message from Senator John McCain


The McCain Update

October 2014 

 

Vote! | Wastebook 2014 | VA Reform Delays | Resolution Copper
ICYMI | Event Spotlight | Around the Grand Canyon State 

 

 

Get Out the Vote!

With just four days remaining until Election Day, I remind all Arizonans to cast your ballots – either in person or by mail – this Tuesday, November 4. Make your ballot count and have your voice heard by getting to the polls or voting by absentee ballot – the only vote that doesn’t count is the vote that isn’t cast! 

 

Wastebook 2014: The Book Washington Doesn’t Want You to Read

Monkeys gambling with taxpayer dollars and subsidies to watch grass grow are just a few of the outlandish government expenditures highlighted in my friend Senator Tom Coburn’s Wastebook 2014. In this annual report, which was released last week, Senator Coburn exposes the 100 most outrageous taxpayer-funded projects, totaling $25 billion in Washington’s worst spending of the year.

 

Just where are your tax dollars going? Here are the top ten most absurd projects highlighted in this year’s Wastebook:


  1. $19M to put federal government employees on paid “administrative leave” for disciplinary reasons – many for months or years at a time.
  2. $387K in National Institutes of Health funding to give Swedish massages to rabbits.
  3. $414K for the U.S. Army to build a first-person shooter video game that the Intelligence Community fears could be used to train terrorists.
  4. $856K for the National Science Foundation to teach three captive mountain lions how to use a treadmill.
  5. $200K anti-terror grant to Ithaca, NY – named America’s “most secure” small town – to buy state-of-the-art SWAT equipment.
  6. $124.3M to contractor USIS that submitted 665,000 fake security background checks and gave Edward Snowden the all-clear.
  7. $331K to study how often spouses stab voodoo dolls when they are “hangry.”
  8. $171K to study what monkeys playing video games and gambling reveals about free will.
  9. $146M in tax-free subsidies – which would otherwise fund public infrastructure projects – to build lavish sports stadiums.
  10. $10K National Endowment for the Arts grant to produce “Zombie in Love,” a musical about a teenage zombie “dying to find true love."

I have a long record of fighting wasteful spending in Washington, fighting a difficult, successful battle in recent years to end the corrupt practice of “earmark” spending in Congress. But there is obviously much more work to be done, as this report highlights. Clearly, reigning-in excessive government spending must be a major part of any serious deficit-reduction discussion going forward. I am grateful to Senator Coburn for his longtime commitment to addressing this important issue and join him in urging all lawmakers to make cutting Washington waste a priority.

You can access the full Wastebook 2014 here, and watch the Wastebook 2014 videos here and here.

 

VA Reform Delays

Before Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Robert McDonald was confirmed by the U.S. Senate, he personally assured me that he was committed to changing the culture of dysfunction and the chronic lack of accountability at the VA that led to the recent scandal. And yet, it has been nearly three months since the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act was signed into law, but senior leaders responsible for denied and delayed care at the Phoenix VA are still being paid as the VA investigates their wrongdoing. It is unacceptable that senior leaders of the Phoenix VA have not been held accountable for their grievous misconduct. I am extremely concerned that the new law – which provides swift accountability for senior leaders who lied about delaying critical care for our nation’s heroes to get their bonuses – is being ignored. 

 

This month, Senator Flake and I sent a second letter to VA Secretary Robert McDonald again urging him to fully implement the new law and fire negligent VA officials. We raised these same concerns in a letter sent last month, but did not receive a response. In the letter, we questioned the Secretary’s failure to fire leaders such as Sharon Helman, former director of the Phoenix VA Health Care System, who has been on paid administrative leave for more than six months. Ms. Helman and other senior leaders had previously collected huge bonuses for the timely delivery of healthcare to veterans – many of whom died while awaiting care after being placed on secret waiting lists.

It is critical that Secretary McDonald change the VA’s culture so that veterans, not the VA bureaucracy, come first. I will continue to press for the full implementation of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act and ensure that we correct years of mismanagement and denied care of our nation’s veterans.

 

Resolution Copper

This month, I traveled 1,100 feet down into the Earth to meet with remarkable men and women working on Resolution Copper in Superior, Arizona. This joint project of mining giants Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton extends more than a mile underground within reach of one of the top five undeveloped copper ore deposits in North America and has the potential to utterly transform one of Arizona's most economically depressed rural areas.

 

Once a thriving mining community, Superior’s economy bottomed-out after the old Magma Copper Mine closed in 1995 and today, a quarter of its residents live below the poverty line. Resolution Copper, however, has the potential to revitalize the community’s economy and could create as many as 4,000 jobs and produce roughly 25 percent of our nation's domestic copper supply. Arizona as a whole will likely benefit from tens of billions of dollars in increased economic activity over the lifespan of the mine.

In order to get there, Congress must pass the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act, a bill introduced by Senator Jeff Flake, Congressman Paul Gosar and me that would let the mine expand its footprint onto land owned by the federal government. The bill has bipartisan support in Congress today, but it has faced opposition by a minority of environmental groups and Native American tribes who claim that the legislation somehow exempts the mine from laws protecting the environment or sacred tribal sites. But, it’s important to recognize that Resolution Copper is already fully adhering to these laws and makes important information about the mine open to the public and subject to thorough analysis by federal agencies.

It's past time for our state and nation to tap into the potential of Resolution Copper and help Arizonans in depressed areas like Superior realize a more prosperous future. I will continue to work to pass this critical legislation and ensure that this important project moves forward.

 

In Case You Missed It This Month

  • Concerns About Campaign Against ISIS: I continue to be deeply concerned about the Obama Administration’s campaign against ISIS in Iraq and Syria, as Kurdish forces lose their grip on the Syrian town of Kobani on the border of Turkey. While I supported the Administration’s decision to resupply the Kurdish forces with arms, ammunition and other supplies this month, I continue to urge the Administration to adopt a comprehensive strategy and avoid the perils of gradual escalation – in Kobani and in the broader fight against ISIS in Iraq and Syria. Degrading and ultimately destroying ISIS will require additional actions that we have long advocated, such as the deployment of U.S. Special Forces and military advisers on the ground to direct airstrikes and advise our local partners; the expansion of assistance for moderate Syrian forces; and the establishment of safe zones protected by no fly zones in Syria.
  • Urging Against Executive Action on Immigration: This week, Senators Lindsey Graham, Marco Rubio and I wrote a letter to President Obama urging him not to take executive action that would give work permits and green cards to millions of people who entered the United States illegally. It is our view, along with the majority of the American people, that no action should be taken to legalize undocumented immigrants who are living and working in the United States until we have properly secured our southern border and provided for effective enforcement of immigration laws. I will continue to urge against unilateral action by the President and continue to work toward enacting long-term legislation that will secure our borders and fix our broken immigration system.
  • Expanding Trade with Mexico: In an op-ed for the Arizona Daily Star, I applauded the development of the Mariposa Port of Entry in Nogales, which began accepting passengers this month through a new $200 million expansion, and argued for the need to do more to expand trade opportunities with Mexico. One way to do this is to remove obstacles that hinder trade. I recently addressed this issue in a letter to four major banks – Bank of America, Citigroup, Wells Fargo, and JPMorgan Chase – which are creating new difficulties for Arizona companies that do business with Mexico by closing branches along the border. We can also promote trade by developing robust economic policies that increase economic activity along the Arizona-Mexico border, benefit both small and large businesses, create more jobs, and drive greater prosperity for hardworking citizens of the Grand Canyon State.
  • Advancing Resolution Copper: In an op-ed published in The Arizona Republic, I explained why I will work to pass legislation to move the critical Resolution Copper project forward, which will benefit the greater Superior community and the entire State of Arizona.
  • Fort Huachuca Water Conservation: As the Army prepares to make proposed job cuts under the 2020 Force Structure Realignment, I sent a letter to Secretary of the Army John M. McHugh to highlight how water conservation efforts have dramatically enhanced mission flexibility at Fort Huachuca. The Fort has proven itself as the U.S. Army’s top installation working to conserve water supplies in the arid West and has gone from being a no-growth installation because of limited water availability to a sustainable installation that could feasibly double the size of its current mission if called upon by the U.S. Army.
  • Understaffed Arizona Border Ports: I joined the entire Arizona Congressional delegation to send a bipartisan letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson highlighting the need for additional Customs and Border Protection officers to be assigned to understaffed ports of entry in Arizona.
  • Disaster Declaration for Maricopa County: I was glad to see the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) make a Physical Disaster Declaration for Maricopa County and the nearby areas impacted by significant flooding on September 8, 2014, which damaged homes, schools, and businesses. Earlier this month, I joined the entire Arizona delegation in urging the SBA Administrator to support Arizona Governor Jan Brewer’s request for a declaration.
  • Spiking the NFL Blackout Rule: After the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to eliminate the federal sports blackout rule, I wrote to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell urging him to capitalize on the FCC’s unanimous vote and voluntarily rescind policies requiring that local TV stations black out games that fail to sell out. It’s time to spike this outdated policy and reform practices that only keep loyal fans from enjoying the game.
  • Free Our U.S. Marine Being Held in Mexico: I wrote to Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto to raise my concerns about the prolonged detainment of U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Andrew Tahmooressi, who was arrested on March 31, and remains in a prison in Mexico. As I stated in my letter, reports indicate that Mr. Tahmooressi’s action was the result of an honest mistake. I will continue to advocate for Sgt. Tahmooressi’s swift return home to the United States.
  • Apple Grant to Arizona Schools: I was glad to hear that 13 Arizona schools have been selected to receive Apple hardware, software and support as part of the company’s ConnectED grant program. Arizona students will benefit from state-of-the-art educational tools in the classroom.
  • Anam Cara Award: I was honored to accept the 2014 Anam Cara “Soul Friend” Award for public service at the Phoenix Irish Cultural Centre earlier this month.


Event Spotlight

With Congress out of session ahead of the midterm elections, I’ve enjoyed having more time to travel around Arizona and meet with the great people of our state. Below are just a few of the many highlights.

 

Holding an M72 LAW – light anti-armor weapon – before a Town Hall with Nammo Talley, Inc. employees on October 8 in Mesa. The workers at this great company are doing important work to supply our servicemen and women with arms and ammunition they need in combat.

 

I was proud to pay tribute to our Arizona State historian Marshall Trimble upon his retirement from Scottsdale Community College. He’s an Arizona treasure!

 

I had great day visiting the Gila River Indian Community on October 7, including a fun meeting with these children from the Community’s Head Start program.


Senator Flake and I joined a meaningful discussion at the SRP “Healthy Forests, Vibrant Economy” conference in Scottsdale, where we discussed how forest watershed management is critical to both preventing wildfire and conserving precious water resources.

 

It was my distinct honor to speak at the Investiture Ceremony for Judge Diane Humetewa, who made history as the first female Native American federal judge serving on the U.S. District Court for Arizona.

 

I joined two great Arizona politicos Kurt Davis and Frank Camacho on the first episode of their new show “The 48th,” which airs throughout the greater Phoenix area on AZ Family.

 

I participated an important discussion about how America’s global leadership strengthens our national security and bolsters Arizona’s economy with foreign affairs experts at Arizona State University on October 6.

 

Around the Grand Canyon State

Be sure to get outside and enjoy these great events around the state next month:

  • Arizona State Fair, 10/10-11/2, Phoenix: The Arizona State Fair features musical guests Alabama Shakes, Billy Currington, The Wanted, Trace Adkins and ZZ Top; attractions including the Native Spirit Dancers and the Great American Petting Zoo; and contests such as the Great American Duck Race.
  • 25th Annual All Soul’s Procession, 11/8-9, Tucson: The All Soul’s Procession is two-mile, human-powered procession through Tucson that celebrates, remembers and mourns the lives of deceased loved ones.
  • Honoring Arizona’s Veterans, 11/11, Phoenix: The Phoenix Veterans Day Parade began in 1997 and has grown from 50 entries to more than 100 entries and tens of thousands of spectators. The Parade, sponsored by Honoring Arizona’s veterans, is designed to help commemorate and honor our nation’s veterans and to educate Americans about the service and sacrifices our veterans have made to protect our freedoms.
  • El Tour de Tucson, 11/22, Tucson: Held annually the Saturday before Thanksgiving, El Tour is a fun adventure ride attracting over 9,000 cyclists of all ages and abilities from throughout the United States and worldwide, consisting of novice, intermediate, advanced, and professional riders.
  • Zoolights at the Phoenix Zoo, 11/24-1/11, Phoenix: ZooLights, powered by SRP EarthWise Energy, features 3.8 million lights, 700 sparkling displays, carousel, camel and wagon rides, and exhibits at the Phoenix Zoo for the entire family.
  • Fantasy of Lights Opening Night Parade, 11/29, Tempe: The annual Fantasy of Lights Opening Night Parade in Tempe, which takes place each year on the day after Thanksgiving, features as many as 40 units, including floats, balloons, clowns, novelty units, marching bands, and the arrival of Santa Claus. The parade proceeds down Mill Avenue from 3rd Street and turns on 7th Street to proceed through Centerpoint Plaza, where visitors can see the lighting of Tempe’s holiday tree. 
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