Town Hall Meetings Scheduled for June
Congressman Todd Platts will be available to take questions and listen to constituent concerns at a series of town hall meetings to begin on June 5. Dates, times, and locations are as follows:
Monday, June 5, 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm: Silver Spring Township Administration Building, 6475 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg.
Tuesday, June 6, 9:30 am - 11:00 am: South Central York County Senior Center, 150 East Main Street, New Freedom.
Saturday, June 10, 8:00 am - 9:30 am: Springettsbury Township Administration Building, 1501 Mount Zion Road, York.
Monday, June 12, 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm: McSherrystown Fire Department, 238 Main Street, McSherrystown.
Congressman Platts' Statement Regarding Searches of Congressional Offices
Congressman Todd Platts issued the following statement in response to the search of the office of Representative William Jefferson:
"Credible allegations of the bribery of public officials must be vigorously investigated pursuant to the law and any validly-issued court orders. I fully support the efforts of the Department of Justice in ensuring that no one, including a member of Congress, is above the law."
House Passes Compromise Budget Resolution
On May 7, 2006, following weeks of negotiations with members of Congress, the full United States House of Representatives voted 218 to 210 to pass a budget resolution setting overall spending levels for fiscal year 2007. Representative Todd Platts was part of a group of 23 Members who worked together in order to help ensure that the final budget resolution specified a funding level for health and education programs sufficient to restore cuts to programs like the National Institutes of Health, the Community Services Block Grant, special education, and the Even Start family literacy program.
Although the additional $7.1 billion contained in the budget resolution for discretionary spending on health and education programs represents only about 0.2% of the total overall federal budget, it is sufficient to restore cuts enacted to those programs in fiscal year 2006, plus provide an extra amount for inflation. Approximately $4.1 billion of the $7.1 billion has already been offset by savings elsewhere in the federal budget. Another $1 billion is expected to be offset by reclaiming unspent funds for Iraqi reconstruction. Majority Leader John Boehner has pledged to find other savings to offset the remainder.
Web Page Highlights (www.house.gov/platts)
Spring 2006 Newsletter
The most recent "Congressional Update" newsletter from Congressman Platts may be found in the "Quick Links" box of his web site.
(http://www.house.gov/platts/index.shtml)
House Votes to Stop Tax Increases, Keep the Economy Moving
A recent op-ed by Congressman Platts is posted to the web site.
(http://www.house.gov/apps/list/hearing/pa19_platts/taxes.html)
Speech by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert
A copy of the speech given by Israeli PM Olmert before a joint session of Congress can be found in the "Updates in the War on Terror" section of the web page.
(http://www.house.gov/platts/war-on-terror.shtml)
The Month in Review
The following is a list of some key votes taken by the United States House of Representatives during the month of May of 2006:
ANWR (H.R. 5429)
The House voted 234-184 to pass legislation allowing for limited energy exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Under the House-passed bill, oil and natural gas activities-including support facilities and airstrips-would be restricted to no more than 2,000 acres of ANWR's 19.6 million acres, or about one-hundredth of one percent of ANWR's total surface acreage. In addition, the Department of Interior would be required to ensure through regulations and leasing conditions that there is no significant adverse impact on the ANWR environment. Finally, no oil recovered could be exported to a foreign country. Congressman Platts voted in favor of this legislation.
Gasoline Price Gouging (H.R. 5253)
The House voted 389-34 to pass legislation requiring the Federal Trade Commission to define gasoline price gouging and enhance penalties for it. Congressman Platts voted in favor of this legislation.
Off-Coast Natural Gas Exploration (H. Amdt. 856)
The House voted 217-203 to maintain, as part of a Department of Interior appropriations bill, a moratorium on natural gas exploration along the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf. Congressman Platts voted against this amendment and therefore in favor of lifting the moratorium on natural gas exploration.
Tongass Road-Building (H. Amdt. 850)
The House voted 237-181 to adopt an amendment eliminating funds in a Department of Interior appropriations bill for the building of new roads for the purposes of timber harvesting in the Tongass National Forest, Alaska. Supporters of the amendment argued that the $40 million spent annually on such roads is an unwarranted subsidy to the timber industry. Congressman Platts voted in favor of this amendment and therefore in favor of eliminating the funds.
Sugar Subsidies (H. Amdt. 895)
The House voted 135-281 against an amendment to a Department of Agriculture appropriations bill reducing guaranteed prices to the sugar industry by about one cent per pound. Supporters of the amendment argued that the subsidies harm the American food processing industry and will likely cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollar per year. Congressman Platts voted in favor of this amendment and therefore in favor of reducing the subsidies.
Agriculture Appropriations Earmarks (H. Amdts. 904, 909, 911)
The House voted 75-150, 90-328, and 87-328 against three amendments offered to eliminate specified "earmarks" in a Department of Agriculture appropriations bill. The earmarks set-aside funds for, respectively: a dairy education program in Iowa; hydroponic tomato production in Ohio; and, a national grape and wine initiative. Congressman Platts voted in favor of all three amendments and therefore in favor of eliminating these earmarks from the bill.
Respect for America's Fallen Heroes Act (H.R. 5037)
The House voted 408-3 to pass legislation prohibiting demonstrations at national cemeteries that are within 500 feet of a memorial service between one hour before the service and one hour after. Supporters argued that the legislation helps to ensure decorum at funerals without infringing on First Amendment rights. The Supreme Court has long held that the "time, place, and manner" of speech may be regulated in the interests of public peace. Congressman Platts voted in favor of this legislation, and President George W. Bush signed the measure into law on May 29, 2006.
Please do not attempt to reply to this message, as it is an unattended mailbox. If you wish to contact me about an issue addressed in this newsletter, or would like more information on what is happening in Congress, please visit my Web site at www.house.gov/platts for more information.
To unsubscribe to this newsletter, please visit my Web site and click the "E-Newsletter" link and follow the instructions.