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Week of September 28th
CLIMATE CHANGE: On Wednesday, I will join with my colleagues on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee to introduce the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act. This legislation will transform the American economy by moving us closer to energy independence and establishing the United States as the global leader for clean energy technologies. Millions of jobs will be created here in the U.S. and American businesses will see an unprecedented federal investment in retooling for tomorrow. I am particularly proud that this bill sets aside funds for dramatic improvements to our nation's transit systems. If we are going to reach our targets for energy independence, cleaner air and a cooler planet, we must invest in public transportation in this country.
AFGHANISTAN AND PAKISTAN: On Thursday, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will continue our dialogue on current policy in Afghanistan and plans for the future. This time, we will be looking at how events in Afghanistan have impacted neighboring Pakistan and what effect U.S. military operations in Afghanistan might have on Pakistan. The fight against terrorist in Pakistan is very important to U.S. national security interests. I am interested in hearing the testimony of our three expert witnesses. We will be reviewing what course of action the U.S. could take in Afghanistan to weaken the operations of Al Qaeda and the Taliban in Pakistan.
APPROPRIATIONS: As we near the end of Fiscal Year 2009, the Senate will be considering the Department of Defense Appropriations Act. This bill would provide $636.3 billion in new discretionary spending authority for the Department of Defense, including $128.2 billion in funding for overseas contingency operations. The appropriations recommended in the legislation would fully fund current deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan and also fully fund thepreviously announced increase of 22,000 Army troops. These funds will ensure that resources, equipment, and supplies are available to our brave military men and women without interruption.
HEALTH CARE AND THE LAW: On Thursday, I will be privileged to attend the University of Maryland's Law and Health Care Program's 25th Anniversary Celebration. Ranked #3 in U.S. News & World Report's survey of the nation's best law school specialty programs, the Law and Health Care Program combines education and research on emerging medical, health policy and legal matters, addressing health law issues from both legal and interdisciplinary perspectives. As a graduate of the University of Maryland School of Law, I am honored to be receiving the school's first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award in Health and the Law.
VETERANS' HEALTH: On Friday, I will attend the groundbreaking of the new Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) for veterans at Ft. Detrick. Whether fighting to defend democracy overseas or standing sentry on the home front, America's veterans have been there for us, and we have a commitment to provide them with world-class health care. This new facility will provide more accessible, community-based health care services that our veterans need and deserve. The new CBOC will help to reduce waiting times and the distance many veterans have to travel for their care. It also will improve access to primary and specialty care for Veterans in rural Frederick County. It is anticipated that over 3,000 patients will be treated at the new CBOC.
UPCOMING MEDIA: On Tuesday (9/29) I will be live on the Mark Steiner Show (WEAA) at 5 pm and on MSNBC's The Ed Schultz Show on at 6:30 pm to talk about health care reform. For those of you in the Baltimore area, on Friday (10/2) I'll be live with Ron Smith (WBAL) at 4:00 pm. For those of you who live in the Frederick area, I will be a guest on the Katherine Heerbrandt Show (WFMD) for a short time between 9-11 a.m. on Saturday morning (10/3).
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