Wednesday, December 26, 2001
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Wednesday, December 26, 2001 |
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Stimulus package stymied By MAC COLLINS In the early morning hours of Dec. 20, the House of Representatives passed The Economic Security and Worker Assistance Act (HR 3529). This bill is a comprehensive economic stimulus package that will help America's workers who have been displaced by the recent economic slowdown and the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Health Care HR 3529 would provide access to health care coverage for ALL displaced workers. The legislation would create a new time-limited tax credit, the Displaced Worker Health Insurance Tax Credit, which would help offset up to 60 percent of the costs of health care coverage premiums for individuals and their families. Displaced workers would have the option of continuing to receive health care through their former employer-based program, or they could use the credit assistance to purchase insurance on their own in the marketplace. This proposal provides the maximum amount of flexibility, giving the maximum number of displaced workers affordable access to health care coverage. Unemployment Insurance HR 3529 would also provide additional direct assistance to those who have lost their jobs since March 15, 2001 - the approximate start of the recession. The bill extends the availability of unemployment insurance from the typical 26 weeks by offering an additional 13 weeks. The bill transfers $9 billion in surplus federal unemployment funds to the states in flexible spending block grants. Under HR 3529, states would have the flexibility to adapt those funds to their state's specific unemployment needs without increasing unemployment taxes. Because of obstruction and manipulation of the rules by Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, the Senate was prevented from voting on the measure, which had more than the sufficient support needed to pass had it been voted upon. Fighting for American Businesses and their Workers On Wednesday, I joined House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Sensenbrenner, Rep. Peter Hoekstra, Senate Armed Services Chairman Carl Levin, and other colleagues at a press conference calling for the reform of Federal Prison Industries. Joined by representatives from business and labor groups, we expressed unified support for the Federal Prison Industries Competition in Contracting Act of 2001 (HR 1577) and called for its consideration and passage by Congress. Under current law, the FPI enjoys an effective monopoly for any federal agency contract for which it submits a bid. Last week, the House and Senate passed the Department of Defense Authorization bill (SB 1438), which included an important provision that will reform the role of Federal Prison Industries in the DOD procurement process. As a result, the Defense Department will no longer be subject to the FPI monopoly resulting from FPI's "mandatory source" authority. This will enable American businesses and their workers to compete for these contracts and help ensure that our armed forces have the best product at the best price. Unfortunately, American workers and businesses are still handicapped in the open marketplace. While we have reformed the defense procurement process, FPI still holds a monopoly over procurement in other federal agencies, costing law-abiding citizens the opportunity to compete for this work. HR 1577 would help ensure that not only DOD but all government agencies have access to the best products at the best price. In the next year, I will work with Chairman Sensenbrenner, congressman Hoekstra, and others to pass HR 1577 so businesses owners and their employees are able to compete in the open market for government contracts. House Passes Department of Defense Appropriations Bill for 2002 On Thursday, Dec. 20, I supported the fiscal year 2002 Defense Appropriations Act Conference Report (HR 3338). This was the final appropriations conference report, and certainly one of the most important, the House needed to pass in order to complete business for the year. HR 3338 is critical to funding our military services and providing resources for the dedicated men and women in uniform fighting to defend our nation. Important highlights of this legislation include an emphasis on the necessary resources that the president and Department of Defense need to successfully engage our enemies throughout the world in prosecuting the war on terrorism. The legislation fully supports a military pay increase and increased military housing allowances requested by our commander-in-chief for our soldiers. Just as important, the bill thoroughly supports the Defense Health Program, including the new "TRICARE for Life" Program for eligible, over-65, military retirees. This legislation addresses the critical needs of our military, and will ensure that they remain the most dominant fighting force in the world. The conference report is expected to be passed by the Senate and sent to the president for signature in the coming days. As we celebrate the birth of Christ, let us remember those who have lost loved ones so recently, and please keep our leaders in your prayers. May you and your family have a joyous Christmas this year.
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