Straight Talk With Sam (Looking Back)

Straight Talk With Sam (Looking Back)

Over the past few years, our country has faced challenges both at home and abroad. Our new century is not even six years old, and already our nation has confronted a recession, corporate scandals, a series of natural disasters, and the worst terrorist attacks in our country's history. Yet in spite of these challenges, with the help of my colleagues Congress, our nation continues to demonstrate its ability to bounce back and thrive.

One issue which received a great deal of attention this year was border security - as it should. In this age of terrorism, border security equals homeland security. My colleagues in the House worked hard to pass legislation to tighten our immigration and border security system, so terrorists and other criminals can't enter our country at will. Last year, we passed a tougher border security bill which, among other things, increases physical security at our borders; authorizes new border inspections and K-9 units; and requires all illegal immigrants apprehended by the Border Patrol remain in custody until deportation. We also passed and had signed into law the REAL ID Act, which establishes uniform standards for state issued identification cards, making counterfeiting much more difficult.

Prosperity without security is fleeting, but security without prosperity is impossible. Our economy has faced many challenges in recent years, but has rebounded strongly. Current policies to keep taxes low and encourage greater investment in our businesses have helped lead to robust job creation. Our economy has had 39 straight months of growth, and we have created 5.3 million new jobs since August 2003. The current unemployment rate is 4.6 percent, below the average from the 1990s.

Our Congress' accomplishments from this year don't stop there. Some of the important legislation we passed includes: the Death Tax Relief Act, a devastating and unethical tax; the Freedom to Display Flag Act, continuing America's right to freedom; the Deep Ocean Energy Resources Act, helping us become less dependent on foreign sources of oil; the Children's Safety and Violent Crimes Reduction Act, which strengthens our federal courts concerning sex offenders; increased funding for veterans benefits in the annual appropriations process; and make our ports safer with the SAFE Port Act.

Congress is working hard every day to make our country more secure and prosperous. We are making the right choices for America.

http://www.house.gov/graves/straighttalk/2006issue52.htm