Congress addressed a number of important issues this month that will impact all of our lives in some way. We began discussions on how to reduce the largest deficit in the country's history, we debated ways to lower the price of gasoline and expand our energy supply, and we began to help America's seniors prepare for a new Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit. There is still much to be done that will require significant input from citizens all across America. As we head into the month of November, I hope you take the time to share your concerns on these issues or any others that impact the well-being of you and your family. If you have not already signed up for my regular e-mail updates, I encourage you to click here to subscribe, so you can stay informed on the latest issues in Washington and Arkansas.

Here are highlights of several issues I worked on during the month of October to improve the quality of life for families in the 1^st Congressional District:

Medicare Part D Enrollment Fairs

After hearing from many of my constituents about the complexity of the new Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit, I partnered with Arkansas' Agencies on Aging and the Social Security Administration to help seniors prepare for the upcoming registration process. Seniors can begin registering for the new benefit on November 15, 2005 and have until May 15, 2006 until they are penalized for late registration.

To help seniors through this process, I will hold a series of enrollment fairs throughout the 1^st Congressional District during the week of November 15, 2005 to November 21, 2005. I will have counselors and computers at each event so individuals can begin to register for a new prescription drug plan. If you cannot attend one of these fairs, please feel free to call my office at 1-800-866-2701 with any questions.

The locations of the fairs include:

***Enrollment fairs will last from 8:00am-4:00pm and will be on a first-come first-serve basis. Individuals should bring their Medicare BlueCross BlueShield card, their current prescription medications, their preference of drugstore, and any information on current prescription drug coverage

Major Victories for Arkansas' Farmers

Thanks to consistent pressure from Arkansas' agriculture community, we secured several important victories this month for our state's farmers and ranchers. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) finally issued a disaster declaration for the state of Arkansas, authorizing farmers to apply for federal loans to help recover revenue lost from severe weather conditions. Farmers will have eight months to apply for the low-interest emergency (EM) loans from the Farm Service Agency (FSA). Eligible producers may borrow up to 100% of their actual production loss as long as the total amount does not exceed $500,000.

USDA also agreed to put the "FSA Tomorrow" plan on hold after receiving significant pressure from Congress. The plan would have closed 22 county FSA offices in Arkansas, forcing farmers to travel longer distances to take advantage of farm programs. As a vocal opponent of the FSA Tomorrow plan, I had cosponsored legislation to put the plan on hold until reauthorization of the next Farm Bill and sent a letter to the U.S. House Agriculture Committee requesting hearings on plans to restructure the Farm Service Agency (FSA). USDA responded with a letter stating, "We do appreciate the concerns that you and other Members of Congress have raised. We are thus prepared to set aside the FSA Tomorrow approach and timetable but do believe that continued dialogue and comprehensive review are still necessary."

National Debt Hits $8 Trillion

The national debt hit $8 trillion this month for the first time in United States history. Our government has borrowed more money over the past four years than it borrowed during the country's first 200 years. We fought the Civil War and two World Wars during that time and still didn't manage to run up this large of a debt. We simply cannot continue at this rate. Not only are we spending more money on interest payments than nearly every other government program, we are mortgaging away the future of our children and grandchildren. This is just another clear example of how this Administration has its priorities completely wrong. If we do not make responsible decisions now, we will have nothing left to ensure others have the same opportunity we had to succeed. That is why I joined my colleagues in the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition to demand the President hold an immediate Budget Summit. So far the President has not provided a response.

Oil Companies Announce Record Profits

The major oil companies announced record quarter profits this week while Americans continue to struggle with soaring energy costs. Exxon Mobil, for example, reported profits of nearly $10 billion which amounts to as much as $75,000 a minute. Despite these alarming statistics, the Republican Leadership continues to do nothing to help Americans with gas prices. This month alone House Leadership pushed through an energy bill that gave $8 billion in subsidies and tax breaks to the oil and gas industry.

Instead of putting the oil companies first, we need to enact comprehensive energy legislation that diversifies our energy supply. This should include increased investment in nuclear energy, biodiesel, ethanol, wind, and biomass.

If you want to learn more about what I am doing in Washington, I encourage you to visit my website regularly at http://www.house.gov/berry. I hope you will stay in touch and look for me when I return to Arkansas on the weekends for local events and meetings.