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2008 End-of-Year Update from U.S. Senator John Cornyn

Friday, December 19, 2008

Dear Friend,

As 2008 and the 110th Session of Congress draw to an end, I’d like to take a moment to reflect and share some important accomplishments as well as missed opportunities that I would like to tackle in 2009.

As the son of a World War II veteran, one of my proudest accomplishments was sponsoring and passing legislation to significantly improve housing benefits for America’s veterans. Many provisions in my bill, the Veterans’ Housing Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007, were signed into law in July and corrected an existing disparity in the treatment of veterans. The new law ensures wounded troops and veterans who have suffered severe burns and other traumatic injuries will receive the same housing benefits as other disabled veterans. I also worked hard to improve care for an increasing number of veterans who are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and other “invisible wounds of war.”  It’s essential that we support research so we can better understand and treat these mental health conditions, and I will continue to work on this priority in the new Congress.

For many Texans, 2008 will unfortunately be remembered by the storms that devastated many areas of the state. While many are still waiting for housing, employment, and other types of assistance, I am proud to have worked with the federal government and members of the Texas delegation to secure billions of dollars in federal assistance to help Texans begin to rebuild. I was also able to help several community health clinics in Texas obtain critical federal funds so they can continue to serve Texas’ uninsured and underinsured populations. However, more work remains, and I will continue to be Texas hurricane victims’ strongest advocate on the federal level, ensuring we receive our fair share of federal assistance where it is needed.

As the national economy began its descent this year, I was thankful Congress could agree on and pass a new Farm Bill to support the Texas agriculture industry, which is the engine that drives much of our state’s rural economy and is responsible for one out of every seven Texas jobs. The new Farm Bill will protect Texas agriculture, including family farms, strengthen key nutrition programs, and fight childhood obesity.

While these are accomplishments that Congress can be proud of, unfortunately there were many areas where partisanship stood in the way of passing important legislation. From energy prices and military voting to earmark reform and how to stabilize the economy, there were a number of times when party-line politics and special interests took importance over the goodwill of the American people. 

As energy prices steadily began to rise in the early months of 2008 and into the summer, Congress remained gridlocked over how to move forward and provide relief to the pain being felt at the pump. An overwhelming number of Texans and Americans expressed their support of increased domestic energy production, and I echoed their call in the halls of Congress—pushing for less regulation and more drilling here at home. But Democrat leaders refused to listen to these calls, and our repeated efforts to pass comprehensive energy legislation were blocked.  While we may be experiencing a reprieve from high gas prices at the moment, Congress has an obligation to address our nation’s energy challenges and pass broad, meaningful energy legislation to ensure our future security. I pledge to do all I can to keep energy reform at the forefront of the debate in Congress until a real solution is reached.

Another issue that resulted in more division than resolution this year was the national economy. While some immediate and sweeping steps were required to protect families and businesses on Main Street USA, there was heated disagreement about where the buck should stop. For my part, I believe we must start with boosting transparency and accountability, rather than continuing to write billion-dollar checks to every industry that comes knocking. We also need to keep taxes low and implement pro-growth policies that will create more jobs right here at home. 

Also at the top of my list: comprehensive immigration reform. The consequences of continued inaction are too great.  Other issues on the horizon include health care and education reform, taking care of our troops and veterans, protecting our nation and allies from terrorism, and ensuring Texans fully recover from the storms this season, including Hurricanes Ike and Dolly.

While there have been many changes in Washington over the past year and many more yet to come in the early days of 2009, my priorities remain the same. I am here to represent the great state of Texas and its people to the best of my ability. I look forward to continuing to do just that in 2009.

I wish you and your family a joyous holiday season and all the best for the coming year.

For more information on these and other topics, go directly to my Web site. To receive additional updates, please select the issues that interest you listed on the right. It’s an honor to serve you in the United States Senate.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, 

U.S. Senator John Cornyn

More News

Sen. Cornyn Lauds Valley Leaders For Proactive Economic Growth Efforts - 12/16/2008
Sen. John Cornyn today visited Mission to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Workforce Solutions’ newest facility, the Hidalgo County Workforce Solutions Center. Sen. Cornyn was joined by Hidalgo County Judge J.D. Salinas, Mission Mayor Norberto Salinas, and Workforce Solutions Board Chairman Sam Vale. Later in the day, Sen... [more]

Sens. Cornyn, Hutchison Urge HUD Secretary To Distribute Remaining Ike & Dolly Funding Expeditiously - 12/16/2008
Sens. John Cornyn and Kay Bailey Hutchison announced today they have sent a letter to Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Steve Preston urging him to quickly allocate the remaining Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to further help Texans recover from this year’s storms. This letter comes on the heels of learning that HUD is considering allowing the next administration to allocate the remaining CDBG funds. --The text of Sens. Cornyn and Hutchison’s letter is below-- The Honorable Steve Preston Secretary U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development 451 7th Street, S.W... [more]

Sen. Cornyn: Recent Security Lapses Underline Need To Address Comprehensive Immigration Reform In 111th Congress - 12/05/2008
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Sen. Cornyn Welcomes President-Elect's Commitment To Cut Wasteful Spending - 11/25/2008
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, a member of the Senate Budget Committee, made the following statement regarding President-elect Barack Obama's promise today to cut wasteful government programs and his announcement that Congressional Budget Office Director Peter Orszag would join his Administration's economic team as Director of the Office of Management and Budget. "I welcome the President-elect's commitment to reform the federal budget process and rein in wasteful government spending. For my part, I look forward to working with President-elect Obama and Democratic leaders in Congress on quickly identifying and eliminating inefficient, ineffective and outdated federal programs. "Families across Texas, and across the country, are forced to make tough decisions with their own budgets every day, particularly in the current economic climate. It should be no different for the federal government... [more]

Sens. Cornyn, Hutchison & Local Leaders Meet With FEMA Chief To Press For Immediate Action On Temporary Housing For Ike Victims - 11/07/2008
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, today joined Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison in hosting a meeting on Hurricane Ike recovery efforts with FEMA Administrator David Paulison and County Judges and Mayors from the region, including Orange, Chambers, Jefferson and Galveston counties. Sens. Cornyn and Hutchison, along with Reps. Kevin Brady (R-TX), Ron Paul (R-TX), and Ted Poe (R-TX), sent a letter to Paulison on October 29 requesting the meeting to discuss short-term housing issues that remain unaddressed in the region... [more

Texas Times Weekly Column

The Spark of Invention: The dream of inventing fascinates many Americans, and Texans have contributed greatly to America’s renowned tradition of invention. Over the years, Texans have put their stamp on the world through products ranging from condensed milk to electric typewriters to cutting edge computer and medical components, even cheerleader pompons. It began early in our history with Gail Borden, Jr., newspaper publisher and public official in the Republic of Texas, who invented condensed milk and started the famous dairy company that still bears his name. A key inventor in the development of the Texas energy industry was Houston’s Howard Hughes – not the aviator or film producer, but his father. Howard Sr. designed an oil drilling bit that cut through hard rock 10 times faster than any other...

Note: To read previous Texas Times weekly columns, click here. To receive it in your inbox each week, click here.

Texas Tuesday Coffees

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