Skelton on Sunday Morning TV

4th District Congressman and House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton will appear on CBS' Face The Nation Sunday.

The topic will be squarely on foreign affairs, namely Afghanistan. Other guests on the program include Gen. James Jones, National Security Adviser, Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., Chairman, Senate Armed Services Committee and Gen. Anthony Zinni, Former Commander, Centcom.

In the Springfield television market, 'FACE' airs at 9:30 a.m.
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ALSO: A YEAR LATER, IKE DEFENDS TARP

In his weekly column, Skelton wrote about the collapse of the financial system one year ago and defended the progress of the Troubled Assets Relief Program.

"I was downright angry that we found ourselves in the situation we did. But the crisis was real and it had to be addressed head on," Skelton wrote. "Doing nothing was not an option because the consequences of inaction would have been dire for the Show-Me State residents and for America's economic and national security.

"One year later, there are signs of progress in the economy and money authorized under the $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program is being repaid to American taxpayers," Skelton went on.

Skelton pointed out that in recent Congressional testimony, the Inspector General noted progress, including bank repayments of $70 billion dollars so far, and an additional $50 billion scheduled over the next 12 to 18 months. "In addition, taxpayers have received about $3 billion from warrant repurchases and over $6.5 billion in dividends, interest and fees," he said.
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Republicans are putting up their biggest fight against Skelton in years. Sen. Bill Stouffer and former GOP State House representative Vicky Hartzler are both mounting aggressive campaigns.