Dear Friends,
This week, my colleagues in Congress have been busy voting on a number of important bills. However, some of these bills are hindering to our progress as a nation. Congress should be working on legislation that will reduce our deficit without sacrificing everything we have worked hard for.
Energy and Water
In particular, there were two significant bills I was against this week about the standards of water quality. The passage of the Clean Water Cooperative Federalism Act of 2011 means all water quality authority would be transferred from the EPA to the states. I voted against this bill because it is unacceptable that the EPA would be powerless to ensure nationwide water quality standards. I have repeatedly voted against this bill since it was presented before the Technology and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment. This bill not only undermines the EPA’s authority as a federal agency but will reverse any advancements we have made in public health so far. We need to thinking towards the future, not looking backwards.
The second piece of legislation was the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill for the 2012 fiscal year. This bill drastically cuts development for renewable energy, nuclear nonproliferation efforts, and High Speed Intercity Rail. Legislation that reduces funding for research and development for new technology only hurts our country from having a competitive edge. That’s why when discussing the bill, I supported a motion to allocate $7 million to protect the nation’s electricity grid from terrorist or hackers. Unfortunately, the republicans voted against allocating sufficient funds to defending our vulnerable electricity grid. Once again, the republicans are impeding necessary progress.
National Flood Insurance Program
Despite party lines, last week Congress really came together for an extremely important bill. The National Flood Insurance Reform Act was overwhelmingly supported by both sides of the aisle as well as the City of Dallas, the Obama Administration, environmental organizations, insurance organizations and taxpayer advocacy groups. It was imperative this bill pass because it allows for citizens, insurance companies and local government to more time when dealing with the extreme amount of flooding. For example, just one of the time extensions is allowing FEMA to suspend mandatory flood insurance requirements for areas behind decertified levees that are being improved, constructed or reconstructed. This is especially important to the 30th district because Dallas has been working diligently to improve many levees before FEMA finalizes their new maps designating flood hazard areas where flood insurance is mandatory.
We need to keep moving forward without conceding what we have already achieved. I believe we can produce effective legislation that will reduce the deficit while at the same time upholding America’s standards.
Sincerely your Congresswoman,
www.ebj2012.com
