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News From Congressman Vic Snyder-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Recent News on Capitol HillLast Monday, President Obama lifted a ban on embryonic stem cell research. Millions of Americans afflicted with life-altering diseases now have more hope as our nation’s scientists have more opportunity to discover life-saving treatments. On Wednesday, the Senate passed the omnibus appropriations bill to fund government operations for the rest of the fiscal year. President Obama signed it into law on Thursday, March 11, 2009.
Also on Thursday, the House passed H.R. 1262, the Water Quality Investment Act. This bill makes key investments to improve water quality and better ensure safe, clean water for Americans. After the vote, the bill was received in the Senate and is being reviewed by the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- Recent News from the DistrictOur office recently hosted the 2009 Congressional Service Academy Information Session for Central Arkansas in the Little Rock Central High School Library. Academy nomination representatives from Senators Lincoln and Pryor’s offices were also in attendance. We had 49 students attend and 18 schools represented, which is our best showing yet. This Saturday, March 21, 2009, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and community partners will staff IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TAC) and community free tax help sites nationwide. People who earn $42,000 or less are eligible for free tax return preparation at either IRS TAC or community partner sites. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Recent News from my CommitteesOn Tuesday, March 10, the Committee on Veterans Affairs held a hearing to go over the 2010 Fiscal Year budget request of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Much of the spending in the budget is designated for VA medical care. During the hearing, Secretary Eric Shinseki and a panel of veterans groups addressed the major issues facing the VA, including the including the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill and the backlog of claims. Secretary Shinseki and the veterans groups expressed optimism towards the President’s budget request, which is better than many proposals submitted for the VA in the past. The Administration will release a detailed budget proposal in late April 2009. I am pleased with the direction taken by President Obama and Secretary Shinseki in their first VA budget submitted to Congress.
The House Armed Services Committee held a hearing on Wednesday, March 11, about the complex security challenges arising from the current global financial crisis. This crisis impacts all of us, but some countries-often called "fragile states"-are at higher risk for civil war, terrorism or economic collapse. Foreign assistance is less than 0.2% of our economy, so cutting back on foreign assistance could have serious consequences. If we fail to stabilize fragile states, or allow local conflicts to spread into regional ones, our core national interests may be jeopardized. We may find ourselves needing to intervene with military force, like what occurred in Afghanistan, for example. Our military is an important asset to our national security, but still, it is only one instrument. The hearing emphasized how we need to think about budgeting for defense together with other aspects of foreign policy and homeland security. It also reaffirmed that America’s prospects for economic recovery are best in a stable and prosperous world.
Also on Wednesday, the Joint Economic Committee (JEC) held a hearing entitled "TARP Accountability and Oversight: Achieving Transparency." We heard from Members of the Congressional Oversight Panel (COP) for the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act and other expert witnesses about the Troubled Asset Relief Program’s ability to track what recipients have done with the money, and whether the program is a cost-effective use of taxpayer funds. Witnesses examined the program’s goals and looked at what specific legislative or other steps are needed to enhance the success of the program.
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Featured Photo
Central Arkansas Service Academy Information Night 16 February 2009: L-R: Mr. Devon Cockrell, Congressman Vic Snyder, U.S. Naval Academy candidate Robert Joiner, Lieutenant Commander Tim Buller U.S. Naval Academy ’95. |
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