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From the Office of Congressman Bud Cramer
The 5th District of Alabama
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OCTOBER 21, 2002
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Cramer Gives Update On 107th Congress
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Huntsville, Ala. - U.S. Rep. Bud Cramer (D-Ala.) gave a Washington Update today on the 107th Congress. Cramer discussed key legislation that has been passed during this Congress, which began in January 2000, as well as what is left to do before the 108th Congress begins.
"We've made some major progress for the American people during the 107th Congress," said Cramer. "However, we still have a long way to go before our work is done in Washington. We just passed our fourth Continuing Resolution that will fund the federal government at current levels through November 22nd. As an Appropriator, this is very frustrating. The new fiscal year began on October 1st, and 11 of our 13 budget bills have not been passed and signed into law."
Cramer noted that Congress was able to send Defense and Military Construction Appropriations Bills to the President. The FY03 Defense Appropriations bill allocates over $355 billion for national defense programs and contains funding for key defense programs in North Alabama as well. The bill fully funds Ground-based Midcourse Defense and provides pay raises for American men and women in the military, including the National Guard and Reserves.
Cramer also discussed the situation with Iraq, the War on Terrorism, the creation of a new Department of Homeland Security, and the agenda since September 11th. "Since September 11th, our priorities in Congress have had to shift," added Cramer. "During the past fourteen months, Congress has provided billions of dollars in emergency Appropriations for recovery efforts, for the victims' families, and for the War on Terrorism. We passed the Patriot Act giving law enforcement greater leverage in the War on Terrorism, voted for aviation security, and to allow pilots to carry guns in the cockpit."
Cramer continued, "While we have been forced to focus much of our efforts on national security, we've also been able to make progress on our domestic priorities during the 107th Congress. In May 2001, we passed the 'Economic Growth and Tax Relief Act,' which provided taxpayers with much needed relief in a slowing economy and phased out unfair taxes such as the Death Tax. This tax puts unfair burdens on family farms and small businesses, sometimes forcing the families to liquidate these legacies their loved ones left behind."
Cramer also discussed the new North Alabama Weather Forecasting Office, which is set to open and assume responsibility from Birmingham by February 2003. Rep. Cramer was able to secure the funding for the WFO in the FY02 Commerce, Justice, State Appropriations Bill through his position on the Subcommittee. Congress also passed major bills to help American children such as H.R. 1, President Bush's "No Child Left Behind" legislation, which makes major reforms to the education system by increasing resources for teachers and schools and promoting higher standards and stronger accountability for students.
"While we've passed some important bills this session, we still have a long way to go," said Cramer. "For instance, we owe our seniors and disabled citizens a real prescription drug plan. Congress has yet to pass meaningful, affordable, voluntary Medicare prescription drug coverage that our seniors desperately need. We have also yet to pass a Patient's Bill of Rights that would provide patients access to medical care when they need it most and preserve the doctor-patient relationship."
Cramer continued, "We also still have eleven appropriations bills to finish up, many of which are critical for North Alabama. For example, my VA/HUD and Independent Agencies Subcommittee Appropriations Bill that funds NASA, FEMA, and provides critical Economic Development funding for our area has yet to pass the full House. We passed a good bill in the Full Appropriations Committee that provides over $15 billion to NASA and almost $26 million for North Alabama education, economic development, and water and sewer projects. I will continue to work hard during the budget process to make sure we are providing the people of North Alabama the support we need."
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