THE CONAWAY CHRONICLE, Volume 4, Issue 4

Thank you for reading The Conaway Chronicle, a weekly review of my activities in Congress. This newsletter is to let you know what’s going on in Washington and what important issues are being debated in Congress. I was able to spend the majority of the Easter work period in District 11, and was busy meeting with constituents, talking to students at various schools, and holding informational town hall meetings. It was great to spend time with some of you and I am already looking forward to my next trip home.

Tax Day Tea Parties
April 15, 2009 will go down in history as the day America renewed her commitment to our Founders’ vision of a nation dedicated to liberty and limited government.  The protests that many of you participated in are important to our district and are vital to American democracy.

Today, our country finds itself at a crossroads in history.  We are grappling with problems that seem too large to comprehend and facing consequences that are too hazy to see.  We are plagued with uncertainty, doubt, and fear for the future.  Faced with these inestimable problems, it is no surprise that some Americans have sought refuge in the most powerful entity they could find: the federal government.

As Liberals in Washington advocate for limitless government intervention, they mistake the hammer for the carpenter, believing it is the tool, and not the man who swings it, that drives the nail.  It is individuals, not the government, who create wealth in our economy and progress in our society.  As the Preamble notes, the Constitution was drafted to “promote the General Welfare,” not to create, insure, or enforce it.  This fact has not changed because we are in an economic downturn.

While there is a role for the government to play in responding to our economic crisis, that role is to correct the regulatory missteps and government intervention that caused the market to seek wealth through destructive practices.  Your support for those of us in Congress who understand this distinction means more than you can know.

The Obama Administration and some Democrats in Congress have made no secret of their desire to use this crisis to remake the federal government and our economy.  They have begun to implement policies and programs that will not be easily undone. However, there are Members of Congress, such as myself, who are fighting the out-of-control spending in Washington.  It is our hope that the Tax Day Tea Parties will send a strong message to the tax-and-spenders in Washington.  Our Founding Fathers believed that democracy existed in the spaces between the debates and disagreements of ordinary people.  They created a system that allowed liberty to flourish by encouraging these debates amongst Members of Congress and across our great nation.  I am honored to represent you and all our fellow Texans who are standing up and claiming opposition to these unsustainable policies streaming out of Washington.

‘Savings in Appropriations’ Legislation Introduced in the House
Last week, I introduced the Savings in Appropriations Act in the House of Representatives. This resolution amends the rules of the House to allow Members of Congress to offer budget reducing amendments to general appropriations bills that, if successful, will reduce the deficit or increase the surplus.

It’s no secret that Washington has a spending problem. As Members of Congress, it is our responsibility to evaluate the spending process and ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely – or not at all. If Congress considers a program or earmark in an appropriations bill unworthy of federal funding, those funds should not be spent and thereby used to reduce the deficit.

Under current House Rules, Members of Congress cannot introduce an amendment to an appropriations bill with instructions to reduce funding for a program and redirect that funding to deficit reduction. Some Members of Congress are dissatisfied with the current process and are upset that successful efforts to eliminate funds for certain projects do not reduce the deficit, but result in that money being added for other programs. This legislation would give the Congress the flexibility to revisit decisions on the total amount of discretionary spending as each appropriations bill is debated on the House Floor.

This is a modest proposal that will lead to substantial results in the future. Congress should make responsible spending decisions and make reducing the deficit a top priority.

H1N1 Flu Facts
I want to make sure that everyone in District 11 is fully informed about the current H1N1 influenza outbreak and of the ways they can take action to reduce the possibility of its spreading further. Infectious disease outbreaks are unpredictable and officials expect that the current influenza situation will be fluid as more is learned about this new virus.

As new information becomes available, it is likely that recommendations will change. Additionally, it is during these early stages of the investigation that new information is found and recommendations likely to be formulated and modified.   

As of now, it is unknown if the current H1N1 influenza strain could trigger a pandemic.  However, the potential exists and it is advisable that individuals, offices and other groups take the time to review their plans for public health emergencies and keep abreast of any new developments in regarding the current situation. The efforts made in recent years to prepare for pandemic influenza could be particularly helpful and offer a starting point for personal and institutional preparedness.

I have reached out to all the hospitals in the 11^th District to ensure that they have all the information and tools at their disposal to be as informed as possible. For more information on the H1N1 flu and what you can do to stay healthy, please visit http://cdc.gov/swineflu/.    

To see the swine flu report issued by Texas’ Department of State Health Services, visit www.dshs.state.tx.us/swineflu.