Congressman Jim Kolbe is head of the subcommittee that funds most U.S. foreign aid programs, including the Peace Corps
A Franchising World Q & A With U.S. Representative: Jim Kolbe
May 1, 2005
Franchising World
Rep. Jim Kolbe is serving his 11th term in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was first sworn into Congress in 1985, becoming the first Republican to represent southern Arizona since statehood. He represents Arizona's Eighth Congressional District, which includes most of Tucson, eastern Pima County, all of Cochise County and parts of Final and Santa Cruz Counties. Kolbe is one of eight members of Congress from Arizona and ranks 57th in seniority in the House.
The acknowledged Republican leader for free trade and open markets, Kolbe is an impassioned advocate of Social security reform including the creation of personal accounts, a leader and proponent of immigration reform and strengthening border security, and a fierce proponent of smaller government, lower taxes and more individual responsibility.
Kolbe is chairman of the Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export Financing and Related Programs and a member of the Subcommittee on Homeland security. Both are subcommittees of the House Appropriations Committee.
He became interested in politics at a young age when he served as a page for U.S. Sen. Barry Goldwater during high school. His keen interest in international affairs began during a one-year global educational course while attending college.
[Excerpt]
FW: You are a senior member of the Appropriations Committee and are considered a so-called "cardinal." What is a cardinal and what are your challenges on the committee?
Rep. Kolbe: A "cardinal" is an informal title given to an appropriations subcommittee chairman, in my case, as chairman of the Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export Financing and Related Programs. This subcommittee funds most U.S. foreign aid programs, including the Agency for International Development, the Peace Corps, development banks, including the North American Development Bank, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, Child Survival and Disease Programs Fund and the U.S. and Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund. It also funds the State Department's international narcotics interdiction efforts and counter-terrorism activities.
I consider foreign aid to be a key part of our national security and foreign policy objectives. We have many global challenges today with the war on terrorism, the spread of democracy in the Middle East, Iraq reconstruction and security, Afghanistan aid and tsunami reconstruction.
FW: For a number of years, you have Introduced bipartisan legislation to reform Social security. What would your bill do and how does it compare to the reforms suggested by President Bush?
Rep. Kolbe: The bipartisan bill I have introduced (H.R. 440) would return the Social security system to solvency while shielding the benefits of anyone age 55 or older from any changes. Any proposal to reform Social security-be it from Republicans or Democratsrequires difficult choices. So the question is: How can we make reform a better deal for them? My bill creates personal retirement accounts enabling younger workers to have a higher rate of return as part of their Social security contributions, in return for the higher taxes they will have to pay and lower benefits they will receive from the current or "defined benefit" part of Social security.
The accounts I propose would give workers ownership over their retirement so that they can build a nest egg for themselves and their families.
My proposal also strengthens the safety net for low-income workers. It rewards work by guaranteeing a higher minimum benefit than under current law-that increased guarantee is in addition to the money workers accumulate in their personal accounts. In addition to being the only bipartisan bill, it is also the least expensive in transition costs. It ensures solvency for Social Security for 75 years and beyond while requiring the least amount of borrowing of any other proposal.
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FW: You are a leader in immigration reform, a goal shared by IFA. Why is it so important and what prospects do you see for the issue?
Rep. Kolbe: Immigration reform is an absolute necessity for both economic and security purposes. Business is well aware of the drastic shortage of labor in the service industry. Many businesses have had to close because of their inability to find workers to perform necessary services in these sectors. As our problems with illegal immigration prove, there are thousands of people outside our country desperate to come in to do this type of labor. As the president has said, we must establish a stable, and accessible temporary worker program that will allow willing workers to be matched with willing and able employers.
On the security front, it is critical for us to know who is living within our nation's borders and to regularize the flow of immigrants. Currently we have no idea who is entering our country through our northern and southern borders, or who is living within the shadows of our nation. This is an unacceptable situation. I have high hopes for this issue to be addressed in the 109th Congress. While the president is currently focused on Social security, it is evident that this is an important issue to him and many members of Congress. I expect to be introducing legislation shortly with Senator (John) McCain and Congressman (Jeff) Flake, as we did in the 108th Congress.
I look forward to the debate on these proposals.
FW: What are your other priorities in Congress this year?
Rep. Kolbe: Besides enacting common-sense Social security reform and strengthening Border security through comprehensive immigration reform, I am committed to opening our markets to trade around the world through the passage of CAFTA and other Free Trade Agreements. I will also work to ensure we maintain fiscal discipline in our budget while being cognizant of the need to protect U.S. interests abroad.
Immigration reform is an absolute necessity for both economic and security purposes.
We have no idea who is entering our country through our northern and southern borders.
Copyright International Franchise Association May 2005
