I know that as you are reading this, you are frustrated with the gridlock in Washington.  I am too.  As we work through the debt ceiling debate, I’ve spent a lot of time discussing with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle the need for us to work together and seek common ground. I’ve reminded them there’s so much we agree on, regardless of party or ideology, that we have to take the common road and move forward for the good of our country. The lack of a willingness to work together has caused this crisis, and only through moderation and compromise can we hope to find a solution to this, and all the other issues that we have to get back to work on—most importantly jobs.

"People talk about the middle of the road as though it were unacceptable.  Actually, all human problems, excepting morals, come into the gray areas. Things are not all black and white. There have to be compromises. The middle of the road is all of the usable surface. The extremes, right and left, are in the gutters." President Dwight D. Eisenhower said that, and he sure hit the nail on the head. 

Our very nation was founded upon compromise—not compromising the beliefs we all hold, but taking the very best of those beliefs and ideas and carving out solutions to the real problems we face. We must be willing to understand and respect the convictions of others. While it may seem hard to believe amidst all the noise and drama, there are some good people in Washington who simply hold different beliefs, but share the common goal of representing the people that hired them and doing what is best for our country.  We have to identify that common ground among us and move forward.  Partisan bickering can no longer be tolerated.

As partisan tensions are further amplified in the media, compromise seems more and more a lost cause. There is still work to be done and agreements to be reached. The needs of, and responsibilities to, the American people can no longer be put on hold for a partisan based negotiation.  We've worked together before and we can do it again.  First hand, I've seen some broad bipartisan support for a few of your ideas that I’ve brought back to Washington with me.

Earlier this month, we were able to pass an amendment that I introduced to prohibit commercial airlines from forcing our troops to pay added fees for additional luggage they have when travelling to or from their deployments. Folks on both sides of the aisle came together and recognized and corrected the absurd fact that airlines were able to place an additional financial burden on the men and women who protect our nation.

We’ve also received bipartisan support for a piece of legislation inspired by a Charlotte mother fighting for the health and fair treatment of her young son. The Lymphedema Diagnosis and Treatment Cost-Saving Act of 2011 would help provide better and more affordable coverage for people that suffer from Lymphedema, a painful condition and common result of cancer treatment that results in severe swelling and fluid retention in limbs.

From working to block the automatic pay raise for members of Congress, to ending the unfair 1099 tax filing requirements for small businesses buried deep within the health care bill, I’m proud to have worked with folks on both sides of the aisle to accomplish real things to get our country back on track—and I know we can do more. Recognizing what is right, finding common ground and doing what the American people want is not a partisan issue.

Americans don’t want a Congress that would rather choose partisanship over people, bringing day to day work to a grinding halt and accomplishing nothing. You want hard work. You want someone who shows up early and doesn’t leave until the job is done. You deserve nothing less.  Please know that no matter what you see on television or read in the papers, that there are those of us talking to one another and working to find a solution.

That solution can be found without jeopardizing the promises we’ve made to our seniors and veterans, or by endangering or further hurting our small businesses. I know it can.  Please pray for guidance for all of us working to solve this crisis in Washington.  We have come too far to let the full faith and credit of the United States fail to be backed up now.

There is no disputing that small businesses are the key to job growth. According to the Small Business Administration, 65 percent or 9.8 million of the 15 million net new jobs created between 1993 and 2009 were created by small businesses. We choke the life out of economic growth when we make it harder for them to do business.

As budget negotiations continue, and those involved draw and redraw their lines in the sand on so many issues, we must find a solution that doesn't slow down our economic engine. It isn't impossible to protect and preserve veterans’ benefits, Social Security and Medicare, while providing a fertile climate for businesses to grow and prosper. We cannot balance our budget on the backs of the aged and the disabled, nor can we fully recover our economy and expand our prosperity without a healthy business climate. What people in Washington don't seem to understand is that we will never get out of the economic ditch by simply throwing people under the bus.

We cannot further hinder the expansion of the companies we’ve tasked with creating jobs. For example, I'm concerned about talk of repealing the “Last In, First Out,” or LIFO, method of inventory accounting for manufacturers as part of a budget package. As a student of economics, as well as a former mill worker, I understand the importance of taking into account the cost of replacing inventory. If we give our businesses a better ongoing estimate of their taxable income, we can eliminate uncertainty and unexpected costs down the line, moving those savings into possible expansions or better wages for the people who clock in and out each day. Unless you are an accountant or business owner, you may not have heard of LIFO or given much thought to its elimination, but it will impact us all if we allow it to hurt our economy.

The proposed repeal of LIFO would end a proven practice that has served as a fundamental accounting tool for manufacturers and other companies working to balance their books and invest in, and plan for, their future. Growing companies and small businesses simply cannot afford this added financial burden and uncertainty, and it would work directly against any plan to help create jobs in the private sector.

It’s no secret that I’ve long opposed any cuts to Medicare and Social Security that would break the promise we’ve made to senior citizens. Seniors won't be the only ones to suffer. Over the past decade, older Americans have lost almost a third of their buying power. As I continue my effort to lead the fight to reinstate the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), we’ve seen senior expenses rise over 70 percent since 2000. This is absolutely unacceptable.

Dangerous cuts to these programs not only threaten the livelihood of our seniors and small businesses, but also have an effect on the health and medical care industry that so many in our area rely on for employment. In many of our counties, healthcare is our largest non-government employer now that so many manufacturing jobs are gone. The impact of these cuts would be real and would hit deeper into our community than many may think.

Many folks have lost their pensions, removing the safety and financial security they have worked their lives to create. Investments in college savings and retirement have also dwindled, falling victim to the uncertain markets. I will continue to work as hard as I can to help restore and protect the middle class jobs and industries that have made our area, and this great nation, what it is today.

That can be done by protecting our priorities and working together to solve our budget crisis—not by using working people, senior citizens, and veterans as bargaining chips—but by remembering that an investment in those who build our economy brings real revenue back to our economy and reduces our deficit. We have real cuts we can make, in everything from foreign aid to wasteful bureaucratic programs that are duplicated throughout government. As any family can tell you—when you start to watch your pennies, the dollars will take care of themselves.

I want to get us back to the balanced budget of the late 1990s, and I know the way to that balanced budget is through promoting prosperity. A rising tide will lift all boats. We must be strong, put partisanship aside and refuse to bargain away our principles.

CONCORD, NC - Congressman Larry Kissell (NC-08) was on hand for the opening of two new facilities on the campus of the W.G. (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center on Monday.

The Hefner VAMC held a grand opening for its newly constructed Oncology Center to better address cancer treatment care, as well as a new Residence Quarters to help house additional staff residencies and interns.

“The continued care of our veterans is one of my strongest commitments in my work in Congress,” said Kissell. “These new facilities will help to further compliment and facilitate care at the Hefner VAMC, helping to treat and care for our nation’s heroes. We can never fully thank our veterans for the sacrifices they’ve made to protect us and our freedom, but we can certainly make sure we do all we can to take care of them.”

The over 12,000 sq. ft. Oncology Center will house exam and treatment rooms, physicians offices, infusion areas and a conference and training room. Construction of the Residence Quarters and Oncology Center were completed in recent weeks.

“As our nation fights to best treat and ultimately cure cancer, this new clinic will be a great asset to our local veterans population, as well as all who battle this unfortunate disease,” added Kissell. “I’ll continue to work to bring funding for important projects like this back home so we can continue to keep the promise we made to our nation’s heroes.”

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Photo Attached: Paul Russo, Medical Center Director of the Bill Hefner VA Medical Center, is joined by Congressman Larry Kissell and members of VA staff for the ribbon cutting ceremony of the new Residence Quarters at the Medical Center on Monday. The Hefner VAMC also opened its new Oncology Center on Monday, to help better treat cancer among veterans.

The ongoing debate over how to solve our nation’s debt crisis and cut government spending has continued this week with folks on both sides of the aisle proposing cuts designed to help get our finances back on track. As we continue the debate, I think it is only right to point out the very dangerous idea that continues to wrongfully be put on the table each and every time this debate is brought up—cutting Medicare and Social Security. Dangerous cuts to these important programs will do our nation more harm than good in the long run, hurting programs so many rely on and leaving our most vulnerable as another bargaining chip on the partisan political tables of Washington. This just isn’t right.

Simply put, those proposing cuts in benefits to these programs clearly do not understand the dangers this would pose to older folks in our area and around the country. The sanctity of Medicare and Social Security is something that I’ve vowed to fight for since my first day in Congress, and it’s unfortunate that dangerous cuts to both programs have been proposed by people on both sides of the aisle.

We’re also hearing word that a proposed Balanced Budget Amendment will soon come up for a vote before Congress. Sadly, the language of this amendment has been reworked to again mask the same cuts to Social Security and Medicare, reducing care that we promised to our seniors. Call it whatever you want, but endangering care for those who have worked hard all their lives and contributed faithfully to social security is not a policy I will ever support. I certainly agree that we need to get our nations checkbook in order just as yours or my family must do each and every month, but we must do this carefully. We simply cannot balance the budget on the backs of our seniors.

Do not get me wrong—as with all government programs, there are areas within Medicare where costs can be cut and savings can be made. Doing so, in a responsible and effective manner, can not only help to preserve and protect the solvency of the program as a whole, but can also help improve the program for beneficiaries and streamline care. Social Security and Medicare form the primary social safety net for our seniors, and instances of cost savings must in no way jeopardize the existence or quality of that structure. This is where many others in these negotiations, and in proposing balanced budget amendments, have gotten it all wrong.

One way to help find savings within Medicare is to negotiate more affordable prices for prescription drugs. By allowing Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices, we can help drive down many rising costs within the program, and do so with no harm done to beneficiaries. Just as we do for our veterans under VA care, negotiating prescription prices allows us to shift those real savings directly to those who rely on the service, prolonging and protecting the promise we made to our seniors.

We also hear so often of instances of waste, fraud and abuse within these programs, with folks taking advantage of a system designed to help—believing they’re entitled to more than others. These drains on a self-reliant program directly harm the livelihood and wellbeing of our seniors, and we must work to weed out these instances and help preserve these programs. The federal government has two Inspectors General tasked with helping to do just that. We can do our part to make sure we don't waste tax dollars by keeping a watchful eye against fraud and abuse.

If you know of anyone attempting to cheat the system by fraudulently submitting Social Security claims or receiving undeserved benefits, do not hesitate to call the office of the Inspector General for Social Security at 1-800-269-0271. If you know of instances of Medicare or Medicaid fraud or abuse, dial 1-800-HHS-TIPS and let authorities know. Anyone that steals benefits away from our seniors must be reported, and together we can help eliminate a leading cause of rising costs within both of these programs.

When we take a common sense approach to care, we can do so much to trim the fat at no expense to our seniors—keeping the promise we made to them so long ago. We can curb spending, cut waste in every corner of our government and close tax loopholes for millionaires and huge corporations who aren't paying their taxes to solve our problems. Make no mistake, it is possible to balance the budget.  As recently as 10 years ago we were doing it.  We don't have to do it on the backs of our seniors.

I’ll take on anyone in Washington who attempts to leave our seniors with an IOU when it comes to their livelihood and wellbeing. I promise that I will vote against any plan that cuts benefits, leaving our seniors to bear the burdens of a nation they helped build. I’ll continue to listen to your thoughts on this important matter as we move forward, and together we can help protect our nation’s promise.

CONCORD, NC – Congressman Larry Kissell (NC-08) announced his opposition to a pending U.S. Department of Transportation rule that would require farmers and ranchers transporting farm equipment to hold Commercial Drivers Licenses (CDL). The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has extended until Aug. 1^st the public comment period to respond to the pending rule.

“The farmers and ranchers of our district begin and end each day with simple goals: to safely conduct business, earn a living, and help feed our nation,” said Kissell. “Government overreaches like these put a direct burden on our family farms and hinder their ability to do business. No one cares more for the safety and wellbeing of our population than the people we task with the hard work of helping to keep food on our tables.”

Under the new proposed rule, farm machinery would be classified as Commercial Motor Vehicles, requiring owners and operators to acquire CDL’s, display Department of Transportation numbers, limit mileage and report service records.

“There are already laws on the books in every state that allow farmers and ranchers to safely transport equipment and products on rural roads in the communities they and their families helped to build,” said Kissell. “This should not be a federal matter. I urge members of the agriculture community in our district to offer their comments to the Department of Transportation to see that they do not move forward with these new burdensome requirements. I will continue to fight this unfair government overreach in my work in Congress.”

Public comments can be submitted online at www.regulations.gov, via fax at 202-493-2251, or sent via US Mail to: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation, Room W-12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, 20590-0001.

All comments must be identified by Docket Number FMCSA-2011-0146, and must be submitted on or before August 1, 2011.

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CONCORD, NC – Congressman Larry Kissell (NC-08) was presented with the Friend of the National Parks Award by the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association on Wednesday. The award recognizes Kissell’s contributions to protecting and enhancing America’s national parks during his work in the 111^th Congress.

“Our national parks exemplify the beauty and rich history of our nation,” said Kissell. “I’m honored to be recognized for my commitment to preserving these lands and ensuring they will remain available for future generations of Americans. I will continue to work to make sure that we manage our land responsibly and remember that we are borrowing our parks from our children and grandchildren and it is our obligation to be good stewards of that resource on their behalf.” 

NPCA’s Friend of the National Parks Award was established in 1999 to track and recognize congressional members’ votes on significant park issues. Kissell’s record on key issues in his time in Congress has helped establish him as a leader in land conservation for the use and enjoyment of the general public, including sportsmen.

“America’s national parks are living classrooms that teach us valuable lessons about our shared heritage,” said NPCA President Tom Kiernan. “Congressman Kissell’s support is essential to the protection and preservation of our national treasures.”

Founded in 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association has advocated for protecting and enhancing our National Park System.

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Photo Attached: National Parks Conservation Association Vice President Craig Obey (L) and NPCA President Tom Kiernan (R) present Congressman Larry Kissell with the Friend of the National Parks Award for Kissell’s record of protecting and enhancing national parks

CONCORD, NC – Congressman Larry Kissell (NC-08) has reintroduced legislation to require that Medicare offer fair treatment coverage for Americans afflicted with primary and secondary lymphedema. The Lymphedema Diagnosis and Treatment Cost Saving Act of 2011 is designed to improve patient care and reduce costs associated with complications related to lymphedema.

“This legislation will help recognize the growing problems faced by those who suffer from this unfortunate condition and are fighting to seek affordable and effective care,” said Kissell. “Currently, Medicare does not provide adequate coverage for the proven preventative treatment that sufferers need. With the help of this legislation, we will see lower costs for patients and less burdens on our health care professionals to provide catastrophic care for those who should be able to prevent worsened conditions and improve their lives.”

Lymphedema, also known as lymphatic obstruction, is a condition of localized fluid retention and tissue swelling caused by a compromised lymphatic system. 

Kissell introduced similar legislation last Congress after meeting Heather Ferguson, a constituent whose son, Dylan, suffers from primary lymphedema. Ferguson, a Charlotte resident, has been active in working to raise awareness of the disease and to help alleviate the troubles lymphedema sufferers have getting insurance to cover treatment. Ferguson worked with North Carolina Representative Tricia Cotham to get legislation through the North Carolina General Assembly to help patients in the state, but Kissell’s bill will help all patients suffering from lymphedema nationwide.

“I was so moved by Heather’s story and all she has gone through to make sure that her son receives the important treatment he needs,” added Kissell. “Her absolute dedication to helping others in similar situations has inspired me to help her in her quest to make sure lymphedema patients have an opportunity to best receive affordable and effective treatment. This preventative treatment will help improve lives for so many people throughout this country, and I’m happy to be a part of making this come true.”

Approximately five million Americans suffer from lymphedema, with most of them acquiring the disease from cancer treatment, most often the treatment of breast cancer, that can damage and even remove lymph nodes. Not all components of Lymphedema treatment fall under the categories for which Medicare typically provide coverage. This legislation will help to further cover and better direct treatment methods within Medicare for lymphedema sufferers.

The Lymphedema Diagnosis and Treatment Cost Saving Act of 2011 has been endorsed by the American Cancer Society, The Komen Advocacy Alliance, LiveSTRONG (The Lance Armstrong Foundation), the American Physical Therapy Association, the American Occupational Therapy Association, the National Lymphedema Network and other advocacy groups.

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Photo Attached: Congressman Larry Kissell with Charlotte resident and lymphedema treatment advocate Heather Ferguson and her son Dylan.

Since the birth of our nation, invention and innovation have been at the center of our strength and prosperity. From our Founding Fathers forward, America was built on the combination of hard work and good ideas, putting people to work and moving our nation to greatness. From Thomas Jefferson’s early work in agricultural advancements and inventions to Benjamin Franklin’s innovation of the iron stove and discovery of electricity, the people credited with founding our “great experiment” in democracy sure had some experiments of their own, with results that still benefit us to this day.

These stories of success helped lay a foundation of innovation and ingenuity that is still alive today. As we work to outperform and out-produce nations like China or India, we do so through the successes of our people. Whether in business, public service, or the many hardworking families that call our district home—these are the true measures of our greatness.

Protecting our Ideas

As technologies advance, we can still rely on our long running American patent system, a promise made by those very same Founding Fathers that states that good ideas and hard work would remain safe, protected and credited to those who produce them. We’re beginning to see more and more being done in the fields of technology both here and elsewhere in our country, and it’s important we protect it and recognize the path that brought us here, in anticipation of the successes on our horizon.

I was proud to support the recent bipartisan Patent Reform bill that passed the House late last month, bringing significant fixes to our competitive patent system. This common sense legislation will help level the playing field with other nations, allowing America to better compete in the global marketplace—enhancing our economic growth and job creation.

New Frontier of Opportunities

Here in North Carolina where we are the home of "First in Flight," we have a special place in our heart for exploring the heavens. In what is perhaps one of the most crowning and advanced technological achievements of our nation, we saw past Presidents push beyond all limits and take us into outer space. From President Kennedy’s decision some 50 years ago to send man to the moon, through our past 30 years of space exploration and working to help develop the International Space Station, we set real goals and achieved them.

As the Space Shuttle Atlantis lifted off for its final flight this week, it brought an end to 30 years of NASA’s Space Shuttle program but not the innovation. Though we remember seeing the program through times of tragedy and sadness, there were countless successes and the work done was immeasurable. From advancements in new materials, to scientific and medical innovation, the work we completed there will now carry over more seamlessly into the private sector, helping to create jobs and find success for business owners and working families. When Atlantis touches down on its final return to Earth, it will safely land on a set of Michelin tires made right here in Norwood, the only plant in America tasked with the manufacture of these important shuttle tires.

The advancements of our space program have helped develop so many ideas and technologies that you would never think derived from space exploration. From the technology behind the artificial heart, to the vehicle insulation that protects our local NASCAR drivers—the NASA technology transfer has provided advancements in countless fields, including building supplies and the materials that make our modern day airplanes and keep our families safe.

I still remember to this day the amazement and wonder of watching Apollo 8 on a grainy black-and-white television with my family, the first manned spacecraft to orbit the moon. I may not have fully understood it then, but this kind of ingenuity is precisely what makes our nation great. We defied many of our doubters—those who said our dream was too big—and even defied gravity to reach our goal. This same approach is what is needed today in every corner of our American economy, and an important way we do so is by ensuring that our small businesses are able to break free from the pushes and pulls of too much government regulation, and most importantly, unfair foreign trade and market practices.

Local Innovation

Here at home, we’re seeing similar advancements in technology carry over into our local private sector, and with that business growth comes new jobs. Whether it’s the newly announced 300 jobs coming to Anson County in biomass and green energy production, our rich aerospace industry that is growing rapidly in and around Union County, or the successes of Concord companies who work cooperatively like SBM Solar and electric-truck manufacturer Vision Motor Cars—this progress is helping our technology sector, creating jobs, and even helping to drive down energy prices and end our reliance on foreign oil. We are so lucky to be home to the North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis which will play a crucial role in curing disease and improving human nutrition, not to mention bringing much needed jobs to our region.

Next week, Electronic Recyclers International in Badin will host their first job fair on July 16 to begin filling the 200 jobs they announced at the old Alcoa smelting plant just last month. Later this month, the doors will open at the new Celgard plant in Cabarrus, bringing even more advanced job opportunities to the people of our area. I’m so proud to have been a part of that project to help secure the important funding that is making their expansions possible.

I tell people from all over our nation that they need to come visit our district and meet the hard workers here. I come from a textile background and love to brag on the high performance textiles and apparel being produced throughout our region. In Hoke, Montgomery, Scotland and Richmond counties we see great things happening in this field that we need to expand upon. We come from generations of hard work in textile mills, on farms, and building small businesses and we can help those who bring industry here be successful.

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Larry Kissell (NC-08) was successful in offering and passing an amendment to H.R. 2219, the Department of Defense (DOD) Appropriations Act of 2012, to prevent commercial airlines contracted through the DOD the ability to charge unfair excess baggage fees to the men and women of our military returning home from duty.

“It’s absolutely ridiculous that we even have to legislate to do this,” said Kissell. “Our troops sacrifice so much, and they should not be subject to these unfair added fees. It’s time for the Airline industry to step up and be the good corporate citizens they claim to be, and stop this practice. We ask so much of the men and women of our armed services, we simply cannot stand by and allow them to be taken advantage of in this way.

Recent media reports tell of troops who are returning from tours of duty overseas being subjected to additional charges for excess baggage by commercial airlines. In the past, the service member had to pay the money up front and wait for the Department of Defense to reimburse them for the added fees. With passage of Kissell’s amendment, commercial airlines will be forced to end this unjust practice in order to even be considered for contracts in troop travel by the DOD.

“We should not be spending money funding companies that are not willing to honor and respect those who preserve and protect our freedom,” added Kissell. “Our soldiers should not have to bear the additional burdens of worrying if they face unexpected and inexplicable charges such as these.”

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FAYETTEVILLE, NC - Congressman Larry Kissell (NC-08) helped mark the opening of the North Carolina Veterans Park in downtown Fayetteville this Independence Day, joining thousands of veterans and local residents for the ceremony.

“This beautiful park will help honor the long line of North Carolina heroes who fought on behalf of our great nation,” said Kissell. “Our state has such a rich history of service, with brave men and women and their families sacrificing so much on our behalf. I’m honored to represent the many proud military families of our district, and I consider myself blessed to be a part of the opening of this tribute to all who served.”

Located directly across from the Airborne and Special Operations Museum, the park features displays marking North Carolina veterans’ contributions throughout our history, as well bronze casts of handprints of veterans from each of North Carolina’s 100 counties.

Kissell honored the park earlier this year with an entry into the Congressional Record recognizing the service and sacrifice of veterans, and welcoming the creation of a park in their honor.

“This is just a simple way for us to say ‘thank you’ to all who have served and ensure that their stories are told and not forgotten,” added Kissell.  “This park, with soil from each of our 100 counties, will serve as a reminder to all veterans that they’ll forever have a home here in North Carolina, as well as in our hearts and minds.”

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Photo Attached: Congressman Larry Kissell (NC-08) speaks with Ed Middleton of Cumberland County at the opening of the North Carolinas Veterans Park in Fayetteville. Middleton served in the 30^th Division during World War II, participating in D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge.

Growing up in North Carolina, I learned very early in life the power of honor and of keeping a promise. In my work in Congress, I’ve remained committed to following the very example my parents, coaches and teachers instilled in me—that you always do as you say and you keep your word. Unfortunately and all too often, when government is concerned, oaths are like eggs—easily broken.

The Promise

This week marks the 45^th anniversary of the implementation of Medicare, a promise made to our senior citizens that I firmly believe we must keep, forever. We agreed to take care of those who may not otherwise be able to take care of themselves, whether they’re aged or disabled. We did this because we are a nation founded on the faith and values that our parents and grandparents passed down to us—values we still hold onto today. We can’t allow our government to make a decades-long commitment, and then break it when times get tough, or when political winds shift.  It will not help our economy to have our seniors going without.

As we all know, Washington must work to rein in out of control spending and help get our growing debt crisis under control. In doing so, we must use precision to address the obviously costly and wasteful instances that put a financial drain on our system. Sadly, many in Washington would rather embrace an “axe” approach, chopping at the very core of programs designed to help those who need the most—Medicare and Social Security.   The solvency and preservation of these programs is one of the most important issues facing us today. As we work to preserve and protect Medicare, we must do so wisely and never forget the very core of this promise.  Here in North Carolina, I’ve heard from many folks who agree that the current proposals to end Medicare as we know it are not only dangerous and wrong, but directly threaten the livelihood and wellbeing of so many seniors in our area.

Cost of Living

Costs are rising for our seniors, both in healthcare and in daily day-to-day purchases of goods and food. I’ve fought to ensure a Cost-Of-Living-Adjustment for our seniors, and we were able to pass a one-time payment last year in lieu of the adjustment I feel is owed to them. This Congress, I’m a proud cosponsor of legislation to reevaluate the Consumer Price Index that determines such adjustments, creating a Consumer Price Index for the Elderly, solely to ensure that we’re basing these decisions on the real and realistic costs that they face day in and day out. Under this new CPI-E system, unrelated factors would not hold any weight when it came to caring for our seniors. This is a fair way to address this very unfair situation.

As we work to preserve Medicare and Social Security in the face of rising costs, one thing remains certain to me—we absolutely cannot shift any added burdens onto the backs of our seniors. From our parents to our grandparents, many have served our nation through its toughest times, from wars to economic hard times. I will oppose any and all plans that privatize these important programs, whether directly or through a “voucher” system designed to mask the sad truth that many in Washington are giving up on our seniors.

Success 

One area where we’re starting to see some evidence of success lately for seniors has been in Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. Efforts to help control rising prescription drug costs have proven effective, helping to keep our seniors healthy with little impact on their pockets. As we see these costs decline, the Congressional Budget Office is reporting that Medicare Part D is now beginning to help bring down the previous total cost estimates for Medicare. Keeping seniors healthy not only keeps our promise, it also makes good economic sense.

As we see some progress in addressing the rising costs in caring for our seniors, there is much work to be done. We must remain steadfast in our fight against dangerous proposals of cuts for these important programs. I will not allow our seniors to be used as the political pawn of people who are clearly out of touch and unaware of their needs. Anyone advocating for less care or benefits for our seniors shows no interest in keeping the promise we’ve held for so long. I’ll continue to keep your views in mind, and continue my work to best represent your interests.

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ROCKINGHAM, NC – Congressman Larry Kissell (NC-08) has introduced H.R. 2312, the DOD Textile and Apparel Procurement Fairness Act, legislation that would end an unfair advantage in Department of Defense contracting for the Federal Prison Industries, helping to promote businesses with law abiding employees over federally incarcerated criminals.

“This is a common sense bill to make it clear that our hard working businesses should not have to compete for their livelihood with those who have broken the law and been removed from society,” said Kissell. “While I completely support programs to help keep our prisoners contributing to society and working, we simply cannot do so at the disadvantage of our small businesses.”

Kissell is a lead cosponsor of the bill, along with Republican Congressman Walter Jones (NC-03).

“Under the Berry Amendment, which requires the clothing and footwear worn by our troops to be made entirely in the U.S., our domestic manufacturers are able to produce the best possible goods to outfit and equip our troops,” added Kissell. “This legislation is vital for the safety and security of our servicemen and women, as well as our domestic manufacturing sector. Our textile industry has already been ravaged by bad trade deals, and through this legislation, more companies will be able to prosper and keep and create good jobs here in the U.S.”

In 2010, the U.S. military spent more than $2 billion on uniforms, camouflage, training gear and combat footwear for U.S. servicemen and women. Nearly $140 million of that business went to convicted felons in 24 federal prisons around the country as part of the Federal Prison Industries.

“Swift passage of the DOD Textile and Apparel Procurement Fairness Act will create opportunities for job creation within the U.S. textile and apparel industry,” said Kevin M. Burke, President and CEO of the American Apparel and Footwear Association. “As we explore every option to create and sustain jobs in the United States, our government should not put the employment of federal inmates over the employment of hardworking taxpayers. I would like to thank Representative Jones and Representative Kissell for their leadership in introducing this important legislation that will level the playing field for workers in North Carolina and around the country who outfit our troops.”

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