Prescription Drugs

Congressman Ruppersberger is fighting for a REAL prescription drug benefit. The prescription drug plan that recently passed Congress benefits the drug companies and shortchanges America's Seniors. The bill fails to lower drug costs, prohibits the government from negotiating for lower prices of medicines, creates a huge gap in coverage for Seniors, and forces Seniors to leave trusted doctors and hospitals.

"I promised to vote for a drug benefit that is guaranteed, affordable, and voluntary. The bill that passed Congress does not provide any of this and changed Medicare as we know it. I DID NOT vote for this bill because I would NOT violate my promise to you. I will continue to work in Washington for a comprehensive drug benefit for our Seniors," said Congressman Ruppersberger.

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Tax Cuts

"The Administration's tax cut is not working. It was the wrong tax cut at the wrong time. I am in favor of a tax cut that gives businesses incentives to buy equipment, hire workers, or pay for employee health insurance but this tax cut did not do that. In the history of our country, we have never been at war and had a tax cut. It is poor policy. I never thought I'd be on the floor of Congress asking Republicans to be more fiscally responsible to stop spending and stop borrowing. We are borrowing to pay for a tax cut that is not working. Our great grandchildren will be forced to pay off this debt," said Congressman Ruppersberger.

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First Responders

The Department of Homeland Security is cutting $1.5 billion from over a dozen popular grant programs. Congressman Ruppersberger believes this is wrong.

"We live in an era of uncertain threat levels and local resources are already stretched incredibly thin. We have identified areas where we need to increase our homeland security efforts. This is not the time to be cutting funding for our firefighters, EMTs, and police officers who work hard to try and keep our communities and families safe," said Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger.

Last fall, Congressman Ruppersberger's staff conducted a comprehensive survey of first responders in Maryland's 2nd Congressional District and found that:

• 76% of the first responders and government agencies that participated in the survey have received NO FEDERAL FUNDING for homeland security needs.
• 67% of the agencies that responded put the need for BETTER COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY as one of their top three priorities.

But DHS is completely cutting a grant program that will help first responders improve their communication systems.

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Terrorism

Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger believes our best defense against another terrorist attack is good intelligence. Congressman Ruppersberger also supports transforming the Intelligence Community. He believes it will help prevent another September 11th type attack and help prevent breakdowns in intelligence similar to what happened before the Iraq War.

Congressman Ruppersberger joined his Democratic colleagues on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and rolled out legislation on Thursday, April 1, 2004, that will drastically transform the Intelligence Community.

The changes proposed in the Intelligence Transformation Act will improve communication, coordination, and accountability between intelligence agencies to help disrupt future terrorist attacks and prevent proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The act creates one leader of the Intelligence Community, a Director of National Intelligence, who has operational and budget authority. Right now, the head of the Central Intelligence Agency has responsibility for other intelligence gathering agencies but no authority over them. The new Director of National Intelligence will have that authority.

There are 11 different intelligence agencies in addition to intelligence functions within each of our four armed services. The 9-11 Commission found that one intelligence agency had gathered critical information about the hijackers but did not pass it along to another. It is unclear if the 9-11 attacks could have been prevented but better communication and coordination will definitely help protect our country in the future.

"Good intelligence is our best defense against another terrorist attack. After 9-11, the Intelligence Community began working together more than it ever has but much more needs to be done. This legislation will push the teamwork to a new level to protect our families and our communities," said Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger.

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Veterans

Congressman Ruppersberger represents over 75,000 veterans in Maryland's 2nd District who bravely served and sacrificed for our country. From WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf War to fighting terrorism today in Afghanistan and Iraq - these generations of brave men and women have fought to protect the freedom and democracy we enjoy everyday.

Dutch supports ending concurrent receipts restrictions for disabled veterans and making sure that our veterans' healthcare system has the full funding to treat and heal all of those who have served our country so honorably.

Understanding the importance of veterans' legislation and the need to keep our promises to America's heroes is paramount. That is why Congressman Ruppersberger created a Veterans' Advisory Council, comprised of local leaders from national veterans' groups who understand the needs of our local veterans.

We must support our veterans and that is why Dutch has sponsored, voted and fought for significant legislation including healthcare funding, concurrent receipts, survivor benefits, and flag desecration.

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Jobs and the Economy

Congressman Ruppersberger is working hard in Washington to create jobs and rebuild our economy in Maryland and across the country. He believes jobs are the gasoline that fuels the economy.

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Small Business

America was built by innovative entrepreneurs. Today, small businesses continue to be the backbone of our economy.

There are over 25 million small businesses nationwide and over 133,000 in the state of Maryland. More important, small businesses employ more than half of America's private sector employees. Small businesses created more than three-fourths of US net new jobs (2.5 million out of 3.4 million total) between 1999 and 2000. Yet only half of these businesses survive the first four years even in the best of economic times.

We should create an environment in which these small business entrepreneurs can flourish. Through tax credits and other incentives, lawmakers can help employers create new jobs, purchase equipment, pay for health insurance and grow the economy.

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Steel

In December 2003, President Bush announced his decision to end the temporary tariffs on steel that he imposed nearly two years earlier. These safeguards were put in place to protect against a surge of imports that were causing serious injury to the domestic steel industry. Last December the President concluded that circumstances have changed and the safeguard measures had accomplished their goals.

The steel industry is the backbone of America. We have to do everything we can to maintain a healthy steel industry and help the Bethlehem Steel retirees to get access to their pensions and healthcare.

Congressman Ruppersberger strongly supports the steel industry at Sparrows Point and at other locations across the country. He supports the steel tariffs as long as they continue to promote fair trade and a good steel product.

We have to do everything in our power to help promote U.S. Steel through increased construction and ship building activities. The steel industry a high priority and Congressman Ruppersberger will continue to assist the industry.

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