Congressional Digest: Terrorism, trade, budget part of week’s agenda

The week started with debate over terrorism while lawmakers spent the last part of the week attempting to get a budget bill passed.

RESPONSE TO OBAMA SPEECH ON ISIS
In a Sunday night speech at the Oval Office, President Barack Obama outlined his policy objectives as well as discussed the recent shooting in San Bernardino, Calif.

Obama said the fight against the terrorist group must be done with caution and not bluster.

“Well, here’s what I want you to know. The threat from terrorism is real, but we will overcome it. We will destroy ISIL and any other organization that tries to harm us. Our success won’t depend on tough talk, or abandoning our values or giving into fear. That’s what groups like ISIL are hoping for. Instead, we will prevail by being strong and smart, resilient and relentless. And by drawing upon every aspect of American power,” Obama said.

The comments drew rebukes from the state’s congressional delegation.

“President Obama is a wartime president who doesn’t seem to realize it. Fourteen Americans were slaughtered by Islamic terrorists, but the President is dangerously detached from reality, lecturing us about political correctness and ineffective gun control. Radical Islamic jihadists are not contained and are advancing on every front—killing innocent civilians from California to Paris to Mali, blowing an airplane out of the sky in Egypt, and inflaming the entire Middle East from Tehran. Imagine if these terrorists get their hands on uranium instead of gunpowder. Radical Islam is at war with America; our only choice is to win or lose, and the longer we debate whether we’re at war, the closer we come to losing it,” noted U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., said.

VISA REFORM BILL APPROVED BY HOUSE
The House overwhelmingly voted this week to approve a bill that supporters say would strengthen the VISA system in light of the recent massacre in San Bernardino, Calif.

By a 407-19 vote, the House approved HR 158. Supporters have said the bill, which heads to the Senate, will seek to stop extremists from using fraudulent documents and improve intelligence sharing among other things.

Arkansas’ members of the House were supportive of the bill.

“I applaud the passage of this important bill to strengthen our national security, which takes the first of many steps to combat the threats posed by foreign fighters and anyone that tries to terrorize the American people,” said U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, R-Rogers. “The tragic San Bernardino terrorist attack has reminded us that our visa system isn’t immune to abuse by those who wish to harm our nation.  We must scrutinize all aspects of our immigration system – including our visa waiver system – to ensure the safety and security of all Americans and to thwart attempts by Islamic extremists to gain entry into our nation.”

“The attacks on Paris and San Bernardino show the effect ISIS and their message of evil are having throughout the world. As the threat of attacks from ISIS and other terrorist groups increase, Congress needs to strengthen our borders—both actual and virtual—by passing meaningful, bipartisan legislation that addresses any holes in our national security. Today’s vote to block entry into the United States for those who may have ties to terror groups is, like the Syrian refugee bill passed in the House last month, a significant but not final step in providing the American people peace of mind that their government is working to stop terrorists from reaching our great Nation,” said U.S. Rep. French Hill, R-Little Rock.

EDUCATION BILL CLEARS SENATE HURDLE
The education bill signed into law Thursday by President Obama will include an amendment that works to improve both career and technical education programs, Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., said Thursday. The Senate voted 85-12 Wednesday to approve the bill.

In a statement, Boozman said the amendment would academic coursework with career and technical education and real-life needs and skills.

“Several states are already successfully implementing CTE curriculum that is grounded in problem-based learning developed with business and industry. This is an effort to capture the best practices some states have in place so we can increase graduation rates and prepare career ready students by partnering with industry,” Boozman said.

The Boozman amendment also looks at so-called STEM education as a key.

“Developing coursework to provide the appropriate training for today’s jobs allows students to find employment that matches their skills and provides businesses the workforce they need to operate. Arkansas economic officials say education is the key to future prosperity in our state. Programs that promote STEM help create a pipeline for the future and should be an integral component of our education policy,” Boozman said.

Under the amendment, states are not forced to partner with industries to have programs.

U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., said the bill also stresses federalism.

“As the son of a public school teacher and principal and a graduate of Arkansas public schools, I know firsthand the benefits of a public school education. But over the last several years our schools have been stifled by government bureaucracy, and, as a result, too many children haven’t received the quality education they deserve,” Cotton said.

TEMPORARY FUNDING BILL APPROVED BY CONGRESS
A five-day temporary funding bill received support late this week as lawmakers continue to iron out differences on an omnibus spending bill. The Senate approved HR 2250 by voice vote Thursday night, while the House followed suit early Friday afternoon.

According to Washington publication Roll Call, both Republicans and Democrats, as well as the White House, are working on a bill that will likely be introduced Monday (Dec. 14). The debate has centered around so-called tax extenders while Democrats have pushed for a gun safety amendment for the bill, Roll Call reported.

U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Hot Springs, said the temporary bill, which goes through midnight Dec. 16, will give lawmakers more time to hammer out differences.

“My vote for today’s continuing resolution gives negotiators and the Appropriations Committee more time to reach a final agreement on the Omnibus spending package. It keeps the federal government open and operational for those who need it – veterans, social security recipients, and our military and intelligence agencies working to protect Americans from threats abroad and here at home. I look forward to reviewing a final spending agreement, and making an informed decision,” Westerman said.

ANNIE ABRAMS VISITS D.C. FOR 13TH AMENDMENT ANNIVERSARY
A state civil rights leader was the guest of U.S. Rep. French Hill, R-Little Rock, this week during a celebration honoring the ratification of the 13th Amendment. Hill said Annie Abrams has inspired people through her work.

“There are very few people who have as deep an appreciation for American History – particularly as it relates to African-Americans – as my friend of nearly two decades, Ms. Annie Abrams. As a local educator and civic and community leader, Ms. Abrams has enriched the lives of countless Arkansans and Americans. To be able to spend today with her in celebration of the constitutional amendment that first allowed America to begin to uphold the value that ‘all men are created equal’ was an inspiration,” Hill said.