Rep. Miller visits the area

Talks about intelligence appointment, bailout

WAUSAU – U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller was in Washington County last weekend. The Republican representative of the First congressional District took a weekend off from his job in the nation’s capital for a little quail hunting at Hard Labor Creek Plantation.

Miller said he was glad for the break, because it was a busy week. Not only was Miller voting on the proposed Democratic bailout legislation, but he was also appointed to the prestigious House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI) by House Minority Leader John Boehner.

 “I very much appreciate the confidence of (Leader (John) Boehner, and I accept the critical responsibilities of this assignment,” said Miller. “I am eager to serve on this committee, which is accountable for the oversight of our nation’s Intelligence Community.”

The HPSCI provides policy guidance and sets classified funding levels for the sixteen agencies of the Intelligence Community funded by the National Intelligence Program and the Military Intelligence Program. Recently, the Intelligence Committee has held important hearings on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, U.S. Intelligence Operations against Al Qaeda, and Security Clearance Reform.

Miller is the only Member of the 435- Member House of Representatives to serve on the House Armed Services Committee, the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and the HPSCI.

In addition to his position on the HPSCI, Miller was recently named the top Republican on the Terrorism and Unconventional Threats (TUTC) Subcommittee and Co-Chairman of the Special Operations Forces Caucus.

Miller also had some strong words about bailout legislation. The Chumuckla Republican called the legislation “badly flawed,” and said he agreed with the numerous calls received at his office that the bill needed to be opposed.

“You know what? These constituents are absolutely right,” Miller said.

Miller strongly criticized the bill for adding debt in bad economic times. Miller also lasted the bill for numerous “pork-barrel” programs that only added to the cost of the legislation.

“The leadership of Congress is out of touch and intoxicated by their power,” Miller said, and it intends to bankrupt the country by funding programs no one needs.

“The bill spends less than10 percent of the overall funds on infrastructure funding and it creates over 30 new government programs and bureaucracies, totaling close to $200 billion and none of these programs have been debated or discussed. 

“Furthermore, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office has stated that the “hidden costs” in the bill total more than $200 billion and less than 65 percent of the funds will be expended in the next two years.  In fact, they predict billions of dollars from this bill will not be expended in the next ten years. 

“The last stimulus bill passed by Congress was supposed to be targeted, timely and temporary.  This new stimulus bill exposes that slogan as a fraud.”

Miller also announced the fourth mission for Emerald Coast Honor Flight. The fourth flight will take place on Wednesday, April 29, 2009. The previously announced third flight will depart on April 1, 2009.

 “Honor Flight is about honoring the courage, the valor, and the sacrifices of the brave men and women who served during World War II,” said Miller. “I am extremely proud of our community for stepping up to the plate again and showing our appreciation for the Greatest Generation.”

The Emerald Coast Honor Flight is composed of a group of individuals and businesses throughout Northwest Florida who created the organization solely to honor America’s veterans for all their sacrifices.

The mission of Emerald Coast Honor Flight is to fly America's World War II veterans from Northwest Florida to Washington, D.C., free of charge, to visit those memorials dedicated to honor the service and sacrifices of themselves and their friends. Miller felt that this was a program he wanted to bring home to the First District of Florida and conceptually brought the idea to area community leaders.

For information go to www.EmeraldCoastHonorFlight.com.