Carper’s Connection – May 2011

Dear Fellow Delawarean,  

A month ago, Congress was locked in a stalemate over the federal budget and Americans faced the real potential of a government shutdown. Fortunately, a compromise averted a shutdown and prevented a damaging blow to our fragile economy. However, our nation cannot continue to operate on short-term solutions for a long-term problem. I believe the only way we can solve our nation’s fiscal crisis is if we work and sacrifice together. In order to reduce our deficit, we have to put everything on the table and come up with a responsible, balanced plan that will grow the economy and keep America strong. Beyond just reducing our deficit, we also need to work together to enact policies that foster long-term economic growth and achieve better results throughout the government for less money.

President Obama’s Deficit Reduction Plan

In April, President Obama presented a plan that calls for a shared sacrifice to achieve responsible reduction of the federal deficit. The President’s proposal incorporates much of the bipartisan National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform plan proposed late last year (to read my statement on the Fiscal Commission’s plan, click here). The President’s plan would reduce the deficit by $4 trillion by 2023, end the Bush tax cuts for income over $250,000 as part of a needed overhaul of our tax system, and implement proven approaches to curb the exponential growth in health care costs. Last week, Vice President Biden began bipartisan talks with Congressional leaders to craft a long-term deficit reduction plan. To read my full statement on the President’s plan, click here.

Death of Osama bin Laden  

Last week, our brave service members and counter intelligence forces gave us an important victory in our ongoing effort to fight terror at home and around the world by killing Osama bin Laden. This tremendous accomplishment took nearly a decade of persistence and sacrifice from members of the military and intelligence community. While bin Laden finally received the justice he deserved and is no longer a threat, we need to continue to remain eternally vigilant because we know all too well that there are still those around the world who would do us harm and we must work to prevent that. To read my full statement on Osama bin Laden’s demise, click here.

My trip to Afghanistan, Pakistan and India  

In the month of April, I was able to visit with military and government leaders in Afghanistan and Pakistan. My trip allowed me to learn more about our nation’s military involvement and U.S. interests in this key part of the world from a diplomatic and national security perspective. In addition, I visited an important trade and business partner of the United States, India, to discuss how our nations can continue to work together and foster economic development. To read more about my visit, click here.

Progress on the First State National Park Act of 2011

Back home in Delaware, my push to bring a national park to the First State continues. I was privileged to host renowned documentary filmmaker and former Delaware resident Ken Burns, creator of “America’s Best Idea – the National Park System,” in old New Castle late last month, as he joined the Delaware Delegation and other elected officials in support of the First State National Historical Park Act of 2011. To read about Ken Burns’ visit, click here.  

On Wednesday, May 11, 2011, I will testify in front of the Senate Subcommittee on National Parks on the importance of the First State National Historical Park Act of 2011. A video webcast of the hearing will be available here or the Senate Energy Committee’s homepage, http://energy.senate.gov, starting at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday.  

To read more about the First State National Park Act of 2011, click here.

Staying in Touch  

Please continue to stay in touch with me when you have questions, concerns or comments about issues that are important to you. And as always, you can find the most up-to-date information on issues and ways in which my office can be of service to you on my website. I would also like to encourage you to stay connected with me through social media on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr. To sign up friends and family for my e-newsletter, click here.  

With warm personal regards,  

I am,  

U.S. Senator Tom Carper