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

May 19, 2006

Dear Friends,

This week, the Senate resumed its debate on immigration reform. On Tuesday, I spoke on the Senate floor in support of my amendment to the proposed legislation, which would have prohibited implementation of any guest worker program until the Department of Homeland Security certified in writing that U.S. borders are sealed and secured. Unfortunately, my amendment was defeated. However, while I am disappointed that the Senate refused to put border security first, I am hopeful that my idea will be considered again when it comes time to reconcile the differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill. While some progress is being made on the immigration reform bill, unless the Senate takes further steps to ensure border security before proceeding with any other reform, I will be unable to support the bill as a whole.

Also this week, a landmark reform bill that I cosponsored to improve mine safety and regulation and reduce safety risks for miners across the country was introduced to the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee. Since our trip to West Virginia four months ago, it has been my honor and pleasure to work with a tremendous bipartisan group of Senators on the numerous issues surrounding mine safety.  This bill is the product of months of hearings, in-depth research and intense discussions about how to make mines across the country safer. I am proud to introduce this legislation, and I feel confident it will make mines across the country safer so we can avoid another tragedy such as the one that occurred in January at Sago Mine. This bill will establish a competitive grant program for new mine safety technology, require each mines’ emergency response plan to be continuously reviewed and updated and re-certified every six months and raise the criminal penalty cap as well as the maximum civil penalty for flagrant violations.  It also establishes a grant program for manufacturers to develop new and better mine safety technology and ensures that mine rescue teams will be well-trained and available in the event of emergencies. The bill was passed by the HELP Committee on Wednesday, and I hope the full Senate will take up this important bill very soon.

In other news, our summer internship program began this week. Throughout the year, exceptional students from Georgia have the opportunity to serve as interns in our offices in Washington and Atlanta. Like last summer, we have two internship sessions during the summer months, divided into two six-week sessions. Interns have the opportunity to aid our legislative and press staff, assist the constituents of Georgia, conduct Capitol tours, attend events with me and represent our office at numerous events in Washington and around the state. Our first session interns in Washington are: Blythe Anderson, Emily Crawford, Captain Daniel Gade, Kyle Graves, Jessica Layson, Bobby Norman, Danielle Stice and Cathy Strickland. Our first session interns in Atlanta are: Julia Black, Kevin Ewalt and Cadet Kate Lockhart. For more information about our internship programs, please visit www.isakson.senate.gov/intern.html.

What’s on Tap for Next Week?

Next week, the Senate will resume consideration of S. 2611, the Immigration Reform bill.

Sincerely,
Johnny Isakson