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TIM HUTCHINSON UNITED STATES SENATOR  ARKANSAS | ||
Contact: D.J. O'Brien (202) 224-2353
January 28, 2002
Priorities For The Year Ahead
As Congress begins a new legislative session, it is more important than ever for members of both parties to put the interests of the country ahead of those of their party. Following the September 11th attacks, we worked in a bipartisan fashion to help the President prosecute the war on terrorism and prevent future attacks. However, Congress now must take further steps to revitalize our military, strengthen homeland defense, and provide economic security by enacting a host of top domestic priorities.
President Bush was correct to initially focus military action on the masterminds of the September 11th attacks and the oppressive regime that abetted them. Our fight began in Afghanistan, but it will not end there. Ultimately, we must neutralize those terrorists throughout the world who threaten the American people. Congress should respond to this challenge by approving President Bush's request for significant funding increases for military operations, pay raises, procurement, and science and technology to support modernization.
As our military roots out terrorism worldwide, we must protect America's people and infrastructure from future attacks. This includes improving intelligence activities, tightening our borders, protecting our airports, and dramatically increasing funding to equip and train firefighters, law enforcement, and other first-responders.
A broad commitment to improving national security must include efforts to create jobs and boost economic activity. The House of Representatives has passed two economic stimulus bills, but the Senate has thus far been unable to pass its own measure. Since the House first acted over a million American jobs have been lost. I will continue to urge my colleagues in the Senate to expeditiously approve an economic security bill that stimulates job creation and provides immediate assistance to displaced workers.
For rural America and most of Arkansas, economic security must be tied to a vibrant agricultural sector. I was tremendously disappointed that the Senate failed to pass a Farm Bill last year. Over the last several weeks, I have crisscrossed the state assuring Arkansas farmers that I will continue to fight for quick action in 2002 on a Farm Bill that retains maximum flexibility for producers, increases successful conservation programs, and provides a strong safety-net amid economic and weather-related disasters.
Congress must also act swiftly to provide national energy security. Now, more than ever, our country needs to take aggressive steps to boost domestic energy production and increase conservation. We can ill-afford to be reliant on foreign sources to power our military, infrastructure, and, indeed, our way of life.
Finally, Congress must do everything it can to ensure that Americans have access to reliable and affordable health care. This should include enactment of a meaningful prescription drug benefit under Medicare. I am working with several of my colleagues to develop Medicare prescription drug legislation. Medicare is a top priority for Arkansas seniors, and I will continue to work hard to ensure that the federal government meets its obligation to provide quality health care to our seniors.
I'm Senator Tim Hutchinson and I welcome your comments and views. You can reach me in my Washington office at 239 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510. You can also access my website, where you can email me or sign-up for my weekly e-mail newsletter, at [http://hutchinson.senate.gov].
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