Greetings,

As President Obama unveils his budget for Fiscal Year 2013, we again ask what kind of government America should have. Do we want to be a tax and spend nation that recklessly places our debt on the backs of working Americans? Or should we strive for a leaner, more efficient government that lives within its means? As a long-time proponent of a Balanced Budget Amendment, you probably know where I stand. Cutting the size of government will send a message to the world markets that we are serious about tackling our spending problems, and stabilizing our economy.

As a medical provider for over twenty-five years, it is my hope that a concrete plan to save Medicare is also included in the President’s proposal. As I discussed in my latest blog post, Medicare is a critical safety net for millions of our nation’s senior citizens, and we must take swift action to ensure that the program is saved before the Medicare trust fund goes broke in 2016. I look forward to working with both the President and my colleagues in the House and Senate to build a stronger, solvent Medicare program that will be available for our children and grandchildren.

Last week there was great debate over President Obama’s announcement that religious institutions would now be responsible for providing contraception and related services to their employees under the health care law’s so-called “contraception mandate.” As both a Catholic and a pro-life OB/GYN physician, I am deeply concerned that the President’s policy would force employers to provide coverage for medications that terminate human life. This kind of government overreach is unacceptable. While Friday’s announcement of a compromise is a small step in the right direction, religious freedom is still at stake in this debate. I will continue to be a champion for the freedoms outlined in our Constitution and I look forward to keeping you updated as the issue unfolds.

More positive economic news for Georgians arrived last Thursday when the Nuclear Regulatory Commission gave licensure approval for Georgia Power to construct two new nuclear units in Waynesboro. With Georgia’s unemployment rate hovering around 9.7 percent, this $14 billion investment will bring 5,000 much-needed jobs to the area. I have long supported nuclear energy as a stable investment that will decrease our dependence on foreign oil. This announcement is encouraging and will surely bring some relief that we so desperately need.

Achieving energy independence is paramount to our economic prosperity and national security. As I’ve stated previously, maintaining a steady balance of green and traditional energy is the best way to decrease our dependence on foreign oil. A privately-funded project that doesn’t burden American taxpayers, the Keystone XL Pipeline has the potential to create 20,000 direct jobs and up to 118,000 indirect jobs. You can read my latest op-ed “Keystone versus Solyndra” in The Washington Times or on my official website.

It is my belief that Members of Congress and their aides should adhere to the same laws as the rest of Americans. That’s why I voted in favor of S. 2038-The Stock Act—last Thursday. This legislation would strengthen rules forbidding Members of Congress, executive branch employees, and Congressional staff from using inside information to make personal investment decisions. You can learn more about the Stock Act here.

Last Wednesday, I had the opportunity to congratulate students from Marietta’s Kell High School for their exhibit at the White House Science Fair. Students Carlie Schulter and Matthew Tompkins joined Robotics Coach Ed Barker to discuss their achievements in my D.C. office. They should be very proud of this wonderful accomplishment and I wish them the best of luck with their future educational endeavors.

I hope you have a great week and I look forward to providing more updates next week from Washington.

Sincerely,

Phil Gingrey, M.D.