This Week's “Tuesdays with Tom”

WASHINGTON -U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) talked with radio reporters today about the Senate's passage of legislation he introduced to help improve border security by cracking down on smugglers who use ultralight aircraft to bring drugs across the U.S.-Mexico border. Udall also previewed a bill he plans to re-introduce this week that would award Bataan Death March survivors the Congressional Gold Medal. In addition, he discussed the final troop withdrawals from Iraq and the end of the war. For the audio, click here.

Below is a timeline of Senator Udall's remarks:

00:00 - Udall opens the conversation by noting the passage of his bill to close a loophole for drug smugglers who use ultralight aircrafts to bring drugs across the border. He also talks about a bill he will introduce this week to recognize Bataan Death March Survivors with a Congressional Gold Medal. He also gave comments on the final troop withdrawal from Iraq.

05:15 - Responds to a question on his ultralight aircrafts bill.

07:03 - Discusses the various provisions the Senate must take up before the year's end.

09:15 - Stresses the importance of protecting the Social Security trust fund.