On the House Floor

This week, the House passed H.R. 6061, the Secure Fence Act of 2006, by a vote of 283 to 138. It calls for systematic border surveillance through more effective use of personnel and technology, such as unmanned aerial vehicles, ground-based sensors, satellites, radar coverage, and cameras; as well as the construction of border fences. The House also adopted H. Res. 1000, which provides for earmarking reform in the House of Representatives. It passed on a vote of 245 to 171.

Remembering

On Monday, I joined President Bush in visiting the Pentagon crash site to honor those lost five years ago. It is with heavy hearts that our country is united in mourning the loss of thousands of innocent Americans who died on that terrible day five years ago. Assembled at the Pentagon crash site, I was reminded that above and beyond all our differences we are first and foremost Americans with a common love for countrymen and pride in our homeland. The images being replayed on our televisions today are not just ones of unimaginable terror but also of bravery and resilience. We remember the police and fire fighters as well as the heroic passengers of Flight 93 who laid down their lives to save the lives of thousands of others. And we remember neighbors who reached out to one another and gave comfort during terrible uncertainty. September 11th united us in our resolve to bring to justice the cowards responsible for these terrible terrorist attacks. It is with a sharp memory and common resolve that we reaffirm our commitment to ridding the world of those who seek to destroy America and her ideals of democracy and freedom.

Building Fences

My trip to Laredo, Texas, last month confirmed my belief that our country is suffering a major security crisis. America is only as secure as its weakest border and it is unacceptable that we have allowed ourselves to become this vulnerable. We must shore up our borders and we must do so today. Each day that we sit idly by bickering over the ins-and-outs of illegal immigration is another opportunity for terrorists, and drug and weapons smugglers to cross into our country. Since the 1996 construction of a 14-mile fence along the San Diego-Mexico border, we have seen alien apprehensions drop by almost 50 percent. Building a fence along the most porous parts of our border is a proven and effective deterrent for those seeking to infiltrate our country, and it is something we need to do immediately. I am gratified that the House approved legislation yesterday that will do just that.

Economy Update

Data released by the Department of Labor shows that employers in the U.S. added 128,000 workers to their payrolls in August – enough to sustain consumer spending and economic growth even though the housing market has weakened. This followed a 121,000-jobs increase in July that was larger than previously estimated. The unemployment rate fell from 4.8 to 4.7 percent. Also, the nationwide average price of gasoline is now $2.62 cents a gallon. That is a drop of 42 cents per gallon in the past five weeks. Not only is that a welcome relief for motorists, but it also eases an important source of inflation pressure.

Quotes of the Week

“Whatever mistakes have been made in Iraq, the worst mistake would be to think that if we pulled out, the terrorists would leave us alone. They will not leave us alone. They will follow us. The safety of America depends on the outcome of the battle in the streets of Baghdad… This struggle has been called a clash of civilizations. In truth, it is a struggle for civilization.” – President George W. Bush, September 11, 2006.