Kratovil release

Kratovil Introduces Earmark Performance and Accountability Act
02/02/10

Today, Rep. Frank Kratovil introduced the Earmark Performance and Accountability Act (bill number pending). Kratovil’s legislation would implement auditing requirements for many projects receiving funding through earmarks, increasing the accountability and transparency of the appropriations process.

“As a nation we have many critical priorities, yet limited resources. This means we need to make sure every penny is spent wisely and with the taxpayer’s best interests in mind,” said Rep. Kratovil. “That’s why we need to reform the way Congress appropriates funding. We must implement the type of controls that ensure our dollars are going to legitimate programs that serve a national interest. This legislation puts the taxpayers first by providing oversight and cutting waste.”
This legislation will require all non-Federal entities to set aside “such sums as necessary” from the funding they receive to conduct an audit using an independent external auditor, as determined by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). These audits must be submitted to Congress no later than 180 days after the funding has been received. The bill also requires similar audits of all earmarks in excess of $5 million. These audits will help determine whether the earmarked funds are being spent efficiently and effectively and whether the program, project, or activity is continuing to serve a vital need.

To provide additional transparency, all audits submitted to Congress under this act must be made available to the public on GAO’s website for taxpayers and watchdog groups to review.

“I have a responsibility to my constituents to fight in Washington for the resources necessary to meet the critical needs of Maryland’s First District. But Congress has a responsibility to all taxpayers to distinguish between worthwhile projects and wasteful pork,” said Kratovil. “The answer isn’t to throw the baby out with the bathwater. The answer is to shine a light on the process and make sure that lawmakers know that their constituents and colleagues are watching. Taking meaningful steps to ensure oversight, accountability and transparency will make citizens more informed and force Congress to be a more responsible steward of taxpayer dollars.”

Congressman Kratovil has already taken a proactive role in bringing transparency to his own appropriations requests, having posted all of his requests on his Congressional website for constituents to review. He also has posted the rigid criteria he uses in evaluating projects that have been presented for his consideration, stating that he will only consider supporting requests that will create jobs, meet a pressing need, or improve the quality of life in the First District.

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Press Release of Senator Cardin

TEAM MARYLAND ANNOUNCES $5.6 MILLION TO PREPARE FOR THOUSANDS OF BRAC JOBS

Funds will support road improvements near Ft. Meade and Aberdeen Proving Ground

Contact: Sue Walitsky: 202-224-4524
Monday, January 25, 2010

Click here for a PDF Document

SEVERN, MD – U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD)joined Congressmen C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, (MD-2), John Sarbanes (MD-3) and Frank Kratovil (MD-1) today to announce $5.6 million in new funding to help prepare Ft. Meade and Aberdeen Proving Ground for the thousands of new jobs that will be heading to Maryland through the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process.

The federal funds, which were included in the FY 2010 Omnibus Appropriations Bill that passed Congress in December, will pay for much-needed road improvements near Fort Meade in Anne Arundel County and Aberdeen Proving Ground in Harford County. The Omnibus Appropriations Bill also included $2.5 million for BRAC-related improvements to Andrews Air Force Base in Prince George’s County. Additionally, the FY 2010 Defense Appropriations Act, which also passed Congress in December, includes $130 million for BRAC-related improvement for the future Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda. A total of 30,000 BRAC-related jobs are expected to come to Maryland at the four sites.

“The relocation of thousands of BRAC-related jobs to Maryland brings with it great responsibility and enormous economic opportunity,” said Senator Cardin. “This year, Team Maryland secured more than $138 million in BRAC-related infrastructure improvements for Harford, Anne Arundel, Prince George’s and Montgomery counties that will make it possible for employees to get to their jobs safely and efficiently.”

“I fought to BRAC-proof Maryland’s bases, now I am working to BRAC-ready our transportation systems. Fort Meade will house high-tech, high-pay jobs of the future,” Senator Mikulski said. “Their genius club at NSA, and soon-to-be DISA and Navy’s Cyber Command, will combat cyber spies, cyber criminals and cyber terrorists trying to steal our secrets and take our systems down. I wanted to make sure they – and the surrounding community – weren’t stuck in a traffic logjam. I am proud to partner with my Team Maryland colleagues to make BRAC a success and secure the federal funding needed to meet the increased demands on our communities.”

“In these trying economic times, additional high-paying jobs are music to our ears,” said Congressman Ruppersberger, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “But we need to make sure that we preserve the great quality of life that residents experience all across the state, especially here in Anne Arundel County. Together, Team Maryland has worked hard over the last four years to make sure we have the proper infrastructure in place – everything from roads to schools to hospitals to public safety – to make the transition as smooth as possible as we welcome our new residents.”

“BRAC is bringing thousands of new, good paying jobs to Maryland during difficult economic times,” said Congressman John Sarbanes. “It is critical that we bolster our transportation infrastructure around Fort Meade so this economic growth is not stunted by traffic gridlock and does not diminish the quality of life in the surrounding area.”

“BRAC will bring new jobs while reinvigorating the workforce, commerce and economy of our region; but we need to be ready in order to fully realize the economic benefit it presents,” said Rep. Frank Kratovil. “We fought for these funds because they represent a significant federal investment in the future Fort Meade and Aberdeen Proving Grounds, the surrounding counties and the families who live there.”

“The Maryland Department of Transportation’s relationship with Congressman Ruppersberger and our other federal partners has brought much needed and greatly appreciated funding for projects that benefit all who travel throughout Maryland,” said State Highway Administrator Neil J. Pedersen. “The funds announced today will certainly help prepare for enhanced safety, improved traffic flow and ease of congestion for the Ft. Meade community.”

Kratovil release

Kratovil Reviews Findings and Recommendations of Independent Review Relating to Fort Hood Shootings
01/20/10
On November 5, 2009, a gunman opened fire at the Soldier Readiness Center on Fort Hood, Texas. Thirteen people were killed and 43 were wounded. The alleged gunman, Army Major Nidal M. Hasan, is an active duty Army psychiatrist who as of today has been charged under article 118 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) with 13 counts of premeditated murder, and under article 80 of the UCMJ with 32 counts of attempted premeditated murder.

Rep. Kratovil and his colleagues on the House Armed Services Committee heard testimony about the steps that led to this tragedy and what the military can do to ensure that similar tragedies are prevented. Testifying before the committee were former Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of the Army Togo West and former Chief of Naval Operations Admiral (Retired) Vern Clark, co-chairs of a Department of Defense Independent Review appointed by Defense Secretary Robert Gates.

“As a member of the House Armed Service Committee one of my primary concerns is to provide for the safety and security of Members of our Armed Forces and their families,” said Rep. Kratovil. “It is clear that the events of November 5th at Fort Hood signaled lapses in the procedures, protocols and policies put in place to detect any and all threats, especially those of a terrorist nature, before they occur.”

The West-Clark panel report identified immediate actions that the Secretary of Defense should take in order to better protect members of our Armed Forces from similar attacks while deployed or on base. While the majority of the report was only made available to the members of Congress and those with appropriate security clearance, the publicly released report reached several conclusions with regard to the oversight of Major Hasan. It found that the Army polices were generally found to be adequate, but several officers failed to comply with those polices. Specifically, the panel concluded that some medical officers failed to apply appropriate judgment and standards of officership with respect to Major Hasan, and that some medical officers failed to include Major Hasan’s overall performance as an officer, rather than solely his academic performance, in his formal performance evaluations. Remediation of these shortfalls, according to the panel, required immediate action.

“The safety of those who protect us should never be compromised,” said Rep. Kratovil. “I was pleased that the panel identified the holes in the system that led to this tragedy but I am more concerned with taking the action that will ensure this never happens again. Terrorist threats arise with little or no warning and in any number of shapes and forms so it is necessary that we remain vigilant. I will work with my colleagues on the Armed Services Committee to make sure the military has the resources needed to implement effective procedures.”

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Kratovil release

Kratovil Votes to Spur Aid, Relief for Haiti
01/20/10

Today, Rep. Frank Kratovil voted to help earthquake victims in Haiti by offering an immediate benefit to Americans who make charitable contributions to aid the region. This bipartisan legislation will allow individuals to claim any donations to the relief effort as an itemized deduction on their 2009 tax return, instead of waiting to claim it on their 2010 return.

“Americans have responded to the humanitarian crisis in Haiti with remarkable generosity and compassion,” said Rep. Kratovil. “This bill will reward and encourage this generosity, while allowing donors to get their tax deductions sooner, which will help our economic recovery.”

This measure will promote timely giving to Haiti, in the days and weeks when the region needs help the most, by providing Americans with an immediate income tax benefit that individuals can claim in 2009, instead of 2010. The bill would also make clear that the many taxpayers making a charitable contribution to victims of the Haiti earthquake through a text message will be able to rely on their cell phone bill when claiming a charitable donation.

In addition to passing this measure, the House of Representatives voted to pass a resolution expressing condolences to and solidarity with the people of Haiti in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake of January 12th, 2010.

In January of 2005, Congress enacted similar tax provisions for individuals that made charitable contributions to victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami that occurred in late December of 2004. That bill (H.R. 241 in the 109th Congress) passed the House of Representatives without objection and subsequently passed the Senate by unanimous consent.

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Chris Cilizza

5. Maryland’s 1st district (D): A recent poll conducted for state Sen. Andy Harris’ (R) campaign showed him leading Rep. Frank Kratovil (D) by a 52 percent to 39 percent margin. That Kratovil’s campaign didn’t release numbers of its own suggests the incumbent isn’t in a good place — not surprising given the Republican tilt of this Eastern Shore district. (Previous ranking: 7)