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THERE’S ALREADY A LOT ON THE AGENDA FOR 2012, but be sure to check out my 2011 Year-in-Review Newsletter if you haven’t already: hunter.house.gov/2011.
SALUTING AMERICA’S MILITARY. When the President delivered his State of the Union address on Tuesday, his comments at the start of his speech on the courage and selflessness of our military, citing operations in Iraq, rightly expressed the gratitude that’s owed to our men and women in uniform. The next day, I introduced a bipartisan resolution, with the support of 100 of my House colleagues, recognizing the contribution and sacrifice of the U.S. military in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Click here for my press release and the resolution.
THE STATE OF THE UNION MARKED THE 1000th DAY since Senate Democrats last offered a budget plan. Without a budget, it’s become increasingly difficult to restore the normal order of business, instead opening the door to more short-term extensions and consolidated funding bills. In a move to provide consistency to this process, the House is once again preparing a budget to debate in the coming months. The Senate is still quiet on its plan.
IN THE SAME AMOUNT OF TIME that the Senate has refused to produce a budget, the U.S. Constitution could have been drafted, approved, and enacted… twice.
TAX INCENTIVES FOR DOMESTIC MANUFACTURING, also referenced in the President’s speech, is definitely an area of potential bipartisan agreement. I’m eager to learn more about the proposal and begin a serious discussion with my colleagues on the details. Closing tax and regulatory loopholes that encourage U.S. manufacturers to move their operations overseas is a discussion that’s long overdue.
SHOVEL-READY PROJECT REJECTED. Included in federal legislation extending the payroll tax holiday was a provision requiring the President to approve the Keystone Pipeline or certify that the project is not in the national interest. This month, the President rejected the plan, citing insufficient time for proper permitting and standing by a decision to delay the project past the 2012 national election. Given strong support for the Keystone Pipeline in both the House and Senate, and the necessity for energy independence and job growth, discussions are underway to advance legislation mandating immediate construction of the pipeline.
A VIDEO SHOWING A GROUP OF U.S. MARINES AND DEAD TALIBAN FIGHTERS went viral a few weeks back, spurring reaction from both the Secretaries of State and Defense. The actions of the Marines were wrong and they should be disciplined appropriately, but I have concerns with public statements from the Secretary of Defense, in particular, that these Marines should be punished to the fullest extent possible. Click here for my letter to the Secretary of Defense.
MT. SOLEDAD AND OTHER WAR MEMORIALS were given a strong show of support by the House this week, upon passage of my legislation, H.R. 290, the War Memorial Protection Act, by voice vote. The legislation now goes to the Senate, where I’m working with some of my colleagues in the other body to send this bill to the President’s desk. Read more here.
DEFENSE BUDGET DETAILS RELEASED. On Thursday, the Secretary of Defense outlined a plan to absorb $450 billion in cuts over the coming decade. So far, there appear to be no major changes for San Diego, but there’s another $500 billion in cuts, required by sequestration, that would likely have wider reach. As for the next step, the President will submit his budget proposal to Congress in February and then the House will begin its work to build the annual budget. Click here for my latest press release on the defense budget.
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