| | The REAL Inconvenient Truth
Currently, the U.S. Debt is estimated at: $9,849,354,380,955.73 Your share of today's public debt is: $30,891.15 | | | |
| | | | Brokering an American Auto Industry Compromise
 As Co-Chairman of the Senate Auto Caucus, Sen. Voinovich led the way for a compromise bill aimed at helping the American automobile industry and protecting millions of jobs while safeguarding taxpayers and our nation's long-term economic health. The bill, which Sen. Voinovich wrote along with U.S. Senators Kit Bond (R-MO) and Carl Levin (D-MI), would use funds already appropriated by Congress for a $25 billion loan program for automakers to meet new increased environmental standards. This compromise is designed to protect taxpayer dollars by requiring the auto companies to provide independently verified viability plans and providing strong congressional and independent oversight. Sen. Voinovich's compromise legislation requires that the auto companies provide strategic plans to the Secretary of Commerce detailing how they will ensure their financial viability and pay back the loans. Upon repayment, the funds would be used to replenish the account to be used for its original purpose – the retooling of manufacturing facilities to build the next generation of fuel-efficient vehicles. Sen. Voinovich understands that thousands if not millions of Americans who are tied to the automotive industry are worried about their jobs and providing for their families – and they are looking to Congress for leadership.
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| | | | Securing $4 Million for Economic Recovery in Southwest Ohio
Sen. Voinovich has helped secure nearly $4 million to assist workers affected by layoffs within the Wilmington Air Park at DHL Express, ABX Air, Inc. and ACS Business Process Solutions. The Department of Labor recently announced a $3,877,672 National Emergency Grant to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services for which Sen. Voinovich wrote a letter of support along with the Ohio delegation. The senator also lobbied the administration on behalf of the affected communities. This funding speaks to the fact that the federal government realizes that thousands of hard-working individuals and families in Southwest Ohio are facing a crisis of uncertainty about their future. Sen. Voinovich has been facilitating communication between the state and federal government and he has vowed to continue his tireless efforts to ensure that state and local governments have the full federal resources needed to cope with one of the worst economic dislocations the United States has ever faced. Geographic areas covered by this grant include the counties of Adams, Brown, Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Fairfield, Fayette, Greene, Hamilton, Highland, Montgomery, Pickaway, Pike, Ross, Scioto and Warren. | | | |
| | | | Fighting Foreclosures in Cincinnati
 Recently in Cincinnati, Sen. Voinovich participated in a roundtable discussion about the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP). He discussed NSP with city and county officials in an effort to gain feedback on the program. Prior to the roundtable, the senator toured local homes with Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory that have been affected by foreclosure. Sen. Voinovich sees that Ohioans are hurting like never before and he understands that Congress needs to take real action to help protect homeowners. He supported the Neighborhood Stabilization Program in the bipartisan Housing and Economic Recovery Act. He pushed for NSP funding to ease the mortgage foreclosure crisis for state and local governments and is committed to making sure local communities have the support needed to implement the NSP programs. Sen. Voinovich has led the way in bringing Ohioans some much-needed relief, personally spearheading the first piece of foreclosure crisis-relief legislation that was signed into law by the president. In addition, the senator secured six additional provisions to provide immediate relief and assistance for struggling Ohio homeowners and employers in the final version of a second bill, the Housing and Economic Recovery Act.
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| | | | Announcing New VA Hospital in Parma
Earlier this month, Sen. Voinovich announced that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has awarded a lease for the new Satellite Outpatient Clinic in Parma. With the closing of the existing Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Brecksville in the near future, this new clinic will serve the veteran population between Brecksville and Parma. Additionally, it will be a hub-zone for both patients and employees for transportation to the Cleveland VA Medical Center. Sen. Voinovich firmly believes that Ohio veterans deserve the best quality care available. He is a long-time advocate of better VA care in Ohio and has lived by his own motto that: "Our veterans kept their promise to defend our nation and our nation must keep its promises to our veterans." The new outpatient clinic in Parma will be part of a 30-mile radius initiative, guaranteeing that every veteran in Ohio is within 30 miles of a VA Primary Medical Care Center for regular doctor visits. The Parma facility is projected to have 3,700 visits annually. The clinic is scheduled to be ready for veterans in November 2010.
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| | | | Bolstering International Diplomacy, National Security
 Recently, the Department of State nominated the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and South Korea to participate in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). This was made possible by last year's passage of Sen. Voinovich's legislation to reform the VWP – the Secure Travel and Counterterrorism Partnership Act of 2007 – which was signed into law by President Bush as part of the 9/11 bill. Specifically, Sen. Voinovich's legislation enhanced travel security and allowed new countries the opportunity to participate in the VWP. Sen. Voinovich, a member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and the Foreign Relations Committee, was delighted to see these countries inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program. He believes that the United States can benefit both in terms of national security and economic stability by working with our friends around the world. These countries' agreement to cooperate with the United States on travel security and their participation in the VWP will have a positive impact upon American security, tourism, business and overall economic competitiveness. Nationals of these seven countries became eligible for visa-free travel to the United States under the VWP last month. | | |
