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.
