July 2009 Archives

WASHINGTON, DC - Working to protect American troops while bolstering local economies in the First Congressional District, U.S. Representative Ed Whitfield (KY-01) ushered through the House of Representatives today critical funding that will help keep soldiers safe and healthy while bringing jobs to western Kentucky.

"As our troops continue to combat threats to our nation abroad, it is essential we do all that we can to ensure their safety and security," Whitfield said. "I was pleased to request this funding which will help protect service members while giving a boost to the western Kentucky economy."

The House passed, and Whitfield supported, H.R. 3326, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act of 2010. The bill includes $3,000,000 for the "Enabling Optimization of Reactive Armor" initiative and $2,800,000 for the "Infectious and Airborne Pathogen Reduction" project.

The "Enabling Optimization of Reactive Armor" initiative is developing a replacement for current reactive armor used by the Army which will be reduced in weight and protect against new threats, increasing the overall safety of the armor. Funds for this project would be utilized by Ensign-Bickford Aerospace and Dynamics, which employs approximately 150 workers in Graham, Kentucky.

Funding for the "Infectious and Airborne Pathogen Reduction" project would be used at Luvata Franklin, which employs approximately 200 workers in Franklin, Kentucky. The money allocated today for this initiative will be used to evaluate ways to reduce and eliminate infections through the use of antimicrobial copper in medical units and HVAC systems in military units such as tanks, Veterans hospitals and barracks.

Congressman Hal Rogers (KY-05) also requested funding for the "Enabling Optimization of Reactive Armor" initiative. Additionally, money for the "Infectious and Airborne Pathogen Reduction" project was requested by Congressmen Michael Arcuri (NY-24), Travis Childers (MS-01) and Brian Higgins (NY-27). The bill will now be considered by the Senate and, upon approval and conference with the House, sent to the President to be signed into law.

WASHINGTON - U.S. Representative Ed Whitfield (KY-01) is calling on communities across the nation to renew their commitment to and support for members of the United States Armed Forces and their families through the signing of the Army Community Covenant. The Covenant is an initiative started by the U.S. Army to recognize the service and sacrifice of military members and to engage local communities across the country in projects to support these heroes and their families.

"Members of the United States Armed Forces and their families have dedicated their lives to the safety and security of our nation," Whitfield said. "For this, they have more than earned the unwavering support of their local communities and commitment to their well being. Community Covenants have successfully built lasting partnerships between many communities and military installations and contributed to the readiness of our service members and their families. I am pleased to do all that I can to support this initiative which benefits our troops, their families and all Americans kept safe and free because of their sacrifices."

Whitfield introduced H.Con.Res. 370, a Resolution supporting the goals and ideals of the Army Community Covenant. The Covenant was established on April 17, 2008 and encourages towns, counties and states to develop programs and initiatives that aid military members and their families. This includes educational, employment, family, financial, state government and wounded warrior support as well as assistance to surviving spouses. Since the program began, the Army Community Covenant has extended to building local community support for all branches of the Armed Forces.

The resolution expresses the sense that Congress supports and encourages Community Covenant signing ceremonies between local communities and the Armed Forces throughout the United States. The Congressman is asking Members of Congress to promote the signing of Community Covenants throughout their Districts and is hopeful a signing ceremony can take place in the nation's Capitol.

Kentucky has already had three Community Covenant Ceremonies, including one at Fort Campbell in August of 2008. Whitfield applauded groups like Citizens for Fort Campbell and initiatives such as the Kentucky National Guard Youth Camp, the Eagle Ambassador Program in Christian County and Hopkinsville Salutes Fort Campbell week for demonstrating the strong commitment residents of the Commonwealth have for the Armed Services and its many members. The Congressman hopes to encourage more communities across Kentucky and the entire country to hold Community Covenant Ceremonies and help fulfill the nation's promise to our military men and women.

For more information on the Army Community Covenant and how your community can get involved, please visit: http://www.acsim.army.mil/community_covenant/

WASHINGTON - Aiming to protect America's drinking water and revitalize the nation's water infrastructure, U.S. Representative Ed Whitfield (KY-01) cosponsored legislation which would create a Water Trust Fund to make critical repairs to water systems across the country.

"With towns and counties across the Commonwealth operating on tight budgets, the federal government needs to do all that it can to help fund critical infrastructure projects," Whitfield said. "The Water Protection and Reinvestment Act will ensure the federal government shoulders more of the burden for many water system repairs in Kentucky."

Whitfield co-sponsored H.R. 3202, the Water Protection and Reinvestment Act, bipartisan legislation introduced by Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR). The bill establishes a Water Trust Fund for repairing America's corroded pipes and overburdened sewer systems, which pose serious health, environmental and security threats.

Many water systems in Kentucky and across the country are in dire need of repair. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that American communities experience close to 250,000 water main breaks a year. The American Society of Civil Engineers has given the United States' water infrastructure a grade of "D-." They estimate that the U.S. loses an average of six billion gallons of potable water per day because of leaky pipes.

While nationwide the needs for repairs are estimated to be over $25 billion a year, appropriations for water infrastructure have averaged just over $2.3 billion a year since 2000. Whitfield is concerned that this insufficient funding forces local governments to pay more of the costs for repairs and increases rates for customers.

The bill Whitfield co-sponsored would create a $10 billion fund to help states and localities replace, repair and rehabilitate drinking water and wastewater treatment facilities. The deficit neutral proposal would be funded through fees levied on those who contribute to water quality problems and heavily utilize water systems. Additionally, the fund is expected to create 250,000 jobs.

The bill has been referred to the House Subcommittee on Energy and Environment where it awaits further consideration.

WASHINGTON - Congressman Ed Whitfield (KY-01) is calling on the United States to do all that it can to put pressure on the government of North Korea to close brutal slave-labor camps that incarcerate hundreds of thousands of political prisoners across the nation.

"Our founding fathers set out on a grand experiment to prove that a government can exist where the citizens are truly free, and since that day 233 years ago, our Nation has long stood as the beacon of light for those hiding in the darkness of fear and oppression," Whitfield wrote. "While I certainly appreciate and am sensitive to the ongoing national security threats posed by North Korea, I believe meaningful discussions should include pressure from the United States for the North Korean government to abandon these slave camps."

Whitfield sent a letter to U.S. Special Representative, North Korea Policy, Ambassador Stephen Bosworth as well as to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and President Barack Obama regarding human right violations being perpetuated by the North Korean government. The Congressman reiterated his commitment to work with the Administration to end the oppression of the North Korean people while protecting United States national security interests.

In the letter, Whitfield cites a recent article printed in the Washington Post by Blaine Harden which highlights the gross atrocities being committed by the North Korean government. According to the article, there are approximately five major labor camps in North Korea that house 200,000 political prisoners. Conditions inside the camps are brutal with prisoners being forced to work 12-15 hours a day on a diet of mostly corn and salt. Most prisoners die prematurely of malnutrition-related illnesses. Worse still, according to the article, these camps have existed for 50 years, which is 12 times as long as the Nazi concentration camps.

WASHINGTON - Committed to promoting fiscal responsibility in the federal government, U.S. Representative Ed Whitfield (KY-01) introduced a Resolution today which would require Congress to have a means to pay for any legislation passed in the House of Representatives.

"During these tough economic times, Kentuckians have been forced to tighten their belts and cut back on spending to make ends meet," Whitfield said. "The federal government should be required to do the same thing. It is essential Congress curb its runaway spending habits before our national debt becomes an insurmountable burden for future generations."

Whitfield introduced a Resolution to amend the rules of the House of Representatives to require that the pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) rule be upheld. The PAYGO rule requires that legislation be either "budget neutral" or include an offset for the cost of the proposal from existing funds. However, currently this rule is not mandatory and is often waived. With the adoption of Whitfield's resolution, the House would be required to have a separate debate and vote on the specific question of allowing the legislative body to waive PAYGO.

The purpose of the PAYGO rule is to prevent legislation from passing the House that would increase the federal debt. However, PAYGO was waived 12 times during the 110th Congress exempting $420.1 billion in non-offset deficit increases. With the national debt at a record high, Whitfield wants to ensure the 111th Congress does not follow this dangerous precedent.

The Congressional Budget Office projects that this year the government will run a $1.84 trillion deficit, which is about 12% of all the goods and services that the U.S. produces. Whitfield's resolution will ensure that taxpayers are aware anytime Congress chooses to increase federal spending and the size of the national debt.

Whitfield spoke on the House floor today in support of his legislation.

To see a video clip of this speech, please visit the Congressman's You Tube page at http://www.youtube.com/WhitfieldKY01

WASHINGTON - Continuing his efforts to ensure our nation's service members and veterans receive the care and treatment they have more than earned, U.S. Representative Ed Whitfield (KY-01) helped introduce bipartisan legislation yesterday to aid wounded soldiers and disabled veterans recovering from injuries sustained while fighting to protect our country.

Whitfield joined Congressman Ron Klein (D-FL) to introduce H.R. 3266, the Wounded Warrior K-9 Corps Act. The bill would establish a program to award grants to nonprofit organizations that provide wounded warriors and disabled veterans with service animals such as physical therapy dogs and guide dogs. The grants will help organizations implement programs that pair assistance dogs with eligible veterans and soldiers who suffer from loss of vision, hearing or a limb or a traumatic brain injury, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a number of other injuries.

"As we continue to combat threats to our nation abroad, it is essential the United States take advantage of every tool and resource available to help our service men and women returning from war as well as our disabled veterans," Whitfield said. "These service animals have proven to be an invaluable resource for many veterans and soldiers recovering from injuries. I am pleased to join Congressman Klein to introduce this important legislation which will help wounded warriors in the recovery process and veterans coping with long-term disabilities."

Last month, Whitfield successfully included language in legislation passed by the House of Representatives to promote the use of new and alternative therapies to aid soldiers suffering from PTSD. The measure requires the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to include in their annual report to Congress on their treatment of PTSD the effectiveness of alternative therapies, including the therapeutic use of animals.

Whitfield represents Fort Campbell, which along with other divisions is home to the 101st Airborne Division, 160th SOAR, 5th Special Forces Group and the Blanchfield Army Community Hospital. Since September 11th, the men and women who serve at Ft. Campbell have been among the most frequently deployed soldiers. Many of them have served three or four tours in either Iraq or Afghanistan.

WASHINGTON - U.S. Representative Ed Whitfield (KY-01) ushered through the House of Representatives today critical funding for the Olmsted Lock and Dam Expansion project.

"Kentucky's waterways are essential to both the Commonwealth's economy and the nation's water transportation system," Whitfield said. "Olmsted Lock and Dam plays a critical role in providing a cost-effective, environmentally friendly way to transport bulk products across the country. I was pleased to help secure these funds today to ensure Kentucky continues to reap the benefits from a safe and efficient inland waterways transportation system."

The House passed H.R.3183, the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2010. The bill includes $109,790,000 for Olmsted Lock and Dam. The funds approved today will be used for an expansion project to facilitate larger barges and reduce costly delays.

Olmsted Lock and Dam provides a critical connection between the Mississippi River, Tennessee River and Cumberland River. More tonnage passes through this point than any other place in America's inland navigation system. Traffic at Olmsted is projected to exceed 113 million tons by 2020. The expansion project will facilitate the needed movement of goods throughout the country.

While the Congressman said he was pleased Olmsted Lock and Dam received funding, he expressed disappointment that the bill did not include critical funding for the Kentucky Lock and Dam Addition project. This project is also critical to both the movement of goods through the inland waterways system and the Kentucky economy as it is expected to have an average annual benefit of $70.7 million when completed and help protect hundreds of jobs. Whitfield said during tough financial times, Congress needs to be doing all that it can to help spur economic growth, not slow it down. The Congressman plans to work to increase funding for Kentucky Lock and Dam as the legislation is considered by the Senate and then returned to the House for a final vote.

President Obama also requested funding for Olmsted Lock and Dam in his budget for Fiscal Year 2010. The bill will now be considered by the Senate and, upon approval and conference with the House, sent to the President to be signed into law.

WASHINGTON - U.S. Representative Ed Whitfield (KY-01) ushered through the House of Representatives today critical funding for the Wolf Creek Dam Rehabilitation project.

"Ensuring the safety of residents throughout the First Congressional District has always been one of my top priorities in Congress," Whitfield said. "The rehabilitation of Wolf Creek Dam is critical to protecting residents of the region and I am pleased to help secure these funds."

Whitfield supported, and the House passed, H.R.3183, the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2010. The bill includes $123,000,000 for the rehabilitation of Wolf Creek Dam.

The Army Corps of Engineers began a major rehabilitation of Wolf Creek Dam in 2006 to address a number of serious safety concerns. The rock foundation under the dam has deteriorated and foundation seepage pressures have increased, illustrating the dire need for rehabilitation. Failure of the dam could result in loss of life and massive destruction of property.

Last month, Whitfield helped secure $200,000 for the Russell County Fiscal Court to purchase outdoor sirens to warn the public in the event of a disaster, including any unexpected problems at Wolf Creek Dam. The funding was included in H.R. 2892, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2010. Differences in the House and Senate version of this legislation are currently being resolved before final consideration by the two bodies.

U.S. Representative Hal Rogers (KY-05) also requested funding for Wolf Creek Dam. In addition, President Obama requested funding for the dam in his budget for Fiscal Year 2010. The bill will now be considered by the Senate and, upon approval and conference with the House, sent to the President to be signed into law.

WASHINGTON - U.S. Representative Ed Whitfield (KY-01) ushered through the House of Representatives today critical funding to screen former workers at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PGDP) for a variety of illnesses they may have contracted while working at the plant.

"Throughout my time in Congress I have worked hard to secure funding to aid workers at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant," Whitfield said. "I remain committed to ensuring workers at the plant receive the care and treatment they deserve and I am pleased the House approved these funds today."

Whitfield supported, and the House passed H.R.3183, the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2010. The bill includes $1,000,000 for Medical Monitoring for Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant Workers. The funding approved today will be used to assess the health of DOE contract workers at the plant in order to detect selected occupational illnesses at an early stage.

Whitfield has been a tireless advocate for the workers at the PGDP throughout his tenure in Congress. In every appropriations cycle, the Congressman has advocated for increased clean-up funds for the plant site; increased funding for the medical monitoring/lung screening program for Paducah workers; and increased funding for the Department of Energy's office of Worker & Community Transition Assistance which finances severance and benefits packages, as well as the community reuse organizations to mitigate job losses resulting from Department of Energy (DOE) plant downsizings or closures.

The Congressman also introduced legislation, a large portion of which became law in 2000, to establish the first-ever federal compensation program for DOE workers who contracted certain illnesses as a result of exposure to radiation, silica, beryllium or other toxic substances while working in the DOE complex. The program, which includes special provisions for workers at Paducah, pays $150,000 plus medical benefits to eligible workers or their survivors.

Last month, Whitfield introduced legislation to ensure surviving family members are able to receive the benefits of sick workers from the plant in the event the former worker dies before claims processing is complete. The bill is identical to legislation first introduced by U.S. Senator Jim Bunning (R-KY) in the Senate.

The bill containing money for medical monitoring will now be considered by the Senate and, upon approval and conference with the House, sent to the President to be signed into law.

WASHINGTON - During the first day of debate in the House of Representatives over sweeping healthcare legislation, U.S. Representative Ed Whitfield (KY-01) cautioned congressional leaders today over enacting legislation which could decrease the quality of care Kentuckians receive, hamstring small business owners in the midst of an economic recession and increase the already sky-high national debt.

"Regardless of political party, I believe everyone is in agreement that we need to come together to pass some common sense reforms to our healthcare system," Whitfield said. "However, it is essential we find a way to balance the need to reform the current healthcare system against the need to also prevent the economic collapse of the American economy. With the national debt already at a record high, whatever healthcare reform legislation Congress enacts, we must have the means to pay for it."

The House Energy and Commerce Committee, on which Whitfield serves, began a legislative markup to debate and amend H.R. 3200, America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009. This legislation was introduced by House Democrats this week and aims to overhaul the nation's healthcare system. During the markup, Whitfield cited numerous concerns over the enormous cost of the legislation, the effect it will have on the quality of care hospitals and doctors are able to provide and the impact it will have on small business owners in tough financial times.

Whitfield pointed out that most economists are very worried about the current deficit of the U.S. government. With the national debt at a record high, the Congressman raised concerns over the tremendous cost of the House Democrats' healthcare proposal which is estimated to be approximately $1.5 trillion. He also noted that history shows that the cost of government programs are routinely underestimated. For example, in 1965 when Congress began debating the Medicare program, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and many groups projected that the cost of the program in 1990 would be $12 billion. The actual cost in 1990 was $107 billion and today it costs over $450 billion dollars.

During the hearing, Whitfield brought up concerns over the effect this proposal would have on Kentucky hospitals. He stated that the American Hospital Association has committed to cuts of $155 billion over ten years to help pay for the legislation. However, Whitfield presented a letter to the Energy and Commerce Committee from the Kentucky Hospital Association that states that their share of those cuts will put the hospitals of Kentucky in such a precarious position financially that they question whether or not they can provide quality care to their patients.

The Congressman also raised questions over the impact this proposal would have on small business owners. The draft legislation includes a "pay or play" mandate for employers which will force business owners to pay 8% of wages paid out to employees to provide healthcare benefits. The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) and other small business organizations have said they are quite concerned about the impact this mandate will have on small businesses during tough economic times.

Whitfield is currently crafting his own healthcare reform proposal, which is expected to be introduced in the following weeks. The package aims to ensure all Americans have access to quality, affordable healthcare; ensure that the chronically ill are able to receive the treatment they need; enhance and encourage medical research and health information technology; make information on healthcare options more readily available for patients; and make it more affordable for businesses to provide healthcare coverage for their employees.

WASHINGTON - Committed to ensuring the nation's brave service members and their families have access to world class facilities both in the United States and abroad, U.S. Representative Ed Whitfield (KY-01) ushered through the House of Representatives today critical funds to construct a new chapel and physical fitness center at Fort Campbell.

"As the United States continues to combat threats to our nation abroad, it is the brave men and women of the military and their families who make the sacrifices day in and day out for our freedoms," Whitfield said. "While they are here at home, they deserve access to the finest facilities to train, worship and gather. For this reason, I was pleased to help usher these funds through the House of Representatives today to help ensure soldiers and their families at Fort Campbell have access to a new fitness center and chapel."

Whitfield supported, and the House passed, H.R. 3082, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act of 2010. The bill includes $14,400,000 for a chapel and multi-purpose facility as well as $900,000 for a physical fitness center at Fort Campbell.

To better serve military members and their families stationed at Fort Campbell, the funds approved today will be used to construct a 1,200 seat chapel and multi-purpose facility. Whitfield is committed to ensuring soldiers and families living at Fort Campbell have adequate space to worship, gather and hold community events.

Funds were also approved today to construct an Army Standard Physical Fitness Center to serve both soldiers and family members at the base. The existing physical fitness facility at Fort Campbell is inadequate and fails to meet Army requirements.

The bill will now be considered by the Senate and, upon approval and conference with the House, sent to the President to be signed into law.

WASHINGTON - Citing concerns over the creation of a new government agency and increased federal spending, U.S. Representative Ed Whitfield (KY-01) urged cautioned on a proposed new federal agency to regulate the financial services industry.

"We are all concerned over the ongoing financial crisis and committed to helping our constituents get through these difficult times while preventing future problems," Whitfield said. "However, I do not believe the creation of a new government agency that simply creates another layer of federal bureaucracy, costing taxpayers millions of dollars, is the best solution. It is essential we fully understand the impact this proposal will have on consumers and the institutions charged with protecting them and their finances."

The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection, on which Whitfield serves, held a hearing today entitled, "The Proposed Consumer Financial Protection Agency: Implications for Consumers and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)." The Subcommittee has held several hearings this year examining the FTC and its role in dealing with the financial crisis.

Currently, the FTC does not have jurisdiction to monitor and regulate depository institutions such as banks. Last month, the Department of Treasury proposed creating a new "Consumer Financial Protection Agency (CFPA)" to fill the gaps in regulation between the FTC and other agencies with jurisdiction over the financial sector. This proposal would involve eliminating consumer protections at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the Federal Reserve Board and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

To see video of the Congressman speaking at the hearing, please visit his YouTube page at http://www.youtube.com/WhitfieldKY01

WASHINGTON - In the wake of news that the unemployment rate in the United States hit a 26 year high last month, U.S. Representative Ed Whitfield (KY-01) sent a letter to the Office of Management and Budget, questioning whether money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act intended to help create jobs and stimulate economies in areas hard hit by the economic recession have been appropriately distributed to places, such as Kentucky, whose unemployment rates are higher than the national average. In some areas of Kentucky, the unemployment rate is twice the national average.

"The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was passed to stop the staggering job losses sweeping the nation and help get our economy back on track," Whitfield said. "So it is very concerning to me that areas similarly impacted by the economic recession are not receiving similar levels of funding to help with recovery. Towns, cities and counties throughout the First Congressional District must receive their fair share of stimulus funds to help get Kentucky back on its feet."

Whitfield sent a letter to Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Robert Nabors, questioning why there has been a disparity between the amount of money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act distributed per capita to states with high unemployment rates compared to those with similar or lower unemployment rates.

The Congressman cited the case of Kentucky and the District of Columbia, which have similar unemployment rates. Federal stimulus spending per capita in DC is far higher than in Kentucky. For example, $70 per capita was awarded in DC for job training compared to only $13 per capita in Kentucky. For education, $305 has been spent per capita in DC compared to only $62 per capita in Kentucky.

Kentucky has been facing crippling unemployment rates over the past several months, with the state average hitting 10.6% in May. Whitfield is concerned that funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which was intended to support job training, health, education, transportation, housing and veterans benefits, is not being targeted equally among states and areas with similar unemployment rates.

While Whitfield did not support the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, citing concerns over the enormous cost of the package and its effectiveness, he is committed to ensuring taxpayer dollars are well spent to help keep and create jobs and turn the American economy around, and that Kentucky gets its fair share.