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| October 4, 2005 |
| Bill Frist: Dateline Washington |
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It's been a pretty hectic few weeks here in Washington ... lot's going on. Just wanted to touch base with you on a few key issues that you're going to be hearing more about in the days ahead.
First and foremost, it was a great honor to meet yesterday with the next Associate Justice of the Supreme Court -- Harriet Miers.
A trailblazer for women in the legal world, a trusted advisor to the President, and a sharp attorney, Ms. Miers will be a great addition to the court. She understands the importance of judicial restraint, and will faithfully interpret the Constitution, not legislate from the bench.
Like Chief Justice John Roberts, she'll be a judge who is fair, independent, unbiased and committed to equal justice under the law. And like Chief Justice Roberts, I expect her to get a fair hearing -- and a fair up-or-down vote on the floor of the Senate.
It's like the President said earlier today ... it's up to the Democrats whether or not we'll have a fight on this one.
But I'll tell you ... if a fight is what they want, a fight is what they'll get.
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The recovery continues in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita ...
It's been a trying time for so many Americans ... this past month.
But we are coming together -- as Americans always do -- and we're getting through this.
As one official in Louisiana told me just a few weeks ago:
"We're feeding more people. We're recovering more people. The infrastructure's more improved. We're clearing more roads. We've got more power ... every day, more victories."
The costs of the relief effort will be massive.
Along with several of my colleagues, I sent a letter to President Bush stressing that it is critical that the resources needed for this effort be provided in as fiscally a responsible manner as possible.
I assure you ... I will do everything in my power to make sure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely, promptly, efficiently and effectively.
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Gas prices continue to soar ...
Over $3.00, we've seen, for a gallon of gas.
From farmers driving diesel tractors, to small business owners making deliveries, to parents driving the family car -- everyone's feeling the pinch.
We've even got states closing schools in an effort to save fuel!
I spoke yesterday with the Secretary of Energy -- Samuel Bodman. He stressed that -- in the short-term -- all Americans need to come together and do our very best to conserve energy ... to take those little steps on a daily basis that can make a big difference nationwide.
But the bottom line is ... we need a long-term outlook ... a long-term policy.
Republicans have been talking for years about reducing our dangerous dependence on foreign sources of oil ... because energy independence and national security are inextricably linked.
Hopefully now -- in the face of these soaring prices -- Democrats will rethink their longstanding opposition to building more refineries here at home; rethink their longstanding opposition to exploring for oil in ANWR.
Hard working Americans deserve a break at the pump. .. and Democrats have done little in recent years to ensure that they get one ... little in recent years to reduce our dangerous dependence on foreign sources of oil.
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We've got to stay focused on our borders ...
Border security in America remains dangerously inefficient.
Over 7,000 miles of land span our borders; 330 million non-citizens flow through those borders every year ... an alarming number of them illegally.
As a matter of national security -- as a matter of law -- we MUST protect our nation from those who seek to illegally enter it.
This week I'll be working hard to pass the first step in beefing up our border protections against illegal immigration. The fiscal year 2006 Senate Homeland Security Appropriations conference report provides unprecedented funding and significant increases for a variety of programs to ensure that our borders are protected from those who wish to enter the country illegally.
This is an $883 million increase from the fiscal year 2005.
More to follow on this in the days ahead.
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Crystal Meth: an issue that not enough people are talking about ...
This is a drug that is ravaging towns and communities across the country.
If you haven't heard about it yet, you will.
It is -- without question -- America's #1 drug problem.
It's easily manufactured, highly addictive and extremely destructive.
Its effects on the body can be devastating.
Today, 58% of county police officers cite methamphetamine as their biggest drug problem -- well above cocaine, marijuana, or heroine.
We are taking action.
I joined with several of my colleagues just a few weeks ago in supporting the Combat Meth Act of 2005 ... which will require states that have not acted to restrict access to cold medicines containing meth precursors to do so.
It's a positive step, but more needs to be done in the days ahead.
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On the recent war protest here in Washington ...
This past week, a lot of folks have asked about my thoughts on the protest that took place here in Washington ... against the War in Iraq.
They've asked what I'd say to the protestors.
I'd say this:
This is America. I respect their opinion, and value the freedom they enjoy to express it.
I would remind them, though, that it is because of the heroism of these soldiers - and others like them - that millions of Iraqis today enjoy that same freedom.
Millions of Iraqis -- once violently silenced by a brutal dictator -- can now take to the streets to freely voice their opposition ... just as those folks had been doing.
These soldiers stood up to a brutal dictator who sought to harm us. They stood up to a regime that hated our way of life. They sent a strong message to terrorists around the world. And that message has been heard.
For too long, too many believed they could attack America without consequence.
Not anymore.
These soldiers are heroes ... and believe me, there are millions of people in Iraq -- now free -- who would say the same thing.
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These next few months will be tough ... this is a challenging time.
But Republicans are up to the challenge.
We'll continue to lead on principle. We'll continue to deliver results.
Karl Rove spoke this past weekend to a group of my supporters. I was struck by one of the stories he told ... thought I'd share it with you.
Soon after the 2000 election, he joined President Bush in a meeting with former Senator Tom Daschle. They were discussing items on the agenda ... how to proceed with legislation, etc.
President Bush was discussing his idea for following through on a campaign pledge he had made to implement a new domestic policy.
Daschle was sort of taken aback.
He said: "Well ... I know that's what you said during the campaign, but come on ... you don't really intend to move forward on this?"
Without hesitation, Bush replied:
"I'm going to move forward on this because that's what I told the American people I'd do. I said it then ... and I stand by it now."
I tell that story because it gets at the difference between US and THEM.
We have principles. We have convictions. We have positions that are not poll driven.
And we STAND BY THEM.
***
Again ... just wanted to touch base. I will be sure to keep you posted on these issues -- and more -- in the days ahead.
As always, I welcome your feedback.
Bill Frist, M.D.
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| Reprinted from Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist's Email Update |
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