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Rep. Petri's E-Mail Newsletter

September 14, 2006

What People Said at Town Meetings

School's back in session, and students all over the 6th District doubtless have been asked the obvious question: "What did you do during your summer vacation?"

Likewise, Congress has returned from its August District Work Period. This used to be called the "August Recess," but that makes people think of their representatives running around on a playground between classes.

The media frequently talks about Congress leaving town for a "vacation." And, sure, everybody takes some time off. But in fact, like most of my colleagues from other districts, I spent much of my time meeting with constituents in various settings. In my case, this included 12 town meetings that I hosted throughout the district to let me discuss issues in a group setting with the people I represent.

What did people want to talk about? One subject, obviously, was Iraq. There were some heated exchanges, especially between constituents themselves. The consensus view was the one that makes the most sense to me: Things are not going well in Iraq, and we are eager to get out. But leaving before the Iraqi government is ready to take over security would result in chaos and provide a safe haven for people who are determined to kill Americans whenever and wherever they can.

Illegal immigration was another hot topic. Some people insisted that we do whatever it takes to prevent illegals from crossing our borders and simultaneously set about deporting the many millions who are already here.

I responded that last December the House approved a strong immigration bill, and we are negotiating with the Senate to come up with a plan that will satisfy both chambers.

Illegal immigration presents many difficult challenges. People are determined to come here because even our lowest-paying jobs are sufficiently attractive to cause many to risk their lives to get here and better themselves and feed their families.

We need stronger border enforcement, but we will also have to deal with the large numbers who enter legally, but disappear into the community once their tourist or student visas run out. Sanctions on employers need to be part of the mix - but we already have sanctions, "undocumented workers" are able to get phony documents, and employers can't be expected to be detectives beyond a reasonable point.

We simply must get control over who comes here, but it's a tougher job than most people realize. We also need to be mindful of the fact that unemployment is currently low, that illegal immigrants contribute a great deal to our economy, and that success against illegal immigration will require higher prices and slower services of various types.

The minimum wage also came up frequently, and several people were disappointed that Congress failed to approve an increase this past summer.

I noted that I voted in favor of raising the minimum wage when it came up, and it was passed by the House in July, but that I have long advocated a more generous Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) as the best way to help workers who are supporting families.

When you raise the minimum wage, some jobs simply will not be offered because they aren't productive enough to be worthwhile to employers. But the EITC raises the effective income of low-income workers supporting families without eliminating jobs. This is because the higher income is provided by reduced taxes and, in the case of those with the lowest incomes but numerous dependents, by a direct subsidy from the government to encourage work.

To get the EITC, you have to file your taxes. This, incidentally, tends to reserve the benefit for legal residents.

In any case, while the federal minimum wage is $5.15, Wisconsin's minimum was recently increased to $6.50.

Click here for a photo taken at one 6th District Town Meeting.

Animal Rights Extremists

I'm happy to report that prospects look good for legislation I have put together to combat animal rights terrorists. This issue directly affects those in agriculture, biomedical, and biotechnology industries, as well as many university research institutions. Time is short before the end of the current Congress, but I'm receiving support from necessary allies.

This May, the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crimes, Terrorism and Homeland Security held a hearing on my bill, H.R.4239, the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act. This hearing highlighted the disturbing increase in the number and severity of crimes of violence and intimidation animal rights extremists groups have been employing to disrupt the business of anyone engaged in any enterprise that uses or sells animals or animal products.

At the hearing, a primate researcher from the University of Wisconsin - Madison testified about the harassment and intimidation she has experienced. She has even considered leaving the Parkinson's research field and fears others may do so in the current environment.

A representative from the drug discovery company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) also testified that in the past 21 months, GSK has experienced over 150 animal rights extremists incidents directed at its employees, board members, and others with only a tenuous connection to GSK.

To date, not one of these incidents has resulted in a criminal conviction, despite the tireless efforts of law enforcement. Officials from the Department of Justice have testified at three congressional hearings that animal rights extremists have recognized limits and ambiguities in current federal law and have tailored their campaigns to exploit them.

H.R. 4239 amends current law to address the threats posed and violent acts committed by groups such as the Animal Liberation Front (ALF) and Stop Huntington Animal Cruelty (SHAC). The bill broadens the definition of an animal enterprise and provides penalties for intentionally causing property damage or loss or for intentionally causing bodily harm or placing a person in reasonable fear of death or bodily harm. It also specifically addresses the "tertiary targeting" tactic employed by these extremists by prohibiting criminal acts against persons or organizations with ties to an animal enterprise.

Enactment of this legislation would enhance the ability of law enforcement and the Justice Department to protect law-abiding American citizens from violence and the threat of violence posed by animal rights extremists.

Recent Major Votes

On July 24

On July 25

  • I was the floor manager for H. Con. Res. 145, a resolution expressing the sense of Congress in support of a national bike month and in appreciation of cyclists and others for promoting bicycle safety and the benefits of cycling. The House approved the resolution by voice vote.

  • With my support and a vote of 414 to 2, the House approved H.R. 5852, a bill to establish a new office of Emergency Communications in the Homeland Security Department to improve interoperability of communications systems and equipment used by federal, state and local governments and by personnel who serve as first responders in an emergency.

  • With my support and a vote of 412 to 4, the House approved H.R. 4804, a bill to require the Federal Housing Administration to insure 90 percent of an individual's loan for the purchase and improvement of manufactured housing. It would also increase the loan limits for insuring a manufactured home to $68,040 in 2008, and require that the limits be indexed for inflation annually.

  • With my support and a vote of 415 to 7, the House approved H.R. 5121, a bill to allow the Federal Housing Administration to use risk-based pricing in determining a borrower's mortgage insurance premium. It would expand the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage loan insurance program and raise loan limits for single-family loans.

  • With my support and a vote of 322 to 99, the House approved H.R. 5013, a bill to prohibit the confiscation of legally owned weapons during national emergencies or presidentially declared disasters, unless expressly permitted by other federal, state or local laws.

On July 26

  • With my support and a vote of 424 to 0, the House approved H.R. 5337, a bill to formally establish the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) with the Treasury secretary as chairperson and the Homeland Security secretary as vice chairperson. It would require CFIUS to review all national-security-related business transactions.

  • With my support and a vote of 410 to 15, the House approved H.R. 5319, a bill to require schools and libraries applying for grants through the Universal Service Fund to certify that they are enforcing a policy of Internet safety for minors, including protecting their computers against access to visual depictions that are obscene, contain child pornography or are harmful to minors.

  • With my support and a vote of 359 to 68, the House approved H.R. 5682, a bill to permit the president to waive certain provisions of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to seek congressional approval for civilian nuclear cooperation agreements with India if the president makes certain determinations, including that India would provide the United States and the International Atomic Energy Agency with a plan to separate civilian and military nuclear facilities and programs. The bill would require a joint resolution of approval by Congress for a nuclear cooperation agreement with India to enforce the agreement.

On July 27

  • With my support and a vote of 270 to 148, the House approved H.R. 4157, a bill to encourage the expanded use of electronic medical records in doctors' offices and hospitals. It would expand the number of codes used by insurers and health care providers in billing. It would authorize $15 million per year in fiscal 2007 and 2008 for a grant program to assist in improving health care for the uninsured, underinsured and medically underserved through new or improved health information technology.

On July 28

  • With my support and a vote of 279 to 131, the House approved H.R. 4, a bill to establish a new premium that employers who terminate their plans would have to pay the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. It would change the formula for determining whether a pension plan is fully funded, and require employers to meet a 100 percent funding target. Firms that administer 401(k) plans would be allowed to give investment advice to employees with respect to the firm's own financial products, but it would have to be based on an independently certified computer model. The President signed it into law in August.

  • With my support and a vote of 230 to 180, the House approved H.R. 5970, a bill to raise the minimum wage to $7.25 per hour by June 1, 2009. It would increase the amount of an estate that is exempt from tax, index the amount for inflation, and reduce the tax rate on the portion of inheritance that exceeds the exemption. The bill also would extend through 2007 a group of expiring tax breaks, including the research and development credit, the tuition tax deduction for higher education and the deduction for state and local sales taxes.

On September 7

  • Despite my opposition and by a vote of 263 to 146, the House approved H.R. 503, a bill to regulate agriculture to prohibit the transporting, delivering, receiving, possessing, purchasing, selling, or donation of horses to be slaughtered for human consumption.


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