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A Weekly Newsletter From Congressman Steve Womack

 
Immigration…

If you didn’t know, President Obama addressed a crowd earlier this week in El Paso, Texas on immigration reform. The president’s message concentrated on the crackdown of criminal activity among illegal immigrants—including drug smuggling across the Mexican border. However, the president failed to go any further than addressing the crime factor which is just a fraction of the problem. Instead, by the end of his speech, the president had made it crystal clear that his desire is to create a path to citizenship for more than 11 million illegal immigrants. That is not the solution this country needs.

 

While I agree that comprehensive immigration reform is absolutely vital, it is important that we focus not only on safety concerns, but also the quality of life for our citizens.  In other words, removing illegal immigrants who commit criminal acts—though important—is only a portion of the problem that so seriously affects our resources and economy. 

Consider our children’s education. Their teachers and school resources are constantly strained by a continual influx of illegal immigrant children who can’t speak English. What’s more, as the number of illegal immigrants rise, so does healthcare spending—this drives up the cost for all Americans, as well as those immigrants who enter lawfully.

We have a process by which immigrants can legally obtain citizenship. Those who seek to do otherwise are breaking the law—plain and simple.

This can’t be a political issue. We should be working in a bipartisan manner to secure our borders and encourage the use of enforcement laws currently on the books, like the 287(g) program. These steps will lessen the financial burden on virtually every service provided to American citizens. 

Instead of addressing the entire problem, the president offered nothing but irrational solutions. By granting a path to citizenship for more than 11 million illegals, the president is giving up on principle and taking the easy way out. It is our responsibility as a country to uphold and enforce laws already in place. If we can’t do that, moving forward is virtually impossible.

Energy Independence Town Hall…

 

This Monday, I will be hosting an Energy Independence Town Hall at the Reynolds Cancer Support House in Fort Smith. I spoke with several of you last time I was home as I pumped gas at our event in Springdale (VIDEO). You made your concerns clear and this town hall event is a way for me to address those questions and concerns regarding energy independence.

I will also explain what the recently formed House Energy Action Team (HEAT), of which I am a member, will be doing to promote the country’s independence from foreign energy.

Look, high energy prices are affecting American families and businesses all across the country. This not only hurts the pocketbook in the short term, but it continues to hinder our economic recovery and I have no doubt that the uncertainty at the pump is discouraging job creation.

What we need is a common sense approach to solving our nation’s energy challenges. This town hall event is an opportunity to take questions, address concerns and further engage constituents in the debate over fuel prices.

I’ve said it before, there’s no problem too large that—when we all come together—can’t be solved. I would encourage you to attend.

EVENT DETAILS
May 16th
5:30 – 6:30 PM CST
Reynolds Cancer Support House
3324 South M Street
Fort Smith, AR  72903
(Behind Creekmore Park)

2011 Offshore Energy Tour…

 

Solving this country’s energy problem is something I take very seriously. In fact, two days after the energy town hall, I will be joining Congressman Steve Scalise (LA) in New Orleans and South Louisiana May 18 – May 20 for the 2011 Offshore Energy Tour.

We will also be joined by Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (MI), Energy and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Ed Whitfield (KY), Congressman Gene Green (TX), and Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS).

While on the tour, we will meet with stakeholders from the Louisiana energy industry, visit with offshore drilling workers, tour an offshore drilling platform, and participate in boat and aerial tours of the Louisiana coast.

This opportunity comes at a great time. I have long believed in an energy policy that limits our dependence on foreign sources and I want to see first-hand how we can take advantage of American resources, lower energy prices, and create jobs.

 

As vice chairman of the energy and water subcommittee of Appropriations, it’s important for me to personally visit our labs and facilities dedicated to American prosperity.

The energy policy of this administration is not just flawed—it’s virtually non-existent.  It makes absolutely no sense to me that we continue to present barriers to energy producers who can be the source for tens of thousands of jobs and the ability to lower the burden of energy on families and business.  To ignore American sources of energy is irresponsible.

But Before I leave…

On Tuesday night, I will be hosting a public forum for Beaver Lake residents at Heritage High School in Rogers.

 

Recently, I’ve had some feedback from lake property owners who have expressed concerns about ongoing relationships with the Corps of Engineers and felt this would be the best way to familiarize myself and my staff with issues relating to Beaver Lake.  I’ve always been pro-active when confronted with challenges involving stakeholder relationships and this meeting is no exception.  There’s no better way to problem solve than getting all parties to the table and engage in an open, meaningful discussion.

This forum is a way for residents to get to know members of the Army Corps of Engineers in order to establish a positive and productive working relationship. I hope as many residents of Beaver Lake can make it out. It will be worth it. Please note, this is not a debate.

PUBLIC FORUM
May 17, 2011
7:00 pm
Heritage High School
1114 South 5th Street
Rogers, AR 72756

On The Floor… 

 

On Thursday, I had the opportunity to address the Medicare program and the proposed reforms by Budget Chairmen Paul Ryan (R-WI).

Just a couple of weeks ago House Republicans passed a budget for 2012 and in that budget—immediately before the ink was dry—we were being criticized on what I believe to be a reasonable approach to solving our nation’s fiscal problems. I’m talking about entitlement programs—the mandatory spending side of the House where most of the money is.

First of all, I want to make something clear—those 55 years or older WILL NOT be affected AT ALL by Ryan’s proposal.

In 1965, the year Medicare was created, baby boomers were teenagers, and now 10,000 baby boomers a day enter qualification for Medicare. In 1965, the life expectancy of a human being was around 70. Today it’s close to 80. Medicare spending is growing at an unsustainable rate of 7.2% a year. Seniors are already facing access issues. Under the current system, 1 in 3 primary doctors limit Medicare patients while 1 in 8 is forced to deny patients altogether.

 

Look at it this way—if the Medicare program is allowed to continue without any change at all, the Congressional Budget Office projects that it will go bankrupt in nine years. If we keep Medicare at the status quo it will collapse.

Republicans are taking the lead. The plan we passed preserves and protects Medicare for those 55 and older. That won’t change. This needs to be repeated over and over.

Starting in 2022, new Medicare beneficiaries would be enrolled into the same kind of health care program that I and my colleagues have. Future Medicare recipients would be able to choose from a list of guaranteed coverage options. They’d be given the ability to choose a plan that best works for them. It’s not a voucher system—it’s premium support. No money changes hands between the government and the individual. It’s modeled after what Members of Congress and federal employees already have.

These reforms are designed to decrease the fraud within the system and call for Congressional oversight by requiring transparent pricing and minimum benefit and quality standards in instituting competitive forces. That’s what the free enterprise system is all about.

My freshman colleagues didn’t come here to keep kicking the can down the road. We came here to act with dispatch and make a difference for our country. This isn’t just what we were elected to do, but it is our moral duty to do it with the sense of purpose that I think defines the 112th Congress.

See the full speech HERE.
 

Memorial Day Project…

I’ve mentioned this for the past couple of weeks, but my office is working on a special project to remember the brave men and women who gave their lives to protect our freedoms, and we really need your help.

If you, or someone you know, have/has pictures or videos of loved ones who died fighting for this country, send them to my communications director, J.R. Davis, at JR.Davis@mail.house.gov.

You can also record a brief video of yourself talking about that family member or friend. While you’re at it, tell us what it means to you to be an American (in 30 seconds or less).

My office will launch the video on my Facebook page and YouTube Channel on Memorial Day, May 30th.

Again, thank you for your help. I truly believe that this will be a great way to remember America’s fallen—the way they should be.

Facebook…

 

If you haven’t checked out my Facebook page, please do so. It’s a great way to keep up with what I’m doing at home and in Washington. Make sure to click the “like” button so you’ll get updates on your news feed.

For those of you don’t have a Facebook account but would like one, it’s easy to sign up. Click HERE to do just that.

My offices are here for you and I want to help you however I can and sometimes social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are both great and quick ways to get messages to the masses. Check them out!

Recent Visitors…

I’ve said this before but I love getting visitors in my D.C. office. It’s a taste of home. Here are a few pictures of those who stopped by this week.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend and we’ll talk again next week.

From the front…. 

Steve Womack
U.S. Congressman
AR3