Spending Spree Continues in Washington
Earlier this week, the Senate passed and sent to President Obama the $410 billion omnibus appropriations bill to fund the federal government until
September 30, 2009. This bill continues the reckless spending of your
hard-earned money, and I am disappointed the President did not hold true
on his word to veto any wasteful spending bills that come across his desk.
The government was funded at 2008 levels for the past five months. During this
recession, it is irresponsible for the federal government to increase its
budget to levels that spends more than 8 percent or $32 billion more than
in 2008. This is the largest increase in nonemergency discretionary spending since President Carter was in office.
President Obama proposed his budget for next year, and the House and
Senate are crafting their budget resolutions. The President’s proposal continues
the spending binge, but I am hopeful the leaders in the House and Senate
will embrace some fiscal discipline and draft responsible budget plans
that will grow our economy.
Financial Services Committee Considers Budget Proposals, Holds Hearing on
Mark-to-Market Accounting Rules
As the House Budget Committee begins its work drafting the budget
resolution for next year, they seek input from all of the committees. This week, the
Financial Services Committee met to review budget recommendations for next
year. Committee Chairman Barney Frank drafted the views of the committee,
but I was deeply concerned with many provisions included in that view,
especially provisions that would raise taxes on individuals and small
businesses. Additionally, I am opposed to the $750 billion “placeholder”
for additional bank bailout funds, the housing plan that rewards bad actors,
and funding that could be used by liberal activist groups like ACORN, which is
under investigation for voter fraud. I joined Ranking Member Spencer
Bacchus and signed the dissenting views, which addressed these issues and offered
a responsible budget plan for the financial services industry.
The committee also held a hearing on the mark-to-market accounting rules,
which have been under scrutiny and pointed to as an area of the financial
regulatory system that needs to be modified. The Security and Exchanges
Commission (SEC) and the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) have
oversight over mark-to-market rules and need to act expeditiously and
responsibly to offer guidance that will help financial institutions apply
mark-to-market accounting rules. Click here to watch as I asked questions
of
the SEC and FASB witnesses during the hearing.
Kansas Legislature Says No To Bringing Guantanamo Bay Detainees to Kansas
As President Obama and his Administration continue their efforts to close
Guantanamo Bay, I remain committed to keeping the detainees from being
transferred to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. I was proud to see the Kansas
Legislature pass a concurrent resolution expressing its opposition to
transferring the suspected terrorists to Fort Leavenworth or to any other
location in Kansas.
This is not a Republican or Democrat issue, and it is very important for all Kansans to speak together on this. It is important
President Obama and his Administration have a complete understanding of
the Fort and its surrounding area and hope they will visit Kansas before
moving forward with any plans. I continue to talk to other members of Congress
to inform them of the seriousness of this situation. So far I have had 18 of
them provide their support by co-sponsoring H.R. 148, the legislation I
introduced to prohibit the transfer of these dangerous detainees to Ft.
Leavenworth.
Health Care Solutions Working Group Seeks Your Input, Ideas
Folks across the nation are struggling, and access to affordable, quality
health care is a major concern. The Health Care Working Group that I am
member of has been busy meeting for the past month hearing from health
care professionals. We would like to hear from folks in Kansas and across the
nation as we craft solutions to improve the health care system. The
website’s address is http://www.blunt.house.gov/healthcare. I hope you
will visit the website and send your ideas and comments to help us.
The new website will include recent articles and columns from health care
professionals and from working group members. There is also a comment
section, and there will be a poll that is updated regularly as the group
progresses in our work. Reforming the health care system is a priority for
President Obama, and the working group wants to make certain your voice is
heard in this debate.
Hosting Teletown Hall in Northeast Kansas
This week I hosted my third teletown hall, calling the folks of northeast
Kansas. I want to thank everyone who participated for your comments and
questions. These town hall meetings have been a great way for me to stay
in touch with the folks back home, and I hope you find them helpful as well.
On my next teletown hall I will call Shawnee County.
Kansas Visitors in Washington
There were many Kansans who stopped by my office in Washington this week,
and it was so wonderful to see them. It was great to see the more than 50
members of the Kansas Farm Bureau. Elaine Wellborn and Beverly Fink
stopped
by representing the Kansas Association for Gifted, Talented and Created.
Julia Downs of Overbook was in to discuss respiratory therapy issues. From
Manhattan were Mayor Mark Hatesohl, City Manager Ron Fehr and Chamber
President Lyle Butler. Deborah Baeuchle and Keith Mispagel from Fort
Leavenworth stopped by. Representing the Geary county schools were Daphne
Maxwell, Bob Henderson, Janet Christian and Ronald Walker. Scott Anglemyer
of Kansas City, Kansas, stopped by to discuss the Workforce Investment
Act.
Wendy Parent of Oskaloosa was in to discuss rehabilitation and employment
issues for individuals with disabilities. Russell Plaschka of Moran and
Steve Buss of Meriden stopped by to discuss career and technical education
and Agriculture education. Representing the Kansas Emergency Management
Association were Michael Selves of Horton and Teri Smith from Douglas
County.
Donn Teske of Wheaton, Tom Giessel of Larned, Jared Whitcome of Elmdale,
Linda Massman of Dodge City and Herb Bartel of Hillsboro were in
representing the Kansas Farmers Union. Daniel Morin, Mary Redmon, Joe
Davison, and Nancy Sullivan were by to discuss issues facing the Kansas
Medical Society. Rebecca Kimbell stopped by with the National Multiple
Sclerosis Society. Lance Woodbury of Garden City and Justin Knopf were by
to
discuss carbon sequestration. Representing Westar Energy were Bill Moore,
Jim Ludwig, and Mark Schreiber. Craig Gigstad of Valley Falls, Bob Henry
of
Robinson, Charles Atkinson of Great Bend, Kenlon Johannes of Topeka and
Dennis Hupe of Topeka were by representing the Kansas Soybean Association.
Greg Hildenbrand of Topeka was by to discuss air medical transportation.
State Board of Education Members Janet Waugh, Ken Willard, and Sally
Cauble
were by to discuss issues affecting education in Kansas. Sally Procter
with
K-State Research and Extension was by to discuss the Expanded Food and
Nutrition Program. Leadell Ediger, Peggy Goodwin, Jennifer Hecker, Amy
Anderson, Rebecca Clancy, Laurie Pigg, Dean Olson, Cheryl Dunn, Clairissa
Maddy and Jennifer Crow stopped by to discuss early childhood education
issues.
Mary Geiger
Press Secretary
U.S. Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins
130 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
202-226-8991 (direct)
202-658-9501 (cell)
mary.geiger@mail.house.gov
