Tragedy in Haiti

Senator Roberts’ thoughts and prayers are with the people of Haiti as they deal with the aftermath of this severe earthquake affecting hundreds of thousands of people.

U.S. citizens with pending adoption cases in Haiti should contact the Department of State at AskCI@state.gov for information about an adoption case. In the inquiry, include: full name and contact information of parents, full name of child, date of birth of child (if known), and the name and contact information of orphanage. Additional information about adoptions in Haiti can be found at: http://adoption.state.gov/news/Haiti.html# .

For general information from the State Department, visit http://www.state.gov/p/wha/ci/ha/. Contact one of Senator Roberts’ offices should you have further questions: https://www.roberts.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=OfficeLocations .

Senate Health Care Reform Vote

On Christmas Eve, the U.S. Senate passed its version of the health care reform bill. “I voted against the this bill because it will raise taxes in a struggling economy, cut Medicare by half a billion dollars and do nothing to reduce the costs of health care for hardworking Americans. And finally, it will not ensure that all those in need have access to care,” Senator Roberts said.

“The bill was written behind closed doors, full of backroom deals that favor certain states over others in a blatant effort to buy votes with taxpayer dollars – all to pass legislation a majority of Kansans fear will threaten the quality and cost of their health care. Now the Senate must merge this bill - with an even worse House bill. And again the bill has disappeared behind closed doors. I remain committed to responsible reform that improves access to affordable insurance and health care for all Americans. I want to protect the benefits of millions who would like to keep the coverage they have. However, this bill is irresponsible and now we will have a lot of work to do to prevent and fix the damages that will endanger our health care. With the election of Scott Brown in Massachusetts, prospects for bipartisanship have improved. I am hopeful that we will return to commonsense bipartisan cooperation to solve our health care issues and others facing our nation. As we move forward, I seek your advice and help.”

To watch Sen. Roberts’ reaction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hkWQw6g_HM .

Gitmo Terrorists Moving to Illinois

Following the President’s decision to transfer detainees held at the Guantanamo Bay detention center (Gitmo) to Thomson, Illinois, Senator Roberts said, “While I am pleased we were able to keep the Administration from sending these terrorists to Ft. Leavenworth, I fail to see how moving them to any American community is better than where they are now. I remain opposed to moving these terrorists to the mainland and will continue to condemn efforts to place public relations above the security concerns of the American people. We saw again on Christmas Day that these terrorists have not stopped targeting our country."

Senator Roberts, a former Marine, visited Gitmo in 2005 as the then Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee. In January 2009, Roberts joined Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) and Senator Kit Bond (R-MO) in introducing legislation to study the cost and feasibility of re-locating detainees from Gitmo. In February, Roberts supported legislation to block funding for the rushed transfer of detainees to the mainland in 2009. In May, this legislation was signed into law. In late May, Roberts toured the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks at Ft. Leavenworth to see firsthand the dangers to the community and those that live and work on the Fort. Following this tour, he held a town hall meeting to listen to the concerns of residents.

In August, Senator Roberts condemned the notion of moving the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to Ft. Leavenworth, KS amid Obama Administration statements indicating Ft. Leavenworth was under consideration. He then spoke with Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Detainee Policy Philip Carter and expressed extreme displeasure with the rumor that Ft. Leavenworth was under consideration. Later in August, Senators Roberts and Brownback, and U.S. Representatives Lynn Jenkins, Dennis Moore (D-KS), Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Todd Tiahrt (R-KS) sent a letter to invite the President and his Gitmo task force to Ft. Leavenworth to see firsthand that housing detainees there or using it as the site for the federal trials and military commissions would be dangerous for the community and logistically unreasonable. Following little response from Administration officials, Roberts and Brownback placed legislative "holds" on key Administration appointees to the Departments of Defense and Justice until they received answers from the White House regarding press reports that decisions had been made to locate Guantanamo Bay detainees in Leavenworth, Kansas or Standish, Michigan.

Based on a good faith dialogue, the Senators received assurances detainees would not be transferred to Fort Leavenworth and in September, Roberts and Brownback removed legislative holds on key Administration appointees to the Departments of Defense and Justice.

Tanker

Senators Roberts and Brownback, and Congressman Todd Tiahrt recently sent a letter to Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Ashton Carter urging him to maintain the integrity of the KC-X Tanker program and reject sole source blackmail efforts to re-write the warfighter requirements that would skew the competition towards the French tanker.

“Once again, we urge the Department of Defense to draft an RFP to acquire a tanker that best meets the requirements of our military. We will continue to monitor every step in the process. We have been going back and forth on this for more than seven years and we’ve failed to update the tanker for our troops who are now flying missions in planes that were first delivered in the 1950's. I hope the Department of Defense maintains their schedule so that this competition can finally move forward,” Senator Roberts said.

Eisenhower Letter on Display in U.S. Capitol

Hailing from Abilene, Kansas, President Dwight D. “Ike” Eisenhower is Kansas’ most famous native son. On display at the U.S. Capitol Visitor’s Center through March 2010 is a letter written by Dwight D. Eisenhower to U.S. Senator Joseph L. Bristow of Kansas requesting an appointment to the military academy at either Annapolis or West Point. In the letter, the young Eisenhower claimed to be a year younger than he actually was as the Naval Academy did not accept candidates over the age of eighteen. At the time he was nearly twenty. Eisenhower ended up securing Bristow’s recommendation to West Point and as we all know became one of America’s most famous generals during WWII for commanding our Allied forces to victory.

To view the letter on display, visit: http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/208267 . The exhibit opened in October 2009 to celebrate the two millionth visitor at the Capitol Visitor Center.

Senator Roberts said, “As a U.S. Senator, I have the privilege of recommending fine young Kansans to our nation’s military academies every year. Maybe a future U.S. President is among the many students I have recommended. Thank you to the Kansas Historical Society for informing me of this neat Kansas historical item on display for all those visiting our U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC to see.”

Beef Trade with Taiwan

Senator Roberts recently sent a letter to Taiwan’s President Ma Ying-jeou regarding unfair trade restrictions on U.S. beef. Roberts stated, “I write to convey my strong concern regarding the recent legislation passed by the Legislative Yuan to unfairly restrict imports of U.S. beef. The amendment to the Food Sanitation Act bans imports of certain beef products from countries that experienced a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) or the human equivalent during the previous 10 years, directly conflicting with the agreement reached in October to resume beef trade.

“Taiwan is an important ally and trading partner for U.S. farmers, ranchers, and manufacturers. This past fall, Taiwanese officials visited Kansas and other states to expand trade opportunities. I am hopeful this strong relationship continues despite these recent actions to the contrary. The U.S. has implemented a series of safety standards that provide for safe and delicious beef domestically and for our international markets. In short, U.S. beef is safe.

“It is far past time to ensure a commercially viable and predictable market for U.S. beef and allow consumers access to safe and affordable products. As trading partners and members of the World Trade Organization, it is incumbent upon us to base trade decisions on sound science and not fall prey to fear and misinformation. It is possible to both galvanize consumer confidence in the safety of U.S. beef while complying with international agreements. I offer my support in achieving both of these goals.”

Senator Roberts has been an outspoken advocate for adherence to internationally recognized scientific standards and the need to resume full market access for U.S. beef products. From Roberts’ position on both the Senate Finance and Agriculture Committees, he offers unique leadership for Kansas, where the beef industry is one of the largest industries in the state– representing over $6.24 billion in annual revenue.

-30-