Congressman Christopher Shays' E-Newsletter
August 2006

Dear Friend,

In this newsletter, we share information about:

• The Crisis in the Middle East;
• My Recent Oversight Work in the Subcommittee on National Security, including:

  -Probing the Cost of the Global War on Terror;

  -Assessing the National Strategy for Victory in Iraq;

  -Subpoenaing Secretary Rumsfeld for Information About a National Security Whistleblower; and

  -Continuing Our Investigation into the Sale of Sensitive Military Equipment to the Public;

• My Observations and Recommendations Based on My Most Recent Oversight Trip to Iraq;
• The Passage of the Voting Rights Act Reauthorization;
• Our Successful Effort for a Vote on Increasing the Minimum Wage and Providing Estate and Gift Tax Relief;
• My Support for Stem Cell Research and Vote to Override the President's Veto; and
• The Visit by Assistant Secretary of Labor DeRocco to Announce a $1.5 Million Grant and Discuss Regional Economic Development

I hope you find this information useful and that you will not hesitate to contact our office if there is anything we can do to be helpful to you and your neighbors.

Sincerely,

Christopher Shays
Member of Congress

The Crisis in the Middle East

I'm cautiously hopeful about the ceasefire. The key is going to be exceedingly strong vigilance by international observers to ensure the terms of the ceasefire are implemented. The kidnapped Israeli soldiers also need to be returned immediately. If Hezbollah, Iran or Syria test Israel and thwart international consensus by trying to re-arm terrorists, I am concerned we will see renewed violence.

Israel has the right -- and the obligation -- to defend herself.

I am traveling to Israel this week to discuss the security situation in Northern Israel and prospects for peace, and look forward to reporting back to you on what I see and hear in the region.

My Recent Oversight Work in the Subcommittee on National Security

Click here to see a list of the over 90 hearings I have chaired in the Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations on terrorism issues.

Probing the Cost of the Global War on Terror

Since 2001, the United States has spent approximately $430 billion on military and diplomatic efforts related to the Global War on Terror.

While this investment is critical to our safety, taxpayers and lawmakers need reliable, accurate and timely cost estimates from the Departments of Defense and State.

For that reason, I held a hearing probing the cost of the global war on terror, to encourage that operations be funded in the regular budget -- not supplemental bills -- and to improve the accuracy of the Departments of Defense and State budgeting.

Assessing the National Strategy for Victory in Iraq

In my continued oversight of the operations in Iraq, I held a hearing on the National Strategy for Victory in Iraq (NSVI) to assess its evolution in response to changing security, political and economic events, and, perhaps more importantly, evaluate the evolving strategies themselves, to better understand their chances for success.

The NSVI takes a three-pronged approach: build stable, pluralistic, national institutions; clear areas of enemy control; and restore Iraq's neglected infrastructure.

We heard from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), Departments of Defense and State and think tanks on this approach. Many emphasized national reconciliation, reversing the wholesale de-Baathification and amnesty as criticial steps to stabilize the country and allow for the withdrawal of some of our troops.

Our efforts to remove Saddam Hussein from power and help bring democracy to the most troubled part of the world must succeed, because as Ambassador Khalilzad said, "What happens in Iraq will shape the future of the Middle East, and the future of the Middle East will shape the future of the world."

Subpoenaing Secretary Rumsfeld for Information about National Security Whistleblower Case

The House Government Reform Committee (GRC), at my request with GRC Ranking Member Henry Waxman, issued a subpoena to Secretary Rumsfeld for information relating to U.S. Army Spc. Samuel Provance, who alleges retaliation for discussing abuses at Abu Ghraib prison.

My Subcommittee is conducting an investigation into Provance's allegations. He testified before the Subcommittee on February 14 in our hearing on national security whistleblowers.

The bottom line is it's critical that Congressional oversight be taken seriously by the Bush Administration and that we get timely access to the information we need to fulfill our oversight responsibilities.

Continuing Investigation into Sale of Sensitive Military Equipment

I recently held my third hearing on DoD's continued sale of sensitive military equipment to the public at bargain prices.

GAO investigators were able to purchase launcher mounts for shoulder-fired guided missiles, body armor, antenna used to track aircraft and a digital signal converter used in naval surveillance.

We held the first hearing on this issue in October, 2003 and a second hearing in June, 2005. As a result of these hearings, DoD began reforms which have already resulted in $34.8 million in savings.

But DoD has still not instituted all of the changes needed, so I will continue investigating this matter and conducting oversight until we are sure our military equipment is not being sold to people who should not have it.

Click here to read the Subcommittee's briefing memo, the GAO report and see photos of the equipment which was purchased.

Observations and Recommendations Based on Most Recent Oversight Trip to Iraq

As Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations, with oversight of the Departments of Defense and State, I travel to Iraq every few months to obtain information firsthand and to assess the progress or decline of our operations there.

In July, I joined Intelligence Committee Chairman Pete Hoekstra on a bipartisan fact-finding mission to Baghdad, Balad and Irbil. We met with Iraqi Ministers of Defense and Interior; Sunni, Shia and Kurdish Parliamentarians; Members of the Kurdish Regional Government; the Multi-national Corps Commander of Iraq; the Deputy Chief of U.S. Mission in Iraq; the Deputy Commanding General of the Multi-national Forces in Iraq; American soldiers from the 164th Engineer Battalion; and wounded soldiers at the U.S. Air Force Theatre Hospital.

After each oversight trip, I share my observations and recommendations with the Administration, Members of Congress and other interested parties. Below are my observations and recommendations from my trip in July:

Observation: Prime Minister al-Maliki outlined his goal of national reconciliation to end both the Sunni-based insurgency and the increasing Shia-Sunni armed conflict, which are threatening to erode much of what has been achieved since Iraq's liberation. Al-Maliki has put forward a detailed 24-point National Reconciliation and Dialogue Project, which the Parliament has been slow to implement. Without national reconciliation this violence will continue to further escalate.

Recommendation: Urge the Iraqi Parliament to take swift action on Prime Minister al-Maliki's reconciliation program, including a general amnesty and a roll-back of de-Baathification.

Recommendation: Be blunt with the Iraqi leadership that if they are not willing to make peace among themselves the United States will have no choice but to draw down its troops and leave Iraq.

Observation: Sunnis believe they are deprived of their share of oil revenue, and that the Iraqi Constitution does not provide fair power sharing among Shias, Sunnis and Kurds.

Recommendation: Advocate the adoption of President Bush's June 14 recommendation that Iraq use its energy assets to unify the country.

Recommendation: Press for the convening of the Constitutional Review Commission, promised to Sunni leaders.

Recommendation: Advise the Supreme National Committee for Reconciliation and National Dialogue to act on Prime Minister al-Maliki's recommendations without further delay.

Observation: Negotiations among the Shias, Sunnis, and Kurds make Shia-Sunni reconciliation more difficult to achieve. The Shia goal of majority rule and the Sunni goal of a strong central government are compatible. Most Sunnis will accept majority rule, if there is a strong central government augmented with strong minority rights and fair sharing of oil revenue.

Recommendation: Hold separate Shia-Sunni bilateral negotiations concluding with a multilateral agreement with the Kurds that preserves Kurdish autonomy.

Observation: If the city and province of Baghdad are not secure, Iraq will not be secure. Because of its Shia-Sunni population, Baghdad is the center of sectarian violence that may spiral into total civil war. The Coalition is attempting to secure Baghdad, but lacks enough troops to achieve this goal.

Recommendation: Urge the Iraqi Government to confront the militias and bring them under its control.

Recommendation: In Baghdad, increase the number of Multi-National Force troops-primarily Iraqi security forces-from 75,000 to at least 125,000, to meet the established ratio of 20 troops per 1,000 civilians. This is the approximate ratio used during operations in Tal Afar and proved successful in securing that city.

Observation: Unemployment is too high, making life difficult for many Iraqis, and creating an environment where Iraqi men are susceptible to joining the insurgency in return for cash.

Recommendation: Hire Iraqis to rebuild Iraq. Successful models used by non-governmental organizations, like Mercy Corps, Save the Children and Catholic Relief Services should be followed.

Recommendation: Use Iraqi firms to the maximum. Disallow the practice of multiple levels of subcontractors to the extent possible.

Iraqi Prime Minister al-Maliki said that we must "look beneath the violence" at the advances in women's rights, a free press, and, most importantly, replacing a murderous dictatorship with multi-party democracy. While I agree with him, we also need to see the Prime Minister show a willingness to control the sectarian violence that could wipe out these accomplishments.

My biggest concern is still not that we will lose the war in Iraq, within Iraq itself, but that we will lose the war in Iraq here at home. It is imperative the Administration and Congress not allow this to happen.

This week, I am returning to Iraq for my 14th oversight trip since the beginning of the war. I will also be going to Darfur, Israel and Jordan, as well as Rome, to meet with the Lebanon Core Group, and London, to discuss the recent foiled terrorist plot. In September, we will hold a series of hearings to assess whether Iraq is experiencing the birth pains of a democracy or entering into a civil war. The three hearings will focus on when Iraqis can take charge of security in Iraq; what it will take to achieve national reconciliation; and what the consequences of leaving Iraq would be.

Passage of Voting Rights Act Reauthorization

I cosponsored and voted for the Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization to protect the voice of our nation's minorities. The bill works to continue to ensure our Constitution preserves and protects the right of all citizens to register and cast a vote. I was grateful the bipartisan bill passed the House of Representatives on July 13 by a vote of 390 to 33, and the President signed the legislation into law.

Successful Effort for Vote to Increase the Minimum Wage and Work to Provide Estate and Gift Tax Relief

As a longtime supporter of increasing the minimum wage, I helped lead a coalition of moderate Republicans to get a vote to increase the minimum wage. We secured the vote as part of a package to reform the estate tax and increase the minimum wage to $7.25/hour.

The bill extended key tax credits and lowered the estate tax, but took a far more rational approach than full repeal.

Farmers and small business owners will be able to know their businesses can be left with their families because of this tax reduction. This bill permanently increases the exemption from $675,000 to $5 million and taxes estates between $5 million and $25 million at the capital gains tax rate of 15 percent. The tax rate above $25 million would be set at 30 percent, which is lowered from the top rate of 55 percent.

Unfortunately, a filibuster in the Senate killed this bill. We will continue to work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to find a way to increase the minimum wage.

My Support of Stem Cell Research and Vote to Override President's Veto

Having worked closely with a group of moderates to build support for the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act and to secure a vote for the bill in the House of Representatives, the President's veto was a major disappointment for me.

This bill offered the promise of cures for so many ailing Americans, which is why I voted for it and voted to override the veto.

It seems to me that, though the President was sincere in his beliefs, history will not look kindly on this veto. Ultimately I believe this bill will become law with continued advocacy.

Visit by Assistant Secretary of Labor DeRocco to Announce $1.5 Million Grant and Discuss Regional Economic Development

Congressman Christopher Shays tours CT Works' One Stop Mobile Career Coach Lab to see the federal funding he helped secure in action. He is pictured with (left to right) Joe Carbone of The WorkPlace, Connecticut Commissioner for Department of Labor Pat Mayfield, Assistant Secretary of Labor Emily DeRocco, Bob Flynn of the Connecticut Insurance & Financial Services Cluster and Dr. David Levinson of Norwalk Community College.

Emily DeRocco, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Administration at the U.S. Department of Labor, visited the Fourth Congressional District recently to highlight the One Coast, One Future initiative. With $1 million in federal funding, which I helped secure, One Coast, One Future seeks to enhance economic links between Bridgeport, Norwalk and Stamford to encourage job, housing and development opportunities in the region.

While in Connecticut, DeRocco also announced a $1.5 million grant for The WorkPlace, Inc. to provide on-the-job experience and training to low-income workers aged 55 and older. She toured CTWorks' One Stop mobile Career Coach Lab, The WorkPlace's Innovation Lab and spoke to students, community and business leaders at Norwalk Community College about regional economic development.