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

May 2, 2008

Dear Friends,

Our nation has been experiencing an extraordinary increase in gas prices, and many of you have shared your frustration about it with me.  I share your concerns, as high energy prices are having a ripple effect throughout the U.S. economy and exacerbating recessionary pressures.  That’s why this week, I joined with Senator Chambliss in taking two steps that I believe would help stabilize gas prices and increase domestic supply of oil.

First, I signed on as a cosponsor to the Domestic Energy Production Act of 2008, which would amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to extend state boundaries seaward to the outer margin of the Outer Continental Shelf for leasing activities in new oil producing areas. It also would allow the governors of Atlantic and Pacific coastal states to petition the Secretary of the Interior to request that the area within state boundaries be made available for oil and gas leasing. The Secretary must approve or deny such petitions as soon as is practicable.

The legislation also would establish a competitive oil and gas leasing program for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge’s Coastal Plain under the Mineral Leasing Act. It also would limit production and support facilities to no more than 2,000 acres on the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge’s Coastal Plain and provide for a 50/50 share of revenues between the federal government and the state of Alaska.  The bill would direct that $35 million of the state’s share be deposited annually into a “Coastal Plain Local Government Impact Aid Assistance Fund” for Alaska communities.  For additional information on the legislation, click here.

The second action I took this week was on Wednesday when Senator Chambliss and I, along with 15 other Republican senators, sent a letter to President Bush requesting that the U.S. Department of Energy immediately halt deposits of domestic crude oil into the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve, which was established in 1975 to provide a supply of crude oil during times of severe supply disruptions.  Today, it contains more than 701 million barrels of oil, exceeding our International Energy Program commitments to maintain at least 90 days of oil stocks in reserve.  Temporarily halting deposits to the reserve sends the signal to the global market that the United States will take measures to address excessive oil prices.  To view the full text of the letter requesting this temporary measure, click here. I am very disappointed that President Bush has so far rejected this idea.

Given our dependence on foreign energy in this country, it is critical for us to consider the development of our untapped domestic energy supplies.  With skyrocketing gas prices, we must seek every way possible to increase the domestic production of energy.  And while there are no quick fixes in dealing with this issue, there are additional things the federal government can and must do, including halting deposits to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

National Defense Authorization Act

This week, the Senate Armed Services Committee approved the 2009 National Defense Authorization Act, an annual bill that authorizes funding for our servicemen and women and their families, critical military construction projects at Georgia bases as well as Georgia-made weapons systems.  The bill authorizes $612.5 billion in funding for the U.S. Department of Defense, including $70 billion in war-related supplemental funding.  It provides a 3.9 percent pay raise for all military personnel across the board, authorizes a total of $125 billion for military personnel, including costs of pay, allowances, bonuses, death benefits, and permanent change of station moves.  It also reauthorizes over 25 types of bonuses and special pays aimed at encouraging enlistment, reenlistment, and continued service by active-duty and reserve military personnel. 

The bill authorizes $26.1 billion for the Defense Health Program, which includes the $1.2 billion necessary to cover TRICARE fees, and adds $13.7 million for recovery operations in North Korea for American POW/MIAs.  The Committee did not adopt an increase to TRICARE fees as proposed by the Administration.

For a list of funding specific to Georgia, click here.

Education Benefits for Servicemembers, Veterans, Guardsmen, Reservists

On Thursday, I signed onto legislation that would enhance the existing Montgomery G.I. Bill by improving education benefits for servicemembers, veterans and members of the National Guard and Reserve.  The Enhancement of Recruitment, Retention, and Readjustment through Education Act, S.2938, would help more military personnel attend college debt-free, and allow them to transfer their education benefits to their spouse or children. It also bolsters recruitment and retention efforts, encouraging servicemembers to continue their military careers.  Specifically, the legislation includes an immediate increase in education benefits for active duty personnel to $1,500 a month as well as a significantly increased benefit for members of the National Guard and Reserve. It also includes a matching program to help more veterans graduate debt-free and builds on existing educational benefits program to ensure rapid implementation with minimal additional administrative costs.

The Montgomery G.I. Bill can change lives. It has given countless members of our military access to the college education they otherwise would not have been able to afford.  Our nation’s military and their families have sacrificed tremendously so that our children and grandchildren can live in freedom. It is important we modernize the G.I. Bill to ensure that our servicemembers, veterans and members of the National Guard and Reserve receive the education benefits they deserve.

Save Medicare Act of 2008

Last December, Congress passed S.2499, the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007, which created a six-month extension of current physician payment rates under Medicare.  This extension is set to expire on June 30, 2008, and the Senate Finance Committee is currently drafting a bill to prevent the scheduled 10 percent cut from taking effect. The Save Medicare Act of 2008 would amend title XVIII of the Security Act to preserve access to physicians’ services under the Medicare program. This bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Finance. Though I am not a member of this committee, I understand the concerns regarding cuts to physician payments. These annual cuts are the result of a flawed formula – the Sustainable Growth Rate – that regulates physician payment levels under Medicare. I remain very concerned about the prospect of a 10 percent cut in physician reimbursement and look forward to working with my colleagues to find a fair and responsible solution in the short-term as well as a long-term solution to prevent these annual cuts from occurring.

National Charter School Week

Next week, May 5 through 9, 2008 , is recognized as National Charter School Week.  As a member of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, I am proud once again to lend my support to the Georgia Charter Schools Association and National Charter Schools Week.  The Georgia Charter Schools Association is an important partner for me in order to do everything I can on a national level to support charter schools. 

Charter schools are tuition-free public schools that are open to all students. Educators, community leaders, business people and parents who start charter schools select the curriculum, philosophies and emphases of the schools, such as a back-to-basics foundation, technology focus or school-to-work approach.  The start-up nature of many charter schools means they typically operate with strong community support and involvement while seeking to provide teachers with a positive teaching environment.  Due to the demand for more school choice, the number of charter schools in Georgia has nearly doubled in the last three years. Today, 73 charter schools currently serve over 30,000 students across Georgia with another 7,000 students on waiting lists. These charter schools continue to achieve at high levels with regards to percentage of schools making AYP and graduation rates.  Charter schools encourage parents and families to take an active role in choosing the right learning environment to encourage success for our youth.

What’s on Tap for Next Week?

The Senate will continue debate on legislation on the reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration.

Sincerely,
Johnny Isakson