Discussing Iraq War Strategy with President Bush

On Wednesday, President Bush addressed our nation to discuss the new U.S. strategy in Iraq. I am pleased the President’s plan includes moving Iraqi security forces to the front, with U.S troops serving in a support role. This is something I have been proposing for months and reiterated with the President when I met with him at the White House on Tuesday.

In our meeting, I told the President that I want to bring our troops home as soon as possible. I also told him that when it comes time to kick the doors down, I want that job to be done by Iraqi forces instead of by American troops.

Some Democrat House Members have talked about cutting funds for U.S. troops in Iraq. As a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, I will continue to support our troops by working to see that they receive adequate funding.

Supporting Workers and Small Businesses

Advocating Medical Advancements that Protect Human Life

I support legislation that promotes science and technology without jeopardizing ethical and moral standards that protect the life of the unborn. That is why I voted against H.R. 3 on Thursday, a bill to expand federal funding for embryonic stem cell research—research requiring the destruction of human embryos.

Recent medical developments show that successful alternatives to embryonic stem cell research are available. I support finding and developing new treatments—to all diseases and conditions—that do not destroy human life. President Bush is expected to veto H.R. 3, just as he vetoed an identical bill (H.R. 810) in July 2006.

Standing Up for Lower Prescription Drug Prices and More Choices for Seniors

On Friday, I was pleased to support the House Republican plan to continue allowing America’s seniors to benefit from lower drug prices and more choices found in the Medicare Part D plan. Unfortunately, House Democrats chose to limit prescription drug choices for seniors by passing H.R. 4, a bill imposing price controls on prescription drugs for seniors.

Democrats have mentioned implementing a drug system for America’s seniors similar to the one used by the Department of Veteran’s Affairs. However, having a price-controlled system—such as the VA’s—would eliminate the wide variety of drug choices currently available to seniors and would eliminate the ability for seniors to pick up their drugs at their local pharmacy and to discuss their prescriptions with their neighborhood pharmacists. In addition, price controls on Medicare drugs will have an impact on the VA system, which will increase the drug prices for our veterans. }

Requesting Additional Disaster Relief for Western Kansas