It's hard not to get the urge to make a resolution on New Year's Eve. There's that sense of renewal, of rebirth, and the urgent awareness that that there's lots to be done. Despite this, it's usually right around this time of year that this once pressing awareness has dulled and life as usual sets back in.

This week, as we geared up to start the second half of the 108th Congress, the resolution itch was alive in Washington. There's a buzz all over town -- goals are being set, plans are being made, and the once sleepy halls of Capitol Hill are alive again with action.

This year, my new year's resolution is simple and clear: I want to continue staying in touch with you. Whether, it's through a quick email via the website, a phone call to one of the district representatives, or whether we have the opportunity to meet around town, please take a moment to let us know what issues are of concern to you and your family. 

I'm also committed to making sure you're up-to-date on what we're doing here in Washington. As this inaugural issue of the email newsletter is launched, I want to make sure you know that we're here to assist you this year. Whether it's by cutting through the red tape of government bureaucracy, getting you up to speed on the latest legislation, or by just listening to your concerns, we're looking forward to hearing from you this year!

::  "What Congress Has Given, Congress Should Not Take Away"  ::

Last Tuesday night, in the State of the Union address, the President called upon Congress to make his tax cuts permanent. 

The President said, "Congress has some unfinished business on the issue of taxes. The tax reductions you passed are set to expire. Unless you act, the unfair tax on marriage will go back up. Unless you act, millions of families will be charged $300 more in federal taxes for every child. Unless you act, small businesses will pay higher taxes. Unless you act, the death tax will eventually come back to life. Unless you act, Americans face a tax increase. What the Congress has given, the Congress should not take away: For the sake of job growth, the tax cuts you passed should be permanent." Click to watch video of the State of the Union.

The President also called for tax-free health savings accounts and tax-free insurance premiums for health savings accounts, which would allow individuals who buy catastrophic health care coverage to deduct 100% of the premium from their taxes, and a refundable tax credit of up to $1,000 for individuals and $3,000 for families to help low-income workers buy health insurance coverage.

When taking office in 2001, President Bush outlined a bold vision to invigorate the economy. Congress has embraced that vision, prioritized tax relief and the results for Americans have been undeniably successful. New jobs are being created, manufacturing is rebounding, and the unemployment rate is declining.

I remain committed to lowering the tax burden on hard-working families in the Fourth District while providing incentives for further job creation. As Congress formulates its tax goals for this year, I'd like to hear from you. Please take a moment to email your thoughts on the President's State of the Union through the website.

::  5 Things You Can Do to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft  ::

It seems that the more we turn on our televisions and radios, the more we hear about the risks of identity theft. Despite all the information about identity theft, many people are not aware of how they can substantially reduce the risk of becoming a victim of identity theft by taking these five precautionary actions:

Congress has also been taking action to protect consumers from identity theft. Just recently Congress passed, with my support, the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003. The President signed this bill into law last month. This legislation will create powerful consumer protection tools, including:

- Giving consumers the right to a free credit report each year.

- Requiring merchants to leave all but the last five digits of a credit card number off store receipts. 

- Creating a national system of fraud detection where victims won't have to make phone calls to all of their credit card companies and three major credit rating agencies to alert them to an identity crime. Now consumers will only need to make one call to receive advice, set off a nationwide fraud alert, and protect their credit standing.

Please take a moment to visit my consumer website to learn more about what you can do to stop identity theft. 

::  Question & Answer - Mad Cow Disease  ::

Q: What is Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) or "Mad Cow Disease"?

A: BSE is a degenerative neurological disease caused by an aberrant protein called a prion. It is in the family of diseases — all caused by prions — referred to as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, or TSEs. It’s important to note that TSEs are not communicable diseases—they do not spread easily like viruses.

Q: Is your family at risk of catching BSE?

A: There is virtually no risk to consumers. USDA remains confident in the safety of the U.S. food supply. Scientists tell us that there is no evidence to demonstrate that meat from muscle cuts or whole muscle meats that come from animals infected with BSE are at risk of containing prions that are the causative agent of the disease. 

Q: How is BSE spread in cattle?

A: Cattle can become infected with BSE by eating feed contaminated with the infectious BSE agent. This is why in 1997 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration prohibited the use of most protein from mammals in the manufacture of animal feed intended for cows and other ruminants. For more information on the feed ban, please visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s website.

Q: Is there a phone number consumers can call with questions about meat products?

A: Consumers with food safety questions can phone the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline.The hotline is available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.