Representing the 7th U.S. Congressional District of Maryland
http://www.mail.house.gov/cummings
2235 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-4741 (tel.) (202) 225-3178 (fax)

July 8, 2005

Dear Constituent:

It is both a privilege and an honor to represent you in the United States Congress. While serving you, I will continue my outreach efforts to inform you of legislative action. I welcome your advice. Government “by the people” is the cornerstone of my legislative philosophy.

To better serve you closer to home, I invite you to visit or contact one of my district offices, listed on the following pages. In Howard County, my staff and I make regular outreach visits at various community centers. We look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

Elijah E. Cummings
Member of Congress

Senior Visits: This month, Congressman Cummings plans to visit Senior Centers in his District to provide a legislative update with an emphasis on Social Security and Medicare. In addition, Keith Hobbs, Director of Legislative and External Affairs at Maryland General Hospital, will give a presentation on health care testing available at the facility. The dates and locations of these visits are as follows:

July 11, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.: Bon Secours Hollins Terrace, 1800 Hollins Street, Baltimore;

July 18, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.: Mt. Clare Overlook Apartments, 833 W. Pratt Street, Baltimore.

Congressman Cummings offered his condolences to the families affected by the series of explosions on July 7 in London, which killed dozens of people, and injured hundreds more.

The attacks occurred on London’s commuter trains and a transit bus. At press time, it is believed to have been a terrorist attack.

“I join my colleagues in standing with President Bush, Prime Minister Blair and other world leaders in our shared commitment to fighting global acts of terror,” Congressman Cummings said. “These appalling attacks in London are horrific reminders that the world's public transit systems are highly vulnerable to terrorism.”

Congressman Cummings said that the attacks should serve as a wake-up call to increase security to public transportation systems in the United States.

“Unfortunately, the Transportation Equity Act: Legacy for User (H.R. 3), which is currently being considered by a House - Senate conference, contains few provisions strengthening the security of our public transportation systems.

He added, “In addition, funding for transit and rail security systems continues to lag far behind funding for airline security. The Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2006 (H.R. 2360) provides $150 million in federal grants for rail and transit security. By comparison, this Act provides approximately $4.6 billion for aviation security.”

Congressman Cummings then urged his colleagues to immediately consider legislation such as the Rail and Public Transportation Security Act of 2005 (H.R. 153), which he has co-sponsored.

If passed, the legislation would require the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to complete vulnerability assessments of freight and passenger rail systems and establish a dedicated grant program to fund security improvements on mass transit systems.

“In the meantime, I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure that the security of our nation’s public transportation systems remains a top homeland security priority.”

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Congressman Cummings joined three of his colleagues - Reps. Corrine Brown (D-Fla.), Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Nick Rahall (D-WV) - on June 29 in successfully offering an amendment to preserve 15 long-distance and 3 shorter distance Amtrak routes.

Prior to the addition of this amendment, the Transportation, Treasury, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2006 (H.R. 3058), contained a provision that would have effectively shut down 18 Amtrak routes, including 6 routes that stop in Baltimore, by prohibiting the expenditure of federal funds on these routes.

“The shut-down of these routes would have completely eliminated Amtrak service in 23 states, leaving 4.4 million passengers stranded,” Congressman Cummings said.

The amendment offered by Congressman Cummings and his colleagues struck this prohibition - thereby allowing Amtrak to continue to fund the operation of the 18 routes. The Amendment passed by a vote of 269 to 152.

Congressman Cummings said, “By passing this amendment, the House has voted to keep Amtrak on track throughout our entire nation. The House has affirmed that Amtrak must be a truly national service that operates from coast to coast.”

As part of passing the overall legislation, the House also voted to increase funding for Amtrak from the $550 million to $1.17 billion.

Congressman Cummings said, “Had the funding level been left at $550 million, it would have had the effect of pushing Amtrak into bankruptcy. I applaud my colleagues for again recognizing the value of Amtrak and voting to provide additional funding for it.”

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Report Says Social Security Progressive Indexing Plan Would Drastically Reduce Benefits in 7th Congressional District Beneficiaries Would See a $2,000 - $4000 Cut

Congressman Cummings has released a report detailing how President Bush’s Social Security Progressive Indexing Plan would severely reduce benefits for more than 189,000 residents who live in Baltimore City, Baltimore County and Howard County. The report entitled “The Impact of President Bush’s Social Security Proposal in Maryland’s 7th Congressional District,” was prepared by the Committee on Government Reform - Minority Staff. Congressman Cummings serves on the Committee. The report will soon available on Rep. Cummings’ website, http://www.house.gov/cummings.

President Bush is proposing major changes to the Social Security program due to its expected funding shortfall in 2052. One part of this plan calls for progressive indexing of benefits, which involves the distribution of benefits based upon a combination of wage and price inflation.

Currently, Social Security distributions are based upon wage indexing, which guarantees that benefits are pegged to recipients’ standard of living. However, under progressive indexing, benefits would be drastically reduced because distributions would be tied to prices - which rise more slowly than wages.

“This change would not be voluntary, and would result in a lower standard of living for future Social Security recipients and increased poverty among the elderly,” Congressman Cummings said.

The report details the following impact of progressive indexing in the 7th Congressional district:

! The average benefit cut for workers between the ages of 35 and 55 years would be $2,375 per year;

! For workers who are younger than 35, the average benefit cut would be $4,620;

! More than 115,000 workers would see a 10 percent cut, while more than 43,000 workers would see a 20 percent cut.

“Since Social Security provides more than half of the income for 60 percent of the program’s beneficiaries, a cut of $2,000 to $4,600 per year would mean that many citizens would have to seek other ways to buy groceries and medicines or pay their monthly bills,” Congressman Cummings said. “If the progressive indexing plan is implemented, a retiree would be forced to suffer through the so-called ‘golden years’ that they have worked all of their lives to enjoy.”

Congress is expected to consider Social Security reform bills this summer.

“On August 14, 2005, Social Security will mark its 70th anniversary,” Congressman Cummings said. “I intend to commemorate this milestone by working with my colleagues to defeat the progressive indexing plan.”

He continued, “From speaking with constituents and hosting town halls, it has become clear to me that people from all parts of my district are united in opposing major changes to Social Security. I urge both Republicans and Democrats to work together similarly. We should be acting in thoughtful and deliberate ways to strengthen this effective and comprehensive family insurance program.”

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When U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra O'Connor announced her retirement on July 1, Congressman Cummings commended her for her distinguished service to the country.

"Although I did not always agree with Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's constitutional conclusions, there is no doubt in my mind that she did her very best to serve our country," Congressman Cummings said.

Congressman Cummings noted that he disagreed with Justice O’Connor in 1989, when she wrote for the majority limiting the scope of minority business participation. He also disagreed with her willingness to intervene in the 2000 presidential decision.

"However, in more recent decisions, Justice O'Connor worked to fashion a centrist position that upheld voluntary affirmative action in the University of Michigan decision, a detainees’ right to judicial review, limits upon the use of the death penalty and, of course, a woman's right to reproductive choice. I commend that judicial growth, which brought Justice O'Connor closer to the judicial mainstream of this country."

As President Bush prepares to nominate a new judge to replace Justice O’Connor, Congressman Cummings urged him to select a candidate who will continue a centrist judicial philosophy.

"The President has declared that he will nominate a successor for Justice O'Connor of whom Americans can be proud, and I urge the President to implement this pledge in a manner that all Americans will applaud. By nominating another centrist Justice, the President can now bring our country closer together, rather than further divide us."

He added, "I urge President Bush to consult closely with both Republicans and Democrats in the Senate before making his decision. That is the course that will demonstrate appropriate respect for the Senate's constitutional role in this important process and help to achieve the fair and deliberate process that we all want to achieve."

Recently, Congressman Cummings signed on as an original co-sponsor of the following pieces of legislation. For more information on the status of these bills, please log on to http://thomas.loc.gov/.

1. Teacher Excellence for All Children Act of 2005, H.R. 2835: Improves teacher training and recruitment by amending the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, the Higher Education Act of 1965 and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

2. Compassionate Assistance for Rape Emergencies Act, H.R. 2928: Provides for the availability of emergency contraceptives at hospitals for women who are survivors of sexual assault.

3. Establishment of an Independent Commission for Detainee Abuses, H.R. 3003: Establishes an independent commission that would conduct investigations on detainee abuses in connection with Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and other operations within the Global War on Terrorism.

People Encouraging People, Inc., of Baltimore will receive a $400,000 grant to help fund its drug treatment program for the homeless. The grant was provided by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. In securing these funds, Congressman Cummings worked with Maryland’s U.S. Senators Paul S. Sarbanes and Barbara A. Mikulski, and Congressmen Benjamin L. Cardin and C.A. “Dutch” Ruppersberger.

Baltimore Office
1010 Park Avenue, Suite 105
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 685-9199 and (410) 685-9399 fax
Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Catonsville Office
754 Frederick Road
Catonsville, Maryland 21228
(410) 719-8777 and (410) 455-0110 fax
8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Howard County Outreach Centers
First Monday of the Month:
Glenwood Library, 2350 Route 97
Cooksville, MD 21723
Hours: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM or by appointment

Second Monday of the Month:
Howard County Central Library
10375 Little Patuxent Pkwy.
Columbia, MD 21044
Hours: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM or by appointment

Second Wednesday of the Month:
Savage Library, 9525 Durness Lane
Laurel, MD 20723
Hours: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM or by appointment

Third Monday of the Month:
Florence Bain Senior Center
5470 Ruth Keeton Way
Columbia, MD 21044
Hours: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM or by appointment

Fourth Monday of the Month:
Miller Branch Library, 9421 Frederick Road
Ellicott City, MD 21042
Hours: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM or by appointment