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Being a United States Congressman often boils down to the simple act of making choices. Each day, there are choices that need to be made regarding national priorities and whether or not to support particular pieces of legislation. It is a responsibility each member accepts, and one that I take seriously. Last week, members of the House had several opportunities to make some important choices regarding national security and the federal government’s use of taxpayer dollars.
On Wednesday, I chose to support tax relief legislation and prevent a tax increase from being levied on middle-class Americans. As a result, working families will be able to keep more of their hard-earned dollars by avoiding falling into the trap of the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT). This legislation will prevent 15 million middle-class taxpayers from being victims of the AMT in 2006. Additionally, the bill keeps in place other important tax relief measures that have encouraged investment, benefited small businesses, and contributed to our current healthy economy. Specifically, our economy has experienced 32 months of consecutive job growth. That total now stands at 5.3 million jobs since August, 2003.
Later in the week, I chose to support legislation that will benefit our troops fighting abroad as well as our military families here at home in the 19th District. This bill provides a 2.7 percent pay raise for the members of the military as well as $390 million for body armor and other protective devices for our troops on the battlefield. I also worked with House leadership to get $49 million included in the bill to upgrade housing for our military families at Dyess Air Force Base. These funds will help build 199 new housing units at the base.
Border Security in Primetime
President Bush will address the nation during primetime tonight on the issue of border security. He will lay out his vision for how America should solve this important issue. I will post my reaction to the President’s remarks on my website - http://www.randy.house.gov/newsroom/ - following the conclusion of the speech.
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