SENATOR ROBERTS OF KANSAS

February Roberts Report

February 22, 2010

Visa Security Bill
Senator Roberts recently joined Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), to introduce legislation to close critical security gaps in our current visa screening process, which, had they been addressed prior, could have prevented Nigerian terrorist Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab from boarding the plane to Detroit Christmas day. Roberts co-sponsored this legislation that would require the Department of Homeland Security to deploy personnel to conduct on-site visa reviews in high-volume visa posts and high-risk countries, clarify that DHS has the ultimate authority to revoke any visas in the interests of our national security, and require updates to law enforcement and consular databases of revoked visas.

Sen. Roberts said, “We saw again on Christmas Day that these terrorists have not stopped targeting our country,” Sen. Roberts said. “We need to put in place better safeguards to prohibit future breaches of security. This legislation would allow DHS to revoke a visa based on security interests, resulting in improved communication and security policies to better protect Americans.”

President’s Budget Proposal
Upon release of the President’s budget proposal to Congress, Senator Roberts remarked on provisions that will have negative consequences for Kansas and the rest of the nation:

“After wading through the President’s budget proposal, we learn that despite the rhetoric of budget freezes, it contains billions in new spending and at $3.83 trillion in total spending, represents an all time high. Kansans will pay the price in higher taxes, or through cuts to agricultural programs on which our rural communities rely. The Administration makes many assumptions especially in regard to health care reform and cap and trade proposals. As debate continues on these issues, I will continue to protect the interests of the state.”

Haiti Update - Tax deduction information
Kansans who have generously given charitable contributions to Haiti relief after January 11, 2010 and before March 1, 2010, will now be able to take those deductions off their 2009 taxes instead of 2010. Congress expeditiously approved this legislation, which Senator Roberts supported, to allow those charitable donations to Haiti earthquake relief efforts to be tax deductible on 2009 returns. Taxpayers have the option of deducting these contributions on either their 2009 or 2010 returns, but not both. For information from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regarding these deductions, please visit: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=218678,00.html?portlet=7 .

Additionally, Senator Roberts joined Senator Sam Brownback and a bipartisan group of Senators, to urge the U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security to take additional steps to ensure the safety of Haitian orphans. The Senators wrote a letter to Secretary of State Clinton and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano urging them to expedite the search and rescue of orphans in Haiti so that prospective parents can proceed as quickly as possible to bring their children home.

Senator Roberts’ thoughts and prayers continue to be with the people of Haiti as they deal with the aftermath of this severe earthquake affecting hundreds of thousands of people. For general information from the State Department on Haiti, visit http://www.state.gov/p/wha/ci/ha/ .

U.S. Census
Mandated by the U.S. Constitution, the United States Census Bureau counts every resident in the United States every 10 years. This year, the census forms will be mailed to every residence, or approximately 134 million households, on March 1. The form’s questions relate to age, date of birth, and whether one rents or owns a home. It will not ask for Social Security numbers. To complete the form, answer the 10 short questions and then mail the form back in the postage-paid envelope provided. As spelled out in the Constitution, the decennial census is used to determine a state’s Congressional representation, making it extremely important to fill out. The information collected by the Census Bureau is used strictly for statistical purposes. By law, personal information cannot be shared with anyone including other government agencies.

Senator Roberts said, “The Census Bureau is an indispensable resource for my work on behalf of the people of Kansas. The Bureau provides a picture of the population through the decennial census. Other surveys conducted by the Bureau provide details on trends in consumer spending, household income, and health care. These metrics are central for forging policies that ensure the continued growth and prosperity of our state.”

The regional Census Bureau call center is in Kansas City and the phone number is 816-994-2000. For general information from the Census Bureau, visit: http://2010.census.gov/2010census/ . If there are further questions about this process or the forms, please contact one of Senator Roberts’ offices at http://www.roberts.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=OfficeLocations .

Progress for Treece
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues to work with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) toward a solution for the people of Treece. In October, Congress passed legislation that is now law, which Senator Roberts supported, giving authority to the EPA to buyout the residents of Treece. Recently there was a public meeting for the residents of Treece and KDHE is in the process of forming a trust that will lead to a safer solution for the residents. Senator Roberts said, “I am pleased EPA and KDHE are working to advance the relocation process, which would be a long term solution for the residents of Treece, Setting up the trust and holding public meetings are important steps to give these folks hope. I urge the state to come through on the cost share commitment to this project to ensure the people of Treece safety."

Additionally, EPA recently announced an opportunity for public comments regarding a Draft Explanation of Significant Difference (ESD). This information can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/region6/6sf/oklahoma/tar_creek/ok_tar_creek_ou4_draft_esd_%2020100212.pdf .

Visiting Washington, DC
With spring break and summer approaching, Senator Roberts’ office can be a resource while planning a group or family trip to Washington, DC. Washington, DC has many attractions and Roberts’ office can assist with obtaining entry for some of the most popular sites: the U.S. Capitol Building, Kennedy Center, White House, National Cathedral, Pentagon, Library of Congress, Bureau of Printing and Engraving, Department of State, and the Supreme Court. Due to the high demand and space limitations at many points of interest, Roberts’ office cannot guarantee tickets. Also, for the White House requests, please submit three to six months in advance as tickets are extremely limited.

Please visit Sen. Roberts’ website for more information on tours and attractions: http://roberts.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=VisitingDC . Fill out a tour request form to obtain assistance with tours: http://roberts.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=TourRequestForm . For more information, call Senator Roberts’ Washington office at (202) 224-4774.

To follow Senator Roberts on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SenPatRoberts . To watch Senator Roberts on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/SenPatRoberts .

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