December 2010 Archives

Reducing Corruption & Promoting Security along the U.S./Mexico Border

This week, a bill I introduced to prevent corruption among U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents was passed unanimously by the U.S. House. There is strong evidence to suggest that Mexican cartels are bribing and intimidating law enforcement officials. My Anti-Border Corruption Act (H.R. 6472/S. 3243) mandates the use of polygraph exams for all CBP applicants and periodic retesting for current employees to identify applicants and agents who pose a greater threat of corruption and to avoid expensive comprehensive background checks for these individuals. My bill will now go to the President to be signed into law.

Mexican drug cartels are the driving force behind the explosion of violence in both Mexico and the southwest United States. If we are going to ensure border security and safety, we absolutely must have a strong and reliable Border Patrol force. The vast majority of border patrol agents are brave and honorable men and women. However, the corruption of even a few of these individuals could put lives in danger and greatly undermine our efforts to fight the cartels and stop the smuggling of drugs, weapons, and people across our border.

Supporting Small Farmers and Consumers

This week, I voted in support of the Food Safety Modernization Act, S. 510, which passed the House with bipartisan support. The most sweeping overhaul of our food safety system in 70 years, the bill received support from many small farmers and sustainable agriculture proponents once an amendment offered by Senators Tester and Hagan was included. The amendment specifically exempts from new regulations small farmers who earn $500,000 or less in annual sales and sell the majority of their food directly to consumers or retailers within a 275-mile radius or within the same state.

My support for this bill hinged on inclusion of the Hagan-Tester amendment which will protect many of Western North Carolina's small farmers from undue burdens and allow them to compete successfully. This legislation is an effective way to enact food safety reform while protecting the small farmers that are so vital to Western North Carolina.

Bringing Performance-Based Funding to Congress

As Administrative Co-Chair for the Blue Dog Coalition, I was proud to see the House pass H.R. 2142, the Government Performance and Results Modernization Act of 2010, which will bring increased accountability and transparency to the government by implementing a results-oriented approach like that which has improved efficiency of many state programs around the country. This bill, a major component of the Blue Dog Blueprint for Fiscal Reform, will enable Congress to invest in programs with proven effectiveness and stop funding those that are not effective. This is a common-sense way to help get our government's finances back on track.

Washington, D.C.-Yesterday, Congressman Heath Shuler (D-Waynesville) voted in support of the Food Safety Modernization Act, S. 510, which passed the House with bipartisan support. The bill received support from many small farmers and sustainable agriculture proponents, including the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, once an amendment offered by Senators Tester and Hagan was included. The Tester-Hagan amendment specifically exempts from new regulations small farmers who earn $500,000 or less in annual sales and sell the majority of their food directly to consumers or retailers within a 275-mile radius or within the same state.

"My support for this bill hinged on inclusion of the Hagan-Tester amendment which will protect many of Western North Carolina's small farmers from undue burdens and allow them to compete successfully," said Rep. Shuler. "This legislation is an effective way to enact food safety reform while protecting the small farmers that are so vital to Western North Carolina."

The most sweeping overhaul of our food safety system in 70 years, S. 510 gives the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expanded inspection and recall authority, improves traceability, and ensures all foreign food imports meet all U.S. food safety requirements. These regulations will better enable the FDA to prevent and address largely preventable food-borne illness outbreaks which kill 3,000 Americans and sicken 48 million every year.

In 2009, Rep. Shuler voted against H.R. 2749, food safety legislation similar to S.510, because it did not include adequate protections for small farmers. S.510, on the other hand, makes a clear distinction between large-scale agribusiness operations and small farmers selling directly to local consumers, restaurants, and retailers. The Food Safety Modernization Act was previously passed by the Senate and will now go to the President to be signed into law.

Last week was a busy one as the House rushed to get work done before the end of the year. With so much attention around the Dream Act, Don't Ask, Don't Tell and a Continuing Resolution to keep the government running, I wanted to share with you some important bills that may not have garnered as much attention.

Supporting our Veterans

Last week, the House passed the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act with overwhelming, bipartisan support. I was proud to support this legislation which strengthens the Post-9/11 GI Bill, making it easier for veterans take advantage of benefits, helping them transition into the civilian workforce, and extending distance education opportunities to members of the National Guard and veterans.

Providing those who serve our country with an education is an investment in the future of our nation.

Helping U.S. Manufacturers & Creating Jobs

Last week, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 6517, the Omnibus Trade Act of 2010, to lift import duties on raw materials and other manufacturing components that are not produced or available in the U.S. This tariff reduction means U.S. manufacturers will see lower production costs that they can pass on to consumers. It also means that U.S. products sold abroad can be priced more competitively.

H.R. 6517 was supported by the National Association of Manufacturers, the Chamber of Commerce, and important textile associations AMTAC and NCTO. Clayton Yeutter, a former U.S. Trade Representative and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, said that this bill is “the 'low-lying fruit' of job creation” and “a boon to U.S. manufacturing.”

Protecting our Troops & Our Nation

The Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 was passed by the House last week. This legislation authorizes increases in hostile fire and imminent danger pay, an extension of TRICARE coverage for dependents up to age 26, and funds to strengthen our counterterrorism efforts.

The $725 billion defense bill improves our military capability while providing additional protection for U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. The brave men and women who serve our country put their lives on the line for us, and it is our national responsibility to support them on and off the battlefield.

Washington, D.C.—Today, a bill introduced by Congressman Heath Shuler (D-Waynesville) to prevent corruption among U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents was passed unanimously by the U.S. House. The Anti-Border Corruption Act (H.R. 6472/S. 3243) previously passed the Senate and will now go to the President to be signed into law.

The Department of Justice has identified Mexican drug cartels the most dangerous organized crime threat facing our nation. Growing violence at the border has forced both the American and Mexican governments to increase security forces. In August of this year, Congress appropriated $600 million in emergency spending to hire 1,000 new Border Patrol agents. However, there is strong evidence to suggest that Mexican cartels are meeting this increase in security presence with a surge in bribery and intimidation of law enforcement officials. In 2009, 129 officials were arrested on corruption charges.

"Mexican drug cartels are the driving force behind the explosion of violence in both Mexico and the southwest United States," said Rep. Shuler. "If we are going to ensure border security and safety, we absolutely must have a strong and reliable Border Patrol force. The vast majority of border patrol agents are brave and honorable men and women who work tirelessly to protect our country. However, the corruption of even a few of these individuals could put lives in danger and greatly undermine our efforts to fight the cartels and stop the smuggling of drugs, weapons, and people across our border."

Congressman Shuler's Anti-Border Corruption Act mandates the use of polygraph exams for all CBP applicants and periodic retesting for current employees. Polygraph testing is shown to be highly effective at weeding-out unfit applicants who pose a greater threat of corruption while also avoiding expensive comprehensive background checks for these individuals. Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano wrote recently, "rigorous initial investigations and regular, periodic reinvestigations are essential tools to combat corruption."

Elected to Steering & Policy Committee

I was proud to be elected by Democratic Members of Congress from North Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, and South Carolina to represent them as one of 12 regional representatives on the Steering & Policy Committee which will formulate and promote strategies for success in the 112th Congress.

Our government needs strong leadership to steer it back on course. I am honored that my colleagues have faith in my ability to steer us in a positive direction. I look forward to serving as a strong, moderate voice on this committee.

Voted to Extend Tax Cuts for American Families

Last week, I voted in favor of the Middle Class Tax Relief Act of 2010 which would permanently extend the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts for ALL taxpayers for their first $250,000 of income.

Extension of the tax cuts will result in a savings of roughly $1,000 per year for the typical middle-class family. This tax relief provides long-needed certainty for families and small businesses. The bill passed the U.S. House with bipartisan support.

Introduced Bill to Reduce Corruption & Promote Security along the U.S./Mexico Border

I introduced a bill to the U.S. House last week to crack down on and eliminate corruption in U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents along the American southwest border. As Mexican drug cartels continue to target and bribe federal employees and attempt to plant informants in the CBP, the numbers of officials being arrested on corruption charges is rising with 129 arrests made in 2009.

If we are going to ensure border security and safety, we must have a strong and reliable Border Patrol force. My bill authorizes a portion of emergency funds already allocated by Congress to be spent on polygraph tests for all applicants for CBP law enforcement positions and to retest current employees every five years.

Polygraphs investigate the behavior and ethics of applicants and employees. My bill is the sister bill to S. 3243 which was introduced into the Senate by Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Arkansas) and passed the Senate under Unanimous Consent.

Supported Legislation Ensuring Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids

I was proud to vote for the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, a bipartisan bill which will supply more healthy meals to needy children, improve the quality of school lunches and other meals, and increase the federal reimbursement rate for school lunches for the first time in over 30 years.

The 2010 Hunger Study released by Manna Food Bank in Asheville found that 106,600 people in Western North Carolina seek food assistance in a single year from emergency food programs, including 33,000 children. The Healthy, Huger-Free Kids Act will address childhood hunger and nutrition to help make sure kids around the country are getting proper nutrition to cut down on childhood obesity, be healthy, and get what they need to grow and learn.

Washington, D.C.—Late yesterday, Congressman Heath Shuler (D-Waynesville) introduced a bill to the U.S. House of Representatives which will crack down on and eliminate corruption in U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents along the American southwest border.

As Mexican drug cartels continue to target and bribe federal employees and attempt to plant informants in the CBP along the border, the numbers of officials being arrested on corruption charges is rising with 129 arrests made in 2009.

The bill introduced by Rep. Shuler authorizes a portion of emergency funds already allocated by Congress to be spent on polygraph tests for all applicants for CBP law enforcement positions and to retest current employees every five years. Polygraphs investigate the behavior and ethics of applicants and employees. Already, these tests have proven extremely successful in weeding out applicants who later fail more detailed and costly background checks.

While the Department of Homeland Security has already been directed by Congress to give polygraph examinations to all applicants for CBP law enforcement positions and to periodically retest law enforcement employees, insufficient funds and a drastic increase of new hires over the past 18 months, has resulted in fewer than 15% of applicants actually undergoing polygraph exams. The backlog for periodic reexamination of employees is estimated at 19,000.

“Mexican drug cartels are the driving force behind the explosion of violence in both Mexico and the southwest United States,” said Rep. Shuler. “If we are going to ensure border security and safety, we absolutely must have a strong and reliable Border Patrol force. It's unacceptable that corrupt border patrol officials are undermining our efforts and allowing cartels to violently smuggle drugs, weapons, and people across the border into the United States.”

Shuler's bill is the sister bill to S. 3243 which was introduced into the Senate by Senator Mark Pryor (D-Arkansas). S. 3243 passed through the Senate Committee on Homeland Security with unanimous bipartisan support, and later passed the Senate under Unanimous Consent.

Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano wrote recently, “Rigorous initial investigations and regular, periodic reinvestigations are essential tools to combat corruption.”

###

The Times-News, Nov. 30, 2011

Click here for the original article.

U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler, D-Waynesville, was elected today by Democratic members of Congress from North Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana and South Carolina to represent them on the Steering & Policy Committee.

The Steering & Policy Committee, which is designed to formulate and promote strategies for success in the 112th Congress, is comprised of 12 regional representatives and 24 regional whips.

Shuler's office in Washington said in a news release that, as a regional representative, the congressman will be in a prime position to advocate for the middle class, small business owners and strong American companies. The focus of the committee will be to create jobs and improve the economy over the next two years.

"Our government needs strong leadership to steer it back on course," Shuler said in a statement. “I am honored that my colleagues from North Carolina, as well as from other neighboring states, have faith in my ability to steer us in a positive direction for North Carolina, for the South and for the country. I look forward to serving as a strong, moderate voice on this committee."

Congressman Larry Kissell, D-N.C., who was elected to serve as a regional whip, said in a statement, "Heath has proven himself to be a leader in this Congress, and he will do a great job in this position. He represents millions of moderate Democrats in our party, and his voice is needed in leadership."