On the House Floor
This week, the House passed H. Con. Res. 63, disapproving of the decision of the president announced on January 10, 2007, to deploy more than 20,000 additional United States combat troops to Iraq.
Retreat Resolution
Democrats in the House drove days of debate on a non-binding yet symbolic measure that signals to the world, including our own military, that America is not serious about winning the war in Iraq. This resolution purports to support our troops, but it is really nothing more than a stepping stone for the Democrats to cut needed funding for our brave men and women who are currently in harm’s way. Rep. John P. Murtha (D-PA), chairman of a subcommittee that oversees defense funding, is already preparing separate legislation to block money for the additional troops in Iraq. He said, “They won’t be able to continue. They won’t be able to do the deployment. They won’t have the equipment, they don’t have the training and they won’t be able to do the work.” In contrast, I cosponsored H.R. 511, which pledges Congress’ support for our troops and ensures we will not cut their funding. Unfortunately, the Democrats prevented this bill from receiving a vote. The resolution passed this week does absolutely nothing to help us win the war in Iraq, and it now attempts to retroactively impede a military operation that is currently underway.
Fair Use
Next week, Rep. Rick Boucher (D-VA) and I will reintroduce legislation to protect the rights of consumers to freely enjoy information and entertainment content against overzealous regulation and litigation. When this issue first came to my attention in 2002, I came to it not as a Member of Congress involved in the intricacies of digital copyright law, but as a consumer who has explored and enjoyed the evolving wonders of the digital age. One of the most satisfying aspects of this digital age is the free exchange of information among the American people – the exercise of what is commonly known as our “fair use” rights under law. Unfortunately, federal law enacted in 1998 at the behest of motion picture studios, the recording industry, and book publishers has destroyed the balance between intellectual property rights and consumer rights.
The Freedom And Innovation Revitalizing U.S. Entrepreneurship Act of 2007 (FAIR USE Act) will allow consumers, teachers, and libraries to circumvent a technological copy protection measure in order to utilize – but not pirate – content. It will also ensure that hardware and software manufacturers continue to have the right to manufacture and distribute their products for lawful use without penalty of law. In short, this bill will enable America to stay on the cutting edge of technological innovation while allowing our people to maximize their enjoyment of the fruit of that ingenuity.
R.I.P. Charlie Norwood
On Tuesday, my colleague, Rep. Charlie Norwood (GA-10), passed away at his Augusta, GA home. His passing came days after he declined further medical treatment in Washington for non-small-cell lung cancer, and returned home to hospice care. He was able to spend the last days of his life with his family. He had battled idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) since 1998 and received a lung transplant in 2004. Charlie served as a captain in the U.S. Army in Vietnam, earning the Combat Medical Badge and two Bronze Stars. A dentist, he was elected as part of the Republican Revolution congressional class of 1994. During his tenure in the House, he pressed for fundamental tax reform, a patients’ bill of rights, and controlling illegal immigration. A good man and public servant – he will be missed.
Quote of the Week
“…Speaker Nancy Pelosi and John Murtha expect men and women to keep dying for something they say is a mistake but also don't have the political courage to help end. Instead, they'll pass this ‘non-binding resolution,’ to be followed soon by attempts at micromanagement that would make the war all but impossible to prosecute – and once again without taking responsibility.” – Wall Street Journal editorial, February 15, 2007.
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