Each month I receive thousands of emails, phone calls and letters from Central Washington residents on a wide variety of issues.  I wanted to take an opportunity to share a few of questions that I've recently received.

Where do I find information about the latest health care reform bill?

Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats recently introduced a brand new 1,990 page, $1.055 trillion health care bill.  I have posted a copy of the bill to my website at www.hastings.house.gov for those wishing to read it.  I also have copies available in my Yakima and Tri-Cities offices for your review.  This bill will have dramatic impacts on every American.  In the days ahead, I will be reviewing this bill carefully, and I encourage you to do the same. 

Do you and other Members of Congress receive free health care?

No, there is no special or free health insurance plan for Member of Congress.  Members of Congress have the option of participating in and paying for the exact same health insurance plans offered to every federal employee.  These plans include significant monthly premiums, co-pays and deductibles.  Members of Congress also pay Medicare and Social Security taxes just like everyone else. 

What are you doing to make sure we have time to read the bills Congress is voting on?

Too often, Members of Congress do not have adequate time to properly review bills prior to voting on them, and the American public does not have adequate time to provide input.  Major pieces of legislation – some in excess of 1,000 pages – are often unveiled late at night with votes on them held just a few hours later. This practice makes it impossible for lawmakers to have a full understanding of the legislation before them, and prohibits the Americans from knowing what their representatives are actually voting on.  For this reason, I support legislation that would amend the rules of the House of Representatives to require that all legislation be available on the Internet for 72 hours before a vote takes place. 

What is the status of cap-and-trade?

The House of Representatives approved a cap-and-trade national energy tax in June.  The Senate is currently conducting hearings on their version of the tax.  I oppose these plans because cap-and-trade is nothing more than a massive tax scheme that will cost Americans thousands of dollars a year, drive up energy prices and cost us jobs.  I prefer an all-of-the-above energy policy that includes newer energy sources like wind, solar, and biomass, non-emitting nuclear power, and hydropower, as well as to drilling for new oil and natural gas resources here in America.