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AG RESPONSE DEMANDED ON JAILED BORDER PATROL AGENT. First it was Operation Fast & Furious, now Attorney General Eric Holder is under scrutiny for the prosecution of Border Patrol Agent Jesus Diaz. For doing his job, Agent Diaz was sentenced to two years in federal prison for improperly lifting the arms of a 15-year-old drug smuggler while handcuffed. The Justice Department, which gave the smuggler immunity and a visa in exchange for his testimony, asserts that Agent Diaz violated the smuggler’s constitutional right to be free from unreasonable force. Read my letter to the Attorney General.
ALL EYES ARE ON THE CONGRESSIONAL SUPERCOMMITTEE, which is slated to vote on a series of recommendations no later than November 23. The next date on the supercommittee timeline is December 2, when a final proposal must be submitted to the House and Senate. Congress must vote up or down on the supercommittee proposal by December 23—otherwise sequestration is triggered, leading to $1.2 trillion in automatic cuts.
THE TRIGGER—IF PULLED—MEANS ANOTHER $600 BILLION IN DEFENSE CUTS. That’s on top of $450 billion in cuts already. The House has heard from each of the military service chiefs, as well as the Secretary of Defense, and the outlook is not good should sequestration happen.
THE DANGER OF DEFENSE CUTS IN THEIR WORDS. Marine Commandant James Amos: “we will not be able to do the things the nation needs us to do to mitigate risk, or meet the requirements of the Combatant Commanders.” Army General Ray Odierno: sequestration would be “catastrophic to the military and—in the case of the Army—would significantly reduce our capability and capacity to assure our partners abroad, respond to crises, and deter our potential adversaries, while threatening the readiness of our all volunteer force.” Air Force Chief of Staff Norton Schwartz: “even the most thoroughly deliberated strategy may not be able to overcome dire consequences if cuts go far beyond the $450 billion” in reductions already set for the next 10 years.
CALIFORNIA COULD LOSE 125,800 DEFENSE AND AEROSPACE JOBS if sequestration goes through, according to a study by the Aerospace Industries Association. Meanwhile, the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service reports that every $1 billion in defense spending supports 8,000 jobs on average. San Diego—especially with its Marine Corps and Navy connection—is certain to be impacted.
THE REAL COST-DRIVERS IN THE BUDGET. The supercommittee is keeping a close-hold on its work, but its effectiveness will depend on its ability to address 1) comprehensive tax reform that widens the tax base and provides relief to families and businesses; 2) regulatory reform that eases burdens for small business; and 3) entitlement reform that guarantees benefits for today’s retirees and preserves benefits for future generations.
HOUSE REPUBLICANS AND THE PRESIDENT ARE ON THE SAME PAGE when it comes to legislation eliminating the 3 percent withholding of small business payments. The legislation, H.R. 674, prevents a new 3 percent tax on all companies doing business with federal, state and local governments. The tax has been identified as a job-killer and was included in the House Republican Plan for America’s Job Creators. The President has stated he will sign this bill into law, pending Senate approval. Read my press release following the passage of H.R. 674 in the House.
ANOTHER JOBS BILL IS IN THE PIPELINE, this time focusing on companies that invest and create jobs abroad instead of doing it here. The bill is being drafted by Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp and will address provisions within the current tax code that discourage companies from sending home foreign-source income. The draft plan—explained in more detail in Investor’s Business Daily—levies a 5.25 percent tax on all foreign earnings held offshore.
PARENTS NEED BETTER INFORMATION ON SCHOOLS. Check out my latest commentary featured in The Hill—Better Info Puts Schooling in the Hands of Parents. With education reform still front-and-center, I’m working on legislation to leverage existing data requirements to enhance teacher effectiveness and parent-centered information.
IT’S TIME AGAIN FOR MEDICARE PART D OPEN ENROLLMENT. Open enrollment lasts from October 15 through December 7 and it’s the only time you can make changes to your Medicare prescription drug benefit. If you need any assistance during the enrollment period, contact my El Cajon office at 619-448-5201.
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