“We emphasized to the Secretary that we did not believe forcing these cuts in Michigan represented a true shared sacrifice and that we strongly objected to the proposed National Guard cuts which we believe are not a cost effective solution to tight budgets. We object to these cuts because we believe that the Air National Guard is the most cost-effective way to perform the A-10 mission, less costly and with the same superb performance, as they have most recently proven in their recent deployment to Afghanistan. As well, the C-27J provides needed diversity to our air lift capability, is also ideally suited for responding to disasters, and does this in economical manner. Unfortunately, Secretary Donley indicated that the Obama Administration is not open to making any alterations to their proposed cuts and all of the cuts outlined last week will be included in the budget the President plans to send to Congress next week.

“Congress needs to act to turn back these cuts to the Guard. We need every member of the Michigan Delegation, in both the House and Senate, fighting for these important Michigan assets. It was discouraging last week to hear our senior Senator state in a press release, ‘the planned changes are far less dramatic than uninformed rumors had suggested.’ When we talk to our constituents who serve in the Guard as A-10 pilots who just returned from supporting our troops in Afghanistan, or who have been training to fly the C-27J out of Battle Creek, we can thank them for their service while at the same time explaining to them why their jobs are being eliminated. We believe these cuts are very real for the A-10 mechanic or C-27J ground crew; it is dramatic for the potential loss of more than 600 jobs. And as we have fought for all Michigan jobs in the past, we will fight for these as well. We will not stand for unfounded, unfair and economically indefensible cuts to the Michigan Guard and will fight these cuts in the U.S. House in every way possible. It is our hope the same will be done in the Senate.

“We have been very pleased with the level of cooperation and information we have received from the Michigan Guard. They have been an invaluable resource in this fight and are clearly focused on protecting their mission and most importantly the men and women who serve us all. Just as we are proud of those who bravely serve in the Michigan Guard, we are also proud to fight on their behalf.”

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“The AFG grant Elk Township Fire Rescue is receiving will aid them with replacing this needed vehicle,” Miller said. “By better equipping our first responders, the resulting effects will have an immediate and beneficial impact on our communities and significantly assist the fire rescue team in accomplishing their safety missions and goals. It is absolutely vital our first responders have the best equipment and training when facing any situation and I congratulate Elk Township Fire Rescue on receiving this grant.”

*Please Note: These awards are administered by the DHS’s Federal Emergency Management in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration and are not a federally requested project (earmark) or a stimulus requested project. The DHS grant is part of the 2011 AFG award program and has been in operation since the year following September 11, 2001. The AFG award program is intended to support first responder training, supply adequate firefighting/EMS equipment, including rescue vehicles and protective gear, as well as provide for the wellness and fitness of firefighters. For more information, http://www.fema.gov/firegrants/

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“My concern also extends to if there is just one mission at Selfridge ANGB then that will make the base more vulnerable if the Pentagon is successful in achieving the expected two upcoming BRAC rounds in 2013 and 2015. I am interested in hearing more from the Air Force to justify these decisions. I look forward to working in a bipartisan way with the entire Michigan delegation to support the men and women of Michigan’s Air National Guard and continuing to advocate going forward to strengthen the mission at Selfridge ANGB so it can continue to be a critical component of our national defense. ”

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“Family farms are an important part of our heritage and critical to produce the abundant food our nation needs. Farmers learn technical skills and practical knowledge as young people helping out on the farms of their family and neighbors; not only do they gain valuable experience, but develop character and learn the importance of a strong work ethic.

“This week, the DOL announced that they will be re-proposing the portion of its regulation on child labor in agriculture interpreting the ‘parental exemption.’ While it is good to see the DOL acknowledge there are some flaws in the proposed regulations they issued last fall, there still remains problematic provisions that unnecessarily restrict the ability of youth to work in agriculture. It is clear that the DOL has not listened to the voices of American family farmers and does not understand the culture of many of our farms.

“Problematic provisions that remain for youth workers, such as the possible ban on 4-H workers caring for their animals or potentially prohibition of young people being employed to harvest fruits and vegetables, would prevent teens from working what are considered traditional summer jobs in rural America. These provisions would create an even tighter supply of agricultural labor at a time when finding needed workers have proven difficult. The proposed rules by the DOL would still dramatically change the work opportunities for youth in agriculture; threaten what it means to grow up in the country. It is time for the DOL to listen to American agriculture and stop trying to change the culture and practices that have made our agriculture sector the most efficient and productive in the world.”

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Chairman Miller said: “More than 11 million cargo containers arrive in America’s ports every year which present the potential for dangerous materials to being smuggled into our country through the supply chain. We have been successful in interdicting illegal guns, money, drugs, and even people, being smuggled through cargo containers in the past and this hearing will examine the potential for terrorists and others to manipulate our supply chains and endanger our ports. My hearing will examine the integrity of the supply chain, the government agencies whose job it is to screen and inspect cargo, secure our ports, and how the Obama Administration’s new National Strategy for Global Supply Chain Security outlines the nation’s plan to guard against these threats.

The hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, February 7th at 10:00am in 311 Cannon. Live Web cast will begin at the start of the hearing.

Witness:
•Assistant Secretary David Heyman, Office of Policy, Dept. of Homeland Security
•Acting Assistant Commissioner Kevin McAleenan, Office of Field Operations, Customs and Border Protection
•Rear Admiral Paul Zukunft, Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety, Security and Stewardship, US Coast Guard
•Mr. Steve Caldwell, Director, Maritime Security and Coast Guard, Government Accountability Office (GAO)

When: 10:00am, February 7, 2012

Where: 311 Cannon House Office Building,
Washington, DC

Note: This will be part one of a two part hearing series. On Tuesday, March 6th, 2012, the Subcommittee will hold the second hearing, focusing on the same issues, with a panel of industry and other non-governmental witnesses.

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“The AFG grant EHAS is receiving will aid them with replacing vital life-saving equipment and upgrading their training which will greatly assist them with improving the health and safety of all the area residents,” Miller said. “The equipment and training enabled through this DHS grant will have a direct and immediate impact on our community, and further EHAS’ commitment to meeting their life-saving missions. It is absolutely vital first responders have the best equipment and training when facing any situation and I congratulate EHAS on receiving this grant.”

*Please Note: These awards are administered by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration and are not a federally requested project (earmark) or a stimulus requested project. The DHS grant is part of the 2011 AFG award program and has been in operation since the year following September 11, 2001. The AFG award program is intended to support first responder training, supply adequate firefighting/EMS equipment, including rescue vehicles and protective gear, as well as provide for the wellness and fitness of firefighters. For more information, http://www.fema.gov/firegrants/

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“It is my hope that this study will be a useful tool in calling on Congress and the Administration to support the separation of the waterways and ensure a permanent solution to preventing the Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes. This action is necessary and achievable. The Great Lakes are an environmental treasure to both our economy and natural resources, protecting them is of the utmost importance.”

For more information and to view the full report, please visit here: http://www.glc.org/caws/

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“I became aware of this issue and introduced legislation in both the last Congress and this Congress to eliminate this regulation. After I introduced this legislation for the second time and gained strong support among my colleagues, I sent a letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson asking her to set aside this regulation. It was only after this action was taken that the Administration acted.

“It is my hope that the President and his Administration will continue to listen to common sense regulatory relief ideas that come from our side of the aisle so that we can eliminate even more ridiculous regulation.”

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*original release on Rep. Miller’s bill introduced in the 112th Congress, as well as letter sent to the EPA Administrator on this issue

“Tomorrow evening, the President will address a Congress that stands ready to work with him on these great challenges and so many others, as well as an American people who expect results. It is my hope that he will join us in this important work because the American people deserve nothing less than our best effort.”

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“President Obama must understand that this decision will make our nation more dependent on energy from unfriendly overseas nations that could have been replaced by energy from Canada, our friend, neighbor and ally. The President must also understand that Canada has other potential customers who will gladly purchase their energy, such as our number one economic competitor China. This decision is just flat wrong for our economy, for desperately needed jobs and for our nation’s energy security. I will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress to force a change in this decision.”

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“The American people understand that our current level of debt is unsustainable, stifles economic growth and reduces opportunities for those who need jobs. I cannot support another increase in our nation’s debt limit until President Obama and his allies in Congress join in making the difficult long-term spending decisions necessary to bring fiscal discipline back to the federal budget that will help produce opportunity and jobs for countless Americans in need.”

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“I sincerely hope that 2012 will bring a renewed spirit of cooperation between the Administration and Congress to at least stop the need for further lifting of the debt ceiling. These levels of deficits and debt cannot continue.”

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“Now that this important work is done, every American can turn their attention to their families and enjoying this holiday season. I wish a Merry Christmas and a joyous and blessed New Year to all.”

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“The AFG grant Sterling Heights Fire Dept. is receiving will aid them with replacing their current Mobile Data computers which greatly assist our first responders when responding to emergencies, as well as coordinate with other first responders,” Miller said. “This DHS grant continues our commitment to invest in our community fire departments and assists our first responders with the tools needed to meet their fire and rescue missions. I congratulate Sterling Heights Fire Dept. and all of their first responders who are dedicated to serving a population of nearly 125,000 residents on receiving this grant.”

*Please Note: This DHS grant is not a federally requested project (earmark) or a stimulus requested project. The DHS grant is part of the 2011 AFG award program and has been in operation since the year following September 11, 2001. The AFG award program is intended to support first responder training, supply adequate firefighting/EMS equipment, including rescue vehicles and protective gear, as well as provide for the wellness and fitness of firefighters. For more information, http://www.fema.gov/firegrants/

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Harrison Township, MI – U.S. Representative Candice Miller (MI-10) today made the following comments regarding the U.S. Senate’s passage of a two-month extension for the payroll tax holiday, unemployment benefits and the reimbursement rate for doctors treating Medicare patients. Miller said:

“How irresponsible for the U.S. Senate to pass only a two-month extension and then adjourn, essentially saying since they want to go home for Christmas the U.S. House must either take it or leave it. House Republicans will be back in Washington tomorrow working to pass a responsible one-year extension as we passed just this past week. We obviously expect the Senate to come back to Washington to finish this important work. By only doing the bare minimum, they have essentially created more uncertainty. Hard-working middle-class Americans deserve to know they can count on a full one-year payroll tax holiday; unemployed Americans should be able to count on needed support when looking for a job, while sensible reforms are made to the overall system; and our doctors treating Medicare patients and patients receiving that care deserve a full two-year guarantee as the U.S. House had proposed. Two months only prolongs the pain and uncertainty. We should get this all done now while also keeping in mind the need for additional job creation and energy security by directing that a quick decision be made on licensing the Keystone XL Pipeline. This pipeline is something that a majority of Americans want and a decision our nation deserves now.

“We would remind the Senate that there are still two weeks left in the year. House Republicans understand that the American people want us to get our work done and not kick this decision down the road. The House will be working in Washington until the needed certainty is brought home to our constituents.”

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“Throughout the history of our nation, but especially over the last 10 years of the Global War on Terror, our nation has asked for great sacrifice from the men and women of the National Guard and their families. The members of the National Guard have stepped up and answered their nation’s call, serving in many cases as the tip of the spear in our battle against the enemies of freedom. Unfortunately, the men and women of the National Guard have not had an adequate voice among military decision makers. I strongly believe this nation owes them an equal voice in the halls of the Pentagon so that their leaders have the ability to effectively advocate on their behalf.

“Today, the National Guard serves this nation with distinction as it has throughout history. I have long advocated empowering the Chief of the National Guard to be that voice by giving them a seat on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. This would allow the Chief of the National Guard to directly advocate on their behalf regarding their challenges, training, manpower and equipment needs. With the passage of the NDAA, which included the provision I have long advocated for, the National Guard will finally have that voice. I am proud to have worked in a bipartisan effort with Rep. Nick Rahall from West Virginia to get this provision included in the House, and to have worked with Senators Lindsey Graham from South Carolina and Patrick Leahy from Vermont to construct the language included in the final legislation. Members of the National Guard can be certain that they serve a grateful nation, and today that nation recognizes them for their incredible and selfless contributions to the defense of our freedom.”

Note: In the House version of the NDAA which passed in May of this year, Rep. Miller successfully attached a provision which would allow for the Chief of the National Guard to be included as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

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*Please Note: This DHS grant is not a federally requested project (earmark) or a stimulus requested project. The DHS grant is part of the 2011 AFG award program and has been in operation since the year following September 11, 2001. The AFG award program is intended to support first responder training, supply adequate firefighting/EMS equipment, including rescue vehicles and protective gear, as well as provide for the wellness and fitness of firefighters.

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“The AFG grant Armada Twsp. Fire Department is receiving will help them purchase much needed fire turnout gear which is vital to the protection of our responders when arriving on scene of an emergency,” Miller said. “This grant will help the fire department meet their mission ‘to protect and serve their community by providing the highest quality of fire, rescue, and Advanced Life Support services.’ I congratulate Armada Twsp. Fire Dept. and all of their first responders on receiving this grant.”

*Please Note: This DHS grant is not a federally requested project (earmark) or a stimulus requested project. The DHS grant is part of the 2011 AFG award program and has been in operation since the year following September 11, 2001. The AFG award program is intended to support first responder training, supply adequate firefighting/EMS equipment, including rescue vehicles and protective gear, as well as provide for the wellness and fitness of firefighters.

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“The bill also protects the taxpayers by making common sense reforms to government programs. It removes a federal restriction that presently denies states the opportunity to institute drug screening programs for those receiving unemployment benefits. It requires those seeking a refundable child tax credit to submit a valid social security number so that we can stop illegal aliens from reaping benefits from American taxpayers. It also prohibits millionaires from receiving unemployment benefits and food stamps, while also gradually increasing premiums for high income Medicare beneficiaries. Together, these provisions save more than $31 billion. Additionally, it raises guarantee fees charged to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to better price risk, reduce unfair advantage over the private sector and save the taxpayers over $38 billion.

“This bill provides much needed relief for hard pressed families. It provides a lifeline to better times for the unemployed. It provides security for seniors on Medicare. It protects the taxpayers by paying for every new spending provision. And most importantly, it creates jobs so desperately needed in our economy. I urge the U.S. Senate to act quickly to pass this legislation and send it to the President’s desk for his signature so American families and job creators can be certain that the Christmas present they get from Washington is the relief they need instead of higher taxes, elimination of unemployment benefits and the threat of losing access to their doctor.”

BACKGROUND: Highlights of the Middle Class Tax Relief & Job Creation Act:
Extends Current Payroll Tax Relief, Protects Social Security
• Extends the current lower payroll tax rate for employees, which was reduced from 6.2 percent of wages to 4.2 percent, for one year.
• Ensures that taxes will stay lower for the nearly 170 million Americans who pay payroll taxes, with the average working family saving $1,000 in 2012.
• Cuts government spending and directs those savings to replenish the Social Security Trust Fund

Reforms the federal unemployment insurance (UI) program & Extends Benefits for Americans Struggling
• Focuses on helping Americans get back to work and uses a two-step process to gradually reduce current maximum weeks of benefits from 99 to 59 weeks, a common-sense level that is in line with past recessions and economic downturns (President Obama’s own plan recognizes that American taxpayers cannot subsidize benefits for an unprecedented, unending period of time by reducing the maximum weeks by 20 next year).
• The bill requires all state and federal UI recipients to, as a condition of eligibility, search for work, be in a GED program if they have not finished high school (with common-sense exceptions such as for older workers), and participate in reemployment services to help them get back to work.
• The measure increases state flexibility to test and evaluate innovative state-based solutions.
• The bill targets waste, fraud, and abuse by improving the accuracy and administration of UI benefits.
• The measure allows states, if they desire, to perform drug screening and testing as a condition of providing UI benefits in order to improve prospects for future employment.

Job Creation Initiatives
• The bill accelerates a decision on the Keystone XL energy pipeline, requiring, within 60 days, for the permit to be granted unless the president determines the project is not in the national interest. The measure will create thousands of American jobs and increase America's energy security. Similar legislation passed the House with bipartisan support earlier this year.
• The measure extends 100 percent business expensing through 2012 to make it easier for employers, small and large, to invest now in new machinery and equipment, grow their businesses, and create jobs.
• The bill includes Rep. Morgan Griffith’s (R-VA) EPA Regulatory Relief Act (H.R. 2250) to stop the onerous new boiler rule and require the Obama Administration to develop a more sensible alternative that balances the need to protect both jobs and the environment. The measure, which would protect more than 200,000 American jobs, was passed by the House on a bipartisan basis on October 13.
• The measure includes spectrum auctions to advance wireless broadband service, bring interoperable broadband communications to public safety officials, spur billions in private investment, and create thousands of jobs – consistent with Rep. Greg Walden’s (R-OR) Jumpstarting Opportunity with Broadband Spectrum (JOBS) Act.

Includes Two-Year “Doc Fix,” Further Defunds the President’s health care law
The bill provides a two-year “doc fix” and savings to offset the reimbursement cost, including further defunding the President’s health care law. A two-year “doc fix” extension is the longest stretch of time in nearly a decade. Bringing this level of stability to seniors and physicians will pave the way for a permanent solution.

Reforms & Extends Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program
The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, which replaced the prior open-ended welfare entitlement with a fixed federal block grant as part of the 1996 welfare reform law, expires December 31, 2011, and makes two reforms to (1) improve program administration by standardizing data elements to improve integrity and collaboration; and (2) close the current “strip club loophole” to ensure that welfare funds cannot be accessed in strip clubs, liquor stores, and casinos by blocking welfare electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards from working in ATMs there.

Spending Cuts – Not Tax Hikes on Job Creators – to Offset Payroll/UI Extension
The bill includes spending cuts in government programs – not tax increases on job creators – to fully pay for extending current payroll tax relief and unemployment insurance benefits. This includes extending the current pay freeze for federal workers, including Members of Congress, eliminating government benefits for millionaires & billionaires, targeting fraud and abuse, and reforming entitlement programs – many ideas for which President Obama has already expressed support.

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As I travel across our state and talk to small business owners and farmers about what the federal government can do to help get our economy moving, I hear a familiar refrain: just get the federal government out of the way. While there has been a great focus on the impact government overspending and taxation has on the economy, there has been far less attention focused on the impact of government over-regulation. And as I talk to more and more people in Michigan, I have become convinced that the three most feared letters in the federal alphabet soup of regulatory agencies are no longer IRS, it is now EPA.

It seems that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cannot regulate enough, and is unconcerned about any potential negative effects on jobs that their regulations would cause. In fact, in recent congressional testimony a high ranking EPA official was asked if the EPA took into consideration the impact on jobs and he said no. When asked why, he simply stated: “because we don’t have to.” In this difficult economy that is simply wrong. The EPA’s regulatory over-reaches are legendary to American farmers. In recent years, the EPA has tried to regulate spilled milk as oil and every mud puddle on a farm as a navigable waterway. Their regulatory over-reaches without fail impose massive new costs on farmers and eliminate countless jobs.

Within Congress, I have been working to reign in the overzealous EPA regulators and their seemingly never-ending over-regulation. My goal is to ensure that our nation’s regulators keep their focus on protecting our environment, but also on protecting much needed jobs and strengthening our economy.

Just this week, I voted to stop the EPA from another out-of-control regulatory over-reach. The EPA wants to double the standard by which our nation regulates farm dust by putting another undue burden on our nation’s farmers. I sometimes wonder if anyone from the EPA has ever visited a farm. Farmers work with the soil in fields where sometimes dust is stirred up. They also work in rural areas on unpaved roads that again cause the creation of dust. Dust is a fact of life in rural America and our farmers have gone to great lengths to conserve soil which helps to prevent undue amounts of dust. What they do not need is another Washington bureaucrat making their job even more difficult and more expensive.

I am proud to have supported and voted for passage in the U.S. House of H.R.1633, the Farm Dust Regulation prevention Act of 2011 which would prohibit the EPA from burdening farmers and small business owners in rural America with additional dust regulations.

We must all now urge the U.S. Senate to swiftly pass this bill and ensure that the EPA doesn’t continue to create more regulatory dust that is choking America’s farmers.

“Every farmer understands that dust is a fact of life in American agriculture and they go to great lengths to reduce soil erosion which helps to prevent undue amounts of dust. The facts are that farmers work in fields where sometimes dust is stirred up and also on unpaved roads that again cause the creation of dust. These proposed new dust rules will be another burden to be borne by farmers and small business owners in rural America. I was proud today to vote in favor of this bill which protects our farmers from the undue burdens that these regulations would impose. I urge the U.S. Senate to swiftly pass this bill and ensure that the EPA doesn’t continue to create more regulatory dust that is choking America’s farmers.”

Note: The EPA is in the process of reviewing the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for particulate matter (PM10). Coarse particulate matter, including dust, is much more prevalent in rural areas due to unpaved roads, agriculture field work and wind. There remains a concern for many in the agriculture industry if the standards for PM10 are reduced, farmers will struggle to comply with the over-burdensome regulation while simply conducting normal agriculture activities.

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“The most pressing problem in America today is our sluggish economy and the lack of needed new jobs. I have heard from job creators across my district that federal over-regulation has hurt their ability to expand their businesses and create the jobs we so desperately need. Small businesses pay thousands upon thousands of dollars per employee to comply with federal regulations which cost our economy $1.75 trillion annually. Too often Washington bureaucrats who are far removed from the real economy impose these regulations with no consideration given to the impact on jobs. This is why I was proud to vote in favor of the REINS Act which will stop the current trend in Washington of federal agencies proposing regulations which stifle our job creators and small businesses, and will provide much needed accountability for federal bureaucrats and transparency added to the regulatory process. It is long past time for federal regulators to understand that jobs are the top priority and it is time for government to get out of the way of the job creators.”

Background: The REINS Act would require an up-or-down, standalone vote in Congress and the President’s signature on all new economically significant rules before they can be enforced on the American people, job-creating small businesses, or state and local governments. Major rules are considered those that have an annual economic impact of $100 million or more.
• According to the Small Business Administration, federal regulations cost our economy $1.75 trillion per year.
• The Obama Administration’s December 2010 report on federal regulations listed more than 4,200 regulatory actions under development by federal agencies.
• In 2011, the Obama Administration is expected to propose more than 200 regulations costing over $100 million each. Seven of those new regulations will cost the economy more than $1 billion each. For more information visit: http://geoffdavis.house.gov/REINS/.

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“Today’s announcement on the cross-border strategy reached by President Obama and Prime Minister Harper is the best news we have had for the Blue Water Bridge during my time in Congress. As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security, I have urged the Administration to put a stronger focus on changes to facilitate trade across our borders, lower wait times for those who cross the border and to make the needed infrastructure investments needed to achieve these goals. I am encouraged that the Administration and the Canadians have agreed to a deal that will accomplish all of these goals. I look forward to working with the Administration and our Canadian partners to provide the necessary oversight as we begin to implement these much needed changes to make certain that we achieve these important goals.

“This cross-border plan focuses on programs that I believe will greatly improve our infrastructure and security needs. Particularly, the strategy calls for coordinating border infrastructure investments and identifies the Blue Water Bridge, our nation’s second busiest commercial border crossing on the Northern Border, as a priority which should free up the needed federal resources so that we can finally complete the long overdue Blue Water Bridge Plaza expansion project.

“I intend to aggressively push for many of these key elements to be put in place as soon as possible so we can increase the control of our border while improving the overall traffic flow on a daily basis. I will continue to press the Administration to use the Blue Water Bridge as a testbed for many of the pilot programs being created by this plan. I think that the Blue Water Bridge offers a perfect artery to test out the pre-inspection and pre-clearance initiatives laid out in the agreement. I am very encouraged that President Obama singled out the automotive industry and the agriculture industry as the industries which were priorities in developing this plan, which again signals the priority placed on the Blue Water Bridge because of the great amount of trade in both those industries which cross the bridge every day.

“Furthermore, I was especially pleased to see a proposal for increased information sharing for the entry and exit of our travelers. Under my leadership as Chairman of the Border and Maritime Security Subcommittee, the Committee has looked closely at the visa overstay problem; in fact visa overstays today represent nearly 40% of the illegal aliens in our nation. It is my hope that the additional information sharing outlined in this plan will contribute to a more robust Entry/Exit system as recommended by the 9/11 Commission which will help us better identify those who have violated the terms of their visa.”

Background – On February 4, 2011, President Obama and Prime Minister Harper issued a Declaration of Principles to build upon partnerships between the United States and Canada for accelerating the legitimate flow of people, goods and services, as well as enhancing border security. Today’s agreement establishes an Action Plan to implement the February 4th Beyond the Border Declaration and will consist of:

• Conducting joint integrated border threat assessments;
• Promoting increased information sharing of law enforcement information;
• Enhancing domain awareness in the air, land, and maritime environments;
• Developing a harmonized approach to screening inbound cargo arriving from offshore to expedite the movement of secure cargo;
• Mutual Recognition of Air Cargo Screening controls;
• Increased sharing of entry data at land borders so that the entry information from one country could constitute the exit information from another;
• Harmonizing Trusted Trader and Trusted Traveler Programs to conduct risk-based targeting;
• The Action Plan identifies Sarnia, Ontario, as a priority location for facility enhancements to support trusted trade and traveler programs such as expanding NEXUS lanes and booths;
• Coordinating border infrastructure investments. The plan identifies the Blue Water Bridge as a priority for infrastructure improvements;
• The Action Plan includes pilot programs, such as deploying Radio Frequency Identification technology to the Ambassador Bridge, the Blue Water Bridge, and the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel, to facilitate secure passage and expedite processing;
• The Action Plan includes further developing and promoting integrated cross-border law enforcement operations, including routinely deploying integrated Shiprider Teams with US Coast Guard and Royal Canadian Mounted Police personnel.

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“The November auto sales figures released yesterday are undeniable proof that the American auto industry is back and that our domestic auto manufacturers can compete and win against global competition. Each of the Big Three automakers posted major gains in sales compared to November 2010 with GM sales up 7%, Ford sales up over 13% and Chrysler sales up a stunning 45%. These sales increases have been driven forward by the outstanding products that the Big Three automakers produce. I congratulate the great work of the management, innovators and the best workforce in the world that have rebuilt this great industry and have proven that Detroit is back! I offer particular congratulations to those who work at the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant, the home of the Chrysler 200 which is truly driving Chrysler forward. The sales of this great vehicle were up an astounding 496% percent compared with last year’s sales of its predecessor model. After several years of painful restructuring of the auto industry, we can now see for certain a bright future that will not only help drive the industry forward, but also our state and national economy.”

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Note: H.R. 1801 directs TSA to develop and implement a plan to provide expedited screening through our nation’s airports for any member of the U.S. Armed Forces (and any accompanying family member), when that individual presents documentation indicating official orders while traveling in uniform.

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Candice Miller (MI-10) today spoke on the Floor of the U.S. House of Representatives in support of the Balanced Budget Amendment that is currently being debated and scheduled for final vote on Friday, November 18th. Miller said:

“Our Constitution is certainly the greatest governing document ever created by man. It is the bedrock foundation for this, the United States, the greatest nation on earth. Our Founding Fathers in their genius provided us with a way to amend the Constitution to deal with a changing world. James Madison, who is widely seen as the Father of the Constitution once said, ‘A public debt is a public curse.’

“In 1995, this House passed a very similar Balanced Budget Amendment to the one we are considering today. The amendment received 300 votes in this House, but fell just one vote short in the United States Senate. Since that time our national debt has grown by over $9 trillion, including nearly $4 trillion in new debt in just the last three years. And today the debt is over $15 trillion.

“The fact of the matter is our public debt has become the public curse of which Madison warned us. The American people understand this level of debt is not sustainable and that is why they overwhelmingly support this balance budget amendment. Today, we have a choice. Do we answer the call of the American people and embrace fiscal responsibility, or do we continue the status quo of more spending, more borrowing and more debt? It is time for this Congress to use the tools our Founding Fathers gave us to amend the Constitution to save further generations from the shackles of unsustainable debt. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this commonsense amendment to balance our federal budget.”

Note: H.J. Res. 2 is a commonsense amendment to the Constitution that will force Congress to eliminate unnecessary and wasteful spending and make the decisions necessary to balance the budget and eliminate the federal deficit. If approved by a two-thirds majority of each chamber of Congress and ratified by three-fourths of state legislatures, this amendment would prohibit federal spending in any fiscal year from exceeding receipts for that year unless a supermajority of 3/5 of both chambers vote to provide otherwise; requires a corresponding 3/5 vote to raise the debt ceiling; and requires the President to submit a balanced budget to Congress each fiscal year. In addition, this amendment requires a majority roll call vote for any proposed bill to increase taxes. It also provides for a limited exception in times of war and serious military conflicts.

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“Our nation owes a great debt to those who through their service in uniform have sacrificed greatly to keep our nation free. With the drawdown of our forces from Iraq and Afghanistan, many are now returning home in search of jobs and opportunities. The bill we passed today will provide Veterans with training and educational resources to help them prepare for opportunities and provides tax incentives to encourage employers to provide jobs to those who have given this nation so much.

“Additionally, included in H.R.674, Congress has moved forward the repeal of the IRS’s 3% withholding tax, which would apply to every payment for every contractor at every level of government. This directly affects companies who do business with the federal government and is a needless detriment to job creation.

“Both of these provisions were included in President Obama’s jobs bill and represent a starting point to find common ground on new job creation. We may disagree on certain approaches to build up our nation’s economy, but these are some measures we can certainly agree on – particularly assisting our Veterans who have so bravely served our nation. ”

Background: H.R.674 now heads to the President for his signature. H.R.674 includes:
Veterans Retraining Assistance Program: creates a new, three year employment retraining assistance program for up to 100,000 unemployed veterans who enroll in either technical schools or community colleges in an occupation field that the Department of Labor (DOL) determines to have significant employment opportunities. According to CBO, the maximum monthly amount of assistance for qualifying veterans would be $1,426—the same amount paid under the Montgomery GI Bill. Eligible veterans include those who are unemployed, between the ages of 35 and 60 years old, honorably-discharged from active duty, and are not receiving any other VA educational benefits (included in the House-passed H.R. 2433).
Changes to the Transition Assistance Program: mandates that most separating service members participate in the job training workshops provided by the DOL unless they fall into a specific exemption.
Translating Military Skills and Training: requires the DOL, in consultation with the Department of Defense (DOD) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), to contract for a study to identify equivalencies between military occupational specialty skills (MOS) and qualifications for private sector employment. Also, private entities will be contracting with the DOD to provide transition assistance services including counseling, identification of employment and training opportunities, and an assessment of academic preparation for education or training.
Tax Incentives for Hiring Veterans: provides a tax credit to employers of up to $5,600 for hiring a veteran who has been seeking employment for more than six months, as well as a $2,400 credit for veterans who are unemployed for more than four weeks, but less than six months. Up to $9,600 of tax credits are available to employers who hire veterans with service-connected disabilities who have been seeking employment for more than six months.

Repeal of the 3% withholding requirement: repeals the three percent withholding requirement on payments made to vendors by all levels of government (federal, state, and local). Without repeal, this withholding requirement is scheduled to take effect in the beginning of 2013.

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“This legislation simply allows those who have gotten the training to receive a permit to carry in their home state to use that permit in other states. The bill also requires that concealed weapons permit holders abide by the local laws in the state where they choose to exercise this right and thus is not a federalization of gun laws.

“Just as another state cannot deny driver license holders from Michigan the ability to drive in that state, they should not deny concealed carry permit holders from Michigan the right to carry. I applaud the passage of this legislation that strengthens the constitutional rights of all Americans.”

Background: H.R.822 allows law-abiding gun owners with valid state-issued concealed firearm permits or licenses to carry a concealed firearm in any other state that also allows concealed carry. This measure does not preempt a state’s ability to set concealed-carry requirements for its own residents. It requires states that currently permit people to carry concealed firearms to recognize other states’ valid concealed carry permits – much like the states recognize drivers’ licenses issued by other states. In addition, H.R.822 does not affect state laws governing how firearms are carried or used within the various states. A person visiting another state must comply with all laws and regulations governing the carrying and use of a concealed firearm within the state.

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“I am an advocate for this technology to be tested, and where appropriate, used along the nation’s borders. The reason is simple, the American taxpayer has already spent billions of research and development dollars to test, prove and field such equipment. As our military draws down in Iraq and Afghanistan we should, at a minimum, consider using DOD equipment to determine if it can fill a capabilities gap here at home instead of allowing it to collect dust on a shelf or in a warehouse. The Predator B is perhaps the best example of how DOD technology can be successfully used along the border. It has literally revolutionized how we fight insurgents in the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, and is currently being applied here at home by DHS where we now have eight unmanned aerial vehicles patrolling the skies over the Northern, Southern and Coastal borders.

“It is my hope that at home we will be able to develop a clearer channel within DOD for DHS to locate technology that has application for the Homeland environment. I commend the work DOD has already accomplished with connecting our nation’s first responders with certain types of technology transfer programs, but my intent is also to see what Congress can do to facilitate the transfer of larger, more sophisticated technology solutions, such as the Predator tunnel detection and wide area surveillance platforms. DHS should be constantly searching for technology already purchased by government to help our agents better secure the nation both at and between the ports of entry.”

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“The support of Michigan and Rep. Miller in securing this critical first grant will allow the Reef Light to begin it’s second life. This grant will allow the Port Austin Reef Light Association to continue along the path to full restoration of this ‘Castle in the Lake’ and begin its second 25 years of restoration,” said Lou Schillinger, President of the Port Austin Reef Light Association.

Located 2.5 miles off the shore of Port Austin, Michigan, the Port Austin Reef Lighthouse was established and first lit in 1878 and is operational to this day. In 1988, the PARLA was formed and became the caretaker for restoration and upkeep of this historic lighthouse

MLAP was established to assist in the preservation, rehabilitation and protection of historic lighthouses in Michigan. The MLAP grant provides funding for planning and rehabilitation projects at Michigan light stations. Funding for the grant program comes from the sale of the Michigan’s “Save our Lights” lighthouse license plates, a fund-raising license place implemented in 2001 by then-Secretary of State Miller. For information, visit http://www.michigan.gov/mshda/0,1607,7-141-54317_21818---,00.html

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