What You Are Writing About

 

Top concerns from Idahoans

United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)

Attacks on American embassies

Fiscal Cliff concerns

Outcome of the 2012 Presidential Election

January 2013 Sequester

Each year, I hear from thousands of Idahoans who write, e-mail, fax and call my offices to let me know how they feel about issues facing our country today. On average, I receive approximately 1,000 letters and e-mails a week. In recent years, an increasing number of that correspondence has come via electronic means. Even with such a volume of correspondence, I try to respond to each Idahoan as promptly as possible. In an effort to be even more responsive and to fully utilize the technology available through the Internet, this web page features the top five issues of concern from Idahoans and my response on each from the previous week. You may also wish to review information in the Issues Section or details from my Legislative Record, which lists bills I have sponsored and co-sponsored.

United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)

Thank you for contacting me regarding the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.  I appreciate hearing from you and welcome the opportunity to respond. 

 

As you may know, the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities seeks to “promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights by persons with disabilities.”  The United States signed the Convention on July 30, 2009, and it was submitted to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for consideration on May 17, 2012.   On December 4, 2012, the Senate voted on treaty ratification, with my dissent.  The treaty’s resolution of ratification was rejected as it failed to get the required approval of three-fifths of the Senate. 

 

I am concerned for the health and well-being of those with disabilities.  Many individuals and families with children who suffer from physical, emotional, learning or cognitive disabilities do not know their legal rights or have insufficient financial, social or community support.  In addition, many school systems lack the appropriate resources and funding to provide the best education for students facing disabilities.  Nonetheless,   I have serious reservations about U.S. participation in any agreement that would infringe upon U.S. sovereignty or otherwise act in a manner inconsistent with U.S. national interest.  

 

Additionally, many Idahoans have expressed concern that the treaty promotes the idea that governments, not parents, have the ultimate voice in the decisions concerning their children. You may be interested to know that Senator Jim DeMint (R-South Carolina) introduced S.Res. 99, on March 10, 2011.  This resolution would express the sense of the Senate that the primary safeguard for the well-being and protection of children is the family, and that the primary safeguards for the legal rights of children in the United States are the Constitutions of the United States and the several States.  Further, S.Res. 99 states that the use of international treaties to govern policy in the United States on families and children is contrary to principles of self-government and federalism.  The measure currently awaits further consideration in the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.   

 

I am a proud co-sponsor of this resolution and, as a father of five, I agree that parents play the principal role in the growth and development of their children.  Additionally, the right of parents to maintain a strong involvement in their children's lives without government intrusion is deeply valued by millions of American families.

 

Rest assured, I will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress to advocate for needed improvements for individuals and families facing disabilities.

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Attacks on American embassies

Thank you for contacting me regarding the attacks on U.S. embassy personnel in North Africa and the Middle East.  I share your concerns about these attacks and welcome the opportunity to respond. 

 

On September 11, 2012, the eleventh anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, U.S. embassies in Libya and Egypt were attacked by protestors.   On September 13, 2012, the U.S. embassy in Yemen was also attacked, and soon protests erupted across the region.  As you may know, the protestors in Egypt managed to scale the outer embassy walls and tear down the American flag, replacing it with a flag used by many of the ultraconservatives in the region.  In Yemen, protestors set fire to a building and burned the American flag.  While the embassy staff in Egypt suffered no casualties, the attacks in Libya left four Americans dead, including Ambassador Christopher Stevens.  Violent acts of this nature are inexcusable.

 

There has been considerable speculation about the cause of the protests and attacks:  revelations since the attacks have resulted in contradictory public statements and reports from the President and other administration officials about the nature of the attacks, particularly with regard to the attacks on the consulate in Benghazi, Libya.   The inconsistency and unreliability of the information we have from the Administration about these attacks is unacceptable. 

 

Initial reports from the Obama Administration described these attacks as a response to a derogatory, anti-Islam video posted on YouTube created by an American.  This view has come to be largely discredited.  The attack was obviously well coordinated and the attackers were well armed.  Accordingly, several other reports have emerged describing the attacks as part of a coordinated effort among terrorist organizations in the region. 

 

Congress has begun efforts to conduct oversight in this matter, and the House of Representatives has initiated hearings on the subject.   Additionally, the State Department has established an independent, bipartisan panel led by Thomas R. Pickering to investigate the events.  This panel is expected to report its findings in the coming weeks. 

 

Most recently, Members of Congress have called on President Obama to provide more information about the attacks, as well as more information about his Administration’s failure to provide a fuller, more accurate description of the attacks in Benghazi.  I share these concerns and expect Congress to continue in its investigative efforts to provide the public with an accurate portrayal of the attacks on our embassies in North Africa. 

 

As the Congress continues its investigative efforts, we must also to ensure that these recent events do not further imperil American citizens and the men and women of our Armed Services who are currently serving abroad.   The U.S. and the world community must demand that the security of Americans and our property be respected.

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Fiscal Cliff concerns

Thank you for contacting me to express your concerns regarding the so-called fiscal cliff.  I appreciate hearing from you and welcome the opportunity to respond.

 

In these times of budgetary restraints and increased needs, it is imperative that government lives within its means and spends taxpayer dollars wisely.  Federal spending on mandatory programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security absorb more than double the share of the federal budget that is devoted to discretionary spending.  Without reform, rapid growth of mandatory spending will eventually overpower the federal budget and compromise the ability to maintain an effective government. 

 

Efforts to address the fiscal problems facing the federal government should not unfairly target one group or program for the solution.  The scope of the problems and our over $16 trillion debt figure require a thoughtful and measured approach.  Without a comprehensive and effective plan, all Americans face automatic draconian cuts to important government programs and benefits.  Absent a sound fiscal reform plan, all Americans will face tax increases and over $100 billion in program cuts in January 2013.  Most economists believe the consequences would push the economy back into recession. 

 

Our debt crisis is an existential threat to the future of the United States.  I have been working with several of my colleagues in the Senate to put together a reasonable and necessary solution to the nation’s fiscal problems.  While President Obama and Congress have yet to reach agreement on a long-term plan, several members of Congress have proposed their own budget models.  While I do not agree with all the provisions of these plans, I am encouraged that an increasing number of people are contributing ideas to the debate, and I will continue to work with any member of Congress seriously committed to solving America’s challenges.  

 

I appreciate hearing thoughts on this important issue facing our nation.  Only a comprehensive and meaningful fiscal reform plan can restore our nation’s future.  Because these proposals will affect every American, I encourage you to remain engaged in the national dialogue and to help identify solutions to our fiscal problems. 

 

Please rest assured that, as Congress continues to grapple with finding effective and meaningful solutions to our fiscal crisis, I remain committed to restoring the federal budget to balance, and this effort requires careful scrutiny of all programs funded by the American taxpayer.   We owe it to our children, grandchildren and future generations to do nothing less.

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Outcome of the 2012 Presidential Election

Thank you for contacting me to express your concerns about the outcome of the 2012 Presidential Election.   I appreciate hearing from you and welcome the opportunity to respond. 

 

A number of Idahoans have contacted me to express concern with the current political situation and the effectiveness of our nation’s Presidential electoral system.  At present, our election process is based on the Electoral College established by our Founding Fathers in Article II, Section I of the U.S. Constitution.  Each state has electoral votes equal to its representation in Congress.  In addition, the District of Columbia has three electoral votes as dictated in the 23^rd Amendment.  The 12^th Amendment requires an absolute majority of the electoral votes (270 of 538) for victory.

 

The founders intended that choosing the President would be the action of citizens of a federal republic in which they participate both as citizens of the United States and as members of their state communities.  The responsibility for resolving election contests and challenges to presidential elections is reserved at the state level.  For instance, the state legislature has the authority to determine how its electors are allocated.  Additionally, under our federal system of government, states hold the power to establish voter eligibility standards within their domain.  Thus, states establish rules that govern timing, eligibility, and other standards for elections.

 

Although I understand the concerns of those frustrated with the outcome of the 2012 Presidential election, as a strong federalist, I respect the authority and discretion of state and local officials to govern in a manner that reflects the needs of local and state interests.  The electoral votes of the people of Idaho must be respected as well as the electoral votes of people from other states. 

 

I share your concerns about allegations of voter fraud in many states.  Vote fraud is a serious criminal offense, punishable by law.  The penalties for electoral fraud vary, but depending on the method used, those convicted of electoral fraud are subject to fines and prison time.  The convicted individual may even lose his or her right to vote. 

 

Allegations of illegal conduct should be vigorously investigated and law enforcement must act to preserve the integrity of the electoral process.  Under our federal system of government, states hold the power to establish voter eligibility standards within their domain.  Accordingly, if you witnessed voter fraud, or otherwise have knowledge of its occurrence, please report your concerns to the Idaho Secretary of State at (208) 334-2852. 

 

Like you, I agree that it is important that Americans know their votes are safe and that the election process is accurate and free from fraud.  Voting is a critical element of democracy and must be conducted in a fair and transparent manner.  If there are people or organizations who participate in voter fraud, they must be investigated and held accountable to their illegal actions. 

 

For our government to exist as envisioned in the Declaration of Independence, the government must derive its power from the consent of the governed.  The voice of the people cannot be accurately heard in an atmosphere of fraudulent voting practices.  I fully support measures to ensure that each vote cast is legitimate, and I will continue to support legislation that ensures fair and accurate elections take place throughout the country.  I appreciate your dedication to democracy.  It is important that citizens, like you, continue to be vigilant concerning voting practices.

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January 2013 Sequester

Thank you for contacting me to express your concerns about sequestration and funding for environmental programs.  I appreciate hearing from you and welcome the opportunity to respond. 

 

As you may know, the Budget Control Act (BCA) was signed into law on August 2, 2011.  This legislation provided the mechanism for raising our nation’s statutory borrowing limit in exchange for cuts in government spending.  Spending cuts were achieved in two ways:

• Discretionary spending caps beginning in Fiscal Year 2012.
• A sequestration of $1.2 trillion over ten years to be shared between defense and non-defense discretionary spending.

 

The sequestration feature is scheduled to take effect in January 2013, and is the result of the failure of the select committee empanelled by the BCA to recommend specific savings in government spending totaling $1.2 trillion over ten years.

 

Many Idahoans have contacted me with questions and concerns as to how sequestration will affect various government programs and agencies.  I am encouraged by H.R. 5872, the Sequester Transparency Act, which was signed into law on August 7, 2012.  This legislation required the Obama Administration to report to Congress and the public within 30 days how the sequester will be enacted, and outline how spending reductions will be implemented in the government agencies affected by sequestration.  The report was released on September 14, 2012 and may be accessed through the link below:

Report

 

Our country has been on a spiraling path of debt and deficits it can no longer sustain, and Congress must take immediate action to rein in our out of control spending.  I share your concerns about sequestration, as it achieves spending reductions in a rather broad way that lacks prioritization.  Additionally, the spending cuts achieved through sequestration do not significantly address the mandatory spending programs that are essentially on autopilot and serve as the main drivers of our national deficit.  Any serious effort to reform our budgetary shortfalls must include reforms to these programs.  

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