E-NEWSLETTER
Message From Senator Burr
Our national debt hit $15 trillion for the first time in American history this week. This alarming number reinforces the pressing need to pass legislation that will rein in government spending and create an environment that allows our country’s economy to grow. As the November 23 deadline of the deficit-cutting Congressional supercommittee approaches, I am hopeful that Democrats will work with Republicans to find common sense solutions to reduce our nation’s deficits. There are items that both parties can agree on, and the severe consequences of failure should outweigh the pull of partisan politics.
Just this week, I reached across the aisle and worked with Democrats to introduce two bills, the New Alternative Transportation to Give Americans Solutions (NAT GAS) Act of 2011 and the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act.
On Tuesday, I introduced the NAT GAS bill along with Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Harry Reid (D-NV), and Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) in an effort to improve American’s national security by spurring investment in natural gas vehicle technology at home —thereby reducing our dependence on expensive foreign oil. The legislation would encourage the development and purchase of natural gas-fueled vehicles (NGV’s) and would provide for investment in our nation’s infrastructure to accommodate an increase in the number of NGV’s on the road. Read more about it here.
Also on Tuesday, I introduced the ABLE Act along with Senator Casey (D-PA), Congressman Crenshaw (R-FL), and Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers (R-WA). The ABLE Act would assist parents of disabled children, who often face difficulties preparing for the long-term expenses for their child, by expanding the use of 529 education savings accounts to help cover disability expenses. Currently, 529 accounts can be used to save for a child's college education tax-free.
By encouraging and assisting families and individuals to save money for their children’s future, the ABLE Act will enhance the quality of life of individuals with disabilities and make it easier for them to maintain their health and independence as they age. These savings accounts will facilitate parents’ access to quality health care that fits their child’s individual needs. The ABLE Act will also enable parents to invest in special education programs that might otherwise be too costly. In addition, as children with disabilities grow, they will have finances saved to invest in housing as well as employment training, making it easier for them to be self-sufficient. Read the full press releasehere.
As I mentioned in October, I recently co-sponsored the Medical Device Regulatory Improvement Act with Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) to create and maintain American jobs. The bill would help streamline the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) regulation of medical devices in order to spur innovation here at home and provide investors the regulatory certainty and predictability necessary to prevent them from pursuing opportunities overseas. At this week’s Senate Help, Education, Pensions and Labor (HELP) Committee hearing, I had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Jeffrey Shuren, the FDA medical device chief, and express my concerns about the impact of regulatory challenges on innovation. I asked Dr. Shuren tough questions about burdensome practices at the FDA, pointing out the detrimental effect that lengthy application review times and high medical device user fees have on American businesses. You may read more about my exchange with Dr. Shuren in this article.
Just this week, I reached across the aisle and worked with Democrats to introduce two bills, the New Alternative Transportation to Give Americans Solutions (NAT GAS) Act of 2011 and the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act.
On Tuesday, I introduced the NAT GAS bill along with Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Harry Reid (D-NV), and Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) in an effort to improve American’s national security by spurring investment in natural gas vehicle technology at home —thereby reducing our dependence on expensive foreign oil. The legislation would encourage the development and purchase of natural gas-fueled vehicles (NGV’s) and would provide for investment in our nation’s infrastructure to accommodate an increase in the number of NGV’s on the road. Read more about it here.
Also on Tuesday, I introduced the ABLE Act along with Senator Casey (D-PA), Congressman Crenshaw (R-FL), and Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers (R-WA). The ABLE Act would assist parents of disabled children, who often face difficulties preparing for the long-term expenses for their child, by expanding the use of 529 education savings accounts to help cover disability expenses. Currently, 529 accounts can be used to save for a child's college education tax-free.
By encouraging and assisting families and individuals to save money for their children’s future, the ABLE Act will enhance the quality of life of individuals with disabilities and make it easier for them to maintain their health and independence as they age. These savings accounts will facilitate parents’ access to quality health care that fits their child’s individual needs. The ABLE Act will also enable parents to invest in special education programs that might otherwise be too costly. In addition, as children with disabilities grow, they will have finances saved to invest in housing as well as employment training, making it easier for them to be self-sufficient. Read the full press releasehere.
As I mentioned in October, I recently co-sponsored the Medical Device Regulatory Improvement Act with Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) to create and maintain American jobs. The bill would help streamline the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) regulation of medical devices in order to spur innovation here at home and provide investors the regulatory certainty and predictability necessary to prevent them from pursuing opportunities overseas. At this week’s Senate Help, Education, Pensions and Labor (HELP) Committee hearing, I had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Jeffrey Shuren, the FDA medical device chief, and express my concerns about the impact of regulatory challenges on innovation. I asked Dr. Shuren tough questions about burdensome practices at the FDA, pointing out the detrimental effect that lengthy application review times and high medical device user fees have on American businesses. You may read more about my exchange with Dr. Shuren in this article.
NEWS UPDATE
