Dear Friend,

Yesterday the U.S. House Armed Services Committee heard long-awaited testimony from General David Petraeus, the commander of the Multi-National Force – Iraq. In his testimony, Gen. Petraeus rightly focused on how best to secure Iraq. That is his job, and he has done it well.

However, the job of Congress is to protect America. We are engaged in a global war on terror, not just a war in Iraq. We must be ready to respond to threats from anywhere in the world: from Iran, Syria, North Korea, and anywhere else. Terrorists now have a foothold in over 60 countries worldwide, and they're growing stronger every day.

The question of redeployment from Iraq is no longer one of politics or opinion. It is a question of national security, and it is a critical question of our families' safety.

General Petraeus understands the strain on our military. I will be studying the specifics of his recommendations over the next few days.

Despite my grave concerns about the war in Iraq, I am indebted to General Petraeus for his informative testimony. I met General Petraeus several times during his service as Commanding General of Fort Leavenworth, and we visited again when I toured Iraq earlier this year. He has always impressed me as a dedicated commander.

Sincerely,

Nancy Boyda
Member of Congress


Casework Corner – Medicare Open Season Approaching

It's time to reflect on the pros and cons of your Medicare insurance and prescription drug plans and to review the options available if adjustments are needed. Annual enrollment for Medicare Part D will begin this November 15th and run through December 31st. Likewise, general enrollment for the health plans begins on January 1, 2008 and runs through March 31, 2008.

Continue reading...


Letter of the Week – Addressing Performance Pay for Teachers

Recently, there have been discussions about including performance pay in the reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). Teachers would either receive financial rewards or have their pay based on their students’ test scores. I do not think it is fair to base compensation on criteria that have so many outside variables.

Continue reading...


This Week in Congress – 9/2 to 9/8/07

Last Monday, Kansas workers hosted a Labor Day rally on the steps of the Kansas State Capitol in Topeka. I was pleased to join Attorney General Paul Morrison, Secretary of Labor Jim Garner, and others to honor the dedication and skill of the hard workers of Kansas.

On Tuesday, military contractor Black & Veatch offered a briefing on their infrastructure projects in Iraq, and I joined Rep. Emanuel Cleaver of Missouri on KCUR radio to discuss legislation pending before Congress. Afterward, I caught an afternoon flight back to Washington, D.C. for evening votes.

On Wednesday, the U.S. House Armed Services Committee met to examine the Iraq government's record of performance. We heard testimony by David M. Walker, the Comptroller General of the U.S. Government Accountability Office, who testified that, despite the recent surge in troops, political progress in Iraq has been very slow. My office welcomed constituents Lew Miles and Pat Murray to Washington for Capitol tours.

On Thursday, the Armed Services Committee and the Foreign Affairs Committee held a joint hearing into the future of the Iraq war. I also hosted a press conference with Rep. James Oberstar and Rep. Peter DeFazio to respond to the unwelcome news that the Department of Transportation intends to move forward with its reckless pilot program for Mexican trucks. Later, the Armed Services Committee held another hearing, this one focusing on the independent assessment of Iraqi security forces.

On Friday, I flew back to Kansas in time for Saturday's 2007 Kansas Farm Bureau Agriculture Leadership Breakfast in Hutchinson, where U.S. House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Collin Peterson, Sen. Sam Brownback, Sen. Pat Roberts, and Rep. Jerry Moran also spoke. All five of us then drove to the Kansas State Fair, where we participated in a live radio forum on the 2007 Farm Bill held by WIBW and the Kansas Agriculture Network. It was a lively, thoughtful discussion that offered a welcome opportunity to hear the thoughts of Kansas farmers and ranchers on agriculture issues.


About this e-Newsletter

This is an occasional informational e-mail sent to residents of the Kansas Second Congressional District.  If you would prefer not to receive future mailings, please visit the "Unsubscribe" link at the top or bottom of this message.

This mailing was prepared and sent at taxpayer expense.