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:
· Rep. King's Troubling Hearings
· The Republican "So Be It" Agenda
· Fighting to Protect Programs Aimed at Reducing Foreclosures
· Tax Assistance is Available
· Japanese Tsunami Relief
Rep. King's Troubling Hearings
On Thursday, Chairman Peter King and the Homeland Security Committee commenced a troubling hearing that singles out Muslim Americans as the source of "homegrown terrorism" and focuses exclusively on the radicalization of Muslim Americans. Rather than examining all forms of violence motivated by extremist beliefs, these hearings unfairly stigmatize and alienate one religious group.
Muslim Americans make vital contributions to our society every day. They teach our children, work in hospitals and protect our neighborhoods as police officers and firefighters. It goes against our constitutional rights of religious freedom and equality to place an entire group of people under suspicion of terrorism simply on the basis of their religious beliefs or ethnic background. Unfortunately, Chairman King's hearing did just that.
To watch my interview with CNN's Suzanne Malveaux, click here.
To watch my interview with MSNBC's Cenk Uygur, click here.
To watch my interview with MSNBC's Chris Matthews, click here.
To listen to my interview with NPR's Michel Martin, please click here.
The Republican "So Be It" Agenda
Over the past 12 months, more than one million private sector jobs have been created. Unfortunately, rather than build upon this economic growth, the Republican Party has instead focused on ramming through indiscriminate budget cuts that will reduce economic growth by as much as 2 percent and cost as many as 700,000 American jobs. Instead of weakening our economy and risking our recovery with an irresponsible spending bill, Speaker Boehner and the Republican Party should be focused on creating jobs, accelerating economic growth and reducing the deficit.
Fighting to Protect Programs Aimed At Reducing Foreclosures
This week Republicans introduced legislation to kill valuable programs aimed at preventing home foreclosures. As a member of the House Committee on Financial Services, I worked with my Democratic colleagues in the previous Congress to institute programs like the Emergency Homeowners Loan Program (EHLP) and the Federal Housing Administration's (FHA) Short Refinance Option. These programs have helped to keep tens of thousands of American families in their homes.
The EHLP program provides emergency loans to unemployed homeowners facing foreclosure. The Short Refinance Option program, administered by the FHA, provides assistance to homeowners who owe more than their homes are worth. In its continued attack on working class families, Republicans seek to dissolve these programs despite the fact that mortgage foreclosures remain a persistent threat to our economic recovery. I also recognize that many Hoosier families are still struggling to make ends meet. Now is certainly not the time to cut these important programs.
Tax Assistance is Available
Just a reminder: April 18, 2011 is the due date for filing your federal income taxes. For those with questions or those who need tax preparation assistance, please click here.
Japanese Tsunami Relief
On Friday morning, a massive earthquake, measuring an 8.9 on the Richter scale, struck off the coast of Japan, producing a massive tsunami that killed hundreds and wreaked devastation throughout Northeast Japan. My condolences and sympathies go out to the people of Japan and all those affected by this terrible tragedy.
To contribute to the Red Cross's tsunami relief efforts in Japan, please click here.
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.