A Weekly e-Newsletter from
Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA)

January 27, 2006

Dear Friends,

The Senate officially came back in session this week and began consideration on the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito for the United States Supreme Court.  Judge Alito was voted out of the Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, and the nomination came to the floor of the Senate on Wednesday.  On Thursday, I addressed Judge Alito’s criticson the Senate floor reminding them that t heir criticism of Justice Alito of being narrow and restrictive may, in fact, be, the greatest compliment to his ability as a jurist who will rule based on the law, not legislate based on the position.  He is a jurist that understands the value and the strength and the power of the constitution of the United States of America.  I look forward to casting my vote in favor of the nomination of Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court of the United States.

Unfortunately, our new year began with a terrible tragedy when 12 miners at the Sago Mine in West Virginia died in an explosion on January 2.  I met with the families of the miners last week, toured the exterior of the mine and spoke with officials from the International Coal Group as part of a Senate delegation examining the incident.  As a member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and chair of the subcommittee that has jurisdiction over mine safety, I felt strongly that this trip would help me have a better grasp of our mine conditions.  I pledged to those families that the questions they asked will be answered and that the legacy of this tragedy will be that we heed the lessons we learn so that lives are not lost in the future.

I spent much of our holiday break speaking to organizations on the importance of renewing the Patriot Act, which is set to expire on February 3, 2006 – just two short weeks from now.   From what I have learned in briefings and trips over the last year, I believe that had it not been for the passage of the initial Patriot Act by Congress in the days following 9/11, this country would have had attacks on our soil in multiple numbers. America is fighting a digital war with walls that are made of analog, paper and pen. The terrorists who we fight use the very freedom and resources that you and I enjoy and that they would destroy to communicate, share information, and plan their evil-doings. The Patriot Act modernized the laws of this country to allow us to do surveillance and intelligence in a digital world. But right now the Patriot Act is in limbo. It is absolutely essential that the law enforcement and intelligence agencies in this country and the men and women in harm’s way have access to the very best intelligence they can get in real time, and I will do everything in my power to ensure that we extend the Patriot Act.

A new year also means a fresh start and a focus on my top priorities, one of which is tax reform. This week I introduced the Tax Code Termination Act, which would terminate the current tax code on December 31, 2008.  History has taught us that if we don’t impose a deadline to terminate the tax code by a date certain, overhauling our inefficient system is nearly impossible.  My other priorities include immigration reform and pension reform.  Each of these priorities will include legislative proposals from me in the coming months.  I will also continue my focus on budget and pork-barrel spending reform because it is time for Congress to come up with a budget and learn to live within its means, just as every American family must do.

What’s on Tap for Next Week?

The Senate will vote on the nomination of Judge Alito and begin debate on the Tax Reconciliation Conference Report (a leftover from 2005) and the extension of the Patriot Act. 

Sincerely,
Johnny Isakson