by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
The 108th session of Congress, which starts today, is shaping up to be pretty interesting for Rep. Ander Crenshaw.
In addition to the usual hundreds of bills he and his fellow congressmen will have to consider over the next 8-10 months and the ever-present threat of war with Iraq, Crenshaw is also possibly facing the most important committee appointment of his congressional career.
“There are rumors that I’ll be appointed to the appropriations committee,” said Crenshaw.
Last year, Crenshaw served on the Armed Services, Veterans Affairs and Budget committees. If the rumors prove true, Crenshaw expects the Appropriations appointment will be his only assignment. But that’s OK because the Appropriations Committee requires so much time and effort, very few congressmen receive a second committee appointment that session.
“It would be great for Northeast Florida if I’m appointed. I’d be one of two from Florida,” said Crenshaw, adding he won’t for sure about the appointment until later this week. “It’s a committee that impacts every area of the federal government. We have a $2.1 trillion budget and Congress appropriates about $770 billion of that. We cover every issue you can imagine.”
Crenshaw said there are obvious issues facing Congress as they convene. Certainly war with Iraq and perhaps North Korea top the list, but that issue is practically out of Congress’ hands. Crenshaw said if President Bush asks Congress to declare war on anyone, he won’t have to debate the request for very long.
“I think last year the key vote gave the president the authority to whatever is necessary,” said Crenshaw. “The vote passed the House [of Representatives] three to one and he’s the commander-in-chief. I don’t think war is inevitable, but I think it’s probable.”
Stimulating the economy, health care, education, prescription drugs and welfare reform are also on the list Crenshaw expects Congress to tackle. He’d also like to readdress many bills that were passed last year by the House, but not by the Senate — mainly because the Senate was controlled by the Democrats last year and getting Republican-sponsored bills passed was difficult.
Personally, Crenshaw has two issues at the top his list: assuring the country rebuilds the military and passing the State Safe Streets Act.
“It’s [the SSSA] patterned after a program in Virginia,” said Crenshaw. “It’s tough on the use of using firearms in committing a crime. There’s grant money available and I started working on it last year. There’s a good chance it will pass the House this year, but I can’t control the Senate.”
Next month, a delegation from Jacksonville will visit Crenshaw as part of the Chamber’s annual trip to Washington, D.C. Crenshaw said he anticipates the group’s visit and believes it gives the business owner — big or small — a chance to lobby not only him, but other members of Congress, and experience first-hand the intricacies of federal politics.
“My office spends a lot of time and energy on the Chamber members when they come up,” said Crenshaw, adding representatives from the Pentagon, Department of the Treasury and Department of Agriculture are usually available. “It’s a good opportunity for the business community to see Washington, D.C. and the specific issues we deal with daily.
“The Chamber coordinates the trip, sets it up and markets it. They ask us to do certain things on the political side like set up meetings with leaders and agencies of the federal government.”