Read Senator Kay Bailey Hutchisons Weekly Column "Capitol Comment" http://hutchison.senate.gov/weeklycolumn.html 05.16.08 In 2008, it is projected that 1.43 million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer. Nearly 96,000 Texans will receive this sobering news. And 35,000 Texas patients will lose their battle against cancer this year. http://hutchison.senate.gov/cc051608Cancer.html 05.09.08 The Pulitzer-Prize winning author of The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money, and Power, Daniel Yergin, has summed up what many of us are thinking: “We are living in a new age of energy anxiety.” http://hutchison.senate.gov/cc050908Energy.html 05.02.08 The Nobel-Prize winning economist Milton Friedman once said, “One of the great mistakes is to judge policies and programs by their intentions rather than their results.” When Congress passed legislation to greatly expand America’s commitment to biofuels, it intended to create energy independence and protect the environment. But the results have been quite different. America remains equally dependent on foreign sources of energy and new evidence suggests ethanol is causing great harm to the environment. In recent weeks, the correlation between government biofuel mandates and rapidly rising food prices has become undeniable. At a time when the U.S. economy is facing recession, Congress needs to reform its “food-to-fuel” policies and look at alternatives to strengthen energy security. http://hutchison.senate.gov/cc050208Ethanol.html 04.25.08 President Ronald Reagan once observed, “The way to prosperity for all nations is rejecting protectionist legislation and promoting fair and free competition." http://hutchison.senate.gov/cc042508Colombia.html 04.18.08 On Tuesday, I met with the Presidents of some of America’s most prestigious universities to discuss ways to improve our nation’s global competitiveness. There is a growing consensus that America’s future prosperity is threatened by an erosion in our educational capabilities. Compared to children in other countries, our nation’s students are underperforming in the vitally important fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). These are the areas of expertise that spur creativity and new technologies, which are essential for economic growth. In fact, as much as 85% of the measured growth in per capita income is due to technological advancement. http://hutchison.senate.gov/cc041808COMPETES.html 04.11.08 Falling home prices can be unnerving to all homeowners, even those whose mortgages are not in danger of foreclosure. The fact is that most borrowers have made responsible investments and make their house payments on time, but falling home prices are bringing down asset values, and with it, the overall economy. http://hutchison.senate.gov/cc041108Housing.html 04.04.08 Nobel Prize-winning economist Milton Friedman once observed that “Congress can raise taxes because it can persuade a sizable fraction of the populace that somebody else will pay.” http://hutchison.senate.gov/cc040408TaxDay.html 03.28.08 This month Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez opened the next phase of his dangerous political career by nearly provoking a war with Colombia. In the aftermath of his military threats, the Colombian government learned disturbing information about the relationship between Mr. Chavez and the terrorist group FARC — the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia. http://hutchison.senate.gov/cc032808Chavez.html 03.21.08 As the U.S. economy slows, and perhaps even retracts, many American families are taking a hard look at their budgets and making choices about how they’ll spend their income. Likewise, Congress is now deciding the nation’s spending priorities in the budget for the next fiscal year. The federal budget directly affects all Americans, either offering solutions to the challenges we face or creating new burdens for future generations. On March 14, the Senate passed the Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Resolution which provides resources to keep our nation safe and improves America’s ability to compete in a global market. Unfortunately, the budget also contains an historic tax hike that will burden American families and constrain our economic future. http://hutchison.senate.gov/cc032108Budget.html 03.14.08 The right to keep and bear arms is secure in Texas, but in our nation's capital it has been taken away. http://hutchison.senate.gov/cc031408Guns.html 03.07.08 There is no greater symbol of the American Dream than home ownership. In a country that prizes freedom and economic independence, Americans’ homes are a lifelong investment and, for many, their primary asset. However, in recent months, a decline in the U.S. housing market has threatened the financial security of many Americans and has placed the nation’s economy at risk. As lawmakers scramble for a fix, it is preferable that solutions be guided by free market principles, rather than sweeping government intervention or taxpayer-financed bailouts. http://hutchison.senate.gov/cc030708Housing.html 02.29.08 Last week, I traveled to Iraq, Pakistan, and Afghanistan to evaluate the War on Terror, discuss diplomatic strategies with foreign leaders, and visit our brave troops. Undeniably, we are making dramatic progress in all those countries. http://hutchison.senate.gov/cc022908Iraq.html 02.22.08 The American health care system provides the best quality health care in the world to a majority of our citizens; however, there is a growing disparity in access to health care because of soaring medical costs and rising insurance premiums. This is particularly true in Texas. http://hutchison.senate.gov/cc022208Healthcare.html 02.15.08 On Thursday, February 7, an AMBER Alert message flashed across TVs all over Texas, as the Emergency Alert System (EAS) broadcast information on a 5-year old Austin boy who had been just been abducted. Thanks to the swift action of authorities and implementation of the AMBER Alert system, the boy was safely recovered thirteen hours later and returned to his family. For more than 40 years, variations of the EAS have worked in concert with radio and television broadcasters, cable companies, and satellite providers to inform the public of emergencies. Today, it warns citizens about severe weather hazards, helps mobilize communities to search for and recover kidnapped children, and enables the government to immediately address the nation in the event of a national emergency. http://hutchison.senate.gov/cc020808NaturalDisasters.html 02.08.08 As the first wave of wildfires of 2008 ignited across our state last month, many Texans were once again reminded of the frequency with which natural disasters strike our terrain. All over Texas, our citizens have endured floods, droughts, severe storms, and wildfires. You’d be hard-pressed to find a Texan who doesn’t know what a tornado sky looks like. And those living along the Gulf Coast are all too familiar with the destruction that a hurricane can leave in its path. But with each disaster, Texans show true grit and tenacity, and we weather the storm. We always recover. http://hutchison.senate.gov/cc020808NaturalDisasters.html 02.01.08 In Texas, we are known for bragging, “Bigger is better.” From our pick-up trucks, to our linebackers, and to our cuts of beef, our state holds a premium on size. Health, however, is where this trend stops. More and more, we are faced with the reality that excess weight can take a heavy toll on a person’s health, leading to debilitating and often deadly illnesses, such as diabetes. With obesity on the rise, healthcare costs skyrocketing, and the wellness of our children at stake, diabetes is one of the major problems we face. http://hutchison.senate.gov/cc020108Diabetes.html 01.25.08 The Nobel Prize-winning economist Milton Friedman once said, “Nobody spends somebody else’s money as carefully as he spends his own.” At a time when economic indicators are signaling a slowdown, or possibly even a recession, we need to allow taxpayers to keep more of their income, rather than sending their hard-earned money to Washington to be spent by the government. http://hutchison.senate.gov/cc012508Stimulus.html 01.18.08 Just over 100 years ago, the Wright Brothers helped usher in the age of modern aviation as we know it. Since then, commercial aviation has allowed us to live in a more connected world. One of the great innovators and “connectors” of our time, Bill Gates, noted, “The Wright Brothers created the single greatest cultural force since the invention of writing. The airplane became the first World Wide Web, bringing people, languages, ideas, and values together.” http://hutchison.senate.gov/cc011808FAA.html 01.11.08 As Albert Einstein once said, “Everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labor in freedom.” This is why our country has for centuries attracted the greatest minds in the world. The free, creative spirit of Texas has always been conducive to scientific research and innovation. During the past few decades, our state has been home to the invention of the computer chip, the buckyball (which is the basis of nanotechnology), and the balloon stent that opens arteries to prevent heart attacks. http://hutchison.senate.gov/cc011108TAMEST.html 01.04.08 As the New Year begins, the U.S. Census Bureau projected that our nation’s population has soared to 303.1 million, up 2.8 million from its estimate in early 2007. From July 2006 to July 2007, Texas gained almost 500,000 new residents. http://hutchison.senate.gov/cc010408Growth.html 12.28.07 On December 11, 2007, Director of National Intelligence, Admiral Mike McConnell made an arresting plea in the editorial pages of the New York Times: “Help Me Spy on Al-Qaeda.” In an urgent op-ed, he implored Congress to provide the resources America’s intelligence officials need to safeguard our country against terrorism. http://hutchison.senate.gov/cc122807FISA.html 12.21.07 Nearly a year ago, when I was sworn into Congress for my third term as U.S. Senator, I knew that 2007 would be a challenging year for passing positive legislation for Texas, and America. The shift in Congressional leadership meant that my goals for strengthening our country, both in terms of domestic policy and foreign policy, would face greater obstacles than ever. However, through perseverance and dedication, we were able to surmount many of these hurdles. We prevented tax increases, supported our military through funding, and achieved important victories for our families, our communities, and especially our brave service men and women overseas. http://hutchison.senate.gov/cc122107yearinreview.html 12.14.07 Pioneering free market economist Adam Smith once said, “The answer to the question of free trade is easy once it is seen that the only reason that has ever been offered for protective tariffs or a closed market is, indeed, protection.” http://hutchison.senate.gov/cc121407FreeTrade.html 12.07.07 There are only a few events in American history whose significance is so powerful that hearing the date instantly recalls its dramatic impact on our nation. For Americans of different generations, December 7, 1941 and September 11, 2001 represent tragic and historic dates in our history. In the words of President Franklin Roosevelt, December 7, 1941 is “a date that will live in infamy.” Sixty-six years later, we honor not only the 2,333 brave service members who lost their lives in the sudden attack on Pearl Harbor, but the 11 million Americans who fought and won the Second World War, and secured freedom for future generations. http://hutchison.senate.gov/cc120707PearlHarborDay.html 11.30.07 Albert Einstein once remarked, “The hardest thing in the world to understand is the income tax.” Since Einstein’s admission, our tax code has only grown more complicated and now it is poised to force 20 million middle class Americans to pay an extra $65 billion in taxes over the next four years. And if the tax cuts of 2003 expire, a staggering 115 million taxpayers will be hit with a $1700 tax increase. One of the most pressing domestic priorities facing this extended Congress is passing legislation to address the alternative minimum tax (AMT) that will slap millions of Americans – including 732,000 Texas families – with new taxes. http://hutchison.senate.gov/cc113007AMT.html 11.23.07 "The major obstacle to the development of new supplies is not geology but what happens above ground: international affairs, politics, investment and technology." —Daniel Yergin, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of "The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money, and Power." http://hutchison.senate.gov/cc112307energy.html 11.16.07 Long before serving as one of this nation’s greatest Presidents, Ronald Reagan quipped that he has “always thought of America as a place in the divine scheme of things that was set aside as a promised land.” Truly, we live in a nation of great prosperity. But perhaps what is more important, we live in a nation where we may exercise free will, speak without censorship, and worship in the way we choose. The Thanksgiving holiday allows us to reflect on these American liberties that have been defended with enormous sacrifice throughout our country’s history. http://hutchison.senate.gov/cc111607thanksgiving.html 11.09.07 On November 11, 1918, after four years of brutal conflict, the guns of the First World War finally fell silent. In America, we marked the occasion as Armistice Day, a celebration of peace that envisioned an end to all wars. Sadly, this vision was a mirage. Future generations of Americans would again march to battle in defense of freedom, and many made the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf. Thankfully, many more returned home to their loved ones and a grateful nation. Today we remember November 11 as Veterans Day, and with solemn pride we pay tribute to the heroes who have given so much to preserve our liberty and our way of life. http://hutchison.senate.gov/cc110907vets.html 11.02.07 America’s heritage is as a nation of farmers, and agriculture remains essential to our prosperity. In Texas, we know this first hand. Our state leads the country in many areas of production, and agricultural revenue bolsters our economy by more than $19 billion annually. Approximately 80 percent of our land is involved in some kind of agricultural production, and more than 90 percent of those operations are run by families. As your U.S. Senator, I have worked hard to ensure that federal legislation meets the needs of our farmers and ranchers. In the coming weeks the Senate will consider reauthorization of many vital agricultural programs, and I will work with my colleagues to maintain the policies that have been good for Texas. http://hutchison.senate.gov/cc102607taxes.html 10.26.07 President Ronald Reagan once defined a taxpayer as “someone who works for the government but doesn’t have to take the civil service exam.” Sadly, there’s some truth to his statement. The average American works from the beginning of the year until April 30th just to pay his tax bill. The rest of the year, he works for himself. As prices rise on everything from food products to gasoline to health care, families should be allowed to keep more of their hard-earned income. But Congress may be about to burden American families with thousands of dollars in new taxes. http://hutchison.senate.gov/cc102607taxes.html 10.19.07 Protecting American lives is my most important duty as your Senator. This is an era in which violent extremists seek to do us harm. They strive to recreate the horrors of September 11th, and they attack our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan daily. We have many tools to help our intelligence community foil terrorist plots overseas and on our soil. But some members of Congress advocate measures that would take away crucial intelligence assets, and cripple our counter-terrorism efforts worldwide. We must be equipped to intercept calls between terrorists in order to prevent attacks they plan. http://hutchison.senate.gov/cc101907fisa.html 10.12.07 The ancient Greek physician Hippocrates considered medicine, “the most distinguished of all the arts.” Indeed, medical research is one of science’s most exciting fields. Each new breakthrough saves lives, improves health and leads to a higher quality of life for Americans. I am proud that Texas is at the forefront of scientific progress in many areas, and is a world leader in medical research. http://hutchison.senate.gov/cc101207nasa.html 10.05.07 On Oct. 4, 1957, the Soviet Union launched the Sputnik satellite, setting off alarm bells that America was falling behind in space technology. But America's ingenuity was dramatically mobilized by President Eisenhower, under whose administration Congress passed the National Defense Education Act, providing massive investments in science, engineering and technology. http://hutchison.senate.gov/cc100507nasa.html 09.28.07 For generations, Texans have taken great pride in our energy resources. Oil and gas production has fueled our state’s growth and success. Yet, even in the 21st century, almost 75 percent of our electrical power is produced by burning the same fossil fuels our grandparents relied on. As alternative energy sources become more practical, we must expand our traditional leadership into these areas as well. By broadening our energy portfolio, we will strengthen our economy, safeguard our environment, and reduce our dangerous national dependence on foreign oil. http://hutchison.senate.gov/cc092807nuclear.html 09.21.07 Our mission in Iraq is among the most important in our nation’s history. As the central front in the Global War on Terror, Iraq is where the forces of freedom, tolerance and democracy are fighting to defeat the tyranny and oppression of Al-Qaeda and radical Islam. We know from our troops in the field that if we allow the terrorists to win in Iraq, they will surely follow us home. This war has been costly for America in both lives and dollars, but the consequences of failure would be catastrophic. http://hutchison.senate.gov/cc092107iraq.html 09.14.07 Since it was founded in 1958, America’s space program has been enormously successful. In addition to broadening our understanding of the universe, the research that has gone into the program has spurred innovations that have greatly improved our lives from car phones to heart monitors, from ultrasound scanners to laser surgery. Recently, NASA has begun implementing my plan to use the U.S. segment of the International Space Station (ISS) as a National Laboratory, which means that even more exciting breakthroughs can be expected in the next few years. http://hutchison.senate.gov/cc091407nasa.html 09.07.07 This week I returned to Washington from a busy August recess. Although I greatly enjoyed spending time with my fellow Texans over the last month, much remains to be done before the close of the 2007 Congressional session. This is a crucial time in American history, and major issues affecting our national and economic security demand action. Despite a challenging environment in the U.S. Senate, I am resolved to support legislation that is right for Texas and the nation. http://hutchison.senate.gov/cc090707legislativeoutlook.html 08.31.07 Like moms and dads all across Texas, I spend time each fall shopping for school supplies and filling backpacks with crayons, safety scissors and number two pencils. As parents we do our best to prepare our children for the year ahead and to help them succeed in school. But, this success depends on quality education. http://hutchison.senate.gov/cc083107backtoschool.html 08.24.07 Meeting the people who help make Texas so special is the greatest privilege of serving as your Senator. I particularly treasure the opportunities I have to speak with our veterans and active duty personnel and thank them personally for their tremendous service to our country. This month, I’ve traveled all across Texas and met some of the brave men and women who answered the call to defend our freedom and way of life. http://hutchison.senate.gov/cc082407travel.html