The Inhofe Informant

Below you will find the Inhofe Informant email. If you have not read the Inhofe Annual Report for 2009, take a few minutes and look at this report as Sen Inhofe details his actions fighting for all of us in 2009 against the liberal agenda.


May 5, 2010

Dear Friends,

This week, the U.S. Senate continues the debate that was started last week over Financial Regulatory Reform. Having repeatedly received the “Spirit of Enterprise Award” from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, I am committed to policies that promote economic development and protect Main Street from the kinds of abuses that led to our most recent economic recession. The Dodd bill being currently considered by the Senate is, in its current form, not that type of reform.

I have a proven record for opposing the previous bailouts under both Bush and Obama’s administrations and believe the only way for our economy to improve is to stop voting for further bailouts. My disagreement with additional taxpayer funded bailouts is partially why I opposed brining U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd’s (D-CT) financial regulatory reform bill to the Senate floor. In its original form, S. 3217, Restoring American Financial Stability Act, included an $50 billion bailout fund that I believe would pave the way for additional taxpayer funded bailouts.

This was one of six provisions in the legislation that allowed for continued bailouts. After Senate Democrats failed attempts to bring this piece of legislation up for debate, they made some concessions on the bailout provisions of the bill. However, even with these changes there are still major problems with this bill. Under the bill, a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) would be created inside the Federal Reserve that would have sweeping authority to regulate not only financial companies but nearly any company that offers its customer any type of credit product, including auto-dealers, retailers, and manufacturers. Main Street businesses like the local orthodontist who allows patients to pay for braces under a payment plan would be subjected to these onerous new federal regulations. Your local car dealer would also be subjected to these new regulations as well. These businesses had nothing to do with the financial crisis.

This past weekend brought a near tragedy as an attempted terrorist attack using a car bomb in New York City’s Times Square was narrowly averted thanks to vigilant citizens and first responders. This recent attempt reminds us that there is an enemy desperately seeking to cause us harm. It is my top priority to keep Americans safe, and I am determined to work tirelessly to ensure officials have the tools they need to prevent terror attacks from occurring. This is why it is important to keep terrorist detainees at GITMO and have them tried through the military courts as enemy combatants.

Last week, I invited one of Oklahoma’s finest educators, Debbie Straughn , to testify before the Environment and Public Works Committee regarding the success of an outdoor classroom she created at her previous school, Deer Creek Elementary. With the outdoor classroom, each grade was involved in creating an outdoor habitat which included the fourth grade planting a flower garden in the shape of Oklahoma and the fifth grade building both a bird blind and a frog pond. As a result, both Straughn and Deer Creek Elementary received the U.S. Department of Interior Pride in America Award. During the hearing, many of my Senate colleagues praised Straughn’s newest approach to education. One legislator in particular, U.S. Sen. Benjamin Cardin (D-Md.), expressed hope that the outdoor classroom would gain popularity in Maryland and in classrooms nationwide. After the hearing, Straughn and I used Skype to connect with elementary school students who watched the hearing. This experience was interactive and rewarding as we were both able to speak and answer questions from the students.

Inhofe-Straughn use Skype to talk with 2nd graders back at Grove Valley today following the hearing.

I testified before the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee regarding S. 1241, a bill I proposed that would allow media filming on public lands. I find this piece of legislation to be very valuable as our media industry can potentially bring more awareness to our nation's resources through documentaries and sporting programs. Currently, S. 1241 gas a U.S. House companion H.R. 2031 sponsored by Rep. Dan Boren (OK-2).

Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency's "Lead: Renovation, Repair, and Painting" (Lead RRP) went into effect on April 22, 2010. This rule is made to help reduce lead exposure to pregnant women and children from dust caused by renovations. Please click here to read more about the changes occurring from the new lead rule.

Sincerely,

Jim Inhofe