23 Mar 2012

What are your thoughts on KXL?

By Rep. Bobby Schilling

Dear Friend,

If you're anything like me, you've been unhappy lately about the prices you're paying at the pump.  Last week I put $100 worth of gas in my car, and it didn't even fill up the tank!

Today, the average price in Illinois for a gallon of mid-grade gas is $4.29.  This is about 63 cents higher than Illinoisans paid at the pump just a month ago, and around 30 cents higher than the current national average.  Worse yet is that some analysts are predicting that we'll hit a national average of $4.25 by late April.  I don't want to see what that national average will mean for gas prices at home in Illinois.

Despite what some folks say, there is action we can take immediately to help lower energy costs, create jobs, and help grow the economy.  I have voted for and the House has passed several bipartisan bills that will help lower energy costs, create jobs, and help grow our economy.  Unfortunately, these bills are among the more than 25 House-passed jobs bills currently held up in the Senate.

Along with many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, I also support construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, which would create jobs and help lower energy costs without adding to our debt.  The Keystone XL project has the support of both Democrats and Republicans, of both business and labor, and would help reduce our dependency on unstable foreign energy sources.  With so many families struggling to get by in this difficult economic climate, we cannot afford to sit by and watch as gas prices continue to soar.

I want to hear your thoughts on action we can take to lessen the pain at the pump.  Please take a few moments, visit my website, and share with me your views on the Keystone XL pipeline project.  Remember that you can always send me a more detailed message with your thoughts or questions on energy policy or any other topic by clicking here.

Getting our nation's financial house in order and further stabilizing our economy is also an important step toward getting Americans back to work.  This week, the House Budget Committee is unveiling its Fiscal Year 2013 budget proposal.

The debate about federal spending in FY 2013 isn't only about spending and taxes.  But because 21% percent of our annual federal budget is spent on health insurance programs, this debate is also about who will control our health care.

In passing the President's health care reform law in 2010, the last Congress raided more than $500 million from Medicare to pay for an "Independent Payment Advisory Board" - an unaccountable, unelected board of bureaucrats who will decide what care and how much care Medicare patients may receive.

I firmly disagree with this approach.  Medicare is a lifeline to American seniors.  Nothing is as important to our seniors as having guaranteed health care coverage.  Now, with 10,000 baby boomers reaching retirement age every day and doctors already limiting the number of Medicare patients they see, we need to improve health care for both today's and tomorrow's retirees.

There has been a lot of money spent by outside political groups to perpetuate the falsehood that I somehow support ending Medicare.  In fact, the Pulitzer prize-winning publication Politifact determined this to be the "Lie of the Year."

In reality, with our FY 2012 budget proposal last year, the House actually passed a plan that would make no changes to Medicare for those aged 55 and older, but would improve and strengthen Medicare so it lasts for future generations.  Medicare is currently estimated to run out of money in less than 10 years if we don't take action to save it for our kids and grandkids.

While rooting out billions of dollars in waste, fraud, and abuse, under our plan the wealthier and healthier would receive less support, and lower-income and sicker individuals would receive more.  Our plan lets individuals choose a personalized, guaranteed health care plan that best fits their needs.  Ultimately, our plan results in a stronger and more secure health care system for future generations, so stay tuned as we continue working to guarantee health care for today's and tomorrow's retirees.

My office sends out a regular e-newsletter to folks in your community allowing us to stay in touch about my work in our nation's capital and in your hometown.  I hope you will subscribe, and stay up to date on what's happening behind the headlines on gas prices, Medicare, and more.  Just visit my website and sign up! I also encourage you to visit my Facebook or Twitter pages for other ways to stay up to date with what I'm doing.

It is an honor to serve you.  Don't hesitate to reach out if I can ever be of assistance.  If you find yourself struggling to make sense of federal agencies or having an issue with Medicare, the Department of Veterans Affairs, your passport or any federal agency, please don't hesitate to reach out to me and my staff at (309) 757-7630.  Constituent casework is the most important part of my job, and we will continue to work tirelessly to help.

Sincerely,
Bobby Schilling
Member of Congress

23 Mar 2012

Illinois Airman Earns Guard Bureau's Noncommissoned Officer of the Year

By Sgt. Charles Helmholt

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE , IL (03/21/2012)(readMedia)-- There may not be one perfect Guardsman in the United States, but there is one Illinois Guardsman who was recognized as the best noncommissioned officer (NCO) in the country by the National Guard Bureau.

Illinois Air National Guardsman Tech. Sgt. Jacob Curtis of Fairview Heights, with the 126th Security Forces Squadron at Scott Air Force Base was recently named the 2011 NCO of the Year for the entire National Guard.

Curtis discovered he won this award March 16 with a direct phone call from Maj . Gen. Willaim L. Enyart of Belleville, the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard, who congratulated him on his nationally recognized award.

"It was so surreal at first," said Curtis. "It felt like my head was floating."

He won the highest national achievement the National Guard has to offer and now is in the running to be one of 12 Air Force-wide Outstanding Airmen of the Year.

Curtis won the NCO of the Quarter, third quarter 2011, Squadron NCO of the Year in 2008 and 2011, Mission Support Group NCO of the Year 2011, 126th Wing NCO of the Year 2011, and finally NCO of the year for the Air National Guard 2011.

"Technical Sgt. Jacob Curtis is a gifted and giving professional and is most deserving of this crowning achievement," said Col. Peter Nezamis of Belleville, commander of the 126th Air Refueling Wing at Scott Air Force Base. "Technical Sgt. Curtis and his family have endured long and painful separations countless times in support of overseas operations. I couldn't be more pleased with the honor of having Tech. Sgt. Curtis and his family represent the 126th Air Refueling Wing as an Air National Guard Outstanding Noncommissioned Officer of the Year."

Curtis is the noncommissioned officer in charge (NCOIC) of the plans section for the Illinois Air National Guard's 126th Security Forces Squadron. He is also the information security officer and client support administrator, all while performing his primary job as a security forces officer.

"He is a go-getter," said Tech. Sgt. Salvador Silva of Belleville, the 126th Security Forces' acting first sergeant. "He wants to be a part of everything and always wants more responsibility; this shows in his job here, and with his level of education."

Curtis grew up a military child. His father James retired as a lieutenant colonel at Scott AFB and has called southern Illinois home since he was 15. He attended high school in O'Fallon.

Staff Sgt. Steven J. Ask of Shiloh, NCOIC of combat arms for the 126th has known Curtis since high school, and now serves in the same unit with him.

"I've really gotten to know him since joining the unit," said Ask. "He is one of the first people I call if I need something here, and one of the few people I feel I can talk to about anything. His work ethic is above and beyond most other peoples. He completely looks after others, his troops, his friends, even if he didn't know the person he would look out for them."

Perhaps this quality might best be justified from an event that took place on Curtis' recent deployment to Afghanistan.

While serving as the battle NCO at the Joint Defense Operations Center at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, a nearby building was hit by indirect enemy rocket fire. The blast killed two local nationals and wounded three. In addition, two Airmen were also injured.

Noticing the closest Airmen to the blast had to retain security along the base's wall to guard against a follow up attack, Curtis sprang into action. He was among the first to reach the building and found one of the wounded Airman. The Airman had a broken leg that had lacerated his femoral artery.

Curtis administered aid by tying a tourniquet around the downed Airman's leg to help stop the bleeding, and waited to help carry him out until emergency medical technicians arrived. He was awarded a certificate of appreciation for his actions that day.

Curtis insists his entire unit should receive this award and that he just embodies his unit's commitment to excellence. And, although it may be true there are many great Airmen like Curtis, he has more than proven himself for this award to his peers, his friends and his superiors.

"We are all extremely proud of him," said Ask. "Having him here serves as an example of what a person in the Guard can achieve and he inspires us to strive for that level of achievement."

Curtis said he looks forward to his career and new challenges.

"I hope to continue on my career path and try to stay at this level of achievement. I'm at the top right now so it'll be a challenge, but a challenge I'm definitely looking forward to taking on," he said.

23 Mar 2012

Statement from Governor Pat Quinn On FEMA's Denial of State's Appeal for Federal Assistance for Southern Illinois Tornado

By Nafia Khan

SPRINGFIELD - March 21, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today issued the following statement regarding FEMA's denial of the state's appeal for federal assistance to help people affected by the Feb. 29 tornado.

 

"Today we were informed that FEMA denied our appeal for federal assistance to help people in Southern Illinois rebuild their homes and lives following the deadly tornado and storms on Feb. 29. I am very disappointed with this decision and do not believe it reflects the reality and devastation on the ground. I remain committed to obtaining any and all assistance available to help our Southern Illinois communities recover.

 

"At this time we are submitting a request to the U.S. Small Business Administration seeking low-interest loans that will help many people rebuild their homes and replace personal items lost in the storms. I urge the SBA to review and approve this request quickly so that people can begin to apply for those loans.

 

"On Thursday, staff from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency will meet with a recovery specialist from FEMA Region 5 and pursue other viable options to provide much-needed assistance to those in great need. My administration will continue deploying all state agencies and continue maximizing all the options available to lessen the burden for storm victims.

 

"I again want to thank Senator Dick Durbin, Senator Mark Kirk and the Illinois Congressional Delegation for their tireless support of our efforts to help the people of Southern Illinois."

 

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23 Mar 2012

Governor Quinn Statement on House Passage of General Assembly Scholarship Repeal

By Andrew Mason

SPRINGFIELD - March 21, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today released a statement regarding the Illinois House of Representatives passing House Bill 3810, which would abolish the troubled General Assembly Scholarship program.

 

"I applaud the members of the House for voting to end the legislative scholarship program. As I have repeatedly advocated in the past, scholarships - paid for by Illinois taxpayers- should be awarded only to those with merit who are in true financial need.

 

"I urge the Senate to pass this legislation swiftly."

 

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23 Mar 2012

Easter is just a few weeks away.

By Move America Forward
As we plan our Easter egg hunts and Easter Brunch feasts with our families, American troops are thousands of miles away from their loved ones and fighting for our country.  Every year our troops fighting the War on Terror spend the holidays Afghanistan, fighting to keep America safe. They are going to be missing their families on Easter Sunday, April 8th!

Just think of all your family's beloved Easter traditions: boiling and coloring Easter eggs, going to church together on Easter Sunday and coming home to enjoy a special Easter feast with dear family and friends, putting on Easter egg hunts and giving baskets full of candy to the kids. Our troops will be missing all of that!



These care packages do a lot to help our troops while on the front lines and fighting terrorists over in the Middle East. So many of them have families back home they miss and cannot see. Some of our troops have already missed Christmas with their families; they have missed loved one's birthdays; some have even missed the birth of their own children!

No one wants to be far away, missing their families, but that is a sacrifice our troops make to keep us safe. We owe them a little gratitude!! Our Troops don't ask for anything, but they appreciate everything we send to them.



"We have been receiving your boxes  . . . that are truly a blessing to everyone here.  To know that someone is thinking of us is such a great feeling inside."
-Master-Sergeant Donika Nealy

"This package means a lot to me, and I am grateful you remembered me by sending this package...I will pray for all of you who put this package together. God will bless you and he will be with you. I don't ever know how I can express myself because it was too much for me."
-Petty Officer 2nd Class Pat Honvo

To add a touch of Easter greetings, we have included items in our packages that will remind our troops of the holidays and make them feel right at home. Our Easter Package comes with special products tailored just for Easter!

For this year's special Easter Care Packages for the Troops, we are including a classic Easter treat EVERYONE will recognize; MARSHMALLOW PEEPS!

These soft, sugary, marshmallow chicks are the original, the name brand PEEPS that everyone recognizes. The camo-eggs come in many varieties and are filled with assorted candies like sweet tarts, smarties, and an assortment of hard candies and other chews.

Don't forget, these Easter Care Packages may still include
all of our troop's favorites from year round, including:

**  PEEPS Brand Marshmallow Chicks
**  Premium Roasted Coffee
**  Hot Cocoa
**  Hot Apple Cider
**  Gatorade
**  Beef Jerky
**  Oreo Cookies
**  Planters Trail Mix
**  Candy Diplomacy Jelly Bellies
**  Chap Stick    
**  Deodorant
**  Various Candy
**  Bug Repellant
**  Wet Wipes
**  Sun Block

Most importantly, as always, MAF Care Packages include a personalized note from YOU! Our troops need to hear that you support them and their missions! Make sure to include your mailing address - the troops love to write back!

During these tough economic times, families of troops are struggling to get by. There is a fear that they will have fewer resources to send packages to their loved ones in war zones. This is why it is so important for you and other patriotic Americans to send what we can to our troops. We must never let them forget that we are not only thankful for our families here at home, we are thankful for their selfless sacrifices for our great country.


23 Mar 2012

Schilling Supports Small Business Tax Break

By Andie Pivarunas

Washington, DC - Congressman Bobby Schilling (IL-17) released the following statement in support of H.R. 9, the Small Business Tax Cut Act, which he cosponsored when it was introduced today.  The bill grants a 20 percent tax cut to small businesses with less than 500 employees:

"As a small business owner, I know firsthand the challenges of creating jobs and meeting a payroll in the face of overwhelming government regulations, paperwork, and uncertainty.  I came to Washington to help end this uncertainty, remove barriers to private-sector job creation, and make it easier for fellow small business owners to grow their  businesses and create jobs.  

"This bill will allow job creators to keep more of their money, invest it in their businesses, and retain and create more jobs so families can more easily put food on the table and gas in the car.  We all want to see fundamental tax reform, bring down tax rates, broaden the base, and close loopholes, but this is an opportunity for us to work together and help small businesses right now.  I hope folks in the Senate and the President will work with us on advancing this pro-jobs, pro-growth policy."

# # #

23 Mar 2012

lost health coverage and Medicare cuts

By Grassley Press

Broken Promises in the 2010 Affordable Care Act

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

 

In 1994, the health care reform bill proposed by then President Clinton failed, in large part, because it would fundamentally changed health care coverage for nearly every American.  In 2009, President Obama decided he would combat the failure of the Clinton Administration by repeating over and over again to the American public "if you like what you have, you can keep it."

 

It is my understanding he said that on 47 separate occasions while the bill was being debated in Congress.  And while it may have been political useful to make that promise to the American people, it remains a promise he can't keep.  The fact is that millions of Americans are seeing changes in their existing health plan due to the health law.

 

The Administration's regulations governing so called "grandfathered health plans" will force most firms?and up to 80 percent of small businesses?to give up their current plan by next year.  When those businesses lose their 'grandfathered' status, they immediately become subject to costly new mandates and the increased premiums that follow.

 

Families in 17 states no longer have access to 'child-only' plans as a result of the health law.  It's not known how many of the families that lost coverage for their children because of the law have been able to find an affordable replacement.  In Medicare Advantage, there is one study showing Medicare Advantage enrollment will be cut in half, choices available to seniors will be reduced by two-thirds.

 

Then there is the open question about Americans who receive their health care through large employers.  The Congressional Budget Office recently released a report with that constructed a scenario where as many as 20 million Americans could lose their employers coverage.  And while I acknowledge the Congressional Budget Office report provided the number I just mentioned as only one plausible scenario, there are many of us who believe it is very plausible given the incentives the health law creates for large businesses.

 

***

 

The President made a further promise that I think we should talk about.  On July 29, 2009, during the consideration of the health law, the President said "Medicare is a government program.  But don't worry: I'm not going to touch it."

 

So let's take a look at the health care law and see if that promise was kept.  The health care law made significant cuts in the Medicare program.  On April 22, 2010, the Chief Actuary for Medicare analyzed the law and found that it would cut Medicare by $575 billion over ten years.  The President said about Medicare "I'm not going to touch it."  The bill cuts $575 billion from Medicare.  The Congressional Budget Office wrote that over $500 billion in Medicare reductions "would not enhance the ability of the government to pay for future Medicare benefits."  The President said about Medicare "I'm not going to touch it."

 

The CMS actuary had this to say about the Medicare spending reductions:  "Providers for whom Medicare constitutes a substantive portion of their business could find it difficult to remain profitable and, absent legislative intervention, might end their participation in the program."  The President said about Medicare "I'm not going to touch it."

 

The CMS actuary said, in essence, these cuts could drive providers from the Medicare program.  I have a hard time understanding how these massive cuts to Medicare count as not touching the program.  On the other hand, the biggest problem facing Medicare in the near term is the physician payment update problem that we constantly have to address here in Congress.  Of course, the health care law did nothing to address that problem.  Perhaps that's what the President meant when he said about Medicare, "I'm not going to touch it."

23 Mar 2012

Is "Pink Slime" safe? Do animals need antibiotics? Experts respond.

By Best Food Facts

Latest Poll

Food Fight Poll: "Pink Slime"

What are your thoughts on lean finely textured beef ("pink slime")?

Take our latest poll!

***

What's Cookin'?

Recently we've talked with University-based food experts/researchers about these topics

Does Size Matter in Sustainable Food?
Our experts debate the correlation between the size of a farm and whether it sustainably produces food.

The Truth About "Pink Slime"
Dr. James Dickson explains the process behind Lean Finely Textured Beef and whether our beef is safe.

Do Fatty Foods Cause Brain Damage?
Dr. Melinda Sothern explains why it's important to watch what you and your children eat.

Consumer Questions: White Goo on Chicken - What Is It?
Dr. Casey Owens and Dr. Don Conner answer a reader's question about chicken breasts.

Antibiotics For Animals: Dangerous for Humans?
Dr. Peter Davies and Dr. Scott Hurd explain why antibiotics are fed to livestock and whether that causes human health risks.

"Pink Slime" in Chicken Nuggets?
Dr. Casey Owens explains what mechanically separated chicken is and why it is used.

We Bet You Didn't Know... Interesting Food Facts
We've gathered some interesting facts from our food system experts.

Check out all the Food for Thought posts!
***

Meet Our Featured Expert!

Dr. Ethan Bergman, PhD, RD, CD, FADA, is the associate dean in the College of Education and Professional Studies and professor of food science and nutrition at Central Washington University. He was named CWU Distinguished University Professor in 2001-02 and was named by the Washington State Dietetic Association as Outstanding Registered Dietitian of the Year in 2000. He is the president-elect of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. He is a past delegate and the immediate past-speaker of the Academy's House of Delegates. Bergman is a former high school biology, physics, mathematics and computer science teacher and a former volleyball and wrestling coach. He has served on the Academy's Educator's Task Force on Education Reform in Dietetics Education and on the Evidence-Based Practice Committee. A graduate of Linn-Benton Community College and Eastern Oregon State College, Bergman received master's degrees in biology from the University of Oregon and in interdisciplinary studies in biology, general studies and education from Western Oregon State College. Bergman earned his doctorate from Washington State University. He has helped Best Food Facts answer the question, Salt: How Much Is Too Much?.
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Coming Right Up!

Best Food Facts readers asked questions - and our experts will be providing answers! Look for these topics to be covered soon!

  • What are farmers doing to grow healthier food? What technologies are being used?
  • Water: What's the magic number? How much water should you drink per day?
  • Do beef cattle secrete synthetic hormones?

Have a food question you'd like answered? Click here to ask our experts!
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23 Mar 2012

Thursday, March 22 was World Water Day

By Jewish National Fund

Change Begins with a Drop

The best way to understand how important it is to maintain the world's water resources is to figure out how you fit into this global picture. Calculate your water usage.

That's the water you see directly. Water consumption you don't see, known as virtual water, is the amount needed to create the foods we eat and the products we use. Like the amount of water farm animals drink, the water used to grow their feed, and the water needed to manufacture clothing. That adds up quickly.

Water scarcity, a worldwide concern, has been met head-on by Israel for years. Israel is a leader in desalination technology and water recycling, reusing 75% of its waste water every year?the highest rate in the world. Most of this water is used for agriculture, which saves scarce fresh water for human consumption. JNF's reservoirs and cutting-edge wetlands technology have increased Israel's total water supply by 12%. These techniques are shared with the countries around the world, helping to make it a better place.

23 Mar 2012

Senator Grassley, Senator Johnson propose reform payment limits for Federal Farm Programs

By Elisha Smith

Center for Rural Affairs applauds effort to close loopholes and cap payments

 

Lyons, Nebraska - Today, Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) introduced legislation designed to tighten payment limits on federal farm commodity programs and close loopholes mega-farms use to evade limits, while ensuring small and mid-size family farmers have the kind of support farm programs were designed to deliver.

"This legislation represents the most important step congress can take to strengthen family farms - limit the subsidies that mega-farms use to drive smaller operations out of business," said Brian Depew, Acting Executive Director of the Center for Rural Affairs.


"The Grassley-Johnson bill includes measures to close the loopholes in farm payment limitations that others in Washington know how to close but won't, thanks to the political clout of mega-farms," Depew added.

In commenting the introduction of the bill, Senator Grassley stated, "When seventy percent of farm payments go to only ten percent of farmers, there's something wrong. It's time to change that. A safe, stable and affordable food supply is essential to social cohesion and a strong safety-net geared toward small and medium-sized farmers is an important part of making that happen."

Senator Johnson echoed that rationale, saying, "I have long believed that we must target our farm programs to the small and medium-sized family farmers that are the backbone of our rural economy. Senator Grassley and I acknowledge that the structure of the safety net is likely to change during the upcoming Farm Bill reauthorization process, and so we are introducing this bill to ensure that payment limits apply to the new structure."

According to Depew, the new Grassley-Johnson payment limits bill has a hard cap on marketing loan gains of $75,000 ($150,000 for a couple). The remainder of the payment limit would be a cap on the total amount a farmer can receive in safety-net payments in general.  For instance, if the Congress were to adopt a shallow loss program, the Grassley-Johnson bill would set a limit of $50,000 ($100,000 for a couple) that a farmer could receive.

Additionally, the bill closes loopholes that allow people with ties to farmland whose management consists of little more than an occasional phone call. The bill sets a measurable standard for someone to qualify as actively engaged in farming by providing management for the operation, and the bill provides an exception for farming operations where there is only one manager of the farm. This exception should help the Department of Agriculture administer the standard.

"The bill would tighten rules that are supposed to limit payments to active farmers who work the land and their landlords. Current law is weak. Investors who participate in one or two conference calls are considered active farmers, allowing mega-farms to get around payment limitations by claiming uninvolved investors as partners," explained Depew.

"The farm safety net was designed to help family farmers but it has increasingly led to a windfall for owners of our nation's largest farms. Congress should act to close the loopholes and better target payments to our small and mid-sized family farmers. This legislation represents our best chance to move forward with reforms as consideration of the farm bill continues," said Johnson.

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