In the weeks prior to Hurricane Katrina, without question, the overriding matter of concern from small businesses, farmers, and families was the unprecedented spike in gasoline and diesel prices.  In the aftermath of the devastating hurricane season, the nation watched those gasoline and diesel prices continue to climb.  American families are feeling their wallets tighten as they struggle to find the balance between soaring gasoline and diesel prices and everyday living expenses such as food, healthcare, and prescription drugs.  I voted in support of the Energy Bill signed into law last summer.  While I believe the bill is a good first start, it simply does not go far enough to reduce our dependency on foreign oil and increase domestic production.  This is why I have co-sponsored H.R. 1398, legislation that mandates we have ten percent ethanol in all gasoline and diesel by the year 2010 and five percent biodiesel in all diesel by the year 2010.   Increasing the amount of ethanol and biodiesel in our domestic fuel will allow the U.S. to become less dependent on foreign oil, provide a new market for our farm families, create jobs and economic opportunities at those ethanol and biodiesel plants, and reduce the price we pay at the pump by as much as 60 cents a gallon. 

In November 2003, Congress passed landmark legislation to create Medicare Part D, a voluntary prescription drug plan to provide coverage to 42 million elderly and disabled Americans who qualify for Medicare coverage.  I did not support this legislation – this law actually contains language that states the Federal Government shall be prohibited from negotiating with the big drug manufacturers to bring down the high cost of medicine.  Unfortunately, even though the federal government had two years to work out kinks in the system, there have been major problems in the electronic system and thousands of beneficiaries throughout the country are being denied promised prescription drug coverage from the federal government.  I am a cosponsor of the Medicare Prescription Drug Savings and Choice Act of 2005 (H.R.752), which would enable the Secretary of Health and Human Services to enter into negotiations with pharmaceutical manufacturers to bring down the high cost of medicine.  I urge the President to support this bill so we can better meet the needs of Medicare beneficiaries and establish a more meaningful prescription drug benefit.

Unfortunately, Washington has recently been riddled with scandal as some have chosen to ignore current law which governs the relationship between lawmakers and lobbyists.  I believe one must lead by example; until a law is passed to clean up Washington, neither my staff nor I will partake in privately funded trips, accept gifts, or meals paid for by a lobbyist.  I am committed to demanding honest leadership and open government from this Congress and ending the illegal endeavors that have come to pass in recent months.  I urge the President to demand the toughest of penalties for those who have broken the law and destroyed the trust of the American public.

As Congress prepares to return to Washington and begin legislative business for a new year, I will take back to Washington, D.C. the issues and concerns I have discussed with many of you as I traveled throughout Arkansas’s Fourth Congressional District this month.  It is my sincere hope that President Bush will take to heart the everyday and real concerns of the American people.  While the issues facing this country today are complex and cannot be solved overnight, I am cautiously optimistic that the President and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will work together to address the real problems and find workable solutions that face our nation today. 

The nominees are as follows: 

• Andrew Eubanks, of Paris, Arkansas to the U.S. Naval Academy

• Emily Taynor, of Camden, Arkansas to the U.S. Naval Academy 

• David Atkinson, of Hot Springs, Arkansas to the U.S. Air Force Academy

• Zachary Scott, of Pine Bluff, Arkansas to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point 

• David Beavers, of Texarkana, Arkansas to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point 
 

“As some of the most selective institutions of higher education in the world, these service academies offer young people a unique opportunity to obtain a first-class education and subsequently serve our country upon graduation as commissioned officers in the United States Military,” said Ross.  “I am pleased to be able to participate in this process by nominating some of Arkansas's most accomplished young men and women for an appointment to these academies.”
If you or someone you know is interested in applying for a Congressional nomination for entry into an academy for the Fall of 2007, please visit www.house.gov/ross or call 1-800-223-2220 for more information.