Dear Friends,
I want to wish everyone a joyous holiday season! Here’s the latest from Washington, D.C., and the Fourth District.
TAX CUTS, UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE & JOBS: I’m fighting to extend tax cuts for middle-and-lower-income Americans and small businesses. I’m fighting to extend unemployment insurance to millions of Americans who lost their job through no fault of their own.
Meanwhile, Republicans in Congress are fighting for their one cherished cause: tax cuts for America’s top earners.
The compromise President Obama worked out with Republican leaders also has funding for critical programs such as tax cuts for working Americans and unemployment insurance. Included in the package are earned income credits for low-income earners, payroll tax savings, investments in small businesses and tax credits for parents who have children in college. At the insistence of Republican negotiators, it also includes tax cuts for wealthy Americans, which I oppose.
It is unclear what tax package House leaders will bring to the floor for a vote next week. This bill is still a work in progress, but I can assure you I will be focused on the needs of working families and the unemployed when I cast my vote.
I’d like to hear your thoughts on this measure. Please send me your thoughts and concerns here. For more on the bill, click here.
Photo above: Hank presents his speech "Antitrust law for the 21st Century" before the State Bar of Georgia on Dec. 3, 2010.
LILBURN HONORED: Congratulations to Lilburn! My resolution honoring Lilburn’s centennial birthday – H. Res. 1642 – unanimously passed the U.S. House of Representatives this week. For more, click here.
FIGHTING FOR THE UNEMPLOYED: In my last e-letter, I told you I’ve asked the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission (EEOC) to investigate discrimination against the unemployed after I learned that some job listings explicitly exclude unemployed applicants.
I’m also exploring legislative options to protect the unemployed from discrimination. Right now, I’m looking at a Connecticut law, a proposed New Jersey law, and possible protections for the unemployed under the Civil Rights Act. Stay tuned. The AJC, NPR and CBS have covered this story. To read the stories or for more on the letter, click here.
HEALTHY, HUNGER-FREE KIDS: Last week, I voted for the Healthy, Hunger-free Kids Act of 2010, which aims to reduce two growing problems in the United States – childhood hunger and childhood obesity. Georgia has the second highest prevalence of obese 10-to-17 year olds in the nation. This law will expand access to nutritious food for children in our community. For more, click here.
DREAM ACT: I voted this week for the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM Act), which would give undocumented students who grow up in the United States a path to citizenship by serving in the U.S. Armed Forces or graduating from college. The landmark reform legislation was attached to my Removal Clarification Act, which also passed the House. This is not amnesty – it’s humane reform that encourages dedication to education, self-improvement, family and military service. For more, click here.
SUPPORTING SENIORS: Unfortunately, The Seniors Protection Act that would have provided Social Security beneficiaries — seniors, the disabled, widows, veterans, and children — with a one-time payment of $250 in lieu of a cost-of-living increase this year was defeated this week. I’ve voted to protect our seniors before, and I will again as we move into the new 112th Congress.
PATIENTS FIRST: This week, I voted to protect patients by preventing a 25 percent cut in Medicare and Medicaid payments to doctors. It will ensure that seniors and military families have the peace of mind they deserve to continue seeing the doctors that they know and trust. For more, click here.
DR. KING SUPER-INTENDENT: Congratulations to Dr. Samuel King of the Rockdale School System for being named 2011 Superintendent of the Year in Georgia. Dr. King, we’re all very proud, and know you’re highly deserving of this honor. Congrats! For more, click here.
HOLIDAY SAFETY TIPS: With all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it’s easy to let little things slip through the cracks. You forget to blow out a candle before heading to the Christmas pageant. You overload an outlet with too many holiday lights. Use these tips from the Federal Citizen Information Center to help you avoid some of the most common holiday accidents. For more, click here.
DISASTER LOANS IN GEORGIA: The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced this week that federal economic injury disaster loans are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private non-profit organizations of all sizes located in the entire state of Georgia because of drought and excessive heat that began July 1, 2010. For more, call 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the hearing-impaired) or visit the SBA online.
ROCKDALE TREES: Congratulations to Rockdale County, which is planting nearly 100 trees – mostly around schools – thanks to funds from the Recovery and Reinvestment Act we passed in 2009. For more, click here.
In this season, more than ever, keep our military personnel overseas and our first-responders here at home and their families in your hearts and prayers. They give their all for us and we must never forget their sacrifice.
Happy Holidays and a Wonderful New Year to you and yours!
Thanks,
 | December 10, 2010 
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About This E-Newsletter
This is an informational e-mail sent to residents of Georgia's Fourth Congressional District. If you would prefer not to receive future mailings, please click the Unsubscribe link at the bottom of this page. This mailing was prepared and sent at taxpayer expense.
My Staff Arthur D. Sidney, Chief of Staff
Kathy Register, District Director
District
Shy Armstrong
Peter Butts
Katie Dailey
Betty Dixon
Eric C. Hubbard
Ray Khalfani
Andy Phelan
Carole Mumford
Dori Scales
Paulette Suggs Washington, D.C.
Scott Goldstein
Jocelyn Griffin
Jonathan Ossoff
Mark Perkins
Ebony Simpson
Oliver Spurgeon, III
Elisabeth Stein
Sascha Thompson
Marybeth Williams |
