February 2005

Welcome to the February edition of my Washington Report. I hope this newsletter keeps you informed about some of the important matters facing our State, our Nation, and the U.S. Senate.

In this edition, you'll find information about the following:

• The President's Plan to Reform Social Security
• Priorities for the 109th Congress
• Legislation in Focus: Combating Meth Production
• Nomination of Alberto Gonzales
• Helping Tsunami Victims

If you have any comments or questions on these or any other issues, please don't hesitate to let me know. Please send any comments you have through my website.

Best wishes,

U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein

The President's Plan to Reform Social Security
The Social Security program has provided America's senior citizens with a guaranteed retirement income since President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed it into law 70 years ago. Today the program serves over 45 million American retirees, widows, widowers, and disabled people. Many of these individuals rely completely on Social Security because half of all workers receive no retirement benefits through their employer.

In his State of the Union Speech, President Bush vowed to “strengthen and save Social Security.” But in proposing to carve out private accounts, he offered no specific details on how he would shore up Social Security or pay for the costs associated with privatization. I think it would be a major mistake to unravel the most important social program in American history. Over the long run we will need to make changes to the Social Security program, but as we proceed with any reform we must remember to keep in mind the many Americans who truly depend on this important program.

To learn more about what I'm doing to protect Social Security, please go to: Op-ed: My vow not to throw Social Security overboard (San Francisco Chronicle, 2/4/05)

Feinstein joins 43 Senators opposing Social Security plan (2/3/05)

Priorities for the 109th Congress
As this new session of Congress gets underway, I am working hard to pass legislation that will make our communities safer and our Nation stronger. Several of my top priorities for the 109th Congress include:

• Strengthening port security
• Increasing access to health care and investing in education
• Cracking down on street gangs and meth production
• Combating identity theft and audio/video piracy
• Addressing perchlorate contamination in the food and water supply nationwide
• Reducing emissions that contribute to global warming
• Expanding wilderness and recreation areas in California
• Promoting greater investment in stem cell research

For all of the latest news about my work in the U.S. Senate, please go to: Latest News from Senator Dianne Feinstein

Legislation in Focus: Combating Meth Production
Methamphetamine, or meth, use has swept across the nation, endangering the public, tearing apart families, and creating toxic waste. According to the latest available data for California, law enforcement officials seized 1,130 meth labs in 2002, the highest number of any State. That's why I've joined with Senator Jim Talent (R-Mo.) and a bipartisan group of Senators to introduce legislation that would make it more difficult for meth dealers and users to manufacture this devastating drug.

Our legislation would classify one of the primary ingredients in the manufacture of meth, pseudoephedrine, as a Schedule V drug, meaning products containing pseudoephedrine must be kept behind a pharmacy counter and sold only by a pharmacist or pharmacy technician. Purchasers of cold medicine would have limits placed on the amount they could buy and be required both to present proof of identification and sign for the medicine when purchasing it. Rural communities without pharmacy access would be authorized by the Director of the Federal Drug Administration to sell the medicines as long as they follow the same procedure.

To learn more about my work to combat meth, please go to: Talent-Feinstein Bill Would Limit Access To Key Ingredient Used To Make Meth (1/26/05)

Nomination of Alberto Gonzales
With much regret, I decided to vote no on the nomination of Alberto Gonzales to be the next Attorney General. I do not believe he has been candid with the Judiciary Committee about his views on torture or its use, despite repeated questions about the issue.

In his answers to the Committee, Alberto Gonzales obfuscated more than he clarified. Time and time again, he voiced the President's policies instead of his own philosophy, and relied on technical interpretations of the law. I wanted him to show something of his own personal values and judgment, but he did not.

A critical question concerns how he will lead the Department of Justice. And by refusing to voice his own values and understanding of the law, he has failed to demonstrate the independent leadership he will need as the nation's chief law enforcement officer.

To see my complete comments about the nomination of Alberto Gonzales, please go to: Senator Feinstein Opposes Gonzales Nomination (1/26/05)

Helping Tsunami Victims
To send aid to people affected by the earthquake and tsunami, please visit the USAID website.

USAID is an independent federal government agency that receives overall foreign policy guidance from the Secretary of State. Their work supports long-term and equitable economic growth and advances U.S. foreign policy objectives by supporting:

• economic growth, agriculture and trade;
• global health; and,
• democracy, conflict prevention and humanitarian assistance.

For other information about how you can help, please call the Center for Disaster Information (CIDI) at 703-276-1914 (http://www.cidi.org/); or visit the USA Freedom Corps website.

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