September 8, 2006

On the House Floor

This week the House passed the Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Coin Act. The House also debated provisions of H.R. 5122, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007. Speaker Hastert appointed House conferees to participate in a conference committee to resolve differences with the Senate version of the bill.

Military Milestone

U.S. military spokesman, Maj. Gen. William Caldwell, announced that as of Thursday, Iraq has taken control of its armed forces. Iraq’s prime minister now commands the nation’s small naval and air forces, and the 8th Iraqi Army Division. On the eve of the transition, Maj. Gen. Caldwell said, “Iraq will take control of its armed forces command on Thursday, a major step on its painful path toward independence and an essential move before international troops can eventually withdraw…. This is such a huge, significant event that’s about to occur tomorrow.” Indeed, this transfer of authority is a crucial step in the difficult yet necessary process of standing up a self-sufficient Iraq. It is yet another sign of progress, despite the great challenges posed by extremists who wish for democratic self-rule to fail in the Middle East. Americans should stand with Iraqis to applaud this positive development.

Relief at the Pump

Over the past month, gasoline prices have dropped nationwide by more than 30 cents a gallon, reaching the lowest level since mid-April. The dropping prices are a welcome relief for motorists who have been hard hit by gas prices this year. By easing the pinch at the pump, Americans will have more financial flexibility to meet their needs. This is especially good news for small shipping businesses, independent truckers, commuters, and others who must do extensive driving. Another benefit of this development is a likely up-tick in consumer spending that could further propel America’s already robust economic growth.

Contributing positively to the long-term fuel price outlook was the announcement on Tuesday that Chevron Corp. and two partners successfully drilled for oil at an exploratory well about 270 miles southwest of New Orleans and more than 7,000 feet below sea level. This rich deposit in the Gulf of Mexico could hold from three billion to 15 billion barrels of oil and natural gas liquids. The higher end of the estimate would constitute 50 percent of U.S. oil and gas reserves. The discovery of such a substantial domestic source of fuel is critical for the interests of the United States until next-generation power technologies become financially and practically feasible.

A Day at the Park

Yesterday, the Departments of Interior and Agriculture announced that, beginning this November, U.S. military veterans will enjoy free entrance to national parks and other federal lands that charge admission fees on every Veterans Day. This administrative change was motivated by the introduction of legislation I co-sponsored, H.R. 5452, the Veterans Eagle Parks Pass Act. This change means that those who have served in uniform can freely enjoy the fall colors in Yosemite, tour Lassen Volcanic National Park, visit Lava Beds National Monument, or enjoy any of the numerous national forests in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. It is a small but positive tribute to those who made it possible in the first place for America to preserve its natural wonders.

Quote of the Week

“Bin Laden and his terrorist allies have made their intentions as clear as Lenin and Hitler before them. The question is: Will we listen? Will we pay attention to what these evil men say? We’re taking the words of the enemy seriously. We’re on the offensive, and we will not rest, we will not retreat and we will not withdraw from the fight until this threat to civilization has been removed… If we retreat from Iraq, if we don't uphold our duty to support those who are desirous to live in liberty, 50 years from now history will look back on our time with unforgiving clarity, and demand to know why we did not act.” – President George W. Bush, September 5, 2006.