CONGRESS' REPORT CARD
One of the things I enjoy most about being your United States Senator is the opportunity I get to visit with you as I travel around our great state. Every April, during the legislative break in Washington, I like to update Texans on what Congress has done during the first quarter of the year. While I make stops across the state, I wanted to also take a moment and update you in this column.
The Budget
One of our chief accomplishments thus far was the passage of the 2005 Budget. It has passed the Senate and provides a roadmap to win the war on terrorism, defend the homeland, promote economic growth and create new jobs. The budget clearly reflects our top priority of protecting Americans at home and abroad, while moving to cut the federal deficit in half, in just a few years. It is pending in the House of Representatives.
The Economy
We've also made great strides toward improving our nation's economy. Americans are still reaping the benefits of last year's tax relief. The service industry remains relatively strong, profits and cash flows continue to improve, business confidence and spending have been on the rise and job growth is accelerating. We received the good news that 308,000 jobs had been created in March, bringing the seven-month total to 759,000 jobs. An editorial in the Wall Street Journal responded to that news by stating, "The U.S. employment situation is strong, improving and still the envy of the economic world."
To continue that trend of job creation, we are working on the JOBS Act to preserve work for thousands of Americans, alleviate the tax burden on manufacturing companies and allow U.S. businesses to compete fairly with their European counterparts. Unfortunately, it has not passed the Senate, but we will continue to work to lower unemployment and make sure every American looking for work can find it.
Transportation
We did pass highway legislation in the Senate, but it was a bill I did not support because it continues to substantially shortchange Texas. One of my top priorities in reauthorizing the highway bill, which funds our national Interstate highway system, was to ensure Texas receives a greater return on every gas tax dollar we send to Washington. Currently we receive 90.5 cents back for every dollar sent, while other states receive 100 percent - and in some cases even more. We have contributed more than $5 billion to enable other states to build their highway networks over the last 47 years and unfortunately this year's bill did not lessen this disparity. I will continue to fight for an equitable formula that treats Texas fairly.
The Months Ahead
While we've worked on some major initiatives this year, there are many issues still on our plate on which we must make progress. Medical malpractice, asbestos litigation and class action reform are important issues that must move forward. Passage of a comprehensive energy policy remains a burning issue for Congress, particularly as we suffer through record gas prices at the pump. I'm hopeful we'll be able to produce a bill that will lower costs, promote conservation, reduce our reliance on foreign sources of oil, and create jobs and opportunities for Americans.
But overriding everything we do in Congress is the war on terror our men and women in uniform are waging everyday. We know we are up against a vicious enemy who values nothing, not even their own lives, as they seek to destroy freedom and democracy. The United States of America will stay the course and we will see this battle through. In Washington, we'll continue to give our soldiers the resources, support and encouragement they need to defend our freedom and way of life.
April 9, 2004