Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce

Dear Friends:

This week, the Senate passed the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act, a measure intended to stimulate job creation. The legislation included a payroll-tax holiday, small-business expensing, a modification of Build America Bonds, and an extension of the federal highway bill. I voted against this legislation because I did not believe the $16.7 billion increase in taxes to offset the legislation’s cost is worth the modest attempt to stimulate job creation.

In early February, Sen. Isakson and I joined six of our colleagues in sending Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada a letter urging him to take steps to improve immigration laws in order to help reduce U.S. unemployment. You can read the text of the letter here.

Additionally, the Senate passed the Travel Promotions Act. I voted in favor of this legislation because it helps stimulate the nation’s travel industry in a way that does not add to the deficit.

This week, President Barack Obama hosted a bipartisan health care summit to allow Democrats and Republicans to express their priorities for health care legislation. It is my hope that the president and Democrats will make a sincere effort to accept ideas offered by Republicans. However, holding a bipartisan health care summit meant to produce bipartisan compromise four days after the president’s health care plan is unveiled makes me less than confident.

The plan the president outlined is similar to the health care bill that passed the Senate on Christmas Eve. I still have the same concerns as before: the high cost to our children and grandchildren, the increases in taxes, the cuts to Medicare and the expanded role of the federal government in health care.

When the Senate begins debate on this legislation, I will keep your concerns and values in mind. Americans need greater access to health care, and every voice deserves to be heard when it comes to legislation of this magnitude.

Additionally, I am opposed to using reconciliation to pass health care legislation because the American people have very real concerns we should be addressing, not avoiding by appealing to a simple majority of senators.

This week, I co-hosted a panel discussion on the National Guard’s Youth ChalleNGe program, of which I am a big supporter. The Youth ChalleNGe was established by the National Guard in 1993 to help at-risk youth aged 16-18 who have dropped out or have been expelled from school. This program plays a guiding role in the lives of high-school dropouts by helping them improve their life skills, education levels and self-discipline necessary to succeed as adults.

Georgia is home to two National Guard Youth ChalleNGe programs, located at Ft. Stewart and Ft. Gordon, both of which have provided a strong support system for Georgia’s at-risk youth. Through military training, supervised work experience and education, these programs help students obtain a high-school diploma or equivalent, while also developing leadership skills and promoting fellowship and service to the community.

On Feb. 16, the administration announced it had approved the first loan guarantees for the construction and operation of two new nuclear reactors at Vogtle Electric Generating plant in Waynesboro, Ga.

This announcement represents a step in the right direction. As a long-time supporter of nuclear power, I believe it must be part of the equation to meet America's growing energy needs and reduce our dependence on foreign suppliers. The power generated by Vogtle is safe, reliable, emissions-free and environmentally responsible, and I am pleased the administration approved these loan guarantees to build additional nuclear units.

The next step will be for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to act on Southern Co.'s application for a license to build and operate the reactors, and that decision is expected in 2011 or 2012. If approved, it would be the first expansion of nuclear energy in the United States in almost three decades.

I was humbled this week to be recognized by the National Taxpayers Union for voting in a fiscally responsible manner.

The National Taxpayers Union is a nonpartisan group that presents the “Taxpayers’ Friend Award” to members of Congress who achieve an “A” grade for supporting legislation that reduces or controls federal spending, taxes, debt and regulation.

As the Senate moves forward on legislation to get our economy on track, I will continue to strongly advocate for measures that curtail deficit spending and reduce the tax burden on hard-working Americans.

NTU is a nonpartisan, nonprofit citizen group founded in 1969 to work for lower taxes, smaller government, and economic freedom at all levels.

Next week the Senate will begin consideration of HR 4213, Tax Extenders bill, which extends certain expiring provisions, including unemployment insurance and several tax credits and tax incentives.

Should you need assistance with a federal agency, you may contact my office toll free at 800-234-4208, or send an email by clicking the icon at the top of this page that says “e-mail me.” You can also send a letter to one of my office addresses listed at the very bottom of this newsletter.

Please let me know if I can be of assistance.

Very truly yours,

Senator Saxby Chambliss