Weekly Newsletter
June 16, 2006

FEATURED PHOTO: Joshua Smith of Suwanee, met with Senator Chambliss in Washington D.C.   Chambliss, a member of the Juvenile Diabetes Caucus, is a strong supporter of research projects directed toward preventing, treating, and curing diabetes.

June 8 SENATOR CHAMBLISS REMARKS ON DEATH OF al- ZARQAWI “The reported death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is great news, not only for the people of Iraq , but for the world.  The elimination of this terrorist who killed indiscriminately and sought to defeat and Coalition forces is a major victory in the ongoing Global War on Terrorism.   There still are tough times ahead for our men and women who serve each and every day with courage and professionalism, but the death of al-Zarqawi is promising news and presents an opportunity for the new Iraqi Defense Minister, Abdul Qadir Obeidi, and new Iraqi Interior Minister, Jawad Bulani, to seize the initiative in securing their country.”  June 13 CHAMBLISS STATEMENT ON THE 2007 NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT Says we are winning War on Terror; Opposes timetable for troop withdrawal from Chambliss, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, took to the Senate floor to underscore the important components of the Fiscal Year 2007 National Defense Authorization Act, which is critical to meeting the needs of our military as well as the needs of our defense community. Excerpts from his floor speech: “Despite what you read or hear in the news sometimes, it is absolutely clear to me that we are winning this war on terrorism and, specifically, that we are winning the war in .  I have heard recently from soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Benning, Georgia, about the great progress they made during their recent deployment to Diyala Province .  Over the course of their year there, the security situation in Diyala Province improved dramatically, as did the rule of law and the presence and capability of Iraqi Security Forces and Police.  As we all know today, Diyala Province was where US forces found and killed the leader of the anti-Iraqi insurgents, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi last week.  “And I believe that it was the hard work the 3rd ID did in improving security and developing relationships with the Iraqis in Diyala Province that allowed for the intelligence and network of information that our forces used to track Zarqawi down.  So, we need to realize that this is difficult work that our troops are doing in Iraq , and that successes often take a long time, but that if we stick with it and follow the course we are on that success will come.  The operation against Zarqawi proves that this is the case.  “We absolutely must finish the job we came to do because the future of the Middle East , as well as our own future security, lies in the balance.  I believe that there might be some amendments filed to this bill that seek to immediately withdraw troops or set a timetable for troop withdrawal.  Clearly, both these approaches are extremely unwise and I hope my colleagues will join with me in voting down those amendments overwhelmingly.” You can listen to the entire speech by going to chambliss.senate.gov  and clicking on the link underneath “Saxby’s Podcasts” OVER 38 MILLION PEOPLE WITH MEDICARE NOW RECEIVING PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE Millions Getting Better Coverage Than Ever Before Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt announced that 38.2 million people with Medicare are now receiving comprehensive prescription drug coverage, in many cases even better coverage than they ever had before.  A surge in enrollment took place in the closing weeks of the enrollment period, with more than 2 million beneficiaries signing up between May 1 and the May 15th deadline.  Click Here for More Information on Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage      June 14 CHAMBLISS PLEASED WITH DHS BORDER SECURITY EFFORTS TO APREHEND CRIMINAL ALIENS Chambliss applauded U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents and officers that apprehended approximately 2,179 criminal aliens, illegal alien gang members, fugitive aliens, and other immigration status violators as part of “Operation Return to Sender,” a nationwide interior immigration enforcement operation that began on May 26 and concluded this week. “I am pleased to see these aggressive enforcement efforts being carried out,” said Chambliss.  “Border Security doesn’t end at the border -- interior enforcement is a key piece that can be enhanced as a result of serious immigration reform.  This is a strong signal to those who might come here in violation of our law and to those here who have committed crimes that there will be consequences.”      June 15 CHAMBLISS: SUPPLEMENTAL CONFERENCE REPORT BETTER REFLECTS WAR PRIORITIES, FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY Chambliss released the following statement regarding Senate passage of the Fiscal Year 2006 Emergency Supplemental Conference Report.  Chambliss voted in support of the legislation, which has also been approved by the U.S. House and now goes to President Bush for his signature. “I am pleased the House and Senate were able to negotiate a package the President will sign that reflects the critical needs of our military personnel who are fighting the war on terrorism but at the same time holds the line on spending.  This bill provides the necessary funding for our continued operations in , Iraq , Afghanistan the Global War on Terrorism, and additional emergencies.  Our men and women in uniform carry out their missions each and every day with courage, dedication, and professionalism, and the resources provided for in this bill will ensure that they are able to fulfill their duties.” June 16 Chambliss, Isakson protest drain on Lanier Excerpts from an Atlanta Journal-Constitution article By Bob Kemper, Stacy Shelton Sens. Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson, both Republicans, went to Army Secretary Francis Harvey to halt the Army Corps of Engineers' releases from Lake Lanier and to prod the Corps, which is under Harvey's command, to move faster to resolve a decades-old dispute among Georgia, Florida and Alabama over the use of water from the Chattahoochee River, which the lake impounds. "Our reason in meeting with the secretary versus the folks who are heading up the Corps is that we've already met with the Corps and, frankly, we are not happy with the direction in which the Corps has been going," Chambliss said. "This is not a federal issue," Chambliss said. "This is an issue everyone in Washington wants to be settled by the three governors." Click Here for AJC article access For more information, please visit chambliss.senate.gov