In response to the current economic crisis, Congress is being called on to address issues that will have profound effects on American society for many years to come. Yet the American people's trust in the institution of Congress remains near historic lows. Before the American people can be confident that Congress can find the right solutions to our problems, Congress must show it deserves the trust of the American people.

One of the first things Congress can and should do is to reform the way specific spending requests, known as earmarks, are made.

As you have seen in the news, earmarks have been one area where some members of Congress have failed to live up to the standards the public has a right to expect.

I have introduced legislation (H.Res. 100) to establish rules of transparency and accountability when it comes to spending requests. This measure would prohibit earmarks from going to private businesses, relatives of congressmen or to create monuments to sitting members of Congress. It would also require that any spending requests have state or local matching fund support and that all earmark requests be posted for public review in an easy-to-search format on the House Web pages.

You can read more about my proposal by visiting my Web page and looking at the Legislative News Kit for Earmark Reform in the News section.

Get ready for hurricane season

Hurricane season in Florida has officially begun. Forecasters with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are predicting nine to 14 named storms, of which four to seven could become hurricanes, including one to three major hurricanes.

If you have lived in Florida for any time, you know predicting hurricanes is very difficult to do. And NOAA's scientists say global weather patterns are imposing a greater uncertainty in the 2009 hurricane season outlook than in recent years.

Your best defense in the face of uncertainty is to be prepared. As part of your preparation activities, I want to remind you about the Polk County Hurricane Expo 2009 which I am co-sponsoring with Polk County Government.  The Expo will be held on this Saturday, June 6, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Orange Dome at the Chain O’ Lakes Complex in Winter Haven. During this free and family-friendly event, you will have an opportunity to attend disaster preparation seminars, power tool safety demonstrations, children’s activities and various disaster related exhibits. You will also have the
opportunity to speak with hazardous weather experts to learn how to prepare for any weather situation.

Congress heats up for the summer

As the summer temperatures heat up so do the issues Congress is likely to address over the next few months. These issues include: a cap and trade program to regulate the amount of greenhouse gases industry produces, major health insurance legislation, about a dozen separate spending or "appropriations" bills that make up the $3.7 trillion federal budget, and the Senate's confirmation of Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor.   And that's not all.  Every one of these issues has the potential to affect every American in ways large and small. If you wish to continue to receive timely information from me about these and a host of other issues, please make sure to sign up for my e-newsletters by filling clicking on the box to the right.