Budget Battles, Joining Forces and the GOP Targets Seniors -- April 18, 2011
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:
- Budget Battles: Fighting to Protect Working Families
- First Lady Obama and Dr. Jill Biden Introduce Joining Forces
- Seniors Targeted in 2012 Republican Budget Proposal
Budget Battles: Fighting to Protect Working Families
Two weeks ago, Members of Congress were contentiously debating how to fund the federal government through the remainder of 2011. Fortunately in the final hours, a government shutdown was averted with a temporary agreement between President Obama and leaders in Congress. Regrettably, Speaker Boehner's proposal seeks to balance the budget on the backs of working and middle income families at a time when unemployment remains high and food and energy prices are skyrocketing.
I am committed to reducing the deficit and eliminating unnecessary government waste. But rather than burden the most vulnerable in our society, Congress should first start by reducing or removing subsidies and tax loopholes that solely benefit large multinational corporations and the wealthiest Americans. It is simply not fair to place the burden of reducing the deficit on senior citizens, students and working families, while extending or expanding tax cuts for those with high incomes. Rest assured, I will continue to stand up for hardworking American families by supporting measures that will not put not additional financial strain upon our most vulnerable citizens.
For more information, please visit my official website here.
First Lady Obama and Dr. Jill Biden Introduce Joining Forces
With members of our Armed Forces, Reserves and National Guard serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and elsewhere, there has never been a better time for the American people to express our gratitude to our service members and their families for their noble sacrifices. After a decade of war, our young men and women have selflessly served our country, causing them to miss holidays, birthdays and other major events in their family's lives.
These brave men and women need the assurance of knowing that their loved ones at home are being cared for in their absence. That is why I applaud First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden for introducing the Joining Forces program to reform, strengthen and better coordinate support for military families. In recognition that military spouses are often required to move frequently, Joining Forces will assist military spouses in beginning or continuing their careers. Frequent moves are also difficult on military children. The Joining Forces program promotes the academic achievements of military children by giving schools the resources they need to become more responsive to the issues affecting military children. I am confident Joining Forces will make a significant impact on the lives of members of our Armed Forces and their families.
For more information, please click here.
Seniors Targeted in 2012 Republican Budget Proposal
The new Republican budget cuts deep into the heart of programs that are essential to the health of our seniors. This proposal ends Medicare as we know it—and their plan to cut $1.4 trillion in health care benefits through Medicaid would end vital services our seniors depend on. The Republican budget will raise the cost of nursing home care for millions of families, while negatively impacting the quality of such care. Presently, Medicaid covers 43 percent of all U.S. long?term care—including nursing homes and home and community?based supports that many seniors and disabled individuals depend upon as an alternative to expensive institutional care. Everyone deserves access to quality and affordable health care, and I will continue to fight in Congress so that all Americans have access to the necessary services they need and depend on.
Thank you for reading the Carson Courier. Please do not hesitate to contact me with your thoughts and concerns. For more information, please visit my website at https://www.carson.house.gov, my Congressional Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CongressmanAndreCarson and follow me on Twitter@RepAndreCarson. I value your views and your input which help me to better represent the people of Indiana's 7th District in Congress.