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Update from U.S. Senator Bob Corker
August 2008
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| 08-01-08 - At a press conference in Washington, D.C., Sen. Corker and a bipartisan group of ten senators, five Republicans and five Democrats, unveil a plan, the New Energy Act of 2008, to reduce energy prices. Pictured from left to right are: U.S. Senators Kent Conrad (D-ND), Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), Bob Corker, and Ben Nelson (D-NE). |
A Bipartisan Plan to Reduce Energy Prices
Last week, I joined the nine other members of a bipartisan coalition of senators being referred to as the “Gang of 10” to unveil an energy proposal to reduce gasoline prices, lessen our nation’s dependence on foreign oil, and strengthen America’s economy.
We have put forth a bill that focuses on supply, conservation, and alternatives, and I hope it becomes a centerpiece of discussion when we get back in September. By opening up additional areas in the Gulf of Mexico and parts of the Outer Continental Shelf for drilling, our bill provides additional access to oil and gas reserves and sends an important signal that will change market expectations and have an immediate impact on prices. Our proposal also contains incentives to spur the growth of nuclear power, a source of electricity that must be a vital component of this country's clean energy future. In addition, our proposal decreases demand for energy, particularly oil, by transitioning our cars and trucks to new technologies such as electric vehicles, hybrids, and alternative fuels.
The bipartisan coalition is led by Senators Kent Conrad (D-ND) and Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) and includes John Thune (R-S.D.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), Mary Landrieu (D-La.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga), Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), and Ben Nelson (D-Neb.).
This exercise has been a “pendulum of pain” as five Democrats and five Republicans sat down to agree on something. Compromise has been a big part of this, and that’s what it takes in this body to make something happen. Working with this bipartisan group on a solution to America’s energy needs has been a labor of love, and it’s EXACTLY what I came to the Senate to do.
I hope the American people understand that securing our energy future will require a strong commitment and cannot occur overnight. This bill starts us down the right path, and I sincerely hope it will receive serious attention and support.
Press Release: Corker, Gang of 10 Unveil Plan to Reduce Energy Prices
Tennessean (Op-ed): Logic says we should use bridge to future
Press Release: Lifting Executive Ban on Offshore Production Must Be Accompanied With Congressional Action
Press Release: Corker, Bipartisan Group of Senators Commit to Drafting Energy Legislation
Tennessee and Volkswagen: America at its best
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| 07-15-08 – Senator Corker celebrates the Volkswagen announcement with Volkswagen of America CEO Stefan Jacoby (at left) and Governor Phil Bredesen (at right). |
I will never forget the moment I got the call that forever changed Chattanooga and the region: Volkswagen will build its U.S. automotive production facility at the Enterprise South Industrial Park in Chattanooga. That call was the culmination of a community-wide vision becoming a reality and by far one of the best moments in my public service career.
For years the Chattanooga community has steadily executed a shared vision to transform our city. Our vibrant downtown and waterfront is a direct result. Another aspect of the vision included turning a former army ammunition plant into a world-class industrial park that could eventually attract a major auto manufacturer. During my time as mayor, our community built the infrastructure that established Enterprise South and began an aggressive marketing effort to recruit a major auto prospect to the site. Through twists and turns, the community maintained focus, invested wisely and exercised tremendous effort and energy in recruiting a major employer to our city. Volkswagen has broken an economic barrier, and the realization of the vision to which we have held true will take the city, the region, and the state to levels we can only begin to imagine.
Volkswagen’s announcement affects every person in our state and will for generations. It’s difficult to find a sector of our state that will NOT be affected positively. Not only will the Chattanooga region be transformed by the tremendous economic impact and new job creation that will result from Volkswagen’s investment, our entire state will reap great benefits from suppliers and other supporting businesses this facility will attract.
The impact is even more significant because Volkswagen’s Chattanooga manufacturing facility will house engineering, purchasing – literally every aspect of U.S. car production. With Nissan, GM, and Volkswagen facilities in Tennessee, I believe we are becoming THE auto manufacturing state in the country. It’s difficult to quantify the incredible ripple effects of Volkswagen’s decision, and I hope it gives Tennesseans confidence to replace the feelings of uncertainty and vulnerability in these volatile economic times.
In announcing their decision, Volkswagen praised Tennessee’s outstanding quality of life and the remarkable partnership of elected officials of both parties and community leaders at the local, state, and federal level who worked on the project. I cannot say enough about the outstanding leadership that Governor Phil Bredesen and Tennessee ECD Commissioner Matt Kisber demonstrated. We are fortunate to have them leading our state in this way. Coupled with the experience of Senator Lamar Alexander, who brought Nissan and GM to Tennessee in the 1980s, and the steadfast dedication of Congressman Zach Wamp, Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield, and especially Hamilton County Mayor Claude Ramsey who saw the project through from inception to completion, the team effort was seamless.
Because the third largest auto manufacturer in the world has deemed Tennessee worthy of this significant investment, we send a message to the entire world that Tennessee is THE place to live and work, and as Volkswagen of America CEO Stefan Jacoby reinforced: “America at its best.”
Press Release: Reaction to VW Announcement
Knoxville News-Sentinel (Editorial): Great landing: VW comes to Tennessee
Chattanooga Times Free Press (Free Press Editorial): VW, welcome to Chattanooga!
Chattanooga Times Free Press (Times Editorial): Volkswagen's new home
Chattanooga Times Free Press: Chemistry: that magic ingredient
On the Side of Tennessee Patients, Doctors, and Hospitals
One of my top priorities in the U.S. Senate is ensuring that all Americans have access to high-quality, private health insurance that is affordable and transferable between jobs. I believe 2009 will be a significant year for health reform, but until we comprehensively deal with the issue, I have committed to making sure Tennessee's most vulnerable citizens have access to medical care.
There was a great deal of misinformation generated by my votes on the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act, but my position has been clear. Sen. Lamar Alexander and I have consistently supported not only a delay to the Medicare physician payment cut, but a solution that ensures seniors' access to health care will not be jeopardized. Our initial votes against the Medicare bill were to force bipartisan negotiations and secure the best possible bill for Tennessee.
As a result, we received a commitment from Senate leadership to permanently deal with a significant problem at the Regional Medical Center of Memphis (the Med) as soon as possible. Uninsured patients from Arkansas and Mississippi who use the Med generate millions of dollars annually in uncompensated care costs, but under current law, Medicaid cannot reimburse the Med for those costs. This issue has put a huge financial strain on the Med, Shelby County and public hospitals throughout Tennessee.
The bill also provides Tennessee hospitals with temporary Medicaid funds to help offset the costs of treating uninsured patients. Tennessee and Hawaii are the only two states in the country that do not get permanent funding of this kind.
Throughout negotiations, we also helped ensure the bill included provisions to keep community pharmacies in business, maintain seniors' access to medical equipment like diabetic supplies, increase access to anesthesiology services, and incentivize doctors to send prescriptions electronically.
Leaf-Chronicle (Editorial): Senators did right thing
Commercial Appeal (Editorial): Taking risks for The Med
Press Release: Alexander, Corker Vote Again to Strengthen Medicare, Reverse Cuts in Physician Payments, Help Tennessee Hospitals
Press Release: With a Commitment to Fix the MED Issue, Alexander and Corker Vote for Bill to Delay Cuts in Medicare Payments to Physicians
Legislative Update
Testifying on Behalf of the Tennessee Music Industry
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| 07-29-08 - Senator Corker testified on behalf of the Tennessee music industry at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled “Music and Radio in the 21st Century: Assuring Fair Rates and Rules across Platforms.” Corker urged the Committee, which is considering legislative action that would drastically affect the recording industry, to remember the creators and performers who bring us this music. From left to right: U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-TN) and U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR). |
Our state has been blessed with numerous songwriters, musicians, and small and large business entities that work to bring us the music we listen to on a daily basis. During my time in the Senate I have had numerous briefings to learn how the music industry works. It is a complex and multi faceted industry. It is also an industry that is in severe crisis. Due to advances in technology, this industry faces numerous challenges, most dramatic of which has been the impact of piracy and the evolution of technology affecting the revenue streams of the various industry entities.
On behalf of the Tennessee music industry, I testified at a Senate Judiciary Committee last week as the committee considered legislative action that would lower royalties paid to sound recording copyright owners, featured performers, and non-featured performers who are compensated under royalties paid by “webcasters.” I urged the Committee to remember the creators and performers who bring us this music. Should this new rate formula come into effect, Tennessee musicians and copyright holders would ultimately be compensated less under the proposed formula rather than the existing rate structure established by the Copyright Royalty Board in March 2007.
When debating these issues I believe it is very important to keep in mind that without the songwriters, performers, and various businesses that create the music there would be no music for us to listen to over our radios.
Press Release: Corker Testifies on Behalf of Tennessee Music Industry at Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing
Opposed to Giving Treasury a Blank Check and Unprecedented Powers to Bail Out Fannie and Freddie
In early July, I supported the Senate version of a housing package to modernize the Federal Housing Administration and reform oversight of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac because I believed it included some important tools to modernize and reform our housing markets that will push us out of this downward cycle. In the interim, the crisis with Fannie and Freddie occurred and provisions were added to the bill that give the Treasury Secretary a blank check and unprecedented powers to deal with Fannie and Freddie without appropriate direction and oversight. Fannie and Freddie have reached an untenable place where we are socializing their risks and privatizing their profits at the cost of the American taxpayer. They have dual objectives as private entities with a responsibility to their shareholders as well as a government imposed social mission, and in essence, taxpayers bear the cost of the downside and shareholders and management get the benefits of the upside. The current crisis was a golden opportunity to be prescriptive and consider either nationalizing these entities, breaking them up and selling them off, or truly privatizing them. Obviously, I strongly prefer the latter, but my greatest disappointment is that we have missed this opportunity to rectify the problem.
Press Release: Corker Votes Against Giving Treasury Secretary a Blank Check and Unprecedented Powers to Bail Out Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
Asking Senators McCain and Obama to Adopt Bipartisan Bill on Health Care Reform
Senator Alexander and I joined other cosponsors of the Healthy Americans Act in a letter to U.S. Senators John McCain and Barack Obama asking the presidential candidates to work with us on legislation to reform the nation's health care system. The Healthy Americans Act empowers Americans to choose their own affordable, portable health insurance policy from the private market. No matter whom our next president is, on the first day of his term this bipartisan legislation can provide a starting point to pass meaningful health care reform. While changes will certainly need to be made, it reflects multiple points of agreement between Republicans and Democrats and proves that we can provide all Americans with access to affordable, private health coverage without adding to the federal deficit. I hope both presidential candidates will work with us so we can bring a bill to the floor next year and achieve a major accomplishment for the American people on the issue of health care.
Press Release: Alexander, Corker Ask McCain and Obama to Work with Them on Health Care Reform
Consumer Product Safety Bill Will Enhance Public Safety
Passage of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act is good news for American consumers. I supported this legislation to modernize the Consumer Product Safety Commission so the agency can better protect the public from potentially dangerous products - especially those imported from foreign countries - before they get into the hands of consumers. The Senate version of this bill included provisions that could have created a patchwork of confusing consumer product safety standards across the country, forcing me to withhold my support until these issues were resolved in a final reconciliation between the House and Senate. Now that my concerns have been satisfied, I believe this important bill will go a long way toward enhancing public safety.
Press Release: Corker: Consumer Product Safety Bill Will Enhance Public Safety
Senate Confirms Petraeus and Odierno
The Senate confirmations of General David Petraeus as commander of U.S. Central Command and General Raymond Odierno to succeed Petraeus as Multinational Force, Iraq commander are positive – both for the Generals and for America’s interests in Iraq and the broader Middle East. I’ve had the great honor of spending time with General Petraeus and General Odierno on the ground in Iraq. As a team, they have performed their mission in Iraq with honor and distinction and deserve our thanks for turning an intolerable security situation into an opportunity for the Iraqis to secure and sustain their country. Even as some U.S. forces will be returning from Iraq, Afghanistan will require more focus and General Petraeus is the most qualified person to oversee that effort.
Press Release: Corker: Petraeus, Odierno Confirmations Good for the Generals and for American Interests in Iraq and the Broader Middle East
Corker Votes for Terrorism Surveillance Bill (FISA)
After extensive bipartisan negotiations between the White House and Congress, the Senate passed legislation, commonly called “FISA,” to reauthorize the terrorist surveillance program responsible for monitoring the communications of foreign terrorists. Without Congressional action, a temporary extension of the program would have expired in August. Allowing U.S. intelligence agencies to monitor terrorist communications is vital to our national security and reauthorization of this program will help prevent future terrorist attacks against the United States. This compromise bill establishes the appropriate and necessary updates to the current FISA law so we can continue to protect our citizens’ privacy while at the same time ensuring their security and well-being. The legislation also reasserts the role of the FISA court in approving surveillance actions with the speed and efficiency necessary to address immediate threats and the role of Congress in providing the oversight essential to our democracy. Americans can be reassured that their constitutional rights will be secured while our government will retain the tools necessary to track terrorists throughout the world.
Press Release: Corker Votes for Terrorism Surveillance Bill
Removing Nelson Mandela from Terror Watch Lists
Earlier this year, in a meeting with the U.S. Ambassador to South Africa, I learned that former South African President Nelson Mandela and other members of the African National Congress were on the terrorist watch list – for activities they conducted against South Africa’s apartheid regime decades ago – barring them from receiving travel visas to the U.S. I was proud to join Sens. John Kerry and Sheldon Whitehouse in coauthoring legislation to remove Mandela and other ANC members from U.S. terrorism watch lists. Nelson Mandela served as a beacon for freedom and democracy during a dark time in the history of South Africa. I am pleased the president has signed into law a piece of legislation that will honor his commitment and sacrifices by lifting dishonorable travel restrictions imposed upon him and other members of the ANC.
Press Release: Kerry, Corker, Whitehouse Announce Nelson Mandela Will Be Removed From Terror Watch Lists
Commercial Appeal: World has been senator's province; Corker's first 18 months spent on global affairs
Reauthorizing Funding for U.S. Global HIV/AIDS Programs
Combating HIV/AIDS is one of the most critical long-term health and national security issues facing the developing world, which is why I recently supported legislation to reauthorize funding for U.S. global HIV/AIDS programs. During trips to Haiti and South Africa over the past year, I’ve had the privilege of talking with individuals that, because of the generosity of the American people, are accessing prevention programs, receiving anti-retroviral medications, and learning skills to improve their quality of life with AIDS. I also met with individuals that have not been so lucky and recognize that more can and should be done to reach these people in need. I was disappointed that the Senate did not pass a couple of amendments that would have further increased accountability so that in the future we can better ensure U.S. programs and contributions are going to fight this disease in the most effective way. Overall, I am pleased to have had a role in shaping the bill, and I hope it brings us closer to meeting the needs of HIV/AIDS patients globally.
Press Release: Corker Votes to Reauthorize Funding for U.S. Global HIV/AIDS Programs
Advancing Cellulosic Ethanol
The University of Tennessee and DuPont Danisco Cellulosic Ethanol (DDCE) have announced a partnership to build a pilot biorefinery and research/development facility for cellulosic ethanol in Vonore, Tenn. The partnership will draw on UT’s expertise in cellulosic feedstock production and its work with Tennessee farmers to grow switchgrass to be a dedicated cellulosic energy crop. This news further solidifies Tennessee’s leading role in the development of cellulosic ethanol. This announcement also shows a marriage of innovative forces in Tennessee’s educational, scientific, agricultural and business communities that are making our country more energy secure while creating jobs and growing the economy of our state.
Press Release: UT-DuPont Partnership to Bring Cellulosic Ethanol Pilot Biorefinery to Vonore
Photos
Addressing the Mount Juliet Noon Rotary Club
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| 07-21-08- Sen. Corker addressed a luncheon of the Mount Juliet Noon Rotary Club. He discussed his work in the Senate in the areas of energy, health care and fiscal responsibility. |
Meeting with the Colombian Ambassador to the U.S.
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| 07-16-08 U.S. Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN) meets with Colombian Ambassador to the United States Carolina Barco at his office in Washington, D.C. to discuss congressional ratification of the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement. The trade agreement, signed by the U.S. and Colombia in 2006, will eliminate virtually all tariffs on U.S. exports to Colombia, but it must be ratified by the U.S. Congress in order to take effect. |
Greeting Greeneville Little Leaguer Meredith Bailey
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| 07-16-08 - Meredith Bailey, a seven year-old member of Greeneville’s Little League baseball team, met with Senator Bob Corker in Washington, D.C. Joining 50 other little leaguers from across the country, Miss Bailey represented the state of Tennessee at The White House for the “Tee Ball on the South Lawn All-Star Game.” Little Leaguers from all 50 states and the District of Columbia gathered on the South Lawn of the White House for the 19th game to be played since 2001. |
Celebrating the UT Lady Vols 2008 National Championship
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| 06-25-08 Senators Corker and Alexander attended a luncheon on June 24 in Washington, D.C. in honor of the 2008 National Champion University of Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team. From left to right: Senator Lamar Alexander, Lady Vols Head Coach Pat Summit and Bob Corker. |
In the News…
Knoxville News-Sentinel (Editorial):
Great landing: VW comes to Tennessee
Chattanooga Times Free Press (Free Press Editorial):
VW, welcome to Chattanooga!
Chattanooga Times Free Press (Times Editorial):
Volkswagen's new home
Chattanooga Times Free Press:
Chemistry: that magic ingredient
Tennessean (Op-ed):
On the Side of Tennessee Patients, Doctors, and Hospitals
The Leaf-Chronicle:
Senators did right thing
Commercial Appeal (Editorial):
Taking risks for The Med
Tennessean (Op-ed):
Logic says we should use bridge to future
Commercial Appeal:
World has been senator's province; Corker's first 18 months spent on global affairs |
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