Johnny Isakson Press Releases

Isakson Co-Sponsors Legislation to Stop Automatic Salary Increase for Members of Congress

2010-03-08T15:07:00Z

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today announced that he is co-sponsoring legislation that would block the automatic cost of living increase for members of Congress in fiscal year 2011.

“Our economy is still recovering from one of the worst recessions in our nation’s history,” Isakson said. “American families aren’t spending far and away above their means, but Congress continues to spend money at an alarming and unsustainable rate. I can’t think of anyone less deserving of a pay raise in this economy.”

Isakson joined a majority of his colleagues in voting to block the annual increase for fiscal year 2010. Isakson also has voted for a bill to repeal automatic pay raises altogether, which passed the Senate in 2009. That bill is pending in the House of Representatives. Additionally, Isakson donates the automatic pay increase he received for fiscal year 2009 by writing a check each month to the Atlanta Community Food Bank equal to the amount of the pay raise.

Isakson has a long history of being a good steward of the taxpayers’ money. For example, since he was elected to Congress in 1999, Isakson has returned over $2.2 million of his annual Congressional office budget allotment to the Treasury. Additionally, for fiscal year 2009, Isakson will return an estimated $460,000 of his Senate office budget allotment once final expenses have been completed.

Isakson Votes to Help Small Businesses Generate Jobs

2010-03-03T22:30:00Z

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator and Senate candidate Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today criticized the Senate’s rejection of an amendment he co-sponsored that would have created and expanded a number of tax incentives designed to help small businesses create jobs.

The amendment was defeated by a vote of 38-61.

“Having run my own small business for over 30 years, I recognize the tremendous impact that federal policy can have on American business owners,” Isakson said. “It is important we enact policies that strengthen and stabilize our economy. I’m disappointed the Senate rejected this commonsense approach to helping the people and small businesses that make up the heart of the American economy.”

The amendment, which was offered by Senator John Thune, R-S.D., would have redirected unused stimulus funds to pay for several small business tax incentives, including a provision that would have allowed small businesses to pay off large expenditures for manufacturing equipment and other physical capital more easily.

The amendment also would have eliminated capital gains taxes on small business investments and provided a 20 percent deduction for small business income. Isakson is a member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, and he spent more than three decades in the real estate business, beginning his business career in 1967 when he opened the first Cobb County, Ga., office of a small, family-owned real estate business, Northside Realty.

Isakson: Include ‘Pay It Back’ Plan in the Budget

2010-02-26T23:22:00Z

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator and Senate candidate Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today joined four Senate colleagues in sending a letter to the leaders of the Senate Budget Committee urging them to include the Pay It Back Act in the fiscal year 2011 budget resolution.

The Pay It Back Act would require returned emergency spending to go toward deficit reduction, not to fund further spending. Isakson is a co-sponsor of the legislation.

The full text of the letter is below:

“Dear Chairman Conrad and Ranking Member Gregg:

We write both to thank you for your bipartisan leadership in pushing for the establishment of a debt commission and also to encourage you to work together to craft a Budget Resolution that does substantially more to protect taxpayers and reduce our deficit.

With respect to the creation of a debt commission, while we lament that the Senate was unable to pass your amendment on its own, we feel that the strong showing of bipartisan majority support for the amendment on the Senate Floor last month was instrumental in bringing greater attention to this critical issue.

With respect to the Budget Resolution you are crafting, we believe that it is incumbent upon Congress to take groundbreaking strides to reduce our deficits. That is why we support the Pay It Back Act, S.1683, a copy of which we have attached. This bipartisan legislation would:

• Capture repaid TARP funds, direct them for deficit reduction, and permanently close TARP’s $700 billion revolving door of credit;

• Capture investments from the sale of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac securities and direct them for deficit reduction;

• Require relevant inspectors general and agency secretaries to identify and capture any ARRA funds that have been turned down or unobligated by the federal government and direct them for deficit reduction;

• Ensure that ARRA funds not obligated by the federal government by December 31, 2012, will be returned to the Treasury and used for deficit reduction; and

• Reduce the national debt limit – dollar for dollar – for all money repaid to the Treasury that is encompassed through any provision in this bill.

The Pay It Back Act does not undermine emergency and recovery efforts. Rather, it sets a schedule for getting the government out of the business of owning businesses. This legislation looks critically at open-ended policies and establishes a responsible way forward that will benefit the American taxpayer.

Taxpayers helped stabilize our economy when our country was on the brink of the next Great Depression. While we can have a healthy debate about whether we should have enacted the TARP, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac assistance, and ARRA in the first place, what is not debatable is that these provisions have to be temporary. As financial institutions regain their health and our economy stabilizes, we must ensure that any repaid funds from these efforts are used to lower our soaring deficit and debt – not to fund further spending.

As you both know well, our nation is at a budget crossroads. The national deficit for January alone totaled $42.6 billion. And the national debt has grown to a massive $12 trillion. The interest on this debt alone – if we started running surpluses today – will hamstring national priorities for years to come. If left unaddressed, our debt will have severe effects on our kids and grandkids.

We strongly encourage the Budget Committee to adopt provisions from the Pay It Back Act as part of a broader approach to reining in spending and reducing the deficit. In the absence of such steps within the Budget Resolution, we notice the Committee of our intention to pursue an amendment related to S.1683 during the full Senate’s consideration of the Budget Resolution in the coming weeks.

With the fast-approaching consequences of our long-term debt so clear, it is incumbent upon this body that we use repaid TARP and other bailout funds to pay down the national debt. We look forward to working with you to accomplish these critically important goals and restoring fiscal sanity.”

Isakson Honored with 'Taxpayers' Friend' Award for Strong Commitment to Reducing Taxes, Federal Debt

2010-02-25T23:25:00Z

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator and Senate candidate Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today received the “Taxpayers’ Friend Award” from the National Taxpayers Union for his voting record in 2009. The award is given to members of Congress who consistently vote to control federal spending and reduce the burden on American taxpayers.

“I am very proud to receive this honor from the National Taxpayers Union, because I agree with them that we must take large and immediate steps to stop out-of-control federal spending,” Isakson said. “As a businessman, I more than recognize that the way the government is operating is not only unsustainable, it is a recipe for disaster and failure.”

The non-partisan National Taxpayers Union annually publishes a rating of Congress that is considered the most comprehensive scorecard available on federal tax, spending and regulatory issues. During 2009, Isakson was one of only 55 lawmakers who received an “A” and was eligible for the “Taxpayers’ Friend Award.” The rating is based on every roll call vote affecting fiscal policy and assigns a “Taxpayer Score” to all members of Congress indicating their commitment to reducing or controlling federal spending, taxes, debt and regulation. The group analyzed 333 House and 227 Senate votes for 2009.

“Given today’s economic climate, fiscal discipline is more important now than ever,” NTU President Duane Parde said. “Fortunately, taxpayers have a staunch ally in Senator Isakson, to whom National Taxpayers Union is proud to present a ‘Taxpayers’ Friend Award.’”

Isakson has a longstanding record of being a good steward of taxpayer dollars. Since he was elected to Congress in 1999, Isakson has returned over $2.2 million of his annual Congressional office budget allotment to the Treasury. Additionally, Isakson will return an estimated $460,000 of his Senate office budget allotment for fiscal year 2009 once final expenses have been completed.

Isakson is committed to trying to pass legislation to curb federal spending and to demand more accountability from programs that receive federal dollars. Isakson is a co-sponsor of a constitutional amendment that would allow the President to use the line-item veto to either eliminate or reduce appropriations in any bill passed by the Congress. The amendment would also require Congress to balance the federal budget.

Isakson also has introduced legislation to reform the federal budget process by converting it from an annual spending process to a two-year cycle, with one year for appropriating federal dollars and the other year devoted solely to mandatory oversight of federal programs.

Isakson Praises Approval of Loan Guarantees for Vogtle Nuclear Power Plant

2010-02-16T19:10:00Z

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator and Senate candidate Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today praised the administration’s approval of the first loan guarantees for the construction and operation of two new nuclear reactors at Vogtle Electric Generating plant in Waynesboro, Ga.

The next step will be for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to act on Southern Co.’s application for a license to build and operate the reactors, and that decision is expected in 2011 or 2012. If approved, it would be the first expansion of nuclear energy in the United States in almost three decades.

“These federal loan guarantees for Plant Vogtle are a good first step in the right direction toward energy independence in this country. I urge the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to act swiftly in approving Southern Company’s application to build these new facilities,” Isakson said. “Nuclear power is reliable and it emits zero carbon. As I have said repeatedly over the years, it must be part of the solution if we want to meet the goal of reducing carbon and reducing U.S. dependence on foreign oil.”

Isakson has pushed for nuclear power for decades, beginning in the 1970s when he served in the Georgia Legislature and sponsored legislation to reform accounting and construction procedures so that Plant Vogtle could be built.

When Isakson served on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee in the U.S. Senate, he offered an amendment to an energy bill in 2007 to expand the nation’s nuclear energy infrastructure. Isakson’s amendment, which was defeated by an 8-11 vote by the Democratic-controlled committee, would have streamlined the licensing of new nuclear plants, created incentives for construction of new plants and domestic manufacturing of nuclear equipment, re-energized the Department of Energy’s loan guarantee program and addressed the issue of storing spent nuclear fuel.

Last year, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission renewed the operating licenses for the existing reactors at Vogtle Electric Generating Plant, Units 1 and 2, in Waynesboro, Ga., for an additional 20 years. The new licenses will expire on Jan. 16, 2047, and Feb. 9, 2049, respectively.

Isakson Votes Against Craig Becker to Serve on National Labor Relations Board

2010-02-09T22:57:00Z

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator and Senate candidate Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today praised the Senate’s decision against limiting debate on the nomination of Craig Becker to serve on the National Labor Relations Board, amid questions Becker would use his position to bypass Congress and manipulate the federal regulatory process to favor labor unions if he is confirmed.

The Senate rejected the cloture motion on Becker’s nomination by a vote of 52-33.

“It is clear that labor groups see Craig Becker’s nomination to the NLRB as an opportunity to do by regulatory authority what could not be done on the floor of the Senate,” Isakson said. “I voted against the confirmation of Mr. Becker with hope the administration will send a more convincing nominee to the floor who is committed to equal treatment and maintaining the delicate balance between labor unions and management in this country.”

In charging that Becker and the labor unions are conspiring to use the NLRB to impose pro-union rules that they can’t get passed in Congress, Isakson pointed to comments by Stewart Acuff, chief of staff and assistant to the president of the Utility Workers Union of America, who wrote on Feb. 4 in the Huffington Post that, “If we aren’t able to pass the Employee Free Choice Act, we will work with President Obama and Vice President Biden and their appointees to the National Labor Relations Board to change the rules governing forming a union through administrative action.”

During Becker’s nomination hearing before the Senate HELP Committee, Isakson questioned Becker about his past writings that have indicated a belief that the NLRB has the authority to make dramatic changes to the National Labor Relations Act without congressional action, including changes denying workers a secret ballot.

Isakson is strongly opposed to the so-called Employee Free Choice Act, also known as Card Check, which would eliminate the rights of workers to participate in a secret-ballot election in order to certify the creation of a union. Instead, the legislation would force employees to make a public declaration of their preference by allowing union organizers to bypass elections if a majority of employees sign cards authorizing a union.

Becker is currently associate general counsel to both the AFL-CIO and the Service Employees International Union. The five-member NLRB to which he has been nominated supervises union elections, investigates labor practices and issues rulings that interpret the National Labor Relations Act.

During a speech on the Senate floor, Isakson also noted that pro-union members of another federal labor panel – the National Mediation Board – are also using their positions to impose pro-union rules. In 2009, the Senate confirmed two of President Obama’s nominees to the National Mediation Board only to watch them overturn 75 years of precedent by fiat just weeks after their confirmation.

“I listened to these appointees over and over again say they would be fair, say they would not be biased and say they did not have a preconceived position. Within weeks of being seated, they passed a resolution to change 75 years of precedent to shift the balance between labor and management,” Isakson said. “I remain concerned that Mr. Becker will follow their lead if he wins confirmation and compromise fairness to grant favors to the labor unions that currently employ him.”

Isakson Demands Details on Massive Census Advertising Campaign Paid for by Taxpayers

2010-02-04T20:37:00Z

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator and Senate candidate Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today sent a letter to Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke and Director of the Census Bureau Robert Groves requesting detailed information about the multimillion-dollar television advertising campaign currently under way to promote the 2010 Census.

Isakson, who serves on the Senate Commerce Committee, is concerned with the amount of taxpayer dollars that have been spent during a time of economic difficulty. The Census Bureau’s ad campaign includes a television commercial that will air during Sunday’s Super Bowl, which is known each year for having the most expensive 30-second spots of any program on television.

The text of Isakson’s letter is below:

Dear Secretary Locke and Director Groves:

I am writing in regards to the television advertising campaign undertaken by the Census Bureau. As you know the Census Bureau is running high profile commercials with well known celebrities to encourage the American public to participate in the 2010 Census. These commercials are appearing in “prime time” and during the Super Bowl.

Reports have indicated that the Super Bowl commercial alone costs an estimated $2.5 million for one 30 second airing. Given the difficult economic times our nation is facing, I am very concerned with the amount of money spent by the Census Bureau for the production and airing of these commercials. As a member of the Senate Commerce Committee I ask that you please share with me the details surrounding the production and airing of these commercials including breakdowns in its cost, which media consultant and advertising agency advised the Bureau and produced the commercials, and how the contracts were awarded to these consultants and agencies. I also ask that you provide, for comparison, the advertising budget for the 2000 census as well as data showing what percentage of Americans participated in that census.

I appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to your prompt response. Should you or your staff have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Michael Quiello and Caroline McLean on my staff.

Sincerely,

Johnny Isakson

Isakson: Enforcing Immigration Laws Will Help Unemployment

2010-02-05T21:03:00Z

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator and Senate candidate Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., joined seven of his Senate Republican colleagues on Thursday in signing a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., asking him to take steps to improve immigration laws in order to help reduce U.S. unemployment.

Isakson believes the millions of workers who are in the United States illegally are only exacerbating the unfair competition American workers currently face as they struggle to find jobs.

The text of the letter is below:

Dear Majority Leader Reid,

We understand that you are currently drafting major jobs legislation to help ease unemployment in the United States during these difficult times. We certainly share your goal of getting Americans back to work and wish to share our ideas with you in the hope that they too may be included in this jobs package.

The statistics are sobering. Currently 15.3 million Americans are officially unemployed. If one adds the number of Americans who are underemployed, what the Department of Labor calls the U-6 unemployment rate, that number jumps to 26.5 million. Meanwhile, there are between 7 and 8 million illegal aliens in the U.S. labor market, many of whom have only recently entered the country.

Despite these numbers, the U.S. government in 2009 failed to enforce our immigration laws. Between fiscal years 2008 and 2009, administrative arrests of illegal aliens dropped 68 percent; criminal arrests of illegal aliens dropped 60 percent; indictments of illegal aliens dropped 58 percent; and convictions of illegal aliens dropped 63 percent.

By taking certain steps to improve our immigration laws, we believe that Congress can help the American worker at little to no cost to the American taxpayer. These steps include:

-Setting clear enforcement policies that reverse dramatic declines in actions;

-Permanently reauthorizing E-Verify;

-Allowing employers to use E-Verify to verify the work authorization of current employees;

-Reinstating the No-Match Rule, which directs employers to take specific actions upon learning that their employees’ names and social security numbers do not match;

-Increasing penalties for employers who knowingly hire illegal aliens; and

-Prohibiting employers from deducting wages paid to illegal alien workers.

While there may be many other good ideas to help reduce unemployment, these commonsense measures would go a long way to putting U.S. workers first and end the unfair competition that arises from the abuse of our immigration system. It is imperative that these provisions be included in any jobs legislation and we are fully committed to working with you towards that end.

Isakson Co-Sponsors Legislation to Prevent Trials of 9/11 Conspirators in Civilian Court

2010-02-03T22:20:00Z

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today joined 23 of his Senate colleagues in co-sponsoring bipartisan legislation that would cut off funding for the trials of the 9/11 conspirators in civilian court.

“Suggesting we send Khalid Sheikh Mohammed to New York City where he was the mastermind of the slaughter of almost 3,000 Americans and hold a trial in that city was just plain wrong,” Isakson said. “It is wrong to grant American constitutional rights to a foreign terrorist, and I believe we must ensure that these terrorists are tried by military commission.”

Isakson’s co-sponsorship of this legislation follows the Jan. 8, 2010, letter he signed to President Obama along with 21 other senators, urging the president to rethink his decision to prosecute airline bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab of Nigeria in our criminal justice system.

Isakson Concerned Becker Will Use Position to Favor Labor Unions

2010-02-03T21:15:00Z

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator and Senate candidate Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today reiterated his concerns that nominee Craig Becker will use his position on the National Labor Relations Board to manipulate the federal regulatory process to favor labor unions if he is confirmed.

“I remain concerned that Craig Becker will compromise fairness in order to grant favors to the special interest groups that currently employ him,” Isakson said. “The NLRB has a history of trying to maintain a delicate balance of current law on union organizing that provides advantages and restrictions for both sides. It is imperative that this balance continues, regardless of which party controls the White House.”

During Becker’s nomination hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee today, Isakson questioned Becker about his past writings that have indicated a belief that the NLRB has the authority to make dramatic changes to the National Labor Relations Act without congressional action, including changes denying workers a secret ballot.

Isakson is strongly opposed to the so-called Employee Free Choice Act, also known as card check, which would eliminate the rights of workers to participate in a secret-ballot election in order to certify the creation of a union. Instead, the legislation would force employees to make a public declaration of their preference by allowing union organizers to bypass elections if a majority of employees sign cards authorizing a union.

Additionally, Becker has advocated a new “body of campaign rules” that would severely limit the ability of employers to argue against unionization. He has argued that any meeting a company holds that involves a “captive audience” ought to be grounds for overturning an election. If a company wants to distribute leaflets that oppose the union, for example, Becker has said it must allow union access to its private property to do the same. Isakson believes such views are incompatible with a free market that allows small businesses to thrive.