Teens for sullivan 2006

February 23, 2007

Winning the War in Iraq

Last Friday, the House of Representatives voted on an ill-conceived and ill-timed resolution regarding the War in Iraq . This non-binding resolution contained a confusing message, which simply lent encouragement to the Iraqi insurgents, Iranian extremists and al-Qaeda terrorists seeking to undermine peace in the region and demoralized the brave men and women in uniform who are in Iraq doing good work for our nation's security. It is impossible, despite what the Democrat's have claimed, to both support the troops and not support their mission. Our brave troops in Iraq are rising to the challenge to secure Baghdad from a vicious enemy, risking their lives for their country and our national security. This resolution serves merely as an avenue for Democrats to be able to cut off funding for our troops in the future.

Despite my strong opposition to the resolution, it passed 246-182. Unfortunately, the only message the Democrats sent with this resolution, as we commit our forces to battle, is a message declaring the troops inevitable defeat. Failure in Iraq is not an option. If we do not win in Iraq , we leave it up to future generations to tackle the problems of Islamic terrorism in this unstable region. There is no short term solution in Iraq because it is not a short term problem.

Protecting Oklahomans Tax Dollars in Washington

I was recently awarded the "Taxpayers' Friend Award" by the National Taxpayers Union, a non-partisan group which educates taxpayers and elected officials on the merits of limited government and lower taxes. I was the only member of the Oklahoma House delegation to receive an "A" rating, which is a testament to my work in Washington as a steward to the American taxpayer. In Congress, I will continue to push my common-sense Oklahoma values of smaller government, maintaining fiscal responsibility and allowing you to keep more of your hard earned money in your pocket and out of the pockets of Washington bureaucrats.

Disaster Assistance for Tulsa County

This week, Tulsa County was approved to receive public assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) in the wake of last months debilitating ice storms. These funds will be provided to the State of Oklahoma and the City of Tulsa so that they may rebuild, repair and replace any public facility which was damaged or destroyed by the disaster. I have met with FEMA representatives both in Washington and on the ground in Oklahoma several times and have continued to work hard to assure that the federal government meets the needs of local communities.

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September 27, 2006

Protecting Minors from the Dangers of Abortions

Yesterday, the House passed S. 403, the Child Custody Protection Act. Far too often, sexual predators, older boyfriends and other parties will evade state laws by taking girls across state lines for an abortion, to a state which does not require them to have parental notification. This important legislation makes it a federal crime to transport a minor across state lines to obtain an abortion in another state in order to avoid a state law requiring parental involvement in a minor's abortion decision. A medical procedure of this magnitude, with such serious physical and psychological implications for the entire family, should involve the entire family. Young girls today are exposed to many forces, but the force that should have the most strength in their lives, both morally and legally, should be their parents. In order for a minor to get a tattoo or body piercing and even before a teacher can distribute sunscreen, they must acquire written parental consent. Shouldn't these same rules apply to an abortion, a serious medical procedure, with possibly life-threatening results for the woman?

Freedom to Express Religion in Public

In 1976, a statute was passed by Congress called the Civil Rights Attorney's Fees Awards Act. Under this Act, a citizen who feels that his or her Constitutional rights have been violated can sue the government and receive attorney's fees if they win - meaning the loser (the government, using your tax money) has to pay for the entire trial. Under these federal statutes, parties can threaten to file lawsuits claiming cities and towns have violated the Establishment Clause of the Constitution, including threatening litigation over Ten Commandments monuments, veteran's memorials, and other religious symbols. Many towns are settling out of court because of the financial burden that they would face, should they be found guilty. This week the House passed H.R. 2679, the Public Expression of Religion Act, which would remove the attorney's fees provision from Establishment Clause cases. By removing the threat of financial ruin that has compelled so many cities and towns across America to settle out of court, H.R. 2679 allows Americans to defend the symbols and expressions of our nation's rich religious heritage

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September 15, 2006

Making Federal Funding More Transparent

This week, the House of Representatives passed S. 2590, the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006. This bill was introduced by my fellow Oklahoman, Senator Tom Coburn, to help reign in out-of-control spending. This bill will create a website taxpayers can access to see detailed information on the federal funds organizations receive. The website will provide information, including the amount of federal funds received in each of the last 10 fiscal years, an itemized breakdown of each transaction and the recipient entity's location. As a fiscal conservative, I believe Congress must take every step to control spending and exercise fiscal restraint. By giving taxpayers access to this information, this bill will help eliminate waste by giving them the tools to gain insight on the spending projects of their elected officials.

House Approves 700 Miles of Border Fencing

Securing our nation's borders is vital for national security. This week, the House passed H.R. 6061, the Secure Fence Act. This legislation authorizes 700 miles of two-layered reinforced fencing to be built along the southwest border. It also instructs the Department of Homeland Security to develop a "virtual fence," using cameras, ground sensors, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, and integrated surveillance technology. This additional fencing is an important step to helping to curb illegal immigration and secure our nation's borders. So long as our borders remain porous, our citizens are threatened. Border security is national security and H.R. 6061 is a fundamental step to secure our homeland from illegal aliens and potential terrorists.

Commemorating the Fifth Anniversary of the Terrorist Attacks of September 11, 2001

Monday marked the fifth anniversary of the terrorist attacks in New York, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania. In honor of this occasion, the House of Representatives passed H. Res. 994, a resolution honoring the nearly 3,000 innocent people who were killed on September 11, 2001 and the heroic actions of first responders, law enforcement personnel, State and local officials, volunteers and others who added the victims of the attacks. It is important that we never forgot those who lost their lives that day, the first responders who aided, and the resolve that America has to continue to stop terrorists around the world.

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May 25, 2006

Immigration Continues to be the Number One Issue

Immigration continues to be a very important issue for many Americans and for those of us in Congress. Last Wednesday, I led a press conference, along with several Members of the House and members of the newly formed organization, "You Don't Speak For Me." We discussed our concerns about the Senate's immigration reform legislation, which includes amnesty for the 12 to 20 million illegal aliens in the U.S. We emphasized the need for enforcement of our border and interior immigration laws prior to any consideration of an amnesty or guestworker program. In addition, last Friday, I met with Julie Myers, the new Assistant Secretary for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, to discuss the need for an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) presence in Tulsa. I explained to Assistant Secretary Myers that an ICE presence, through the placement of an ICE Office of Investigations or ICE agents, will help reduce the delays in conducting illegal immigration apprehensions and investigations, and will help serve Oklahoma in enforcing our federal immigration laws. It is imperative that Congress pass comprehensive immigration enforcement legislation, which focuses on enforcing our border and interior immigration laws.

Repeal of Arcane Federal Telephone Tax

This week, the Department of Treasury announced that, effective immediately, the federal excise tax on long-distance telephone service will be repealed. When this tax was first created to help fund the Spanish-American war in 1898, only the wealthiest Americans had telephones and it was sold to the American people as a luxury tax. However, as of 2005, there are more telephones in America than people, causing this tax to become regressive. After years of being unfairly taxed, Americans will now see this tax removed from their phone bill and will be able to claim a refund in their 2006 federal income tax return for the past three years of taxes they have paid on their long distance calls. As a steward to the American taxpayer, I am pleased to see that Americans will be able to keep more of the money they make in their pockets, instead of paying an unnecessary tax.

House Passes ANWR

Despite the fact that the U.S. is currently the world's third largest supplier of oil, we still import about 62 percent of our crude oil. We must explore expanding our refining capacity, and obtaining oil from ANWR and the Outer Continental Shelf in the Gulf of Mexico. Had President Clinton not vetoed ANWR in 1996, we would be receiving roughly one million barrels of oil a day from there, which would cut gasoline prices by approximately 40 cents at the pump. This week, my colleagues in the House and I passed H.R. 5429, which will allow for ANWR to be opened up for oil exploration. The 1.5 million barrels of oil a day we could be obtaining from ANWR is a vital step in making America more energy independent. In addition, between 250,000 to one million new jobs will be created when this exploration and production is enacted.

May 11, 2006

Medicare Deadline Fast Approaching

The deadline to sign up without penalties for the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Program is May 15th. All seniors are eligible for coverage under Medicare Part D; however, because enrollment is voluntary, you must choose to enroll. You can sign up for the benefit in a variety of ways: by calling 1-800-MEDICARE to speak with a live representative 24 hours a day, by visiting http://www.Medicare.gov, or by contacting Life Senior Services in Tulsa at 918-664-9000. To help make the enrollment process easier, it is suggested that you have several items on hand once you're ready to sign up, specifically: a list of all your prescription drugs, including their names and doses, information about any current prescription drug coverage you may already be enrolled in, the name and address of the pharmacy you use to fill your prescriptions, the out-of-pocket amount you spend on your prescriptions each year, and your Medicare enrollment information, if you are already enrolled in Medicare. Again, the deadline for enrollment is May 15th. If you are interested in the program, it is important that you sign up prior to that date.

Paying Respect to America's Fallen Heroes in Uniform

Across the country, there have been reports of groups actively protesting at military funerals and services. Our servicemen and women, who have already given the ultimate sacrifice, deserve to be honored with dignity and their families given the chance to pay their respects in peace. This week my colleagues in the House and I passed H.R. 5037, the Respect for America's Fallen Heroes Act of 2006. This legislation establishes criminal penalties for those who choose to disrupt the burial of a fallen American service member and establishes time and space boundaries for those protesting funerals at national cemeteries. It is sad and frustrating that this legislation is even necessary, but these families and their soldiers deserve to have their respect and dignity protected during their time of loss.

Making America's Seaports Safer

Securing our nation's ports is vital to protecting Americans against terrorists, which is why last week I helped pass the SAFE Ports Act, H.R. 4954. This legislation will increase the security of our ports, through additional container screening systems and increased funding for port security technology. It improves cargo security in three main areas: before it leaves the overseas location, while cargo is being transported to the U.S., and at U.S. ports once containers have arrived. Through this legislation, nuclear and radiological detection systems will be set up at 22 U.S. ports, screening 98 percent of all incoming maritime containers. In addition, $400 million per year will be dedicated to the Port Security Grant Program, which will be used to increase security at ports. Potentially high-risk cargo being shipped to the U.S. will be sealed and even searched prior to it leaving foreign seaports. By carefully examining the cargo that enters our country and working with the international community, we can make sure that our ports are not used against us by terrorists wishing America harm.

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April 27, 2006

Letter to President Vicente Fox

Last week, I sent a letter to Mexican President Vicente Fox requesting that his government halt criticisms of the United States' immigration policies while Congress continues to debate immigration reform. As you know, the Mexican government is actively encouraging the U.S. to water down our immigration laws and policies, while their immigration policies are the least humane on the continent. The Mexican Constitution segregates immigrants and naturalized citizens from native-born citizens by denying them even the most basic of human rights. There have been reports that aliens entering Mexico from Central America are routinely robbed, beaten or raped by the Mexican police or the military. Some are even shot to death. Unlike the United States, Mexico classifies anyone caught illegally entering Mexico, including Americans, as criminals who are subject to deportation or two years in prison. Their laws are hypocritical compared to the policies that they are encouraging the U.S. to implement.

Iran Freedom Support Act

As the situation in Iran continues to draw global concern, my colleagues and I this week passed H.R. 282, the Iran Freedom Support Act. This legislation, of which I was an original cosponsor, states that U.S. sanctions on Iran should remain in effect until President Bush certifies that they have permanently dismantled their weapons of mass destruction program. It also authorizes the President to provide financial and political assistance to foreign and domestic groups who support democracy in Iran and are opposed to its hostile government. Iran must not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons. A nuclear Iran would be a major destabilizing force to the Middle East and the coalition's efforts to rebuild Iraq, and is a threat to the world.

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March 30, 2006

Advocating for Immigration Reform: I have been an advocate for immigration reform throughout my time in the U.S. House of Representatives. Recently, I signed a letter with my House colleagues to Senator Specter, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, expressing concerns with the immigration reform legislation that the Senate is currently debating. I encourage the Senate to ensure their legislation includes: an honest attempt to secure our nation's borders; prosecution of employers who lure illegal aliens into the U.S.; funding enforcement of our current laws first, before we look at developing a guestworker program; and not granting amnesty to those who are already in this country illegally. Border security is national security and it is vital that we strengthen our nation's borders so that the already 12 to 20 million immigrants who are here illegally do not continue to increase in numbers.

Increased College Access for Everyone: This week, my colleagues and I passed H.R. 609, the College Access and Opportunity Act of 2005. This legislation strengthens and improves the nation's higher education system by expanding college access for low and middle-income students. The amount of aid provided through Pell Grants will be increased for high-achieving students and for students attending school throughout the year, in order to encourage students toward degree completion. In addition, this bill will help ease roadblocks that non-traditional students face, including members and veterans of the Armed Forces. It allows for active members of the military to receive loan deferment, so that payments on their loans are not required and interest will not accrue during their service to our country. The financial aid process will also be simplified, expanding loan relief for nurses and educators and providing provisions to promote education and financial aid counseling so that students and their parents are aware of all the financial aid and education opportunities that are open to them. As the father of four, I understand the importance of giving children the opportunity to attend college.

Protecting Consumers Against Identity Theft: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) estimates that during a one-year period, nearly 10 million people has discovered that they were victims of identity theft, resulting in $48 billion in losses for businesses and $5 billion in losses to consumers. This week, the Energy and Commerce committee, of which I am a member, passed the Data Accountability and Trust Act, H.R. 4127. This legislation will take increased steps in stopping those who acquire and sell personal data. It allows the FTC to develop regulations and security procedures for data brokers (those who acquire and sell data to third parties) to help ensure the protection of personal information. The FTC would also be permitted to conduct audits for a period of five years after an information broker's security breach. Identity theft is one of the fastest growing consumer issues in the United States and I can assure you that I will do everything possible in Congress to make sure your personal records remain private.

This is official news from theWeb site of the United States House of Representatives

March 1, 2006

H.R. 4167 - National Uniformity for Food Act

Along with 225 of my colleagues, I am pleased to be a cosponsor of H.R. 4167, the National Uniformity for Food Act. This legislation creates a consistent system that helps integrate state and local government regulations into a nation-wide system of regulating food products and would also provide for uniformity in the warnings consumers see on products. Under the current system, food regulation is composed of a variety of different and sometimes inconsistent requirements. This legislation seeks to resolve those differences to achieve clear messages and uniform rules. By providing a mechanism for thorough review of existing state regulations, which may differ from federal regulations, the bill allows for a more consistent standard.

Honoring One of Oklahoma's Most Distinguished Veterans

I recently introduced legislation, H.R. 4744, to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic in Tulsa as the Ernest Childers Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic. Lieutenant Colonel Childers was the first Native American to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroic action in 1943 at the battle of Oliveto, Italy. He charged German machine gun nests against enemy gun fire and, although he suffered a broken foot in the assault, ordered covering fire and advanced up a hill, single-handedly killing two snipers, silencing two machine gun nests, and capturing an enemy mortar observer. His courageous action helped American troops win the battle and saved the lives of American soldiers. Lt. Col. Childers was also awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and the Oklahoma Distinguished Cross. He has been honored by the Tulsa Chapter of the Council of American Indians as "Oklahoma's Most Outstanding Indian" and the Ernest Childers Middle School was dedicated in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Along with the support of the entire Oklahoma delegation, I am humbled to introduce this legislation to honor his life and legacy.

Medicare Prescription Drug Program Statistics for Oklahoma

54,000 seniors in our district have joined the over 300,000 Oklahomans who are benefiting from the Medicare Prescription Drug program. That means 54 percent of those seniors who are already Medicare beneficiaries are currently enrolled in the new plan. However, anyone who is not signed up has until May 15th to do so. Although the new program has received many requests and some enrollees have experienced delays in signing up, CMS has assured me that new personnel have been added to help find the right plan for you. If you are interested in enrolling, or just to obtain more information on the program, please call 1-800-MEDICARE or log onto http://www.medicare.gov.

This is official news from theWeb site of the United States House of Representatives

February 13, 2006

President's FY2007 Funds Temporary Worker Program

Last Monday, the President released his budget for Fiscal Year 2007. His budget proposal reigns in federal spending and largely maintains or reduces federal funding. However, there are several new funding requests. I am particularly concerned about the call for funding of a Temporary Worker Program. My fear is that this program will create a type of amnesty for illegal aliens and will lead to an increased number of illegal aliens entering this country and our state. The budget proposal boosts funding for increased border security measures, such as new Border Patrol agents and detention beds, which I was pleased to see. I had hoped the proposal would reflect the dire need for such funds, but it fails to fully support important interior enforcement programs. It is important to remember that the President's budget is a proposal and that Congress is charged with allocating funding for programs. I look forward to working with my colleagues to provide a balanced budget that will fund responsible programs and rid other of waste, fraud and abuse.

U.S. Economy and Jobs

Congress is working to give the U.S. a balanced and fiscally responsible budget. With the lowest unemployment rate since July 2001 and 4.7 million jobs created in the past two years (more than Japan and the European Union combined), our nation's economy continues to be strong. Oklahoma currently maintains the lowest unemployment rate in the history of our great State. Congress must ensure that this growth is continued and work with the President to help maintain funding for the programs and policies which have encouraged this strong financial environment.

Deficit Reduction Signed Into Law

Recently, I joined my colleagues in the House of Representatives to pass H.R. 4241, the Deficit Reduction Act, which the President signed into law on February 8, 2006 This bill represents Congress's commitment to fiscal discipline and government solutions to meet all of America's needs. The legislation contains provisions which will help reduce the deficit, reform government programs, and help avoid saddling future generations with unmanageable debt. Through this bill, Medicaid will be strengthened by adopting many of the provisions offered by the bipartisan National Governors Association. Overall, this legislation will force government accountability of American's tax dollars and offer the first steps of much - needed reform. The Deficit Reduction Act is necessary to reform mandatory spending programs, ensuring that those programs continue to operate and serve our nation's truly needy.

This is news from the official Web site of the United States House of Representatives

November 17, 2005

Sullivan Secures Extension for Tax Incentives
Recently, the Ways and Means Committee approved H. R. 4297, the Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act, which includes provisions extending tax incentives that apply to over two-thirds of the land in Oklahoma. The tax provisions, originally set to expire on December 31, 2005, help create additional jobs, investment, and improve the quality of life across Oklahoma. The incentives include certain tax benefits to help spur economic activity on Indian land, such as a wage tax credit through which employers receive a 20 percent tax credit on the first $20,000 of wages and employee health insurance costs.

Businesses located on Indian land will also benefit from accelerated depreciation schedules for property that is primarily used to conduct business on the land. This allows businesses to recover the cost of their investments more quickly. Indian lands may face obstacles in attracting businesses and qualified workers. Extending these provisions is an important tool that will help businesses invest in Native American lands and aid the Native American population throughout Oklahoma.

Signup for New Medicare Prescription Drug Benefits Has Begun
In 2003, I helped lead the effort to provide America's seniors with a voluntary prescription drug benefit that would help reduce the cost of medication. On Tuesday, enrollment for the plan began, and seniors can now sign up for this important initiative. When Congress crafted this legislation, it was a priority to introduce competition to the process. As expected, competition has had the intended effect - it is driving down drug prices and premiums for seniors. The new prescription drug program offered by Medicare will help America's seniors afford the cost of vital medication. This benefit will help America's seniors stay healthy longer, and reduce the burden of financing the often-costly expense of prescription drugs. All seniors should seek information about the program, and sign up at their earliest opportunity.

Seniors who sign up by December 31, 2005, will obtain coverage beginning January 1, 2006. Those who sign up after December 31, 2005, will receive coverage one month after sign-up. May 15, 2006 is the last day to sign up for coverage. Seniors who do not sign up during this period will have to wait until November 15, 2006 to join and may pay a penalty. For more information, there are several resources that have information about plans or how to sign up, such as 1-800-MEDICARE, and www. medicare.gov.

Sullivan Seeks Settlement to Disputes over Animal Agricultural Waste
Yesterday, I participated in a Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials hearing on Superfund Laws and animal agriculture. The hearing addressed interstate agricultural waste and, in particular, the historical and current application of Superfund laws to poultry waste, which is of particular concern to the state of Oklahoma. Recent court cases have highlighted the concerns of environmental groups and some state and local entities about the agriculture sector's responsibilities under release and remediation laws contained in Superfund, or the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA).

While I have concerns about CERCLA litigation and the effect these lawsuits are having on the family farmer, few can state that excess poultry waste is not having a negative effect on Oklahoma's scenic waterways. These waterways are suffering from excess out of state poultry waste, and this waste is negatively impacting the quality of life of Oklahomans. Unfortunately, politics and political pressures have muddied the waters on all sides of this issue. We need to get back on track towards dialogue and all parties need to come together to set principles for taking care of Oklahoma's vital watershed and managing agricultural waste.

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September 23, 2005

Revitalizing Refining Capacity
This month, the House Energy and Commerce Committee held a hearing to discuss hurricane recovery efforts. At the hearing, I addressed the nation's oil refining capacity and the need to alleviate the current supply shortage of gasoline caused by Katrina. Nearly 50 percent of our nation's refining capacity is located in the region affected by Hurricane Katrina further underscoring the fact that our refining capacity is inadequate. A new refinery has not been built in over 30 years and the arrival of Hurricane Rita can only worsen this predicament.

To take a step toward long-term lower gasoline prices for consumers and ease Katrina's affect on production, I have contacted some officials in the energy industry and have talked with federal and state officials to begin the process of generating interest in a large scale, industry-wide refinery project for Oklahoma in Cushing. We must thoroughly assess our nation's refining capacity and continue to explore ways that we can spur construction and increase the capacity of new refineries in an effort to stabilize our energy supply.

Sullivan Urges Scrutiny and Financial Responsibility During Relief Efforts
My condolences and sympathies are with the victims of Hurricane Katrina who have been tragically uprooted from their communities, or have lost loved ones in the path of destruction. As we continue with the effort to provide for families and to rebuild, it is Congress' job to ensure that federal aid and taxpayer dollars are spent appropriately and are reaching the truly needy. I recently sent letters to the Office of Management and Budget and the House Appropriations Committee strongly urging spending offsets and fiscal accountability for future hurricane relief spending. I am also working towards strengthening oversight of the massive federal outlays that have been allocated. The daily lives of thousands of our citizens have been uprooted, entire towns have been demolished, and the economic health of our nation has been shaken. It is imperative that the Department of Homeland Security and other related agencies help these citizens to rebuild these towns, but in a manner that is financially responsible, ensuring every dollar is spent wisely and fairly in an effort to best help the victims of this tragedy. Throughout this time of disaster, it is important that we do not saddle future generations with unmanageable debt, but rather work together to exercise financial responsibility.

Sullivan Works to Stop Financial Abuses and Close The School Readiness Gap
H. R. 2123, the School Readiness Act of 2005, was recently agreed to in the House and awaits consideration in the Senate. This bill re authorizes the Head Start Act to improve the early childhood development of disadvantaged children by providing necessary tools and financial assistance to Head Start programs. H. R. 2123 will also enhance disclosure and transparency requiring all Head Start grantees to make available to the public an annual report detailing how money was spent. It is my hope that this bill will be a first step in helping Head Start participants to achieve the personal and educational growth needed at such a critical age in a child's development.

Note: Please do not respond to this email, as this is an unattended account. If you wish to unsubscribe from this newsletter, you may do so by clicking the "unsubscribe" link at the top of this page. If you wish to contact Congressman Sullivan regarding a specific issue, please visit our contact web page at http://sullivan.house.gov/contact.html

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August 5, 2005

Improved Public Safety and Job Creation in Transportation Bill
H. R. 3, the Transportation Equity Act, re authorizes funding for the Federal transportation surface program through the Fiscal Year 2009. Adequate transportation funds help to improve public safety, protect public health and the environment, and create job opportunities for all Americans. As we move through the funding process, it is important for Oklahoma to maximize our returns across the state. Highway and transit investments stimulate economic activity. They increase productivity by decreasing time spent on the road, encouraging new development, and increasing property values. For every $1 billion in federal highway and transit spending, 47,500 jobs are created or sustained.

Each year, more than 42,000 Americans are killed and 2.9 million are injured on the nation's highways. This bill creates a new core program for highway safety infrastructure improvements with its own dedicated funding stream. The bill also increases funding for National Highway Traffic Safety Administration highway safety formula grants to support a full range of state safety programs including impaired driving programs, occupant protection programs, motorcycle safety, police traffic services and roadway safety.

Sullivan Supports Historic Energy Bill
I recently helped craft an historic energy bill, H. R. 6, which was passed by the House. This landmark legislation marks the first time in 30 years that significant energy measures will become law. It will help our country become less dependent on foreign sources of oil and encourage innovative approaches to increase the exploration and production of domestic oil and natural gas. The U.S. currently imports more than half of the oil it consumes from other countries. The importance of our nation's energy security and stability cannot be understated. This comprehensive legislation will give American producers the tools they need to supplement current production levels.

Finally, America has a balanced and comprehensive energy plan for its future. The provisions contained in this bold plan will ensure that the United States has the infrastructure to meet our energy needs in the century ahead, reduce our dependence on foreign sources of oil making us safer here at home, and create thousands of jobs for American workers, many in Oklahoma.

House Passes China Trade Legislation
The U.S. Trade Rights Enforcement Act, which recently passed in the House with my full support, is responsible legislation that will strengthen our trade laws and help ensure a level playing field for American companies as we continue to engage in global commerce. Non-market economies like China are now on notice that the United States Congress will not sit idly by as they engage in unfair trading practices. China has demonstrated that they are willing to do anything to gain the upper hand when competing with American companies. We need only look to China's recent bids to acquire UNOCAL, IBM, and May Tag for evidence of their government's desire to capture American assets.

America will not be the marketplace for state-subsidized goods produced by cheap, communist labor. This legislation will prevent countries like China from cheating their way around trade obligations. I believe in American goods and in the American worker. So long as our companies have the ability to trade on a level playing field, we can compete with anyone.

Note: Please do not respond to this email, as this is an unattended account. If you wish to unsubscribe from this newsletter, you may do so by clicking the "unsubscribe" link at the top of this page. If you wish to contact Congressman Sullivan regarding a specific issue, please visit our contact web page at http://sullivan.house.gov/contact.html

This is news from the official Web site of the United States House of Representatives