Update from U.S. Senator John Cornyn
Monday, March 30, 2009
In Washington, Congress continues to focus on President Obama’s proposed budget. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office released an alarming report indicating that the President’s budget will create deficits averaging nearly $1 trillion a year for the next decade, and it would double the national debt in five years and nearly triple it in 10 years.
Not only does this budget spend too much and tax our nation’s hard-working families and small businesses, it borrows far too much from future generations of Texans. I spoke on the Senate floor about the implications of this budget for students. Under the President’s budget, students who start college this year will see their share of the national debt grow from $19,000 per student to more than $36,000 per student after graduation from a four-year program. That is a tremendous burden to place on college graduates as they enter the workforce and begin their careers.
Despite my concerns with the Democrats’ budget and its reckless spending and misguided priorities, I was encouraged that my amendment to bring a little Texas sunshine to Washington unanimously passed the Budget Committee. My measure, based on the successful Texas model, which has led to the elimination of more than 50 agencies and saved Texans more than $700 million, lays the groundwork for the establishment of a Federal Sunset Commission to review federal programs. It will determine their efficiency, and make recommendations on whether they need reform or should be eliminated all together. This bipartisan commission is critical because it will shed light on unnecessary government spending and eliminate ineffective and unnecessary programs.
I was happy to get out of Washington and head back home to Texas this last weekend. Many of the best ideas and solutions I hear stem from the local level – from Texas men and women who are on the front lines dealing with our nation’s challenges every day. I am always encouraged after meeting with Texans, and renewed by what I’ve learned from them as I return to Washington.
Lastly, I wanted to remind you that this month is Red Cross Month. We Texans know firsthand the vital role the Red Cross plays in rebuilding lives and communities disrupted by natural disasters. Whether it’s donating blood or volunteering your time, I encourage everyone to give something back to this crucial organization. More information on what you can do to help is available on the Red Cross website.
For more information on these and other topics, go directly to my Web site. To view floor speeches, interviews and other video messages from me, please visit my YouTube Channel. 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.
Sincerely,
U.S. Senator John Cornyn
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Sen. John Cornyn, a member of the Senate Budget Committee, today participated in the committee’s markup of the fiscal year 2010 budget. Sen. Cornyn offered several amendments to improve the budget, two of which were aimed at significantly reducing the insurmountable amount of spending and consequential debt the budget would incur. These two amendments were ultimately defeated by Democrat members of the committee. ... [more]
Sunshine On A Cloudy Day: Senate Budget Committee Unanimously Passes Cornyn Measure To Establish Federal Sunset Commission - 03/26/2009
John Cornyn, R-Texas, a member of the Senate Budget Committee, today announced the Senate Budget Committee unanimously passed his amendment to the Fiscal Year 2010 budget that would establish a Federal Sunset Commission, based on the successful Texas model: "With Congressional Democrats poised to pass a budget that spends, taxes, and borrows at historically high levels, passage of my amendment to establish a Federal Sunset Commission is one bit of sunny news on an otherwise cloudy day. Since June 2007, I have been seeking the support of my colleagues in the Senate to establish this commission, based on the successful Texas model. This bipartisan commission would be tasked with reviewing federal programs, determining their efficiency, and making recommendations on whether they need reform or should be eliminated all together. Establishing a Federal Sunset Commission would send a loud and clear message to the American people that Congress is serious about reforming reckless Washington spending habits. As the Democrat-led Congress prepares to pass a budget that will bury future generations in debt, the Federal Sunset Commission is needed more than ever to shed sunlight on wasteful government spending." Sen. Cornyn first introduced the United States Authorization and Sunset Commission Act, S.1731, in June 2007... [more]
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Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, today sent a letter along with his Senate colleagues to Defense Secretary Robert Gates expressing serious concerns about the administration’s defense budget for fiscal year 2010 and beyond, which appears to considerably reduce overall defense spending. The administration’s plan could potentially require the cancellation or delay of numerous high-priority weapon systems and may indicate a decreased emphasis on national security as a priority. At a time when our nation is fighting the Global War on Terror on two major fronts overseas, Sen. Cornyn and his colleagues point to major expenses on the horizon for the Defense Department, including a substantial troop increase in Afghanistan and a withdrawal of combat forces from Iraq, and ask for an explanation of how these missions will be paid for since supplemental requests will apparently be significantly reduced. They also warn against embarking on a 1990s-style military "procurement holiday," which could leave our Armed Forces without the necessary tools and capabilities to defend our nation against the full range of potential threats... [more]
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Cornyn: CBO Report Confirms President's Budget Would Bury Future Generations In Insurmountable Debt - 03/20/2009
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Note: To read previous Texas Times weekly columns, click here. To receive it in your inbox each week, click here.
Texas Tuesday Coffees
Come By and Say Hello: If you travel to Washington for business or pleasure, please consider visiting my U.S. Senate office. Each Tuesday when the Senate is in session, I host an open house at 9:15 a.m. Please contact my office at 202-224-2934 and ask for the Texas Tuesday Coffee coordinator to let us know you’ll be coming and to get the best directions.
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