|
Next Tuesday, May 9, the House Ag Committee will hold a hearing on the 2007 Farm Bill at the C.J. Davidson Conference Center at Angelo State University in San Angelo. This hearing gives Texas producers an opportunity to weigh in with lawmakers as we begin to shape this important bill.
I want to encourage producers in the 19th district to attend the hearing. While the official panel of witnesses is limited, all farmers are welcome to submit testimony in writing to the Committee at the hearing. If you can’t attend, you can submit written comments to the Committee up to 30 days after the hearing.
Your input on the next Farm Bill is important, so I hope to see you there.
Port Security Bill
On Thursday the House will consider the SAFE Port Act. This bill is a comprehensive proposal to strengthen the maritime transportation system through a layered security strategy that builds on existing initiatives to secure the supply chain from the point of origin to delivery in the United States. Though the vulnerability of our seaports has become an important issue in recent months, the reality is that this legislation is long overdue.
Specifically, the SAFE Port Act provides a total of $7.4 billion in federal funding to enhance port security, fully authorizing and codifying the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, and requires the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to deploy nuclear and radiological detection systems at all domestic seaports. The bill also improves port security communication and information sharing at the federal, state, and local levels.
We must do everything in our power to prevent another terrorist attack on U.S. soil. That means continuing to strengthen our domestic and international security efforts through measures like the SAFE Port Act. As long as our ports remain vulnerable, so do the American people.
Medicare Reminder
Finally, I want to remind folks once again that the deadline to sign up for the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit is a couple weeks away -- May 15. 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
Besides the SAFE Port Act, the House will consider H.R. 4975, a bill to overhaul lobbying in Washington. Additionally, we may vote on a budget bill this week. And over the next few weeks, the House will consider various proposals to address high gas prices and other energy concerns. I’ll touch on more about those as they take shape.
### |
