Rep. Chris Shays News 

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My Observations and Recommendations Following My Most Recent Trip to Iraq 

I recently returned from my 19th trip to Iraq. In a letter to Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, others in the Bush Administration, and congressional, military and Iraqi leaders, I outlined 14 observations and 20 recommendations.

The surge is working and better than expected. Support of tribal leaders has been a tremendous benefit to the ultimate success of our effort.

I believe many Iraqis are actually beginning to feel optimistic about their future, but a timeline for U.S. troop drawdown is important to motivate the Iraq Government to take bolder efforts to stabilize their country. I continue to believe a safe, seamless and responsible drawdown is our best hope for success.

Securing Federal Funds for Connecticut's Fourth District 

As part of H.R. 2764, the Fiscal Year 2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act, the Fourth Congressional District will receive over $27 million to fund key transportation, economic and social programs. Included in this funding are important projects such as over $4 million to take down the dam and restore natural water flow to the Mill River in Stamford, over $4 million for improvements for the Bridgeport Intermodal Center, over $5 million for dredging in the Norwalk Harbor and over $700,000 for the Georgetown (Redding, Ridgefield, Weston and Wilton) regional Centralized Dispatch Center.

Prohibiting Torture 

I voted for H.R. 4156, the Orderly and Responsible Iraq Redeployment Appropriations Act, which requires all U.S. personnel to follow current Army rules prohibiting torture. I believe the use of torture during interrogation is not only a deviation from what is right, but in the long run it is an ineffective method of extracting intelligence. I have also cosponsored H.R. 4114, the American Anti-Torture Act, and H.R. 1352, the Torture Outsourcing Prevention Act.

Expanding Free Trade 

Free trade is one of the best ways the United States can facilitate social and economic reforms in other countries. I voted in favor of H.R. 3688, the United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act, which would eliminate duties on 80 percent of U.S. exports of both consumer and industrial products to Peru. An additional 7 percent of U.S. exports would receive duty-free treatment within five years of implementation. Because of the Andean Trade Preference Act, which was signed into law earlier this year, 98 percent of goods from Peru already enjoy duty-free access to the U.S. market.

Reducing Workplace Discrimination 

Working men and women should be judged on the basis of their performance at work. They should not have to fear being fired because of their sexual orientation. I am one of the authors of H.R. 3685, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), and voted for the bill when it passed the House by a vote of 235 to 184. The bill forbids employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and is similar to the law adopted by the Connecticut General Assembly nearly 17 years ago.

Restricting States' Ability to Issue Driver's Licenses to Illegal Immigrants 

I oppose states providing driver's licenses to illegal immigrants and I have cosponsored multiple legislative proposals to prohibit this practice. I believe a driver's license should only be issued to someone if they can prove they are in our country legally. This is a serious concern as illegal immigrants can use a driver's license to access federal buildings, rent a vehicle, get on a plane or for countless other activities which rely on verifiable identification. Tightening access to state-issued identification cards is an important and necessary improvement to our homeland security.

Blocking the FAA Redesign 

I am grateful for efforts by Governor Jodi Rell and Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal to join several towns in challenging the proposed FAA Airspace Redesign plan. If we hope to succeed, it is going to take everyone at the local, state and federal level working together. I offered an amendment with Congressman Scott Garrett to H.R. 2881, the FAA Reauthorization Act, to require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate the possibility of utilizing market-based strategies for air congestion reduction as an alternative to the FAA Airspace Redesign plan.

Eliminating the Crack and Cocaine Sentencing Disparity 

The Supreme Court recently issued a ruling granting federal judges the discretion to give reasonably shorter prison terms for crack-cocaine crimes to reduce the disparity with crimes involving cocaine powder. Current federal penalties for selling 5 grams of crack-cocaine can warrant the same prison sentence as dealing 500 grams of the powdered variety. I have joined Representative Sheila Jackson-Lee and the Congressional Black Caucus to introduce H.R. 4545, the Drug Sentencing Reform and Cocaine Kingpin Trafficking Act, which reforms the crack and cocaine sentencing disparity in the United States.

Eliminating the Crack and Cocaine Sentencing Disparity 

The Supreme Court recently issued a ruling granting federal judges the discretion to give reasonably shorter prison terms for crack-cocaine crimes to reduce the disparity with crimes involving cocaine powder. Current federal penalties for selling 5 grams of crack-cocaine can warrant the same prison sentence as dealing 500 grams of the powdered variety. I have joined Representative Sheila Jackson-Lee and the Congressional Black Caucus to introduce H.R. 4545, the Drug Sentencing Reform and Cocaine Kingpin Trafficking Act, which reforms the crack and cocaine sentencing disparity in the United States.

Protecting Children from Predators 

Assaults on children are a parent's worst fear. I am a cosponsor and voted for H.R. 3845, the PROTECT Our Children Act, which establishes an Office of a Special Counsel for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction in the Office of the Deputy Attorney General in the Justice Department. The measure, which passed the House by a vote of 415 to 2 on November 14, also requires the hiring of additional Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to ensure we can track down and imprison child sex offenders.

Condemning the Use of Nooses 

I am a cosponsor of and voted for H.Res. 826, which expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the hanging of nooses is a horrible act when used for the purpose of intimidation, and under certain circumstances can be a criminal act. In Bridgeport, Police Sergeant Joanne Meekins found a noose under her police car. Actions like this must never be tolerated.

Creating Alternative Sources of Energy 

Our energy policy should reduce demand for oil by emphasizing conservation and promoting the use of alternative and renewable energy sources. I voted H.R. 6, the Renewable Fuels, Consumer Protection, and Energy Efficiency Act, when it passed the House by a vote of 235 to 181. This legislation incorporated several provisions, including increasing CAFE standards, from the Energy for Our Future Act, which I introduced to decrease U.S. dependence on foreign oil, protect the environment, build a market for renewable energy and promote energy conservation.

Passing Mortgage Reform Legislation 

Given recent problems in the subprime mortgage market, I voted for H.R. 3915, the Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act, to establish a national standard for mortgage brokers to rein in the abusive lending practices that contributed to the current mortgage crisis. Under this bill, mortgage originators would be required to provide borrowers with information on a variety of loan options and comparative costs of loans and be prohibited from promoting loans that are potentially disadvantageous to the consumer. The bill also requires mortgage brokers to be licensed. Read more

Homeowners who would like budgeting help, a written financial plan and assistance contacting their lender should contact my office for information on HUD-approved counselors to help you with your needs

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