Health Care Reform

Senator Roberts remains committed to responsible health care reform that improves access to affordable insurance and health care for all Americans, while protecting the benefits of millions who would like to keep the coverage they have.

As a member of the Senate Finance Committee, Roberts voted against a partisan and costly health care reform bill after several good faith attempts to improve the bill with amendments to preserve Medicare, keep the government out of the doctor- patient relationship and protect the taxpayer were rejected on party-line votes. The Senate Budget Committee found that the bill will cost $1.8 trillion when fully implemented. Other estimates say insurance premiums could increase by $1,500 for single coverage and $4,000 for families over the next ten years.

Senator Roberts said, “Unfortunately, this bill will be rewritten by the majority in conference, behind closed doors. In this proposal, many Americans will lose the coverage they have now, Medicare will be cut by $500 billion, and new taxes will be levied to pay for a bill that will actually restrict access to care, leave 25 million uninsured and do nothing to address the rising costs of care. This is not reform.”

Senate Approves Treece Buyout Amendment

In a major step forward, the Senate approved an amendment – introduced by Senators Roberts, Brownback and Senator Inhofe of Oklahoma – to provide the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the authority to buyout Treece, Kansas. This will help protect and improve the lives of residents living with the daily threat of contamination and health related risks from long abandoned lead and zinc mining.

Senator Roberts said, “These folks have no other way out of this dangerous situation, and I am pleased the Senate has approved this necessary step in order to create a framework for a potential buyout. I look forward to working with the EPA to try and address the special hardship facing these residents.”

At Senator Roberts’ request, EPA sent key officials to Treece in August. Second District Representative Lynn Jenkins led a tour of the community as well as held a town listening session where residents could relay their concerns. Following this visit in September, EPA began blood and air quality testing at the request of residents.

This amendment was included in the Interior Appropriations Bill, which now is in a conference committee to resolve differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill. The conference report then must be approved by both chambers before it heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

ThanksUSA Leadership Award

Recognizing exceptional dedication to American troops and their families, Senator Roberts was awarded the first annual ThanksUSA Leadership Award.

This public charity offers scholarships to spouses and children of active duty military personnel, with priority given to the spouses and children of service members killed or injured in combat. In Kansas alone, more than 30 children and spouses have received scholarships through this program. ThanksUSA’s needs-based scholarship program has become a model for the country. Senator Roberts, along with Senator Richard Burr of North Carolina and the late Senator Kennedy who chaired the Education Committee, included such a model in the Higher Education Reauthorization of 2008, which is now the law of the land.

“As a former Marine, I have been honored to work with this organization almost since its inception. I am continually humbled by the sacrifice of our troops and their families as they work to keep us safe each and every day,” Senator Roberts said.

For more information, please visit www.thanksusa.org

New Cap and Tax Proposal

Senator Roberts remarked on new cap and tax legislation unveiled by Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and John Kerry (D-MA):

“Just as in the House of Representatives, members of coastal states in California and Massachusetts introduced legislation that will be harmful to Kansans. The latest rendition of a cap-and-tax bill raises the price of gasoline, diesel, fertilizer, natural gas, and coal. If this bill were to pass, Kansans, and all Americans, including those in big cities that depend on the food and fiber we grow, are likely to see an increase in their utility bill, transportation costs and basic consumer goods.

“As a member of the Senate Agriculture and Senate Finance Committees, I will continue to fight against such proposals that limit our ability to compete in a global marketplace, ration domestic energy, and result in greater government bureaucracy. It is not in the best interests of the United States to unilaterally undertake mandatory carbon reductions until developing countries like China, India and Brazil agree to the same.”

Supporting General Aviation

Senator Roberts recently joined the Senate General Aviation Caucus to enhance and support general aviation in America. Roberts is one of the first to join the GA Caucus with Co-Chairmen, Senator Mark Begich (D-AK) and Senator Mike Johanns (R-NE) and Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS). Over half of the world’s general aviation airplanes are manufactured in Wichita and the surrounding area. In 2008, Kansas employed nearly 40,000 workers in the aviation sector which impacted roughly 140,000 jobs statewide.

“With the ‘Air Capital of the World’ in Wichita, I was pleased to join the GA Caucus to work hard on behalf of pilots, aircraft owners, and the men and women who manufacture these aircraft. I look forward to working on the unique challenges facing the industry including air traffic control modernization and the ability of American aviation companies to compete in a fair and open global marketplace. Layoffs and mischaracterizations by public officials have created a tough environment for the GA industry. This caucus can help clarify the benefits of the industry and highlight the contributions GA brings to our overall economy,” Senator Roberts said.

Kansas Native Confirmed As CFTC Commissioner

Kansan Jill Somers, was recently confirmed by the Senate for a second term on the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). She is a Fort Scott native, University of Kansas graduate, former staffer for Senator Bob Dole (R-KS) and has worked in the futures industry. As a senior member of the Senate Ag Committee, Senator Roberts supported her nomination.

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