| The 109th Congress made significant strides in 2005 toward enacting policies that will benefit Americans and ensure that the United States remains strong and prosperous. While Congress continued to focus on efforts to secure our homeland and prosecute the war on terror, domestic issues demanded the most attention.
As Vice-Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, I was one of a small group of House and Senate members who negotiated the final version of the Energy Policy Act which President Bush signed into law on August 8, 2005. This new law is designed to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and encourage the development of alternative energy sources, while protecting our environment. It will help make us more energy independent by increasing the supply of and decreasing the demand for energy.
The devastating impact of Hurricane Katrina and other natural disasters compelled the 109th Congress to enact several bills to help victims. While Americans everywhere gave generously to relief efforts, Congress established a bipartisan committee to investigate the federal government’s preparation for and response to Hurricane Katrina, allocated over $60 billion for recovery efforts, provided direct relief to victims, and created incentives for rehabilitation of businesses and homes located in the Gulf Opportunity Zone.
Congress also reauthorized highway and surface transportation programs through enactment of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible and Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). This law will create millions of new jobs and address the ever-growing challenges of congestion and safety, while continuing to improve freight mobility and public transportation.
As Vice-Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I am pleased that the 109th Congress has continued to live up to the promises made to our nation’s veterans. We have enacted legislation to provide a 4.1% cost-of-living adjustment to veterans and their survivors and increase the maximum coverage for Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) and Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI). As Chairman of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, I have been reviewing the benefits and health care services the federal government provides to eligible veterans and their family members to ensure that waste, fraud, abuse and mismanagement are eliminated so that our veterans receive the benefits they have earned.
I also have continued fighting to completely eliminate the current offset between military retired pay and VA disability compensation. Congress took another important step forward by enacting a provision to reduce the concurrent receipt phase-in period for those retirees who are rated 100% disabled due to unemployability from 2014 to 2009. I am committed to completely repealing the current offset and will work to ensure efforts progress this year.
Congress also demonstrated its commitment to preventing domestic violence and helping its victims by reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act. The House of Representatives approved the Children’s Safety Act to address the growing epidemic of violence against children and enhance sex offender registration and notification programs.
The 109th Congress accomplished many important items in 2005, but there remains much to be done. Several outstanding items need to be completed, including measures to enhance pension security, secure our borders and crack down on illegal immigration, improve access to affordable health care, provide targeted tax relief, and reauthorize several education programs. Congress also will focus on lobbying and earmark reform, homeland security issues, and oversight of the implementation of the new Medicare prescription drug benefit.
Even while continuing to fight the war on terror, Congress is working to complete action on measures to address the needs right here at home. I am committed to working with my colleagues on a bipartisan basis to enact policies which benefit all Americans.
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