Saxby Chambliss

Biography
On December 2, 2008, Saxby Chambliss was elected to serve a second term in the United States Senate in what was one of the most visible and historical victories of the 2008 elections. Georgia Trend Magazine has consistently named him one of Georgia’s Most Influential Georgians and says “he is a highly visible and well-respected presence in Washington,” and “has a reputation as an affable but straight-talking lawmaker.” In January 2009, Georgia Trend Magazine named Chambliss the ‘2009 Georgian of the Year.’

Chambliss is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, the Senate Rules Committee, the Senate Special Committee on Aging, and he is the Ranking Republican Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. During the 109th Congress, Chambliss served as Chairman of that committee and, according to the Congressional Research Service, is the only senator since 1947 to have chaired a full standing Senate Committee after serving in the Senate for just two years.

In Georgia, agriculture supports one in every six jobs, an ever-present reminder in Chambliss' long time championing of national and home state farming concerns. Long before his election to Congress, Chambliss specialized in representing farmers' legal interests in South Georgia. During his four terms in the House, Chambliss was instrumental in drafting two farm bills and reforming the federal crop insurance program through his chairmanship of the Agriculture Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management.

Additionally, Chambliss' leadership and experience on the issues of terrorism, homeland security, and intelligence matters earned him an appointment to the prestigious Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, where he steadfastly advocates that our U.S. intelligence community must dramatically improve its information sharing and human intelligence gathering abilities. To ensure our troops on the ground and the Director of National Intelligence have access to the most timely and accurate intelligence, Chambliss has authored legislation calling for the creation of a Four Star military command for intelligence within the Department of Defense. Chambliss' previous role as the chairman of the House Intelligence Subcommittee on Terrorism and Homeland Security made him one of the leading congressional experts on these issues.

Health Care
Americans need greater access to health insurance, and must ensure that families are able to choose the best plan suited for them. He does not believe a Washington-run, big government health care system is the answer. He is an original cosponsor of S. 1099, "The Patients' Choice Act of 2009," legislation to provide individuals and families with tax incentives to allow them to afford to purchase their own health insurance. This tax break would put people on the same playing field as corporations, and employees would no longer have to pay more for the same coverage provided through work and could take their coverage with them if they decided to change jobs. Private insurance companies would have to cater to individuals' needs, and individuals will have to power to choose the plan best suited for them.

Additionally, "The Patients' Choice Act of 2009" would cover pre-existing conditions, would provide incentives for living healthy lifestyles, and would not make cuts to the Medicare program. This legislation would also allow individuals to purchase health insurance outside the state in which they reside.

"The Patients' Choice Act of 2009" addresses tort reform and medical malpractice lawsuits by creating three separate venues to pursue compensation for injured patients at the state level. Under this system, we can limit lawsuit abuse without sacrificing legal justice.

As the Senate debates health care reform, I will continue to work to see that Americans are provided with quality, affordable health care. This is a critical issue that faces every single American family and we must get it right.

Economy
There is no question our economy is struggling, and American families are feeling the impact of increasing fuel and grocery costs as well as the current housing crisis. As Congress considers economic policies, he believes that we must make certain that we promote American manufacturing and work to benefit the small business community in this country, as that is where the majority of the jobs in this country are created.

Armed Services
As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, he is committed to ensuring and improving the quality of life for the best equipped and best trained fighting force in the world. During frequent base tours and visits with military officials, troops and their families, he hears first-hand the concerns of American military men and women. Working to ensure the needs and concerns of military personnel and their families is a top priority.

Energy/Gas Prices
For the United States to have national security and economic independence we need to reduce our dependence upon foreign sources of energy. He has voted to increase diversification of energy sources and to develop domestic sources of energy, including drilling for oil, mining coal, and developing hydroelectric, wind, and alternative energy sources.