By REP. MAC COLLINS
3rd District U.S. Congress
Last week, the House of Representatives mourned the loss of two of our Capitol
Police guardians, who now watch over us from a different post. The lives of Jacob Chestnut
and John Gibson were cut tragically short, but their heroism and protection of our
freedom will long be remembered.
I offer my heartfelt condolences to their families.
In legislative business, the "Fiscal Year 1999 Veterans Affairs/Housing and
Urban Development Appropriations Act" passed
the House, providing funding for veterans benefits, housing programs, and various
agencies dealing with science, space, and the
environment.
I strongly believe we must fulfill our commitments to those who have served our
country. I voted for the legislation, which gives
the Department of Veterans Affairs $19 billion and is $168 million more than was
requested by the President. The increase provides
over $17 billion in medical care for veterans and $320 million for medical research. The
increases in medical funding will bring essential research and treatment for those
suffering from Gulf War Syndrome, many of whom served from the Columbus area.
The Ways and Means Committee, on which I serve, favorably reported two bills to
the House of Representatives. First, the
"Miscellaneous Trade and Technical Corrections
Act" (H.R. 4342) which, if enacted, will
streamline Customs laws, make technical corrections
to trade laws and temporarily suspend duties on a variety of imported products,
including chemicals used in the production of
anti-cancer drugs.
In addition, the Committee favorably reported a resolution (H.Con.Res. 213)
which expresses the sense of Congress that nations of the European Union unfairly restrict
the importation of U.S. agriculture products. The legislation directs the Administration to
actively negotiate with these countries to eliminate these barriers to the export of
American agriculture products.
The Ways and Means Subcommittee on Human Resources held a hearing to
receive testimony about the effectiveness of local programs geared toward low-income,
non-custodial fathers.
The House leadership announced last week that they have agreed to bring fast-track
negotiating authority legislation to the floor in September. The legislation would allow
the President to negotiate trade agreements with other countries. Congress would still have final
consideration of the agreement.
Last week I became an original cosponsor of the "Crime Does Not Pay Act," which prohibits
convicted felons from recovering damages from injuries received in the commission of the felony. It is wrong
for criminals who break the law to be rewarded.
Several weeks ago I introduced a resolution to oppose Executive Order 13083, which lays the
foundation for almost limitless federal authority to promulgate mandates preempting state and local law.
My resolution expresses the sense of Congress that the powers given to the states should not be
further encroached upon by the federal government. The resolution protects the Tenth Amendment to
the Constitution: "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it
to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."
My office continues to receive tremendous support for this resolution from Georgia and all over
the country. To date, 42 colleagues have joined as cosponsors of my resolution. Last week I sent a letter to
all members of the House seeking additional cosponsors in response to the requests of state and
local government organizations that the Administration consult them on matters threatening their
Constitutional powers.
Visitors from Georgia to the Capitol last week included representatives of Georgia Agribusiness,
the Georgia Hospital Association, the Georgia State Legislature, and the Medical Association of Georgia.
Ms. Chasity Mundy, a UGA sophomore from Peachtree City, spent a day in my office getting a
first-hand look at Congress. Chasity was in Washington for a Leadership Institute Conference.
This week, the House will continue consideration of several appropriations bills as well as
campaign finance reform.
As always, I encourage you to visit our web site "http://www.house.gov/maccollins" as a source
of further information about Congress and Georgia's Third District.