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

March 10, 2006

Dear Friends,

This week, I introduced legislation to provide increased manpower, equipment and technology to secure the U.S. border and stop the influx of illegal immigration.  Our states, our school systems, our hospitals, our farm workers and our citizens no longer have the luxury or the patience for us to delay this issue any longer.  We must take the necessary steps now to secure our borders, enforce legal immigration and see to it there are consequences for bad behavior.  My trip last week to the U.S.-Mexico border confirmed for me that while we are making some progress in slowing the tide of illegal immigration in some areas along the border, we still have a long way to go. My bill would authorize 1,500 new Customs and Border Protection agents and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents annually through fiscal year 2011.  This would be in addition to the 2,000 agents per year that were authorized in 2004, bringing the total to 3,500 new agents annually.  My legislation also would authorize $1 billion in new funding for the acquisition and maintenance of equipment to secure the border, including remote video surveillance, all-terrain and sport utility vehicles, firearms and night vision technology.  It would also provide more than $450 million to acquire and maintain a squadron of at least 25 unmanned aerial vehicles with high-tech sensors and satellite communication. This would allow coverage on the border by an unmanned vehicle 24 hours a day. Currently, there is only one unmanned aerial vehicle operating along the U.S.-Mexico border.  Please click here for more details of the legislation.

I was also chosen by Senate leadership to be a member of the Pension Reform Bill Conference Committee to craft a compromise between the House and Senate versions of the pension reform bill, which is critical to many businesses in Georgia and across the nation. One of my priorities on the Conference Committee will be to keep intact my amendment to help airlines that are struggling with large pension payment requirements. Several large U.S. airlines – including Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines – are struggling to meet required pension payments and are considering eliminating their pension plans altogether, which would mean their employees would not reap the pensions for which they have worked so hard. I am honored to be selected to serve on this conference committee.  We must pass a pension reform bill that protects the interests of the American taxpayers and that will allow us to avoid a catastrophe such as the savings and loan debacle of the 1980s.

The Supreme Court handed down a decision this week confirming the military’s right to recruit on college campuses at law schools nationwide.  The Supreme Court has made the absolute right decision.  It’s only fair to allow our nation’s military the opportunity others are readily given. Our military deserves it and our students deserve it. 

Also this week, I am pleased to announce that the Senate confirmed Timothy C. Batten Sr., President Bush’s nominee to serve as the United States District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia. A native Georgian and resident of east Cobb County, Batten graduated with highest honors from the Georgia Institute of Technology and cum laude from the University of Georgia School of Law.  After graduation from law school, Batten accepted a position with the firm Schreeder, Wheeler and Flint and became a full equity partner in 1993. The Senate has confirmed an exceptionally qualified individual.  Timothy Batten will serve the people in the Northern District with honesty and integrity.

What’s on Tap for Next Week?

Next week, the Senate will debate the budget resolution.

Sincerely,
Johnny Isakson