Rogers: A busy start for Congress
With the start of a new year and tough economic times at home, Congress certainly has its hands full.
From a massive Economic Stimulus plan for our economy to an important children’s’ healthcare bill to help struggling families, there is plenty up for debate.
For my part, I’m working to hit the ground running to help all of us across East Alabama who are facing hard times.
This week I’m pleased to report I will continue serving on three important House Committees – Armed Services, Agriculture and Homeland Security.
All of these assignments are critical to the interests of the Third District. For example, on the Armed Services Committee our three military installations in the Third District – Anniston Army Depot, Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, and Fort Benning – will continue to have a strong voice on their behalf. Most certainly, so will our brave men and women in uniform, our veterans and National Guard and Reserves.
With agriculture so important to our state, the Agriculture Committee assignment is key for ensuring our farmers will continue having a strong voice in Washington.
And I plan to use this assignment to continue advocating for initiatives that help move our nation towards energy independence through cutting edge alternative energy research at institutions like Auburn and Tuskegee.
As a more senior member of the Homeland Security Committee, I plan to continue my efforts to help strengthen our porous borders – especially our southwest border with Mexico – and continue to fight for East Alabama’s Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP).
Strengthening our economy must be Congress’s top priority. To help provide a boost to struggling families and workers, recently I wrote a bill called the CAR Act.
The CAR Act, or Consumer Auto Relief Act, was created to incentivize consumers to buy new cars, lenders to start financing vehicles again and jump start the auto industry and our stalled economy.
Having opposed the Big Three bailout, I believe a better approach is to help our economy from the consumer’s standpoint instead of handing over cash to the Big Three. Certainly with Honda and Hyundai in East Alabama and Kia right over the Georgia line, the CAR Act seems like a good way to help the entire industry and include suppliers and dealers.
Back at home all families, especially those living paycheck to paycheck, are feeling the brunt of the faltering economy. With businesses cutting back and job losses mounting, many folks worry about keeping health insurance for the kids.
That’s why this week I supported reauthorizing and expanding the State Children’s Healthcare Insurance Program (S-CHIP). Although this bill was far from perfect, with so many families in East Alabama suffering from our economy, and children needing healthcare, it was time for Congress to pass this important legislation to help our families in need.
As always, please feel free to contact me at www.house.gov/mike-rogers.
