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The big news last week was the announcement that the House Agriculture Committee will hold a Farm Bill field hearing in West Texas. As I had been working with the committee to hold the Texas hearing in West Texas, I welcome this good news. On May 9, committee members from across the country will gather in San Angelo to get the West Texas perspective on what policies should be included in the 2007 Farm Bill.
Through my conversations with West Texas farmers as well as with producers in other regions of the country, it is clear that many of the policies in the current Farm Bill are doing the job to provide assistance when needed. Not surprisingly, there is strong support for retaining these policies in the next Farm Bill. Although I often make this fact known in Washington, this field hearing will give other committee members the opportunity to hear it straight from those in West Texas agriculture who have to make a living under these policies everyday.
Stay tuned to the Roundup for more information on the details of this important hearing.
Fire Caucus
Last week, I officially joined the Congressional Fire and Emergency Services Caucus. The Fire Caucus, as it is known on Capitol Hill, works to bring attention to first responder issues and to advocate legislation that provides them with the resources they need to protect our communities.
Events in recent years have highlighted the importance of firefighters and other first responders in towns throughout America. The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 proved that firefighters are an integral part of the War on Terror. More recently, wildfires from Eastland to Deaf Smith Counties have affected much of the 19th District. These events demonstrate how all communities – urban and rural, small and large – depend on first responders for public safety. I look forward to taking an active role in developing policies that reflect this reality.
Medicare Reminder
Seniors who sign up by May 15, 2006 will be able receive the lowest premiums under the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit. Seniors can sign up online, over the phone, by fax, or directly with health plans. Seniors or family members with questions about the Medicare prescription drug benefit can call 1-800-MEDICARE or visit http://www.medicare.gov.
This Week’s Agenda
This week’s House agenda includes a vote on the budget proposal for 2007. While the budget proposal does not allocate money to individual programs, it does serve as a “blueprint” for the rest of the legislative year. As Congress debates spending levels for federal programs in 2007, we will rely on this budget proposal to guide the process. Therefore, it is imperative that the budget reflects the need for fiscal discipline and to spend taxpayer dollars wisely.
This Week’s Agenda
This week’s House agenda includes a vote on the budget proposal for 2007. While the budget proposal does not allocate money to individual programs, it does serve as a “blueprint” for the rest of the legislative year. As Congress debates spending levels for federal programs in 2007, we will rely on this budget proposal to guide the process. Therefore, it is imperative that the budget reflects the need for fiscal discipline and to spend taxpayer dollars wisely.
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