Pete's Blog

News Room

Weekly Newsletters


Print this page
Print this page


October 27, 2009

The Hill Report: Week of October 19 - October 23, 2009


This week in Washington, Democrats in the House of Representatives continued to meet behind closed doors to count their votes and determine what kind of government-run health care plan will come to the House floor. 

                            Click Image to View Video

In the meantime, I continue to talk with my constituents about common-sense health care reforms to make health coverage more affordable, portable, and accessible.

On Tuesday evening while I was in Washington, I held a telephone town hall meeting with Dallas residents to hear their views on health care reform. Over 2,600 North Texas residents participated in the telephone town hall meeting – which is made possible by technology that simulates a conference call. Nearly all the questions submitted expressed concern over Congressional Democrats’ plans to institute government-controlled health care for all Americans and to partially fund this takeover by cutting $500 Billion from Medicare and raising taxes by over $800 Billion.

On the call, I also discussed a few of my priorities for health care reform:

• Allow individuals and small businesses to use pre-tax dollars for health coverage – like large businesses and unions already do

• Make health coverage patient-owned and portable across state lines and from job to job

• Create large insurance pools and high-risk insurance pools to reduce costs for small businesses, self-employed individuals, and families

• Include pre-existing conditions in health coverage

• Promote real medical liability reform to reduce “defensive medicine” and lower costs, saving $180 billion a year

Additionally, we discussed how the current heath care “reform” proposals will reduce Medicare options and the need to strengthen Medicare to ensure its viability for future generations.

If you would like to participate in future telephone town hall meetings and receive occasional event and policy notices, please opt in to receive my mobile updates by using your cell phone to text the code TX32 to the short phone number 467468 (GOPGOV).


For the Love of the Lake
Each weekend after votes conclude in Washington, I return to Dallas to spend time with my family and with constituents of the 32nd District. For over 10 years, I have participated in “For the Love of the Lake” — a program consisting of volunteers dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of White Rock Lake Park. Each month, hardworking, community-minded North Texans take time to invest in the conservation cause, and I am always pleased to join in their efforts.

Congressman Sessions with the Young Professionals of the Dallas Regional Chamber at White Rock Lake

This month, I participated in a “For the Love of the Lake” clean-up with the Young Professionals of the Dallas Regional Chamber. It is great to see young people in North Texas taking initiative in their community through the Young Professionals program and volunteering with For the Love of the Lake. I thank the Young Professionals of the Dallas Regional Chamber for their service at White Rock Lake, and I look forward to their continued positive influence in the Dallas community.

Founded in 1995, For the Love of the Lake has made a tremendous impact on conservation in our community with hands-on projects, such as picking up litter and recyclables each month. It also provides trash and recycling receptacles, drinking fountains, a children’s playground, outdoor fitness trails, and many other features for the community to enjoy. For more information about For the Love of the Lake, visit www.whiterocklake.org.


National Teen Driver Safety Week
This week, I am proud to join my colleagues in recognizing the 2009 National Teen Driver Safety Week. In 2007, Congress named the third week in October as National Teen Driver Safety Week to understand America’s teen car crashes and to encourage efforts to find solutions to lower teen drivers’ risk of fatal crashes.

Teen car crashes are the leading cause of death for our nation’s teenagers, and the National Teen Driver Safety Week brings communities together to take action and increase awareness of these fatal crashes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, last year there were 6,428 fatalities in car crashes involving drivers between the ages of 15-20. Of those fatalities, 1,032 (or 16%) were alcohol-related incidents.

During my time in Congress, I have worked with a number of organizations – including The Century Council – to bring underage drinking prevention programs to Dallas. It is clear that underage drinking is a significant contributor to the fatal crashes of our teens, and I am committed to working with our community leaders, parents, and educators to encourage our teens to make responsible decisions. For more information on National Teen Driver Safety Week, visit the U.S. Department of Transportation.

 

October 2009 Weekly Newsletters