For the past several months, both Republicans and Democrats have worked hard to find common ground on comprehensive immigration reform. It is unfortunate the Senate reached a stalemate and could not fully debate S. 1639, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007. There was still significant work to be done on this bill, including the consideration of a number of pending provisions I favored, like the $4.4 billion for border security. I heard from many Utahns during this debate, and I understand that this is a top issue for many people in our state.

It is clear that comprehensive reform is needed to address the national security and economic realities currently facing our country. One thing that emerged from the debate is that our current system, the status quo, is not the solution and continues to make our immigration problem worse. Creating a responsible, thorough immigration policy is a complex task, and requires a tremendous amount of will by the Congress to find a solution that will secure our borders while also preserving the prosperity of our economy.

There is no question we must address border security first. I voted for the Border Security First Act of 2007, part of the Fiscal Year 2008 Homeland Appropriations Bill that passed the Senate in July, which, if enacted, will provide an additional $3 billion for security along the U.S.-Mexico border. Securing the border and regulating the flow of immigrants coming into our country is a serious problem that needs a responsible fix. The $3 billion we included would increase the number of patrol agents, the miles of border fencing, and the number of detention beds on the border. 

In addition to border security, reform must include a temporary guest worker program.  I am for a high fence, but I am also for a gate with a door that swings both ways so immigrants can come in to work and then go home when their work is done. That is our problem now, immigrants come in to work illegally and then they are afraid to go home for fear that they cannot come back.

We must also implement a merit-based point program to improve our competitiveness in the global marketplace and a new employer-based worker verification system where a biometric identification, such as a thumbprint, is required for all applicants. This type of identification makes it possible to hold employers accountable if they deliberately hire illegal immigrants. This will also empower immigration officials in their efforts to secure the border and prevent employers from breaking the law.

The last piece of comprehensive reform is dealing with the 12 million immigrants living in our country today. I agree with many Utahns that amnesty is not the answer. Granting amnesty has not worked in the past. It would undermine the rule of law and create incentives for more people to come across the border illegally. Only by creating a process whereby people can be fined for their actions prior to any opportunity to gain temporary legal status will we be able to address the issues associated with immigration, otherwise those problems will remain.

But the fact remains: we have a serious problem with illegal immigration and we need to deal with it in a responsible way. I hope this opportunity has not passed us by. 

In September, General Petraeus reported to Congress on the progress achieved and the problems yet to be resolved in Iraq. After hearing his analysis I believe he is moving us in the right direction. He has learned from both past mistakes and the changes made by the enemy. General Petraeus understands that our opponents want complete turmoil in the region and a failed state in Iraq. He understands the things that need to be done to prevent that from happening.

The media does not paint a promising picture of Iraq. But my visits with Utahns, and especially the soldiers, airmen, and Guardsmen from Utah who have been to Iraq, tell me the changes General Petraeus is implementing are working.

Before we can expect a stable Iraqi government we must get a handle on security. We found that in our own Revolutionary War. We had to have the military give us stability before we could function as a government. Our political institutions didn’t work at first. The Articles of Confederation had to give way over a period of years to a new approach to government based on our own mistakes. This may also occur in Iraq.

Despite the current challenges, there is news of significant progress and peace in Iraq. The Iraqi security forces are gaining in strength and numbers. They have led a number of combat operations with coalition forces supporting their efforts, and have stabilized many al Qaeda-infested neighborhoods. We are seeing markets come back to life and local governments providing basic services like electricity, clean water, and sanitation. The commanders on the ground feel these are good signs and now have committed to bring 5,000 troops home by Christmas to be with their families.

If this progress continues and we accomplish the goals laid out by the president to establish a self-governing, pro-western, open society where private property rights are respected, voting rights preserved, and free market principles prevail, Iraq will stand as an example to the rest of the Middle East that freedom, democracy and capitalism can indeed thrive there. The consequences for good are incalculable. It will be one of the most significant world events that will occur in our lifetime.

If we are unsuccessful and leave Iraq a failed state, we will create a breeding ground of terrorism. The terrorist threat against the U.S. and the rest of the world will rise to a level higher than it was before the attacks of September 11th. Iran, a state sponsor of terrorism that is seeking dangerous nuclear capabilities, has publicly announced its intention to fill any power vacuum in Iraq. A destabilized Middle East threatens our national security, the security of our regional allies, and the global economy.

The progress we have achieved in the Middle East, our safety here at home, and the security of our freedoms we owe to the brave men and women in the field, many of whom have given the ultimate sacrifice for their country. We support the tremendous work they are doing. We honor their courage and dedication and are deeply grateful for their service and for the great sacrifice of their families."

At the end of June, the Senate Budget Committee held a hearing on the Healthy Americans Act, the first hearing on comprehensive health care reform since June 22, 1994. The momentum of the Healthy Americans Act continues to build in the Congress, with Democrats and Republicans signing on to support it in both chambers. The Senate cosponsors continue to increase, marking a total of five Republicans (Senators Judd Gregg, Chuck Grassley, Norm Coleman, Lamar Alexander, and myself) and four Democrats (Senators Debbie Stabenow, Ron Wyden, Bill Nelson, and Mary Landrieu).

The current political situation makes this the right time to tackle this very pressing issue on the minds of many Americans. This is the first time since Dwight Eisenhower’s election that there is not an incumbent in the White House who will be on the ballot for president, creating the ideal time for bipartisan legislation to be passed.

The Healthy Americans Act includes the following five principles:

TAX REFORM
Many Americans have little or no knowledge of how much their health care costs, or where their health care dollars are spent because they don’t control those dollars. It is the employers spending their employees’ money. By breaking the link between employment and insurance, and giving employees the right to control their own dollars and the tax benefit, the Healthy Americans Act will provide incentives for lower cost, higher quality plans.

PORTABILITY
How many people do you know – perhaps even yourself – who feel chained to their jobs because of their health benefits? That isn’t fair. Americans should not be afraid to change jobs because they fear losing access to health care coverage. It’s not good for productivity, it’s not good for the economy, and it’s certainly not good for the person who is trapped in a job that he or she hates. There needs to be portability in the health care system so individuals will always have their coverage regardless of where they work, and the Healthy Americans Act provides that.

CHOICE
Every American should have access to health care, and currently every American does – it’s called the emergency room and its the most ineffective, inefficient and expensive way of care possible. If all Americans have the ability to choose their individual portable coverage that best suits their needs, the uninsured will no longer need to over-utilize emergency room visits. Health care spending will be more evenly disbursed and dramatically reduced. The Healthy Americans Act provides individual access and choice.

HEALTHY BEHAVIOR
Healthy individuals use less health care dollars than unhealthy ones. The record is very clear that when people spend time taking care of themselves, their health care costs go down dramatically. If there are incentives for individuals to stay healthy, it will make a significant difference in driving down health care costs. The Healthy Americans Act promotes personal responsibility and prevention by offering discounted premiums for participation in wellness programs and rewarding providers for helping their patients stay healthy.

MARKET FORCES
When transparency and competition exist, markets work. But markets require transparency on cost and quality to work efficiently. Once the individual is empowered to make choices, he or she will demand such transparency and market forces and competition will enter and work. The Healthy Americans Act allows private sector competition to drive down costs and offer innovative solutions.

If we get the right kind of tax reform that will empower the individual then we can get portability, individual access, incentives for health behavior, and the beneficial effect of market forces. The Healthy Americans Act embraces these five principles, so health care can be affordable, the uninsured can be covered, and our economy can be strengthened."

To learn more about the Healthy Americans Act, please visit www.bennett.senate.gov/healthyamericans

    “The Social Security system has served our nation well, but the 70-year-old program is outdated and is not equipped to address today’s and tomorrow’s realities. Demographic changes and increasing life expectancy have created imbalances in the system that compromise its solvency and ultimately the retirement benefits of Americans. Individuals born before 1950 will receive the promised benefits. But the benefits of Americans born after the early 1950s are in jeopardy if the Congress doesn’t act.

    “I have proposed a Social Security reform initiative that tackles challenges on two levels. First, solvency. Congress must act soon to address the solvency of the current program and ensure that promised benefits are not drastically cut. Second, encourage saving. Additional measures should be taken to enhance future retirement security by encouraging higher levels of retirement savings through the creation of voluntary personal accounts. I recognize that we cannot solve the existing financial problems with Social Security with personal accounts, as some are suggesting, but we cannot solve the structural, long-term problems without them.

    “President Bush and I have discussed my proposal and he has encouraged me to continue discussions with my Senate colleagues. I have received positive feedback from members on both sides of the aisle and I remain optimistic that this is an issue Republicans and Democrats alike can come together to solve. This is something I am committed to and that must be done so that our children and grandchildren can have a secure retirement future.”

     Below is a summary of Sen. Bennett’s proposal and links to additional resources.
     Summary of Bennett’s Proposed Bills (pdf format)
     Progressive Indexing (pdf format)
     Sen. Bennett Discuss his Social Security Solvency Plan (mp3 audio)