognition of the transition of values in a down market or in an up market. This issue hits at the heart of residential real estate construction lending thereby further crippling our economy from returning to a prosperous nation.”

Isakson said mark to market rules should be replaced with a mechanism of amortization or “smoothing” to absorb the assets over time. This will allow the absorption of those assets over time to be more reflective of reality and less reflective of the dire straits that our nation is currently in today.
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Isakson Votes No on Treasury Nominee

U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today released the following statement regarding Timothy Geithner’s confirmation to head the Treasury Department. Geithner was confirmed by a vote of 60 to 34. Isakson voted against confirming Geithner.

“Timothy Geithner is a talented and able man. However, that fact does not outweigh the fact that Mr. Geithner failed to pay payroll taxes on two years income at the IMF, even after the IRS audited his returns for the two succeeding years and discovered his failure to pay. It was only days before his nomination that he came forward to pay the other two years. That was more than a mistake for someone nominated to oversee the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service. I cannot support his nomination.”

Isakson Pushes Labor Nominee to Oppose Eliminating Workers’ Rights to Secret Ballot in Choosing Whether to Unionize

U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today questioned why President-elect Obama’s nominee for Secretary of Labor supports legislation to strip workers of their right to a secret ballot when deciding whether to unionize, but previously insisted on a secret ballot for workers during negotiations with management on flex time.

The nominee, U.S. Rep. Hilda Solis of California, voted for legislation to strip workers of the secret ballot when deciding whether to unionize in 2007, but pushed legislation in the California Legislature in the late 1990s in which she insisted that workers have the secret ballot when negotiating with management on flex time and overtime pay.

“You insisted that there be a vote by all employees and that it be by secret ballot. Why would we want to change the law of the United States now with regard to how unions are organized and eliminate the secret ballot?” Isakson said to Solis during her hearing this morning in the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.

Solis responded to Isakson this morning that she was not prepared to make a statement about her position on the secret ballot at this time.

Isakson strongly opposes the so-called Employee Free Choice Act, also known as Card Check, which would eliminate the rights of workers to participate in a secret-ballot election in order to certify the creation of a union. The legislation would force employees to make a public declaration of their preference by allowing union organizers to bypass elections if a majority of employees sign cards authorizing a union.

The legislation passed the U.S. House in 2007 and is expected to be brought forth by Democratic leaders for a vote in the Senate this year.
Isakson believes the current system, which allows employees to use a secret ballot in choosing whether they want a union to become their exclusive representative in the workplace, has worked well because it neither advocates nor discourages unionization.
Isakson blamed declining union membership as the motive behind the legislation, which did not receive committee consideration. Union membership among private sector employees is at its lowest level in decades.

Isakson also used the nomination hearing for Solis to stress the importance of writing regulations that both protect workers and allow businesses to operate efficiently.

“In my four years on this committee as the Republican leader on the Employment and Workplace Safety Subcommittee, I have worked with Senators Murray, Kennedy, Enzi and others to try and strike this delicate balance,” Isakson said. “We have a strong record of working together on critical issues to American workers such as mine safety reform, banning asbestos, and pension protection.”
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Westmoreland Appointed to GOP Whip Team

House Republican Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) appointed three-term Rep. Lynn Westmoreland to the Republican whip team this week after Westmoreland was sworn in to the 111th Congress.

“It’s an honor to serve the Republican Conference in this capacity, and it gives me a seat and a greater voice at the leadership table as I work to represent and promote Georgia in the House,” Westmoreland said. “House Republicans are going through a rebuilding stage after losing significant ground over the past two election cycles. The Democrats have a huge majority and that limits our ability to stop liberal excesses in their tracks. We nevertheless have a duty to our constituents and to the nation to hold the Democrats and President Obama accountable for their actions. Our country faces extraordinary difficulties today. Republicans at times will provide a helping hand to the Democrats, but we’ll also work at times in an oversight role and other times as opponents to bad policy.”

As a deputy whip, Westmoreland will serve as an aide and adviser to Cantor. Members of the whip encourage rank-and-file members to support the leadership position on certain votes and also relay members’ opinions and concerns to the conference’s leaders.

Cantor praised Westmoreland’s addition to the whip team.

“This week begins our march toward a stronger future for America based on revitalized, common-sense ideals,” said Cantor. “I’m pleased that Congressman Westmoreland has joined the Republican Whip Team, the team that will act as the cornerstone of House Republican efforts to preserve, protect and create a better tomorrow for working families. This team is comprised of top leaders that will advance a positive vision for the future of our country, a vision based on accountability, transparency and action. I look forward to getting to work alongside Lynn."

Westmoreland has also taken on new responsibilities at the National Republican Congressional Committee, the political arm of the House Republicans. Westmoreland will serve as one of five vice chairs of the NRCC. He will oversee congressional redistricting efforts in the various states, which will redraw districts for the 2012 election cycle.

The congressman will maintain his committee assignments on Transportation and Infrastructure, House Oversight and Government Reform, and Small Business.

“As the only Georgian on the transportation committee, this assignment is crucial to the state this year,” Westmoreland said. “We’re due for a major transportation bill this Congress and I’ll serve as the point person for all the Georgia projects. Congestion and infrastructure improvements are pressing needs in Georgia’s 3rd Congressional District, and I’m going to continue work on that those matters over the next two years.”
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Senate Subcommittees Examine State Agency Programs

Sen. Mitch Seabaugh (R-Sharpsburg) chaired a joint meeting of the Senate Fiscal Management Subcommittee and the Best Value in Government Task Force today at the Capitol. Members of both committees gathered to discuss agency reports, efficiencies, and cost savings for the Departments of Audits, Revenue, Banking and Finance, and Administrative Services, as well as the State Accounting Office, State Properties Commission/Georgia Building Authority, Georgia Technology Authority, and the Office of State Administrative Hearings.

“With the current economy causing a significant impact in state revenues, it’s imperative that we find budget savings and efficiencies everywhere we can in order to be fiscally responsible, and to ensure that we fund programs that are fundamental to the role of government in Georgia,” said Sen. Seabaugh.

Each agency presented an overview of programs, efficiencies, and cost savings that have been implemented. The current budgets were submitted and several agencies were asked to provide further detailed information on particular programs or services. Members of the committee focused on uncovering duplicated services between agencies, and encouraged making as many programs self sufficient as possible.

The committee also heard testimony from Commissioner Bart Graham of the Department of Revenue, State Accountant Greg Griffin with the State Accounting Office, State Properties Commission/Georgia Building Authority Director Steve Stancil, Georgia Technology Authority Director Patrick Moore, Department of Audits Commissioner Russell Hinton, Commissioner Rob Braswell of the Department of Banking and Finance, Commissioner Brad Douglas of the Department of Administrative Services, and Chief Judge Lois Oakley with the Office of State Administrative Services.

The Senate has been holding similar joint workshops over the past several months at the request of Lt. Governor Casey Cagle, who has charged the Senate to proactively identify non-essential government services and maximize efficiency and value in our state government. Several of the topics that have been covered include transportation, education, natural resources and community health.
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Statement from Sen. Mitch Seabaugh (R-GA) on Board of Regents’ Tuition Fee

“I am disappointed that the Board of Regents has decided to impose additional cost burdens on students as a way to balance their budget. They should take responsibility and instead look diligently at their own non-essential spending.

Georgia families are struggling to make ends meet and the Board of Regents should not protect their status quo by balancing their budgets on struggling students' and parents' pocket books.

As the state, its agencies, and Georgia families are looking at ways to operate on a tighter budget, the Board of Regents should do the same and look at their own budgets to cut out any non-essential and wasteful spending rather than asking Georgia families to foot the bill during tough economic times."

Sen. Mitch Seabaugh (R-Sharpsburg)
Chairman, Senate Best Value in Government Task Force
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National Right to Life PAC Announces Endorsement of Saxby Chambliss for Re-election to the U.S. Senate

The political-action arm of the nation's largest right-to-life organization today announced its strong endorsement of the re-election of Saxby Chambliss to the U.S. Senate.

In a letter to Chambliss, the National Right to Life PAC (NRL-PAC) commended Senator Chambliss for his "exemplary 100 percent pro-life voting record throughout your entire six-year term in the U.S. Senate."

NRL-PAC Political Director Karen Cross said, "Senator Chambliss has a perfect, 100 percent pro-life voting record for his entire six-year term, but Democrat Jim Martin favors continuation of the current policy of allowing abortion for any reason."

The entire text of the NRL-PAC letter to Chambliss appears below. For further information, contact National Right to Life PAC at 202-626-8825, or by e-mail to Legfederal@aol.com.

October 28, 2008

Senator Saxby Chambliss
Chambliss for Senate
Atlanta, Georgia 30355

Dear Senator Chambliss:

The National Right to Life Political Action Committee (NRL-PAC) is pleased to endorse you for re-election to the United States Senate.

NRL-PAC is the political arm of the nation’s major right-to-life organization, representing right-to-life affiliates throughout the nation.

We commend you for your exemplary 100 percent pro-life voting record throughout your entire six-year term in the U.S. Senate. This record includes support for the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act (enacted in 2003) and the Unborn Victims of Violence Act (enacted in 2004). It also includes your consistent votes against federal funding of abortion and of organizations that promote abortion.

We are also grateful for your cosponsorship of other important pro-life bills that have not yet been enacted, including parental notification legislation and a bill to ban the practice of human cloning.

In addition, we applaud your consistent support for the confirmation of federal judicial nominees who believe that the proper judicial role is to interpret and apply the written law, not to engage in legislating from the bench.

Your extraordinary pro-life record should earn you the support of every voter who is committed to preservation of the fundamental right to life and to the protection of the most vulnerable members of the human family.

Sincerely,

David N. O'Steen, Ph.D.
Executive Director

Karen Cross
Political Director

Douglas Johnson
Legislative Director

The National Right to Life Committee is the nation's largest pro-life group with affiliates in all 50 states and over 3,000 local chapters nationwide.
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Senate Discusses Budgets and Programs of Criminal Justice

The joint Senate Appropriations subcommittee continued its meeting series today with the Criminal Justice subcommittee and the Best Value in Government Task Force joint workshop at the Capitol. The subcommittee discussed agency reports, efficiencies, and cost savings for the Department of Pardons and Paroles and the Department of Corrections (DOC). Senators Johnny Grant (R- Milledgeville) and Mitch Seabaugh (R-Sharpsburg) co-chaired the meeting.

“As we go through these budgets to eliminate non-essential spending, we must keep in mind the well-being of our state,” said Seabaugh. “We cannot cut budgets at the risk of citizen protection from violent offenders.”

Each agency presented an overview of programs, efficiencies, and cost savings that have been implemented. The current budgets were submitted and several agencies were asked to provide further detailed information on particular programs or services. Members of the committee focused on uncovering duplicated services and redundancies between agencies.

Several issues discussed today were the DOC’s ongoing facility upgrades intended to reduce their operating budget and the Department of Pardons and Paroles converting to an electronic filing system to manage their caseload more efficiently. During the meeting, the committee encouraged agencies to consider the cost benefit of outsourcing several of their essential functions, prisons becoming more self-sufficient through inmate labor, and combining resources with other state agencies to streamline expenditures.

Additional joint workshops are scheduled through mid-December. Topics for those meetings include natural resources and agriculture, health, education and fiscal management. The workshops are being held at the request of Lt. Governor Casey Cagle, who has charged the Senate to proactively identify non-essential government services and maximize efficiency and value in our state government.
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Chambliss, Isakson: U.S. Department of Transportation Taking Action to Help With Fuel Distribution to Georgia

U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., and Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation has taken action to help with fuel distribution to Georgia by extending the current exemption of the hours-of-service requirements for motor carriers carrying fuel to states in the South. This will allow more quantities of fuel to be carried to gas stations in Georgia. A temporary exemption was already in place due to Hurricanes Gustav and Ike; however, that is set to expire at midnight tonight. The waiver announced today will extend the exemption to October 8, 2008.

“I am pleased the U.S. Department of Transportation recognizes the urgent situation affecting our state,” said Chambliss. “Allowing fuel carriers to continue operating will make more gasoline available until supplies can be replenished, and that is critical to all Georgians.”

“With the decrease in supplies of gasoline due to recent hurricanes, it is absolutely critical that we make adjustments until supplies are back to normal,” Isakson said. “I am thankful the U.S. Department of Transportation extended this exemption and hope it will help remedy the current situation.”

On Tuesday, Chambliss and Isakson sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency in support of Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue’s request to temporarily extend relief from the federally enforceable sulfur gasoline requirements in the 45-county fuel control area. That waiver was granted on Tuesday afternoon.
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A Victory for American Energy – and the American People

U.S. Congressman Phil Gingrey (R-GA) made the following statement after reports confirmed that the Democratic Leadership in Congress has finally relented, and will not seek to renew the ban on energy exploration on our nation’s Outer Continental Shelf. The congressional ban on offshore exploration is set to expire on October 1, 2008.

“For months now, House Republicans and Americans across the nation have called on the Democratic Leadership in Congress to enact a comprehensive energy plan that allows exploration of the vast energy resources on our nation’s Outer Continental Shelf,” said Gingrey. “And now, thanks to the support of millions of pro-energy Americans, October 1st will be a historic day for the future of American energy independence. The will of the American people has proven too strong for the environmental extremists – Democratic leaders will not try to extend this ban on exploring our nation’s deepwater resources.”

“We must remember that this is only the first step toward declaring American energy independence. As we move forward, we must ensure that this drilling moratorium is never reinstated and continue to push for an “all-of-the-above” energy plan that includes the development of renewable and alternative fuels, the utilization of nuclear power, and the promotion of energy conservation.”

“Throughout the month of August, the Democratic Leadership was given an earful by the American people, who demanded that we break the chains of OPEC by drilling our own energy sources on the Outer Continental Shelf – it appears the Majority may have finally started listening.”

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Chambliss, Isakson: Lifting of Drilling Moratorium is Victory for Georgians, Giant Step Forward

U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., and Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today said during a press conference on Capitol Hill that Congressional leadership’s decision to allow the moratorium on oil and gas drilling off the Atlantic and Pacific shores to expire is a victory for Georgians. The moratorium was imposed in 1982 and has been renewed in annual spending bills each year since. It is set to expire on September 30, 2008.

For months, Chambliss and Isakson have been calling on Republicans and Democrats to put aside their differences on energy and come together with a comprehensive solution. The lifting of the moratorium is a huge step in that direction and shows how far the debate has shifted in the months since Chambliss and Isakson have been working with a small group of Republicans and Democrats on making the nation more energy independent.

“This is certainly a day of celebration in the world of energy,” said Chambliss. “We have one goal in mind, and that is for the United States to become energy independent. Removing the congressional moratorium on drilling is a giant step in the right direction, but it’s only the first step. Congress needs to develop a plan to move forward with leasing areas in the Outer Continental Shelf for oil and gas exploration and development. We should also try to further open the Gulf of Mexico where we know there is oil, but which is covered by a separate moratorium. Finally, a legislative plan will give the American people and industry the confidence necessary to proceed with developing our domestic sources of energy. Unfortunately, because of the way in which this moratorium was lifted, it can be reinstated just as easily as it was lifted.”

“We have dramatically advanced the energy debate in Congress. When we started this process, there was absolutely no desire on the Democrats part to explore for oil domestically. Now, Democrats have heard from the American people and are more willing to explore domestic production,” Isakson said. “We have raised the consciousness of Congress and shifted the national debate. However, we still have work to do. We must ensure that this move to repeal the moratorium is not temporary. We also need to enact comprehensive legislation to decrease our dependence on foreign oil in the long term through measures such as increasing nuclear power generation, expanding renewable sources of energy and promoting conservation and efficiency.”

Chambliss and Isakson both signed a letter to Senate leadership expressing their opposition to any attempt to extend the ban on offshore drilling and oil shale beyond their expiration at the end of September.
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President Honors Guardsman's Volunteerism

Photo: President George Bush talks with Air Force Maj. Dan Rooney of the Oklahoma Air National Guard after arriving at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., Sept. 12, 2008. Bush presented Rooney with the President's Volunteer Service Award for his contributions to the lives of military families through his Folds of Honor Foundation. Rooney left for his third tour in Iraq shortly after receiving the award. Photo courtesy of the Folds of Honor Foundation

Just before heading overseas for his third tour in Iraq, an Oklahoma Air National Guardsman found himself standing in the limelight with the president.

Air Force Maj. Dan Rooney received the President's Volunteer Service Award from President Bush when the president arrived at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., Sept. 12. Since March 2002, Bush has been personally thanking volunteers for their service during his travels.

The award presented to Rooney is a reflection on his work starting and running the Folds of Honor Foundation, which provides educational assistance for fallen or disabled servicemembers' spouses or dependents.

"The Folds of Honor Foundation is honored and fortunate to be led by such an outstanding American patriot [as] Major Dan Rooney," said Josh Miller, the organization's vice president for program coordination and compliance.

Rooney's receipt of the award is a tribute to his outstanding efforts and is a sign that Folds of Honor has made at least a minor impact on the military community, Miller said. "More importantly though, Dan's receipt of the award is an encouragement to continue on our mission to ensure every last eligible spouse and dependent receives a scholarship," he added.

As of last month, Folds of Honor had presented some 200 scholarships totaling $1.1 million. The organization has even higher hopes this year, as the organization's annual fundraiser, Patriot Golf Day, held at about 3,800 PGA golf courses on Labor Day, is estimated to have generated more than $3 million toward more scholarships.

With about 1,250 golf courses tallied so far, Patriot Golf Day has raised about $830,000, Miller said.

The President's Volunteer Service Award developed out of Bush's call during his 2002 State of the Union address for Americans to make a difference by volunteering in their communities. Three months later, the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation created the award.

The awards are available to individuals 14 and under who have completed 50 or more hours of service. Those 15 and older must have completed 100 or more hours, and families or groups can be recognized for pitching in for 200 or more hours or volunteering in the community.

Miller said he's not sure how many hours Rooney has put in since starting the Fold of Honor Foundation.

"I couldn't even begin to estimate, but essentially in 2007, just getting the foundation up and running was pretty much a second full-time job for Dan," Miller said. "I can say with confidence that he far exceeded the 100-hour volunteer requirement."

The Folds of Honor Foundation is a supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.

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Georgia State Representative Butler Honored September 24 at University of West Georgia

State Representative Mark Butler (R-Carrollton) will be a guest of honor of the Murphy Center for Public Service and the University of West Georgia American Democracy Project on Wednesday, Sept. 24, on the UWG campus.

He will be the guest lecturer at the Distinguished Speaker Series at 3:30 p.m. in the Pafford Building and will be awarded the Distinguished Citizen Award at a reception following the lecture. The lecture and reception are free and the community is invited to attend.

The event is sponsored by the Murphy Center, the American Democracy project, the Political Science Club and the Department of Political Science and Planning, and will begin in Room 112 with the reception and award ceremony following in Room 118.

The award is given by the Murphy Center to citizens who display excellence in public service to the university and the West Georgia community, said Dr. Robert Sanders, professor of political science and coordinator of the program.

“Butler is receiving the award because of his legislative and financial support for the university as a member of the Georgia legislature,” Sanders said. “He is a valued supporter of the university and has shown his commitment by supporting many projects including the new Coliseum, which will open in January 2009.”

Past recipients of the Distinguished Citizen Award include Governor Roy Barnes, Georgia Senator Mitch Seabaugh and state Supreme Court Judge Harris Hines.

Butler was elected into the state House of Representatives in 2002 as a District 18 representative for parts of Carroll and Haralson counties. For more information, call 678-839-6504.

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Secretary of State Handel Launches Website Targeted at Young Adults

Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel today announced the launch of iVote, a section of her website dedicated to increasing voter education among young adults. The iVote website features information about voter registration, voter registration drives, voting methods and Georgia’s photo ID requirement for in-person voting. The iVote website also provides answers to questions frequently asked by young adults and first time voters, and information about campus political organizations.

The iVote website can be accessed at: http://sos.georgia.gov/students.

“Georgia’s young adults have shown an intense interest in the 2008 General Election,” Secretary Handel said. “The iVote website directly targets this demographic and provides them with information to make sure they are prepared to vote and take advantage of available resources to fully engage in the process.”

Interns working in the Secretary of State’s Office during the summer of 2008 designed the iVote website, and Secretary Handel thanks them for their hard work. Those students are Karlos Emmanuel of the University of Georgia School of Law; Monique Ewing of Georgia State University School of Law; Meaghan Frankish of Georgia Southern University; and Lauren Potter of Agnes Scott College.

Karen Handel was sworn in as Secretary of State in January 2007. The Secretary of State's office offers important services to our citizens and our business community. Among the office’s wide-ranging responsibilities, the Secretary of State is charged with conducting efficient and secure elections, the registration of corporations, and the regulation of securities and professional license holders. The office also oversees the Georgia Archives and the Capitol Museum.
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Barack Obama's Advisers Wrote Bill Barack Obama Decries On Campaign Trail

"Let me welcome you all here today for the signing of this historic legislation. With this bill, the American financial system takes a major step forward towards the 21st century, one that will benefit American consumers, business, and the national economy for many years to come." -- Larry Summers, Then-Clinton Treasury Secretary And Current Obama Adviser, On Gramm-Leach-Bliley (1999)

Today, The Obama Campaign, As Barack Obama Has Done Over The Past Few Days, Blamed The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act For The Current Economic Crisis:

Obama Campaign Memo: "Gramm Was 'Principal Author' Of The 1999 Gramm-Leach-BlileyAct, Breaking Down Walls Between Banking, Insurance, And Securities Firms Erected By Depression-Era Glass-Steagall Act. 'Mr. Gramm, a principal author of the 1999 Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, which broke down the walls between banking, insurance, and securities, left Congress in late 2002 to become vice chairman of UBS Warburg.' [American Banker, 3/11/08]." (Obama Campaign Memo, 9/19/08)

However, Just Today, The Washington Post Highlighted The Utter Hypocrisy Of Obama's Position Considering Some Of The Very Same Advisers He Met With This Morning Were Major Supporters Of The Bill:

The Washington Post: Obama Supporters And Advisers Were Authors And Proponents Of The Very Same Bill Barack Obama Attacks On The Campaign Trail. "One element of the Obama campaign's brief against Mr. McCain is that he supported repeal of the law separating commercial banks from investment banks. ... Would it be churlish to point out that another author of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley law is former congressman Jim Leach, a founder of Republicans for Obama? Or that Obama advisers Lawrence H. Summers and Robert E. Rubin supported the repeal which was signed by President Bill Clinton?" (Editorial, "'Always For Less Regulation'?" The Washington Post, 9/19/08)

Barack Obama Advisers Who Lobbied For The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act:
· Senator Joe Biden (D-DE) -- Barack Obama's Running Mate
· Robert Rubin -- Obama Economic Adviser Who Met With Obama Today
· Larry Summers -- Obama Economic Adviser Who Met With Obama Today
· Gene Sperling -- Obama Economic Adviser Who Met With Obama Today
· Former Rep. Jim Leach (R-IA) -- Leads "Republicans For Obama" And Spoke At The Democrat National Convention
· Former President Bill Clinton -- Signed The Bill And Whose Support Barack Obama Has Constantly Sought

Joe Biden -- Obama's Own Running Mate -- Voted In Favor Of Gramm-Leach-Bliley:
Joe Biden Voted For The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Modernization Act Of 1999. (S. 900, CQ Vote #354: Adopted 90-8: R 52-1; D 38-7; I 1-0, 11/4/99, Biden Voted Yea)

Robert Rubin -- Former Treasury Secretary (1995-1999) -- Lobbied For Gramm-Leach-Bliley:
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act Only Became Law Because Then-Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin Urged President Clinton To Sign The Legislation. "[T]he Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act ... only became law when Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin prevailed upon President Clinton to sign the bill." (Robert Scheer, Op-Ed, "Candidates Seek Banking 'Expertise' We Don't Need," San Gabriel Valley [CA] Tribune, 8/3/08)

President Clinton: Former Secretary Bob Rubin "Worked Very Hard On This." CLINTON: "But I do want to thank all the members here and all those who aren't here and I'd like to thank two New Yorkers who aren't here who have been mentioned -- former Secretary of the Treasury Bob Rubin, who worked very hard on this, and former chairman, Senator Al D'Amato, who talked to me about this often." (President Clinton, Remarks, Washington, D.C., 11/12/99)
Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD): "I Want To Thank The President, Secretary Summers, Former Secretary Rubin For Their Strong Support Throughout This Process." (Senator Sarbanes, Remarks, Washington, D.C., 11/12/99)

Lawrence Summers Former Treasury Secretary (1999-2001) Worked For The Passage Of Gramm-Leach-Bliley

Obama Adviser Larry Summers Was Involved In Negotiating The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, And Called It A "Major Step Forward Toward The 21st Century." "Mr. Summers, the Obama adviser, was among those who negotiated the [1999 Gramm-Leach-Bliley] measure on behalf of the Clinton administration, and he praised it as a 'major step forward toward the 21st Century.'" (Michael M. Phillips, Elizabeth Holmes and Amy Chozick, "Candidates Call Upon Big Names For Advice," The Wall Street Journal, 9/18/08)

· Then-Treasury Secretary Summers Called Gramm-Leach-Bliley "Historic Legislation" That Is "A Major Step Forward Towards The 21st Century." SUMMERS: "Let me welcome you all here today for the signing of this historic legislation. With this bill, the American financial system takes a major step forward towards the 21st century, one that will benefit American consumers, business, and the national economy for many years to come. This is the culmination of years of effort by many, many people, reflects the work of presidents, Treasury officials, members of Congress, those in the private sector, from both parties, and dedicated professionals, both inside and outside the government. With their help, I believe we have all found the right framework for America's future financial system." (Remarks, Washington, D.C., 11/12/99)

President Clinton" "I Want To Express My Gratitude To Those Principally Responsible For The Success Of This Legislation ... Secretary Summers." CLINTON: "Like all those before me, I want to express my gratitude to those principally responsible for the success of this legislation. I thank Secretary Summers and the entire team at Treasury, but especially Undersecretary Gensler for their work, and Assistant Secretary Linda Robertson." (President Clinton, Remarks, Washington, D.C., 11/12/99)

Secretary Summers: "And I Want To Thank Especially My Predecessor, Bob Rubin, Who Cared Deeply That We Get This Bill Right..." (Remarks, Washington, D.C., 11/12/99)

Gene Sperling -- Former National Economic Adviser for President Bill Clinton (1997-2001) -- Lobbied And Worked On Gramm-Leach-Bliley:

Secretary Summers: "...Gene Sperling And Sarah Rosen And Their Colleagues At The National Economic Council For Everything That They Have Done In Bringing Us To This Point." (Secretary Summers, Remarks, Washington, D.C., 11/12/99)

Rep. Jim Leach (R-IA) -- One Of The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act's Co-Authors -- Is An Obama Supporter And Leader Of "Republicans For Obama":

Former Rep. Jim Leach (R-IA) Was The Co-Author Of The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, Which Repealed The Glass-Steagall Act And Allowed Competition Between Commercial And Investment Banks And Insurance Companies. (S. 900, Signed 11/12/99)

· Leach Endorsed Obama And Serves As A Leader Of "Republicans For Obama." "Barack Obama, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, picked up the endorsement today of former Republican Representative Jim Leach of Iowa, an important state in the general election." (Jonathan D. Salant, "Iowa Republican Leach, Ex-House Member, Backs Democrat Obama," Bloomberg News, 8/12/08)

· Leach Spoke At The Democrat National Convention. "The Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) and the Obama For America Campaign have confirmed that former Rep. Jim Leach (R-Iowa) will speak Monday, the opening night of the convention, themed 'One Nation.'" (Mary Ann Akers, "Surprise GOP Speaker At Dem Convention: Jim Leach," The Washington Post's "The Sleuth" Blog, voices.washingtonpost.com, 8/24/08)

Representative Jim Leach: "Mr. President, Secretary Summers, colleagues in the House; let me just say, this is a bill that's bipartisan, bicameral, 'bi' -- in fact, tri-institutional, with officials of the legislative, executive, as well as the independent regulatory branches of government working well together." (Representative Leach, Remarks, Washington, D.C., 11/12/99)

Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD): Representative Leach "Shepherded" The Bill Through The Congress. SARBANES: "I want to thank Chairman Leach, who served as such an able chairman of the conference committee and kept us at the table on a -- when, on occasion, it looked like maybe people would walk away from the negotiating table. He shepherded the process through, I think, in an exemplary way." (Senator Sarbanes, Remarks, Washington, D.C., 11/12/99)

President Bill Clinton -- Who Signed The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act -- Is The Leader Barack Obama Has Been Constantly Meeting With And Getting Advice From:

President Clinton Signed The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act Into Law On November 12, 1999 As Public Law No. 106-102. (P.L. No. 106-102)

President Clinton: "This Is A Very Good Day For The United States." (President Clinton, Remarks, Washington, D.C., 11/12/99)

President Clinton: "So This Is A Day We Can Celebrate As An American Day." (President Clinton, Remarks, Washington, D.C., 11/12/99)
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Gingrey: Democrat energy bill = “NOT-A” Energy Plan

U.S. Congressman Phil Gingrey today made the following statement after Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Democrat leadership refused to allow a vote on the comprehensive American Energy Act and instead offered a hoax bill that would permanently prevent exploration of nearly 90 percent of our nation’s oil resources:

“This bill is designed to do little except provide political cover for the Majority. By rejecting a full, open, and fair debate on meaningful legislation that will increase the supply of domestic energy resources, the Democratic Majority is blocking the will of the American people.

Throughout the month of August, the Democratic Leadership was given an earful by the American people, who demanded that we break the chains of OPEC by drilling our own energy sources on the Outer Continental Shelf. This sham of a bill before us today proves that the Majority may have heard those demands by the American people – but they sure weren’t listening very well.

Mr. Speaker, for months now, my Republican colleagues and I have been on the House floor – even when the House was not in session – asking for an up or down vote on H.R. 6566, the American Energy Act. This comprehensive, “All of the Above” approach is what the American people want to solve our energy crisis. It includes drilling that provides incentives for states through revenue sharing, the development of renewable and alternative fuels, the utilization of nuclear power, and the promotion of energy conservation.

Instead, the Democratic Majority has brought forward a bill today that is a “None of the Above” energy bill – indeed “NOT-A” energy bill. H.R. 6899 allows for offshore drilling, but only in a very limited way. This bill denies revenue-sharing to the very states who boldly decide to allow energy exploration off their shores. Exactly how many states does the Democratic Majority think will choose to enact this? That answer is simple – zero. This legislation will deliver little – if any – expanded drilling, and is unacceptable to the American people who have asked Congress for solutions instead of political grandstanding.”

Below, please find the video and audio of Congressman Gingrey’s remarks on the House Floor in opposition to this “no energy” energy plan. To watch the videos, click on the links below, or paste the link into your web browser.

http://www.cq.com/floorvideo/play.do?id=2bc1376a2578bd9dc015d2a6307720082890caea839ecab289a5cd38e8d86557354aefda35c4a8aa5dfbecaf320ce88d63869329f4219258fbf691479746554ed803bd3e03fa0cb5
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