| This week, the halls of Congress are calm and quiet as staffers prepare
to wrap-up the work of the 108th Congress and return to their respective
homes for the holidays. But in just a few short weeks, the hustle and bustle
of Congress will return when my colleagues and I convene for the start
of the 109th Congressional Session.
On January 4th, I will return to Washington, D.C, to be sworn in for
my third-term in office. You have put your faith and confidence in me to
represent your interests and values in the United States Congress, and
I am incredibly grateful that you have entrusted me with this honor and
responsibility.
I am optimistic and hopeful that the New Year and the new session will
bring a fresh start and a new perspective to the manner in which Congress
works together to accomplish meaningful legislation. I use the term
"meaningful legislation" to define legislation that truly benefits the
majority of the American people.
We must pass a Transportation Reauthorization Bill - which Congress
addresses every six years and which funds local transportation projects
- that truly responds to our nation's vastly growing road needs. Would
you believe that over the next six years, our nation has roughly $400 billion
in road needs and highway projects alone? At a time when 9 million Americans
are out of work and many of our nation's roads are in disrepair, passing
a Highway bill that repairs our current roads, builds Interstates such
as I-49 and I-69 that create economic opportunities for the future, and
puts people back to work is simply the right thing to do.
We must also pass an Energy Bill that will truly reduce the high-cost
of gasoline, diesel fuel and natural gas, while encouraging the continued
research and development of alternative fuel sources. Our nation is becoming
increasingly dependent on foreign countries to supply our energy sources,
setting a dangerous course that has hurt us economically.
And finally, perhaps the most pressing issue Congress must address this
year is how to salvage our nation's Social Security system, which today
is on the verge of a financial crisis. It's estimated that by 2035, Social
Security will owe $318 billion more to retirees than it can pay. To thwart
this from occurring, we must reform the system immediately, and allowing
payees to invest part of their savings into the risky and volatile stock
market is not the solution.
Politicians must also keep their hands off the Social Security Trust
Fund! Since Social Security's institution, the government has borrowed
$1.5 trillion from the Trust Fund - a practice that must stop. I am glad
Congress and the Administration are finally coming together to have an
open, honest debate on this issue that I hope will ultimately result in
maintaining the solvency of our nation's retirement system for today's
retirees and for future generations. Many seniors today depend on their
monthly Social Security check to keep them out of poverty -- we cannot
jeopardize their means of survival.
When Congress returns to Washington in January, I will be there every
step of the way, fighting for the solutions that will be the most beneficial
to the working families of Arkansas's Fourth Congressional District. And
if I could have any wish for the New Year, it's that my colleagues on both
sides of the aisle will stop campaigning and start governing. It's time
for Congress to put our differences aside and do the job we were elected
to do - and that is to represent the American people.
I wish you and your family a safe and wonderful holiday season, and
I'll see you next year. |
