Tiahrt (KS04) - Capitol Update - Securing Funding for Area Companies and Institutions, Bringing Terrorists to Justice, Helping to Halt Terrorists Attacks, Protecting Minors and Promoting Parental Involvement, and Supporting Disabled Veterans

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Congressman Todd Tiahrt’s
U.S. Capitol Update
September 29, 2006
 

Securing Funding for Area Companies and Institutions

On Tuesday, the House passed the Defense Appropriations Conference Report that contains approximately $14.8 billion in defense projects that provide work for South- central Kansas workers. As a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, I was pleased to secure $51.5 million in additional funding for area companies and institutions.

The best workers in the world are right here in South-central Kansas and they contribute greatly to the security of our nation. I am pleased to be in a position to help create jobs in the 4th District while addressing the needs of our brave men and women who are protecting our homeland.

Bringing Terrorists to Justice

I was pleased to vote for the House-passed Military Commissions Act of 2006 (H.R. 6166) on Wednesday. This vital measure will help create a system of justice for suspected terrorists that will protect our nation’s intelligence capabilities while giving the suspected terrorists basic legal protections. We need to be able to find out what terrorist suspects know and put them on trial. This valuable information will help save American lives.

Helping to Halt Terrorists Attacks

The House passed the Electronic Surveillance Modernization Act on Thursday. This essential legislation will help protect our country from future terrorist attacks by making it easier to monitor terrorist communications. The bill also increases congressional oversight of terrorist surveillance and installs other safeguards to ensure that Americans’ civil liberties are protected. Updating our laws is crucial if we hope to successfully combat 21st century threats.

Protecting Minors and Promoting Parental Involvement

On Tuesday, I voted for the House-passed Child Custody Protection Act (S. 403). This important piece of legislation would make it a federal crime to transport a minor across state lines to have an abortion with the intention of avoiding parental consent or notification laws in the minor’s home state. The bill would also require abortion providers in interstate abortions to notify the minor’s parents before the abortion is performed.

Supporting Disabled Veterans

I had the opportunity this week to meet with three disabled veterans, Marine Captain Leslie Smith, Army Sergeant Joe Bowser, and Army Staff Sergeant Christian Bagge. These brave heroes became amputees while serving our great nation abroad. I enjoyed visiting with them and hearing each amazing story. These brave men and women have served our nation and fought the enemy abroad so that we do not have to fight on American soil. They are true American heroes.