We're a nation at war against an enemy who has vowed to exploit every weakness we have.

It is a shame that a majority of Democrats opposed the construction of a border fence. House Republicans, however, remain committed to strengthening our border, stemming the tide of illegal immigration, and protecting the American people.

We can all agree that our nation's immigration system is fundamentally flawed. Yet it is Republicans who believe that securing the border must be our first priority to keep our homeland safe. Nancy Pelosi and a majority of House Democrats have rejected attempts to secure the border first and have supported amnesty for illegal aliens.

Republicans have a record of results on border security. Without Republican leadership in Congress, the president wouldn't have the Secure Fence Act to sign into law today, and the National Guard wouldn't have the funds they are currently using to construct additional fencing along the border. This new law reinforces our border, keeping our homeland safe -- because border security is national security.

Like most Americans, I was appalled by Rush Limbaugh's heartless attack on Michael J. Fox.  Attacking someone suffering from Parkinson's disease is a new low, even for Rush Limbaugh.

Anyone who has ever had a family member who has suffered from this tragic disease knows that Michael J. Fox was not faking.  Parkinson's is a severely debilitating disease that robs it's victims of their motor functions.  Embryonic stem cell research could hold the key to curing this and other life threatening diseases.  Michael J. Fox should be applauded for speaking out on this important and life saving research not ridiculed by the likes of Rush Limbaugh.

Rush Limbaugh should start his show today by begging the forgiveness of Michael J. Fox and the millions of Americans and their families who suffer with this disease every day.

Last week, all six of Michigan's Democratic U.S. Representatives wrote National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) President John Engler.  We asked a simple question: Why are you putting your Republican agenda ahead of the American manufacturers you say you represent?

On September 28, NAM's Board of Directors decided to withhold its support of H.R. 1498, a bill that would have expanded the ability of domestic manufacturers to take action against China due to currency manipulation. The board's decision contradicted the recommendation of the group's economic policy committee and has since created a wide rift in the trade group as member companies have publicly questioned Engler's decision to refuse to stand up for a top priority of many domestic manufacturers.

NAM has previously acknowledged undervaluation of the Chinese yuan and its effects on American manufacturing, but refuses to call for meaningful action from the Bush Administration or Congress. Read more...

This past Sunday I attended a debate in Olympia at Sylvester Park. I debated an anti-war write in candidate on the issue of Iraq. Reportedly, the “WAR

I believe that America has lost confidence in its leadership.  Americans are frustrated and tell me that they want a change in leadership in the Congress.  I am committed to bringing solutions, not complaints to Washington and representing every American, not just a few.

$110 billion dollars is slated for the Iraq war over the next fiscal year. What could we do with $2 billion dollars a week?

We could start by restoring the cuts in education made by the Republican Congress over the last six years. The much-heralded No Child Left Behind Act, passed by Congress and signed into law by President Bush in 2002, is an unfunded mandate. States are cash-strapped because of the weakened economy. They often don’t have the dollars to pay their teachers decently, to keep classrooms from becoming crowded, and to keep schools from being closed. They do not have the money to pay for additional testing, more and better teachers, summer school, after-school classes and tutoring — the mandates of No Child Left Behind. If the states do not comply with the law because they cannot afford to, they run the risk of losing Federal dollars. Read more...

I began the day with a radio interview. We highlighted my differences with Sen. Hutchison on Iraq, but the emphasis was on key Texas issues: drought and water management, the Agriculture Relief bill - mired in Committee - with no effort from the state's US senate leadership to bring it out as farmers wait for two years of relief for production years 2005-06. We discussed the upcoming Farm Bill and the inadequacy of sole reliance on an unaffordable insurance based system from 2002's bill, and inadequate relief which profits the insurance companies, but provides insufficient protection for our aging farmers, as a younger generation seeks profitable work elsewhere.

We concluded with a spirited discussion of horse slaughter. I emphasized the need for the banning of horse slaughter for human consumption. It's encouraging horse theft with ready market for slaughter and contrary to our western values. My opponent won't lift a finger on the issue. Read more...

It is long past time for Congress to convene a modern-day Truman Commission so that we can aggressively reign in the waste and corruption that are bogging down the American reconstruction effort in Iraq.

I first called for the creation of such a body in May of 2005. It was obvious then, as it is now, that the substantial failures of our own contractors were subverting America's efforts abroad. Consider what we have learned in recent years:
In early 2005, a report issued by the Special Inspector General for the Iraqi Reconstruction found that $9 billion spent on reconstruction work was unaccounted for.

For months before this, accusations of price gouging by Halliburton had been gaining momentum, as the public had gradually become aware that the White House-connected corporation had been overcharging the U.S. Army for gasoline in order to inflate its profits by millions of dollars. By May of 2005, new reports revealed that yet another $100 million earmarked between 2003 and 2004 for small building projects throughout Iraq was completely unaccounted for, much of it likely lost to fraud. Read more...

It still amazes me that people continue to question the potential of embryonic stem cell research.

Countless scientists, researchers and medical experts have said that this specific type of research has the potential to improve the lives of tens of millions of patients suffering from diseases, paralysis, and other debilitating conditions.
Earlier this year, Senator Arlen Specter and I asked the top scientists at the National Institutes for Health (NIH) for their thoughts on the issue, and every single one of them said that embryonic stem cell research offers enormous potential in addressing critical health needs.

This reflects the opinion of more than 70 percent of Americans who support expanding funding in this area.
So it’s my hope that this same 70 percent expresses this sentiment at the ballot box. When they make their choice for who they want to represent them in Congress, I hope they choose the candidate who will side with science and give millions a reason to dream. Read more...