The Week Just Past: "Time for Bipartisan Action"

Sandy: Tracking the Federal Disaster Funding

Rodney in the Classroom

The Week Just Past: "Time for Bipartisan Action"

“The headline in yesterday’s Star-Ledger was deliberately dramatic: ‘N.J. braces for 'doomsday' budget cuts as sequestration deadline looms.’  The lead in the story was equally vivid: ‘It was designed as a fiscal doomsday device, a last-gasp budget-slashing initiative so onerous it would jolt a bitterly divided Congress into reaching agreement on a plan to cut U.S. spending…The cuts, known in the parlance of budgetary legislation as 'sequestration,' would shave $1.2 trillion from federal spending over nine years. The first trim, to take effect March 1, amounts to $85 billion through the end of the fiscal year in September.’

“As it stands today, half of those $85 billion will be cut from a wide range of domestic programs and the other half will come out of our military that has already endured three rounds of budget cuts during the President's first term alone! 

“Let me put our budget in context: total federal spending is approaching $4 trillion!  Defense spending represents less than 18% of that total, while mandatory domestic spending accounts for 60%.

“I refuse to believe that we cannot find $85 billion in wasteful or unwise spending to cut to replace the meat-axe of across-the-board cuts.

“Oh yes, you can be sure that the 'Blame Game' is now underway in earnest in Washington.  Republican and Democratic fingers are pointing in every direction. 

“But I say enough is enough!  No matter where the idea of ‘sequester’ started, it’s the responsibility of all of us - Republican and Democrat - to end it.  And now!

“I am aware that there is a growing concern that the President will not seriously negotiate with Congress on a compromise to sequestration until after it takes place on March 1 and each Member of Congress hears of the pain affecting his or her constituents.

“I already know what’s coming and how these mindless budget cuts may well harm our readiness and our civilian workforce. The real pain will be felt by the men and women serving our country - in and out of uniform - who will see arbitrary cuts to the resources they so desperately need. They will be asked immediately to do more with less and provide a lower level of protection for America and Americans in a world that is becoming more dangerous by the day. This is an unconscionable position and a dereliction of duty. 

“In a $4 trillion budget, there’s a responsible set of reductions totaling $85 billion out there.  Without delay we should find them, vote on them and send them to the President’s desk for his signature.

“No, it’s not time for ‘Doomsday.’  It’s time for bipartisan action and to remember that the health and welfare of future generations depends on getting our federal debt under control!”

Rodney Frelinghuysen

Recommended Reading: Jason Garcia of the Orlando Sentinel reports that Universal Orlando plans to stop offering medical insurance to part-time employees beginning next year, a move the resort says has been forced by the federal government's health-care overhaul.  Read the story here.

Sandy: Tracking the Federal Disaster Funding

Earlier this month, Governor Christie signed an executive order to allow his administration to track billions of dollars in federal Sandy aid that will flow through our state.  New Jersey Comptroller Matthew Boxer will independently review the awarding of contracts and launch a website for the public to see how the federal funds are being administered.

My Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee will be conducting oversight hearings in coming weeks as the initial federal funding reaches the “Sandy Zone.”

Of course, next week will mark the four-month anniversary of Sandy’s official landfall just south of Brigantine along the Shore.  Yet, there is a lot of misery and much recovery work to do.  Victor Fiorilla has compiled a collection of photos in the Philly Post. 

See “Hurricane Sandy’s Destruction at the Shore, Four Months Later.”

Rodney in the Classroom

Teachers, professors and students know from direct experience that Rodney makes it a priority to visit elementary, middle school, high school and college classrooms on a regular basis. 

“One of my goals is to put a human face on Congress,” he told students at the Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy in Livingston on Wednesday.  "In the long term, it’s important that students engage with their elected officials.  We build a strong democracy through citizens with keen awareness of the issues of the day.”

In addition to his stop at Kushner, Rodney also visited Brooklawn Middle School in Parsippany, Morris Knolls High School in Denville and West Orange High School.

Read more about Rodney’s school visits here.