“In these troubled economic times, it is essential to pursue pro-growth policies that will create new jobs and rekindle an expanding economy,” said Stearns. “My background as a business owner gives me helpful insight in addressing the needs of our business community, and I deeply appreciate the support of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as I seek re-election in the Sixth Congressional District.”

He reported that Clay County residents are not shy about interacting with their congressman on such issues as the proposed outer beltway, impacts of growth, federal support for Cecil Field development and potential job cuts at Jacksonville's Naval Aviation Depot. They also frequently seek assistance from his office on veterans' benefit claims and appeals.

My Clay Sun: How much can you help?

Stearns: "I am one of 435 [members of Congress], but I can help. I have been successful in each of those areas."

MCS: Do they ask about the Iraq war?

Stearns: "At all my town meetings. [In the University of Florida area], it's negative; in Clay and Duval, it's very positive. It's refreshing, the contrast ... [War opponents] want to pull out yesterday and take steps to make sure we can't do this again and [want to] reduce military appropriations. The other side, regardless of what's happened, wants to make sure we leave with honor ...That's the side I'm on."

MCS: Have opponents of a new poker room at the Orange Park Kennel Club sought help for their anti-gambling effort?

Stearns: "I have not gotten calls about that."

MCS: Have you been to the dog track?

Stearns: "I have been. ... I lost 50 or $60 bucks. I'm not much of a gambler, but there are [more than 600] horse farms in Ocala. They're all for parimutuel betting. I am empathetic."

MCS: You have been in office almost two decades.

Stearns: "It has been a challenge. ... We're elected every two years. I've missed a lot of family opportunities. It has it's high points and low points. But it is a wonderful job being on the board of directors of the most powerful country in the world."

MCS: What are your proudest accomplishments? You have done a lot of work for veterans.

Stearns: "Getting a new 95,000-square-foot medical facility for veterans in Marion County. Top notch care. ... Getting a national cemetery [in Duval County], I started that in 1996, it was finally enacted in 2003. (The veterans cemetery opens in 2008, the medical facility in 2009.)"

MCS: What's next?

Stearns: I'm running again [in 2008], working obviously on veterans issues. We [House Energy and Commerce Committee] just passed my bill, the Do-Not-Call bill. ... It was going to expire; this time it will be permanent. [The bill reauthorizes the list that protects consumers from unwanted telemarketing calls; next up is full House vote]."

MCS: Now for the most important question. What costume are you wearing for Halloween?

Stearns: "Hmmm ..."

MCS: OK, what costume would you wear if you had time to celebrate Halloween?

Stearns: "If I had the time, I would be the Lone Ranger. ... I've got a nice Stetson, a mask. I could get a nice cowboy shirt, I've got the boots."

WASHINGTON, OCT. 31, 2007 - "I joined the House in approving the largest increase in spending on veterans program in the 77-year history of the Department of Veterans Affairs," said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Ocala), a senior member of the House Veterans Affairs' Committee. "In meeting our obligations to veterans, we succeeded in approving an increase of $6.7 billion over last year's level. This bi-partisan effort on behalf of those who served our country deserves to be considered on its own merits." The President has threatened to veto the Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations (LHHS) bill with its 1,305 earmarks costing taxpayers $277.9 million. The leadership is combining the LHHS bill with the funding bill for the Department of Veterans Affairs for partisan purposes. "Instead of advancing a bill that provides $4.1 billion to improve VA facilities, the House leadership is holding it hostage to obtain funding for such wasteful projects as the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy in Las Vegas at $200,000, the Lincoln Center's Jazz Center in New York City at $150,000, and the Italian-American Cultural Center in Des Moines, IA, at $200,000.

WASHINGTON, OCT. 23, 2007 -- "For millions of Americans, the national Do-Not-Call list offers shelter from constant and annoying telephone calls," said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Ocala), Ranking Member of the Commerce, Trade & Consumer Protection Subcommittee. "There is no question that this list is an effective measure protecting us from unwanted telephone solicitations." Stearns led efforts in 2003 to enact legislation establishing the national Do-Not-Call list. Under the law, the Federal Trade Commission maintains the list of home phone numbers of consumers who opted to register their number. Telemarketers then pay a fee to access the list to know which number they cannot call. However, the law's authorization expired in September. Stearns' bill, H.R. 2601, the Do Not Call Registry Fee Extension Act, would reauthorize permanently the law and the collection of fees to support it. The Commerce, Trade & Consumer Protection Subcommittee today approved H.R. 2601. Added Stearns, "This is a straightforward program and has benefited both consumers and telemarketers: telemarketers do not waste their time calling households that are not interested in receiving unsolicited offers and consumers have a means to end call they do not want." The measure now goes to the Energy & Commerce Committee for consideration.

WASHINGTON, OCT. 1, 2007 - "I am pleased to announce that the Department of Veterans affairs has informed me that it has awarded a 20 year lease for the new Regional VA Health Care Facility to be built in Summerfield, FL," stated Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Ocala). "The 75,000-square-foot facility will be built on over nine acres at 8900 SE 165th Mulberry Lane." Stearns, a long-time advocate for the facility, noted the services that will be available. "The clinic will provide primary care, specialty care, and mental health services," added Stearns. Specialty services will include minor surgery, audiology, cardiology, urology, GI, orthopedics, ophthalmology, dermatology, and imaging services such as CT, MRI, and ultrasound." The facility is to be delivered to the VA in February 2010 with it opening shortly after that.

OCALA, SEPT. 12, 2007 – “Not only is Florida a linchpin in our presidential elections, it is also a big prize in the primary process,” said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Ocala). “Over the next week, three Republican candidates for President will be visiting our area to answer questions, meet the people, and build support. I look forward to meeting Gov. Huckabee and Sen. Thompson here in Florida, but votes in Washington, D.C. will prevent me from meeting with Gov. Romney. However, I appreciate the candidates coming to north central Florida to make their case to the people of Florida.”

Sen. Fred Thompson will visit Jacksonville on Thursday, September 13th at the Landing at 8:50 AM, and then The Villages at the Lake Sumter Landing Market Square at 1:00 PM. Both events are open to the public. Stearns will meet Thompson during the University of Florida/University of Tennessee football game in Gainesville on Saturday, September 15th. Stearns then will meet Gov. Huckabee on Sunday, September 16th in Ocala. Huckabee will be holding press availability at 5:00 PM at a private residence followed by a fundraiser at the same location. On Tuesday, September 18th, Gov. Romney is holding an open town hall event in Orange Park at 5:30 PM at the Thrasher-Horne Conference Center and the next day there is a rally in The Villages starting at 3:30 PM at the Lake Sumter Landing Market Square.

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WASHINGTON, AUG. 23, 2007 - "In May, the Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a recall on several products imported from China that contained lead in excess of American safety standards," said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Sixth), Ranking Member of the House Commerce, Trade & Consumer Protection Subcommittee. "Such products pose serious health risks to our nation's children and we need to be vigilant against the importation of dangerous. We will be holding a hearing on this matter in September, and this information is essential in ensuring that American consumers are protected from harmful imports." Stearns joined the Subcommittee Chairman, Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL), in requesting information from the companies affected by the recall. In the letter each company is asked to provide information on any other children's products imported with lead that exceed the safety standards, to detail the amount of lead found in the recalled products, to provide the name and location of the facility that manufactured the children's products, and to outline any language in the agreement with the Chinese manufacturers regarding a ban on lead or on safety standards for the product.

WASHINGTON, AUGUST 7, 2007 - "As a member of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, I am committed to helping fulfill the dreams of a family willing to adopt and those of a child in need of a loving home," said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Sixth). "I am grateful for the opportunity to have nominated Matthew Taylor for his outstanding advocacy of adoption. His work at Jewish Family & Community Services in Jacksonville as a adoption coordinator builds families and strengthens our community." Taylor is being honored as an Angel in Adoption through the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, which raises public awareness of the millions of orphans and foster children that are in need of a safe, permanent home. Taylor and other Angels in adoption honorees will be celebrated at an awards ceremony and gala event in Washington, D.C., on October 10, 2007. Matthew Taylor has been an adoption coordinator at JFCS for two years and worked there for 5 pervious years as a foster care caseworker. Jewish Family & Community Services is one of 5 service centers working with lead agency, Family Support Services of Northeast Florida. Jewish Family & Community Services is the number one agency in the state for dependency adoptions completed in the last two years. Over the past two years JFCS has finalized 196 adoptions, which Matthew has helped facilitate.

WASHINGTON, AUG. 2, 2007 - " Since 1985, the number of engineering degrees earned in our nation has declined by 20 percent, and there is a similar trend in the sciences and math," said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Ocala). "Maintaining our nation's technological edge in a global economy requires a greater commitment to the technical and scientific fields." Stearns today joined in approving H.R. H.R. 2272, the America COMPETES Act, which authorizes an increase to $43.3 billion over three years in funding for several different agencies, including the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST). Added Stearns, "Research is essential to keeping our nation competitive and this bill creates at least 40 new grant programs most of which are related to the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. I am especially pleased that it increases funding for the National Science Foundation, which is a principle supporter of research conducted at the University of Florida, one of our nation's premier science and research institutions."

WASHINGTON, AUG. 1, 2007 - "I am pleased that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has selected the University of Florida as a site for the new Nursing Academy," said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Ocala). "The VA Nursing Academy is designed to increase the number of highly-trained nurses and to bring more nurses into the VA healthcare system." The VA selected three other sites (San Diego, CA; Salt Lake City, UT; and Fairfield, CT) to join in the program. Added Stearns, "According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, more than 42,000 qualified applicants were turned away from nursing schools last year. This partnership between the VA and these nursing schools will increase the faculty and clinical resources devoted to training nurses. The University of Florida was one of 42 applicants to participate in the program and this selection reflects the school's reputation for excellence in training nurses."

WASHINGTON, JUL 31, 2007 - "As public servants, members of Congress are accountable to the people we represent," stated Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Ocala). "Congress needs to enhance transparency and increase disclosures so the public can evaluate our legislative actions. This measure is an important step toward reforming the way we operate in Washington." Stearns joined the House in approving S. 1, the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act. Explained Stearns, "S. 1 requires that funding requests, commonly called earmarks, include justifications for the spending and certification that the provisions will not benefit lawmakers or their family members. It also requires lobbyists to file quarterly disclosures of new clients, imposes a one-year lobbying ban on House members and two-year ban on Senators, and includes stricter disclosures of campaign contributions. In addition, the measure would end pensions for members convicted of crimes connected with their congressional office."

WASHINGTON, JULY 26, 2007 - "Although federal courts have upheld broadly the right of business owners to require employees to speak English on the job, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a lawsuit against the Salvation Army for requiring employees to speak English at work," stated Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL). "In this instance, the Salvation Army gave two employees one year to learn English to function on the job. However, they failed to try to learn even some basic English and were let go. The EEOC is seeking hundreds of thousands of dollars in monetary damage to compensate these two employees for the emotional pain, suffering, and inconvenience they suffered by being asked to speak English to the best of their ability while on the job." Stearns today offered an amendment to H.R. 3093, The Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Act, to prevent the EEOC from using any funds to initiate civil action or file a motion in any court on the grounds that the entity requires an employee to speak English while engaged in work. The amendment was rejected by a vote of 212 to 202. Added Stearns, "In 2003, a federal judge in Boston upheld the Salvation Army's policy requiring workers to speak English while on the job. However, the EEOC continues to harass the Salvation Army. The EEOC estimates that it will have a backlog of 54,265 complaints in fiscal year 2007 and 67,108 complaints by fiscal year 2008. These are our tax dollars at work, yours and mine, paying the salaries of the EEOC lawyers who file endless lawsuits while the Salvation Army must use its own funds, funds that would be better used helping the poor, instead of hiring attorneys to fight these kinds of cases."

WASHINGTON, JULY 18, 2007 -- "Although our nation was segregated during World War II, nearly 1,000 black Americans stepped forward to serve in a special Army Air Corps program to train as pilots," said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Ocala). "The training took place in Tuskegee, Alabama, and they became the famed Tuskegee Airmen, who went on to establish an astounding record in combat. In March, some 300 Tuskegee Airmen and their families attended an event in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C., receiving the Congressional Gold Medal. However, not all of the Tuskegee Airmen attended this event and I would like to ensure that they receive the honors they earned." Stearns will hold an event on July 23, 2007, honoring the Tuskegee Airmen living in the Sixth Congressional District, and he will present them with the Congressional Gold Medal. The event will be held in the Marion County Commissioners' Chamber, McPherson Complex, 25th Avenue & Fort King, in Ocala. Although the event starts at 9:00 AM, Stearns and the Tuskegee Airmen will be available for photos and interviews at 8:45 AM. The event ends with a reception at approximately 9:30 AM.

WASHINGTON, JUNE 22, 2007 -- "Although our nation was segregated during World War II, nearly 1,000 black Americans stepped forward to serve in a special Army Air Corps program to train as pilots," said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Ocala). "The training took place in Tuskegee, Alabama, and they became the famed Tuskegee Airmen, who went on to establish an astounding record in combat. I look forward to presenting the Congressional Gold Medal to Hal King, one of the Tuskegee Airmen, for his service to our nation." Stearns will be in Lady Lake on Monday, June 25th to present the medal to Mr. King. In March, some 300 Tuskegee Airmen and their families attended an event in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C., receiving the Congressional Gold Medal. However, not all of the Tuskegee Airmen attended this event and Stearns would like to ensure that they receive the honors they earned. Stearns is setting up an event on July 23rd to present the medal to Tuskegee Airmen living in the Sixth Congressional District, and is trying to identify all of the Airmen living in the District. Mr. King is attending a family reunion and would like to have the medal to share with loved ones, so Stearns will go to Mr. King's home to present the medal and a letter of thanks.

WASHINGTON, JUNE 15, 2007 - "The nation was horrified by the dismal conditions at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, demanding better treatment for our wounded warriors and veterans," stated Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Ocala). "As a veteran myself, I am pleased to join in approving this funding bill that will greatly enhance the treatment of our veterans, especially in the area of their health care." Stearns is the Deputy Ranking Member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee. The House today approved H.R. 2642, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act. Explained Stearns, "This bill provides an unprecedented increase in the Department of Veterans Affairs' budget -- the total is $87.7 billion -- an increase of 12.8 percent over the previous year. Of that, $37.1 billion is for veterans health programs, an increase of $4.4 billion, or 13.6 percent over last year's level. It also provides $22.4 million for the new Veterans Cemetery opening in the Jacksonville area." Stearns' language establishing the new cemetery in Jacksonville was enacted in 2003. "Another area for major improvements at the VA is clearing the backlog of claims," said Stearns. "There are now 600,000 disability claims awaiting processing, and this measure will provide funding to hire and train 457 people to process claims." H.R. 2642 also includes $21.4 billion for military construction, an increase of $5.1 billion to meet the need for military and family housing, and to support the proposed increased in the size of the Army and the Marine Corps.

WASHINGTON, MAY 24, 2007 - "Our troops need to know that they have our support, especially as they are engaged in ongoing military operations," said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Ocala). "It is imperative that they receive the resources to complete their missions, and this measure provides them funding through the end of the current fiscal year (through September 30, 2007). The certainty of funding through the current fiscal year allows our commanders to plan and prepare for the future. In addition, it includes benchmarks for the Iraqi government to measure progress in achieving victory."??The House today approved the funding bill negotiated with the Senate and the White House that provides $120 billion in emergency spending, with $95.5 billion for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The measure, H.R. 2206, also establishes benchmarks for the Iraqi government, including: Enacting and implementing legislation on de-Baathification; Forming a Constitutional Review Committee; Enacting and implementing legislation to ensure the equitable distribution of oil resources without regard to the sect or ethnicity of recipients; Providing three trained and ready Iraqi brigades to support Baghdad operations; and Increasing the number of Iraqi security forces units capable of operating independently.

WASHINGTON, MAY 23, 2007 - On June 2, 2007, a group of veterans from Clay County will take a chartered flight from Jacksonville to Washington, D.C. to visit the World War II Memorial on the National Mall. In addition, they will visit Arlington National Cemetery, where Stearns will join them for a special ceremony he arranged, a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns. "I want to thank all of those who worked and contributed to make this trip possible," said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Sixth). "I understand that $90,000 was raised through various efforts to pay for this trip."?? "The men and women who served during WWII literally saved the world," added Stearns. "However, it was only recently that a Memorial to those who served during WWII was established here in Washington, D.C. We can never properly thank these veterans, but this trip to Washington, D.C. is a fitting honor for these men."?

WASHINGTON, MAY 23, 2007 - "These measures represent small, but important, steps in meeting our obligations to those who defended our freedoms," said Rep. Cliff Stearns, a senior members of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee. "Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are the signature wounds of the Global War on Terror, and it is imperative to enhance the treatments for these injuries."??The House today approved H.R. 2199, the Traumatic Brain Injury Health Enhancement and Long-Term Support Act. Explained Stearns, "This bill improves screening and tracking of patients with symptoms of traumatic brain injury and requires the VA Secretary to submit a report on the number of veterans screened, prevalence of TBI symptoms, and recommendations for improving care. Another provision is the establishment of TBI centers for research, education, and clinical activities, and authorizes appropriations to the VA for the centers in the amount of $10 million for FY 2008 and $20 million for each fiscal year 2009 through 2011."??The House also approved H.R. 612, the Returning Servicemember VA Healthcare Insurance Act of 2007. Said Stearns, "I have long advocated eliminating the dreadful loophole that has in essence denied healthcare insurance to many returning veterans. As a matter of fact, I introduced similar legislation years ago to address this very problem. This bill extends from two years to five years the eligibility period for veterans who served in combat during or after the Persian Gulf War to receive hospital care, medical services, or nursing home care provided by the VA."??In addition, H.R. 1470, the Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act, passed in the House. Many returning veterans experience varying degrees of injury to their backs and require chiropractic treatment," added Stearns. This measure would expand chiropractic services to all VA medical centers by 2011. Currently, this service is only available at about 30% of the VA medical centers in the country."

WASHINGTON, MAY 17, 2007 - "Spending someone else's money is easy, and that's the road this budget proposal takes," stated Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Ocala). "Today, the economic situation calls for fiscal responsibility and budget reform, and this budget fails on both while raising taxes by at least $217 billion.??Stearns today voted against passage of S.Con.Res. 21, the House and Senate agreement on the federal budget. Explained Stearns, "This would increase marginal tax rates, capital gains rates, and dividend taxes. In addition, if Congress spends too much, it would trigger an end to marriage penalty tax relief and cut the child tax credit in half. While increasing taxes, this plan calls for higher spending for non-defense programs. Finally, it fails to reform federal spending habits; this budget finds savings of only $750 million out of $8.5 trillion in mandatory spending over 5 years."?

WASHINGTON, MAY 14, 2007 -- "Although our nation was segregated during World War II, nearly 1,000 black Americans stepped forward to serve in a special Army Air Corps program to train as pilots," said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Ocala). "The training took place in Tuskegee, Alabama, and they became the famed Tuskegee Airmen, who went on to establish an astounding record in combat. In March, some 300 Tuskegee Airmen and their families attended an event in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C., receiving the Congressional Gold Medal. However, not all of the Tuskegee Airmen attended this event and I would like to ensure that they receive the honors they earned."??Stearns will hold an event this summer honoring the Tuskegee Airmen living in the Sixth Congressional District, and he will present the Congressional Gold Medal to those who did not attend the event in Washington, D.C. Added Stearns, "I am working with veterans groups to identify these men living in the Sixth District, and I invite anyone who knows about a Tuskegee Airman to contact my office so that they can be invited to this event.”

WASHINGTON, MAY 10, 2007 - "We are in the midst of implementing a new strategy in Iraq - a strategy drawn up by the new commander in Iraq General Petraeus, who was approved in the Senate without opposition - yet this funding bill likely would cut off the funding needed to fully implement this new strategy," stated Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Ocala). "This two-month funding bill would prevent our commanders from planning and conducting future operations to achieve success in Iraq. It is a political statement that undermines our troops and our ability to defend this nation."??The House today approved H.R. 2206, providing $42.7 billion for ongoing operations in Iraq, enough for 60 days. In July, Congress would have to approve additional funding to continue operations in Iraq past those 60 days. Added Stearns, "I support establishing benchmarks to measure progress in Iraq, but our military needs the certainly of funding in order to make the progress we demand. In addition, instead of focusing on the specific needs of our troops and veterans, this bill includes $6.8 billion for Hurricane Katrina recovery, $663 million for efforts against pandemic flu, and $400 million for non-emergency energy programs.”

WASHINGTON, APRIL 19, 2007 - Rep. Cliff Stearns scored an 85, the highest rating in the Florida delegation, with the Club for Growth. "The rating examines legislative actions that reflect the Club for Growth's immediate pro-economic growth policy goals, including making the Bush tax cuts permanent, cutting and limiting government spending, and regulatory reform and deregulation," said Pat Toomey, President, Club for Growth.??"I appreciate the Club's commitment to economic freedom and its advocacy for pro-growth policies," said Stearns. "I am proud of my record for tax relief, for regulatory reform, and limited government."

WASHINGTON, APRIL 18, 2007 – Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Ocala) today received the “True Blue” Award presented to Members of congress who voted 100 percent in defense of the family during the Second Session of the 109th Congress. “The Members of Congress who received this award have been consistent, stalwart allies of American families and are to be commended for supporting public policy that values human life, protects our religious liberties, and upholds the institutions of marriage and the family,” said Tim McClusky, Vice President, Family Research Council Action.??“The family is the central building block of our society and I am committed to protecting family values,” said Stearns. “I am honored to receive this award and I look forward to working with both groups in the future.” The award was based on seven votes: against the Repeal of Abortion Restrictions on Military Facilities Amendment; for the Marriage Protection Act; for the Pledge Protection Act; against the Embryonic Stem Cell Research Act; for the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act; for the Public Expression of Religious Act; and for sponsoring the Marriage Protection Amendment to the Constitution.

WASHINGTON, MARCH 29, 2007 -- “The economy continues to grow, producing jobs and creating new opportunities,” said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Ocala). “Congress must maintain the pro-growth policies sustaining this expansion. Before we enacted tax relief in 2003, economic growth was a pitiful 1.1 percent. After tax relief, we have seen average economic growth of 3.5 percent each year. Before 2003, unemployment was 6.1 percent; it is now 4.5 percent. This budget plan of the House majority calls for massive new spending and will lead to a tax increase of $400 billion over 5 years.”??The House today approved H.Con.Res. 99, the Budget Resolution for Fiscal Year 2008. This budget includes an increase of $24 billion in non-defense, non-security spending above the President’s request. This is on top of the $23 billion in non-emergency spending included in the emergency spending bill covering the ongoing Global War on Terror. “This plan will lead to higher taxes; over 6.7 million Floridians will see their taxes increase by an average of $3,000,” explained Stearns.?? House Budget Tax Increases 2010 2011 The Top Tax Rates Move Higher Ordinary Income… 35% 39.6% Capital Gains… 15% 20% Estates… 0% 55% Child Tax Credit… $1,000 $500 Lowest Tax Bracket… 10% 15%

Stearns, who was one of only 48 House members recognized by the National Taxpayers’ Union last week with an “A” rating on fiscal responsibility, supported a substitute proposal that would balance the budget by 2012 without increasing taxes. “This substitute is designed to produce a budget surplus by 2012 without using excess Social Security receipts,” added Stearns. “In addition, it contains entitlement reforms that would make Medicare and Medicaid more sustainable and more flexible.” This proposal, which was defeated, also would provide $8 billion more for veterans programs than the budget that the House adopted.

WASHINGTON, MARCH 28, 2007 - "Having served in the armed services, I understand the importance our military personnel place in knowing that they have the nation's support in combat, on the training ground, and in the hospital," stated Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Ocala). "Our troops injured in service to our nation deserve the highest quality care that we can