Dear Friend,
Thank you for reading another edition of my e-newsletter, the Carson Courier. For additional information on these and other topics, please visit my website at https://www.carson.house.gov.
In this week's Carson Courier:
The American Jobs, Closing Tax Loopholes Act
Recovery Act Creating More Jobs
Don't Ask Don't Tell Amendment
Defense Authorization Bill
The American Jobs, Closing Tax Loopholes Act
Democrats in Congress continue to make significant investments in the U.S. economy with the passage of the American Jobs, Closing Tax Loopholes and Preventing Outsourcing Act. This bill will also help middle-class families that are still struggling to make ends meet during this economic recovery by providing significant new tax cuts. Furthermore, businesses will benefit from research and development tax credits to encourage greater investment here in the United States. My colleagues and I in the House will not sit back and allow the American public to fall victim to the failed policies that created the economic crisis.
Recovery Act Creating More Jobs
Early this week the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released a report on the impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act on our nation's economy. The report shows that in the first quarter for 2010 the Recovery Act:
• Raised the level of gross domestic product (GDP) by between 1.7 percent and 4.2 percent (adjusted for inflation)
• Lowered the unemployment rate by between 0.7 and 1.5 percentage points
• Created 1.2 million - 2.8 million American jobs
I was pleased to see this report, which I believe clearly indicates that the efforts of this Congress to grow the economy and put Americans back to work continues to be successful. To see the full report click here.
Don't Ask Don't Tell Amendment
This week I joined my colleagues in voting to repeal the military's misguided Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy. Rolling back DADT will address not only an important human rights issue but a serious national security issue as well. Hundreds of qualified troops have been removed from service due to this flawed policy. By enacting repeal in coordination with defense and military leaders, the amendment works to ensure the implementation of Don't Ask, Don't Tell will be effectively carried out and will not negatively impact our military personnel. I strongly believe that able-bodied, patriotic Americans who are willing to give their lives in defense of their country should be able to do so without reservation. Repealing this policy will allow all Americans to do just that.
Defense Authorization Bill
The Defense Authorization bill enhances the ability of the U.S. military to act more directly against terrorist threats and expands our inclusion of foreign military forces in ongoing counterterrorism efforts. It also benefits actively serving members of the Armed Services and their families by providing them with a 1.9 percent pay raise, which is higher than the .5 percent raise that was requested by President Obama.
I was also proud to author an amendment that was included in this legislation which will expand the military's existing pre-separation counseling program. The amendment ensures that active duty service members receive the counseling they need to manage their personal finances in order to avoid unmanageable debt, bankruptcy and foreclosure upon their return to civilian life.
Read my statement on the House floor here.
Thank you for reading the Carson Courier. Please do not hesitate to contact me with your thoughts and concerns. I value your views and your input which help me to better represent the people of Indiana's 7th District in Congress.