Congressman Christopher Shays' E-Newsletter
October 2006

Dear Friend,

In this newsletter, we share information about:

• Recent legislative actions, including:

  - Passage of the Long Island Sound Stewardship Act;
  
  - Passage of our PETS legislation to ensure the safety of pet owners and their pets during an evacuation;
  
  - Passage of my legislation to reauthorize the HOPE VI community revitalization program;
  
  - Introduction of legislation to help terminally ill patients;
  
  - Work to protect our borders and enforce immigration laws;
  
  - Steps to improve security of our ports;
  
  - Medical monitoring of 9/11 first responders; and
  
  - Actions to reduce violence in Darfur;

• An update on developments with One Coast, One Future's JobsNet and Health Care Cluster Initiative;
• The FDA's decision to allow emergency contraception to be sold over-the-counter;
• Recent announcements of federal funds for the Fourth Congressional District; and
• My oversight work on Iraq.

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

Recent Legislative Actions

Passage of Long Island Sound Stewardship Act

Last week, we had great news for the future of Long Island Sound. Both the House and Senate passed the Long Island Sound Stewardship Act which authorizes $25 million to protect and preserve the Sound's shorelines. It creates a voluntary process to protect important sites along the Sound -- without infringing on private property rights of local landowners -- through a Long Island Sound Stewardship Advisory Committee chaired by the director of the EPA's Long Island Sound Office and comprised of representatives from federal, state and local governments, and non-government organizations.

As an original cosponsor of the bill, and a member of the Congressional Long Island Sound Caucus, I am grateful the legislation is now on its way to the President's desk.

Passage of Our PETS Legislation to Ensure the Safety of Pet Owners and Their Pets During an Evacuation

The House of Representatives also unanimously passed our Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act. The bill requires local and state emergency preparedness authorities to include in their evacuation plans how they will accommodate pet owners and their household pets or service animals in case of a disaster.

During Hurricane Katrina, an estimated 600,000 animals were left homeless. Sadly, some pet owners refused to leave their pets and perished with their animals.

As an author of this legislation with Congressman Tom Lantos (D-CA), with whom I co-chair the Congressional Friends of Animals Caucus, I see this legislation as an important step forward in protecting pet owners and their pets during an evacuation.

Passage of My Legislation to Reauthorize the HOPE VI Community Revitalization Program

The House of Representatives also approved my bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the HOPE VI housing revitalization program which uses government grants to leverage significant local, state and private funds, creating public-private partnerships to transform dilapidated public housing into new mixed-income communities.

For every government dollar contributed, the program yields three to four dollars in private funds.

HOPE VI has had a huge impact in Stamford. With a $26.4 million HOPE VI grant to revitalize Southfield Village, the city leveraged $80 million in local, state and private funds. The new neighborhood, called Southwood Square, is now a safe place for children to play; its residents receive job training on-site; and working parents have access to a child care facility.

Stamford has also received a $19.75 million grant to revitalize Fairfield Court, which will leverage $70 million in local, state and private money to improve this neighborhood.

Introduction of Legislation to Help Terminally Ill Patients

Senator Dodd and I introduced legislation to make it easier for individuals with terminal illnesses to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

Currently, an individual is required to have Social Security coverage for 20 of the last 40 quarters, or 5 of the last 10 years, immediately preceding their disability to receive SSDI. Our legislation would repeal this requirement for those suffering from terminal illnesses.

I also introduced legislation that would make it easier for those suffering from life-threatening illnesses to access non-approved therapies. My legislation, which is the companion to S. 1956 in the Senate, would set up tiers of approval at the Food and Drug Administration for accessing prescription drugs. The legislation is based on the principle that many who are facing terminal illnesses are willing to accept the risk of serious side-effects for the chance that a therapy might cure them. We also would eliminate the use of placebos for terminal patients, because it seems to me this practice is unethical.

Work to Protect our Borders and Enforce Immigration Laws

The first responsibility of a nation is to protect its borders and the first thing we need to do to deal with illegal immigration is to tighten our borders.

Last week, I supported four pieces of legislation to toughen our border security and immigration laws:

• the Border Tunnel Prevention Act, which prohibits the construction or financing of an unauthorized tunnel that crosses the border between the United States and a neighboring country;
  
• the Community Protection Act, which ensures the detention of illegal immigrants who have committed a violent crime or represent a threat to national security;
  
• the Immigration Law Enforcement Act, which reaffirms the inherent authority of state and local law enforcement to voluntarily investigate, identify, apprehend, arrest, detain, and transfer to federal custody illegal immigrants; and
  
• the Secure Fence Act which mandates operational control of all borders and ports through enhanced Border Patrol operations, physical barriers, and state-of-the-art technology along the southwest border, including reinforced fencing. This bill is waiting for the President's signature.

The bottom line is I believe the rule of law matters in our country. Our laws need to be enforced and those who break them need to be held accountable.

Steps to Improve Security of Our Ports

Last week the House passed the SAFE Port Act, which authorizes $400 million annually for five years for local port security grants, $443 million for container security, and $212 million for Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT), the government-business initiative to build cooperative relationships that strengthen and improve overall international supply chain and U.S. border security. The bill, which is awaiting the President's signature, also requires the 22 largest U.S. ports to install container scanning equipment by the end of 2007.

I supported this legislation in the Homeland Security Committee and as an original cosponsor because I believe our ports are vulnerable and its time we take action to protect them better.

Medical Monitoring of 9/11 First Responders

Having chaired four hearings on medical monitoring of 9/11 first responders and cosponsored legislation to establish medical monitoring programs to assess, monitor, and study the health and safety of emergency response providers following a large-scale disaster, I was pleased that the Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee heeded our request to include language establishing such a program in the SAFE Ports Act. Click here to read my letter to Homeland Security Committee Chairman Peter King about the importance of this program.

Our nation's emergency personnel respond to national disasters regardless of what unseen dangers and health hazards await, and without concern for their own personal safety. They will not hesitate to protect the public from harm, and neither should we hesitate to protect their health and well-being.

Actions to Reduce Violence in Darfur

Last week the House passed three separate pieces of legislation to help address the situation in the Sudan. I voted for:

• the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act, which authorizes the President to provide assistance to reinforce the deployment and operations of an expanded African Union peacekeeping force (AMIS) and directs the President to instruct the U.S. Permanent Representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to advocate NATO reinforcement of AMIS, upon request of the African Union;
  
• H. Res. 723, calling on the President to take immediate steps to help improve the security situation in Darfur, with a specific emphasis on civilian protection; and
  
• H. Res. 992, urging the President to appoint a Presidential Special Envoy for Sudan.

As Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations, I visited Darfur in August with Save the Children (pictured above) to learn about the humanitarian situation and the role and resources of USAID-funded NGOs and UN agencies in addressing the needs of the people in the region.

An Update on Developments with One Coast, One Future's JobsNet and Health Care Initiative

Working with the Bridgeport Regional Business Council, the Business Council of Fairfield County, and the Norwalk Chamber, I helped launch the One Coast, One Future initiative to promote regional economic growth in Fairfield County with nearly $1 million in federal funds.

One Coast, One Future has six components, including:

• the development of a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy;
  
• a campaign to market available development sites and transit-centered housing opportunities;
  
• a marketing campaign to promote cultural and entertainment opportunities;
  
• a study to assess economic opportunities in the health care field;
  
• a web-based employment resource called JobsNet; and
  
• WI-FI hotspots linking Bridgeport, Norwalk and Stamford.

We recently launched two components of One Coast, One Future:

• JobsNet, a web-based collection of useful information and advice for those seeking employment in Fairfield County which can be found at http://www.businessfairfield.com/JobsNet.htm;
  
• And the Health Care Cluster Initiative, which will assess the economic impacts of the health care needs of Fairfield County's rapidly aging population

FDA's Decision to Allow Emergency Contraception to be Sold Over-the-Counter

The Food and Drug Administration recently announced its decision to approve Plan B emergency contraception for over-the-counter sales.

As a leader on women's health issues who has worked extensively on this issue, I believe this is a win for sound science and applaud this important step forward. Click here to read a letter I led to the FDA opposing the FDA's continued holdup of the Plan B decision and asking for a decision without further delay.

Recent Announcement of Federal Funding for the Fourth Congressional District

The Fourth Congressional District has had some great funding news lately, including:

• The early release of $6.1 million in LIHEAP energy assistance to help heat Connecticut homes this winter;
  
• $2.88 million over three years for Bridgeport Public Schools to support Early Childhood Development programs;
  
• $476,753 over five years for the Bridgeport Public Schools to create Achievement and Career Academies at Bassick High School;
  
• $2 million over 5 years for Norwalk Smiles to support its Norwalk HIV Oral Health Project;
  
• $465,890 grant for Action for Bridgeport Community Development (ABCD) to train 55 low-income residents in construction trades;
  
• $750,000 for Easton to convert a vacant school building into a senior center;
  
• $105,931 for the Fairfield Historical Society to move the Society's collections to the new Fairfield Museum and History Center, located on the historic Town Green;
  
• $245,570 grant for a Youth Power Partnership with FSW and Bassick High School in Bridgeport, including a Fairfield University student-mentoring component, where each high school student will work closely with a University student throughout the three years of the program;
  
• $24,968 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Port Security Grant for Bridgeport to provide additional equipment for the Bridgeport Police Harbor Patrol Unit's dive team; and
  
• $8 million in job-supporting appropriations for Norden Systems in Norwalk and Moore Tool Company in Bridgeport.

Oversight of Iraq

Recent Series of Hearings on Iraq: Democracy or Civil War?

I chaired a three day oversight hearing on Iraq: Democracy or Civil War?, examining security force levels; prospects for national reconciliation; and the consequences of leaving Iraq immediately, later but still prematurely, or when Iraqis are capable of taking over for Coalition forces.

We took testimony from thirteen witnesses, including from U.S. Defense and State Department officials, U.S. counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism experts, and Iraqi representatives of the main political groups in Iraq.

Our witnesses came to various conclusions about security in Iraq, but one thing was clear from their testimony: our current baseline for overall security forces is inadequate.

They also identified what they saw as key mistakes that have led to the sectarian violence in Iraq:

• Permitting the looting that followed the US invasion;
  
• Allowing Iraqis to divide and identify by distinct groups;
  
• Inadequate vetting of new volunteers for the new Iraqi Security Forces, especially the national police, leading to corruption within the ranks;
  Dissolving Iraqi Security Forces, and not subsequently reconstituting them more quickly;
  
• Creating a political vacuum by not having a provisional government prepared to take over when Hussein's government dissolved; and
  
• Devoting insufficient attention to economic development.

Finally, witnesses also assessed the consequences of various proposals for leaving Iraq. It was a healthy exchange that made it clear the debate should be informed by serious consideration of the impact of our leaving Iraq, not by partisan agendas.

Click here to learn about the first part of my hearing on Iraq: Democracy or Civil War?, focused on when Iraqis can assume full internal security.

Click here to learn more about the second part of my hearing on Iraq: Democracy or Civil War?, focused on what it will take to achieve national reconciliation.

Click here to learn more about the third part of my hearing on Iraq: Democracy or Civil War?, focused on the consequences of the various proposals to leave Iraq.

14th Oversight Trip to Iraq

In August I traveled to Iraq for the 14th time as Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations to conduct on-the-ground oversight of the operations in Iraq.

I have expressed concerns as well as noted progress in Iraq after many of my trips. In my observations and recommendations to top Administration, Congressional and Iraqi officials after my 13th visit in mid-July, I recommended we, "Be blunt with the Iraqi leadership that if they are unwilling to make peace among themselves the United States will have no choice but to draw down its troops and leave Iraq."

During my last visit I found Iraqi leaders were still not taking decisive action. Moreover, during our meetings in Baghdad and at our hearings US officials questioned whether Iraqi leaders had the political will to do so.

I made it clear to Prime Minister Al-Maliki that while I continue to support our joint efforts to bring democracy and stability to Iraq, the American people have every right to expect Shia, Sunnis and Kurds will resolve their differences, end the violence, and move to replace Coalition Forces with Iraqi Security Forces in police operations and combat patrolling.

Observations and Recommendations from My 14th Trip to Iraq

Observation: Sunnis comprise forty percent of Baghdad's population but are not represented on city and neighborhood councils due to the Sunni boycott of the January 2005 elections. This under-representation is true in other provinces around the country.

Recommendation: Urge the Iraqi Government to hold provincial elections as soon as possible to provide true representation in Baghdad, and all other provinces.

Observation: The main cause of Iraq's violence and instability is political, and requires a political solution. Iraq's leaders are not demonstrating the will to compromise and reach agreements required to resolve the issues dividing them. This division is a principal cause of the insurgent and sectarian violence.

We recognize the complexity of national reconciliation. We also recognize Iraqis have overcome many obstacles and made tremendous strides. Since June 2004, a number of significant deadlines were met: Iraq held elections for a transitional government; drafted a Constitution and approved it in a national referendum; elected a Council of Representatives (parliament); and formed a government under the new Constitution. There are no such deadlines in effect today to motivate Iraqi leaders to move forward with Prime Minister Al-Maliki's national reconciliation plan.

Recommendation: The United States should encourage Iraqi leaders to establish a timeline for each element of Prime Minister Maliki's national reconciliation plan. There should be dates certain for provincial elections, the rollback of de-Baathification, amnesty, allocation of oil revenues, and central government control of militias, or their disbandment.

Observation: The Iraqi Council of Representatives has appointed the Parliamentary Committee to review the Iraqi Constitution and make recommendations for amendments under the agreement brokered by US Ambassador Khalilzad on October 12, 2005 and embodied in Article 142 of the Constitution. Sunnis expect issues important to them will be addressed not only through national reconciliation and legislation, but also considered in a Constitutional revision process.

Recommendation: Urge the Parliamentary Committee to make constitutional amendment recommendations to the Council of Representatives as swiftly as possible so they can be considered, adopted, and submitted to the Iraqi people for referendum.

Observation: Iraqi leaders said they believe the insurgents and terrorists have better weapons than the Iraqi Security Forces, and if their forces were issued more lethal weapons, they could replace US forces in police operations and combat patrolling sooner.

Recommendation: Establish a joint Iraq-US program to examine whether the quality of weapons for the Iraqi Security Forces is adequate to combat the insurgents and foreign terrorists, and if not, upgrade those weapons.

Observation: Iran is interfering and negatively influencing developments in Iraq. Iran is financing militias, smuggling weapons and explosives used by insurgents against Coalition troops and Iraqi Security Forces, and is seeking to influence the Iraqi political process.

Recommendation: Request European Foreign Ministers, now negotiating with Iran on the nuclear issue, demand Iran halt its financing of militias and infiltration of weapons and agents in Iraq.

Observation: Small projects managed by US Agency for International Development (USAID) private sector partners such as Mercy Corps under the Community Action Program are very successful in achieving their objectives and creating jobs for Iraqis.

Recommendation: USAID should increase its funding of the Community Action Program's use of private sector partners to achieve development and to increase Iraqi employment.

Observation: Last week, there were only 4.7 hours a day of electricity in Baghdad, and 11.3 hours nationwide. Regretfully, electricity output was 6 percent below that of the same period in 2005.

Recommendation: The US Secretary of Energy should provide technical and management experts and greater financial aid to assist the Iraqi Government in boosting electricity production and distribution.

Observation: No flow meters measuring the amount of oil and gas produced and distributed are known to exist in Iraq since Saddam Hussein removed them to subvert the Oil-for-Food program and illegally export crude oil.

The theft of oil in Iraq is estimated in excess of 200,000 barrels of petroleum per day, which equates to $100 million per day at a price of $50 per barrel. The insurgency and militias are believed to be engaged in this theft and able to finance their anti-Coalition attacks and operations with money from stolen oil.

Recommendation: A comprehensive flow metering system, coupled with remote telemetry monitoring, should be installed at each producing well-site and throughout the oil and gas distribution system in Iraq. Security for the system must be increased.

Observation: The Iraq Study Group, co-chaired by former Secretary of State James Baker and former Congressman Lee Hamilton, was established by Congress to provide a fresh assessment of Iraq and to make recommendations in a report to the President, the Congress, and the American people. On September 19, the Co-Chairs stated they will submit their report sometime after the upcoming November Congressional elections but no later than March 15, 2007.

There are substantial questions about the accuracy of Department of Defense statistics and evaluations, particularly regarding the numbers of Iraqi Security Force personnel present for duty and the capabilities of the units comprising the Iraqi Security Forces.

Recommendation: The Iraq Study Group should submit a preliminary report not later than December 1, 2006 that focuses on the Iraqi Security Forces, and submit its full report as soon thereafter as possible.

Observation: The Department of Defense use of stop-loss and the extension of duty tours in Iraq to meet force requirements are causing hardship to troops and their families. This action will ultimately have a detrimental effect on our recruitment and retention capabilities. To require units to stay a day longer in Iraq or be recalled from inactive duty is devastating for the families, and for the affected Soldiers and Marines. It will also undermine public support for our operations in Iraq.

Recommendation: Discontinue stop-loss and extension of duty tours in Iraq. Instead, adopt realistic plans for the number of troops needed in Iraq and for rotations based on those numbers.

Observation: The Department of Defense is locked in to defending a policy based on a number of serious mistakes. These mistakes have damaged the effort to achieve our goals in Iraq. Additionally, the Department has been reluctant to provide adequate statistics and readiness assessments for Iraqi Security Forces to Members of Congress and the Government Accountability Office.

Recommendation: Serious consideration should be given to bringing in a new team to lead the Department of Defense.

Recommendation: The Congressional Committees that authorize and appropriate funding of operations in Iraq should be more engaged in oversight.

Observation: Units in the Iraqi Security Force have combat experience ranging from three years (those that were formed in mid-2003) to six months. United States military commanders state some of these units are at a high state of readiness and are taking the lead in police operations and combat patrolling.

Recommendation: The President said as the Iraqis step up, we step down. That has not happened because we have not reached the total number of security forces needed to secure Iraq. Once we surpass the required number with Iraqi Security Forces, American and Coalition forces should begin to step down based on a predictable, firm timeline. We need to give the Iraqis a firm timeline so they know we will not be there forever and begin to take the difficult but necessary diplomatic and political steps required to unite their country and reduce the violence.

Observation: The 325,000 Iraqi Security Force level to be reached on December 31, 2006 is not adequate to provide internal security, nor is it adequate to counter any external security threat.

Experts testified at the Subcommittee's hearings that successful counter-insurgencies have historically required 20 security personnel per 1,000 of population, which in the case of Iraq's 26 million people would be 520,000 security personnel.

There are approximately 4 million Kurds who live in the provinces governed by the Kurdistan Regional Government. They are protected by approximately 70,000 Kurdish security forces (the Peshmerga) and there is not the insurgent and sectarian violence in Kurdistan that there is elsewhere in Iraq. Hence, the Kurdish population need not be included in this calculation.

The remaining 22 million people in the non-Kurdish area of Iraq require approximately 440,000 security personnel. Until the Iraqis establish a capable and loyal force at this force level, stability will not be achieved, nor will Coalition forces be able to draw down.

Recommendation: Urge the Iraqi government in conjunction with the Multi-National Force-Iraq to increase as quickly as possible the size of the Iraqi Security Forces from the present planned strength of 325,000 to at least 440,000 security forces in the non-Kurdish areas of Iraq.