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

March 9, 2007 

Dear Friends,                              

Last week, parts of Georgia experienced some devastating storms. On Saturday, I toured much of the damaged area with President Bush and Senator Chambliss to assess the situation and thank the President for coming to Georgia so he could witness our devastation firsthand. I am very pleased the President quickly issued a Federal Disaster Declaration to include all nine Georgia counties devastated by the storms. Baker, Clay, Crawford, McDuffie, Mitchell, Muscogee, Stewart, Sumter and Taylor counties are all eligible to receive federal funds to help repair the damage in these communities.  This will ensure that the victims of this tragic storm will be eligible for much-needed federal assistance in their recovery efforts.

The State of Georgia and FEMA have begun operations in a Joint Field Office in Cordele, GA.  This is an administrative facility for the State of Georgia, FEMA, and other Federal agencies to jointly coordinate recovery efforts for the tornadoes that resulted in the Presidential disaster declaration.

Walter Reed Army Medical Center

On Monday, I visited Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington to see firsthand the conditions of the facilities where injured U.S. soldiers recuperate after receiving medical treatments. 

As a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, I was concerned about the findings in a series of articles in the Washington Post on the bureaucratic delays and substandard conditions for long-term patients at Walter Reed.  After press reports came out regarding the condition of Building 18 at Walter Reed, I requested and received a tour of all the outpatient facilities at the hospital. Building 18 is in need of repair and attention, but all of the other facilities were state-of-the-art and in excellent condition. 

Defense Secretary Robert Gates has fired both the Secretary of the Army and the Commanding General at Walter Reed as a result of the news stories.  I am very pleased with the swift and decisive action of Secretary Gates, and I am confident the Army will give Building 18 the attention it deserves.

President Bush last week ordered a comprehensive review of conditions at the nation’s network of military and veteran hospitals and this week named former Senator Bob Dole and former Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala to lead a bipartisan commission to assess whether the problems at Walter Reed exist at other facilities.

In addition, I signed on today to legislation that would allow veterans with service-connected disabilities to go to any hospital or medical clinic of their choice. The Department of Veterans Affairs health care system has consistently been ranked among the best in the nation, and I firmly believe that most veterans will choose to remain with the VA. However, I know some veterans are concerned, and I believe this legislation will ensure that those individuals have additional options.

The most important responsibility we have as a Congress is to see to it that the treatment and services we give our veterans are the very best our country can offer.

No Child Left Behind Top Legislative Priority

On Tuesday, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee held a hearing on reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act, the landmark legislation that is providing schools with the necessary resources to give all children a quality education.  As both a member of the committee and one of the authors of President Bush’s No Child Left Behind law, I have a vested interest in this legislation and its impact on our nation’s education system.  Overall, our school systems are improving and our students are receiving more of the educational tools they need to compete in the 21st Century. I am especially pleased with the increased accountability under No Child Left Behind. No Child Left Behind has demonstrated improvements in the children it set out to help the most.  That being said, I do realize that there are some areas of the law that need revision. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure that we re-authorize and improve this valuable legislation. 

Homeland Security

On Thursday, I spoke on the Senate floor in support of an amendment to the homeland security bill that would strengthen national security by closing loopholes in existing law. Unfortunately, the Senate today refused to proceed with debate and allow an up-or-down vote on the amendment, which included provisions to criminalize the recruitment of terrorists, prolong the time that the Homeland Security Department can detain dangerous aliens whose home countries will not accept them back into their country and authorize the immediate deportation of suspected terrorists whose visas are revoked. It is important now more than ever that we do everything possible to protect our country from those who seek to do us harm.  It is appropriate and essential for the safety and security of the United States of America and its people that we ensure these common-sense proposals become law. 

Border Security

I continue to promote my border security legislation in Washington.  The issue of illegal immigration permeates every aspect of our society and we must get a handle on this pressing issue.  I spoke this morning on “Fox & Friends” to further discuss the importance of my bill, which would require that the first step of comprehensive immigration reform be to secure the U.S. borders.  It also spells out in detail the increased manpower, equipment and technology necessary to stop the flood of illegal immigrants into our country.  I believe my bill is the bridge from where we are to where we must go.  There is no way you can reform legal immigration unless you first stop the porous borders and the flow of illegal immigrants.  Please click here for more information on my legislation. 

Voting Record

I feel it is extremely important for my constituents to be able to easily access my voting record and keep up with what we are discussing in the Senate and how I am representing your interests in Washington, D.C.  For that reason, I have added a new feature to my website, which highlights my voting record for the 110^th Congress.  There is a link at the top right-hand corner of my homepage (http://www.isakson.senate.gov) that reads, “Johnny’s Voting Record.”  Please use this link to check my voting record on issues that are important to you.  To visit my voting record directly, click here.

What’s on Tap for Next Week?

Next week, the Senate will continue to debate the homeland security bill, which would implement several recommendations of the bipartisan 9/11 Commission that investigated the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Sincerely,
Johnny Isakson