Oct. 8, 2007, 9:02PM
Cornyn touts health care reform, border security
Nation's tax system also needs work, senator says


By DALE LEZON
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle


U.S. Sen. John Cornyn promised Monday to keep working toward improved border security and health care reform with his Senate colleagues.

"We need a honest debate about health care reform," the Texas Republican said at a luncheon sponsored by the Greater Houston Partnership. "We need to be all about ways to fix our broken health care system."

Cornyn said he would work to make sure children of low-income families, in particular, are eligible for public health insurance programs.

He also said the federal government should consider several ways to improve security along the Mexican border, including fences. Technology can be used to better watch the border, he said, adding that more border patrol agents are needed.

"In post 9/11, it's unacceptable not knowing who's coming into our borders," he said.

In a brief question-and-answer session with audience members, Cornyn said the nation should consider increasing its use of nuclear power to generate energy, as well as develop technology to effectively use coal as an energy source.

In response to a question about taxes, Cornyn said he'd work toward overhauling the nation's tax system.

"We need serious tax reform," he said. "Our tax code is too complex, too burdensome and too opaque."

He said he supported the reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program. He said he would work toward increasing funding for the program by 40 percent.

Cornyn also said he supported President Bush's plan to reduce the number of U.S. troops in Iraq as Iraqi forces are trained to take over security duties. He added that he did not know how long U.S. forces would be committed to Iraq.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/pol ... 98040.html