This morning, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the national unemployment rate rose from 9.7 percent to 9.9 percent in April with 290,000 jobs created throughout the month.
Every month when these numbers are released we are again reminded of President Obama’s promise that the unemployment rate would not rise above 8 percent if the so-called stimulus plan were enacted. A trillion dollars and more than a year later, unemployment rates are still hovering around 10 percent.
Certainly, any positive job growth is good news. But my concern is that this is not long-term, sustainable job growth. Many of these jobs are temporary Census positions that will be over in a few months. As Americans get back into the job market, there need to be permanent jobs for them, permanent jobs that come from small businesses. These are the same small businesses that are being burdened by new taxes and increasing levels of uncertainty from the federal government.
The Democrat’s relentless spending spree is jeopardizing our nation’s economic recovery. The American people are tired of Washington playing fast and loose with their hard-earned tax dollars. It’s not honest, and it’s not fair to our children and grandchildren who will have to pay for all this spending. The extreme events in Greece and the threat of yet another bailout are just an example of what can happen when a country racks up massive debt on its credit card without the ability to pay for it.
The federal government needs to focus on decreasing this uncertainty by saying no to policies that will add new taxes and mandates and restrict credit so that small businesses can begin hiring. Decreasing uncertainty also starts with decreasing the federal budget deficit. House Republicans stand ready to work on policies that will create sustainable jobs, cut federal spending, provide tax-relief for working families and small businesses and bring back fiscal sanity in Washington.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Saving Money Where We Can
I am always looking for opportunities to curb government spending, even if they are small. Last week in the Financial Services and Science and Technology Committees, I had the opportunity to introduce a few amendments to bills that were up for a vote. In Financial Services, my amendment would have prohibited the creation of two new federal government insurance programs that could potentially cost up to $200 billion. In Science and Technology Committee, I offered an amendment that would delay the implementation of new federal programs in the America COMPETES Act until the government is no longer running a deficit. As you know, the deficit is currently projected to continue hitting, $1 trillion or more each year for the foreseeable future. At a time when we are borrowing 41 cents for every dollar the federal government spends, we simply cannot afford many of these new programs. Until the Congressional Budget Office certifies to Congress in writing that we no longer have a budget deficit, it would be irresponsible of us to move forward by adding to our nation's state of fiscal disrepair.
The amendments I offered to stop new programs and higher spending are not going to balance the budget on their own. However, if every Member of Congress took action in their committees to question whether we can afford new programs or afford spending more on existing programs, we could make a huge impact on the deficit and the size of the federal government.
Some of these new programs may sound good or may not cost a lot on their own, but Congress must consider how much we are already borrowing and spending before we grow government further. As we struggle to control the ballooning deficit, I will be taking a closer look at the bills going through my committees, and I encourage my colleagues to do the same. The bottom line is that Congress has to wake up and ask whether the taxpayers can afford these new or expanded programs. And the answer is that we simply cannot.
The amendments I offered to stop new programs and higher spending are not going to balance the budget on their own. However, if every Member of Congress took action in their committees to question whether we can afford new programs or afford spending more on existing programs, we could make a huge impact on the deficit and the size of the federal government.
Some of these new programs may sound good or may not cost a lot on their own, but Congress must consider how much we are already borrowing and spending before we grow government further. As we struggle to control the ballooning deficit, I will be taking a closer look at the bills going through my committees, and I encourage my colleagues to do the same. The bottom line is that Congress has to wake up and ask whether the taxpayers can afford these new or expanded programs. And the answer is that we simply cannot.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Obama’s Chief Actuary Says 50% of Seniors Will Lose Their Medicare Advantage Plans
Last year we heard President Obama say: “If you like your doctor, you will be able to keep your doctor. Period. If you like your health care plan, you will be able to keep your health care plan. Period. No one will take it away. No matter what.” President Obama, June 15, 2009
Despite President Obama’s pledge that all Americans would be able to keep their health insurance plans, the chief actuary of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) concluded that under ObamaCare, half of all seniors who have Medicare Advantage plans will lose their coverage.
In a new analysis of ObamaCare, CMS concluded:
“We estimate that in 2017, when the MA provisions will be fully phased in, enrollment in MA plans will be lower by about 50 percent (from its projected level of 14.8 million under the prior law to 7.4 million under the new law).” Page 11
Despite President Obama’s pledge that all Americans would be able to keep their health insurance plans, the chief actuary of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) concluded that under ObamaCare, half of all seniors who have Medicare Advantage plans will lose their coverage.
In a new analysis of ObamaCare, CMS concluded:
“We estimate that in 2017, when the MA provisions will be fully phased in, enrollment in MA plans will be lower by about 50 percent (from its projected level of 14.8 million under the prior law to 7.4 million under the new law).” Page 11
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
To budget or not to budget?
There really is no question. American families have to set a budget to live by and stick to every year. What makes the federal government any different? Just because the numbers don’t look good for Democrats, Congress cannot just decide not to create a federal budget this year. The bottom line is that Democrats in Washington are afraid of the backlash from the American people. And frankly, they should be. According to a survey by the Associated Press, nearly 8 in 10 people in the country say they don't trust the federal government and have little faith it can solve America's ills.
Here’s something I think many of you can relate to, and that might help put the government’s spending in perspective. Let’s say your family earns $50,000 a year. If you were spending beyond your means like the federal government is projected to do this year, you would actually spend $80,600 a year. Therefore, you would be putting $30,600 on your credit cards to pay for all the extra spending. Based on the Congressional Budget Office’s 2010 deficit projection of $1.349 trillion, the government will be spending more than one and a half times what it brings in. Common sense tells families they can’t afford to spend that far beyond their means, so why shouldn’t you expect the federal government to do better?
In the current environment, practical fiscal discipline is more important than ever. House Democrats are continuing to say that there simply isn’t enough money coming into the government. While revenues are lower when the economy isn’t doing as well, the bigger problem is the massive growth in spending far beyond what’s coming in. The purpose of an annual Congressional budget is to create enforceable parameters within which Congress can consider legislation setting spending levels for programs and agencies. In the absence of a budget, there would be virtually no way to constrain spending in either the House or the Senate. If the House fails to pass a budget resolution, it will be the first time since the implementation of the 1974 Budget. We need a sensible, balanced budget to get this spending under control.
I am a cosponsor of H.J. Res. 1, the Balanced Budget Amendment. In order to get our nation’s spending habit under control, we simply cannot spend more than what we have. It’s easy for Congress to talk about a balanced budget, but until action is taken we will continue to carry huge deficits that threaten the future of our children and grandchildren. As your representative in Congress, you can be certain that I will continue to push for a budget that forces the government to live within its means and stop using its credit card to rack up more debt.
Here’s something I think many of you can relate to, and that might help put the government’s spending in perspective. Let’s say your family earns $50,000 a year. If you were spending beyond your means like the federal government is projected to do this year, you would actually spend $80,600 a year. Therefore, you would be putting $30,600 on your credit cards to pay for all the extra spending. Based on the Congressional Budget Office’s 2010 deficit projection of $1.349 trillion, the government will be spending more than one and a half times what it brings in. Common sense tells families they can’t afford to spend that far beyond their means, so why shouldn’t you expect the federal government to do better?
In the current environment, practical fiscal discipline is more important than ever. House Democrats are continuing to say that there simply isn’t enough money coming into the government. While revenues are lower when the economy isn’t doing as well, the bigger problem is the massive growth in spending far beyond what’s coming in. The purpose of an annual Congressional budget is to create enforceable parameters within which Congress can consider legislation setting spending levels for programs and agencies. In the absence of a budget, there would be virtually no way to constrain spending in either the House or the Senate. If the House fails to pass a budget resolution, it will be the first time since the implementation of the 1974 Budget. We need a sensible, balanced budget to get this spending under control.
I am a cosponsor of H.J. Res. 1, the Balanced Budget Amendment. In order to get our nation’s spending habit under control, we simply cannot spend more than what we have. It’s easy for Congress to talk about a balanced budget, but until action is taken we will continue to carry huge deficits that threaten the future of our children and grandchildren. As your representative in Congress, you can be certain that I will continue to push for a budget that forces the government to live within its means and stop using its credit card to rack up more debt.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Celebrating Military Children
April is celebrated as the Month of the Military Child. Throughout the month, we express appreciation for the important role that children play in the lives of their mother or father who wears the uniform of our nation. More than 1.7 million American children under the age of 18 have at least one parent serving in the military.
This is often a tough life for kids. Military children endure and experience so much in their lives from frequent relocations and learning new cultures to one or both parents' deployments. This month is a perfect time to recognize their sacrifices and applaud their courage. I encourage families across the 19th Congressional District to participate in events and activities in their communities that recognize and express gratitude to these children. I would also like to sincerely thank all of the brave children that tirelessly offer support to their military family members. While we reserve just one month for this purpose, these children deserve our recognition each and every day.
This is often a tough life for kids. Military children endure and experience so much in their lives from frequent relocations and learning new cultures to one or both parents' deployments. This month is a perfect time to recognize their sacrifices and applaud their courage. I encourage families across the 19th Congressional District to participate in events and activities in their communities that recognize and express gratitude to these children. I would also like to sincerely thank all of the brave children that tirelessly offer support to their military family members. While we reserve just one month for this purpose, these children deserve our recognition each and every day.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Happy Tax Freedom Day
Today Americans will finally have earned enough money to pay this year's tax obligations at the federal, state and local levels. This year taxes will amount to 26.89 percent of our total income and take 99 working days to pay. Overall, Americans will pay more in taxes than they will spend on food, clothing and shelter combined during 2010.
According to the Tax Foundation, individual income taxes—including federal, state and local taxes—require 32 days' work. Payroll taxes take another 25 days' work. Sales and excise taxes take 15 days to pay off. Corporate income taxes take 8 days, and property taxes take 12. Americans will work 6 more days to pay other miscellaneous taxes, including motor vehicle license taxes and severance taxes and about half a day for estate taxes.
Tax Freedom Day does not include covering the cost of the out of control deficit. If Americans were required to pay for all federal government spending this year, including the $1.3 trillion the federal government is spending beyond its income, they would be working until May 17 before they had earned enough to pay their taxes—an additional 38 days of work.
With Tax Day right around the corner, the American people are increasingly faced with a growing burden of taxes, debt and uncertainty about the future. If we want to get this economy back on track, we must provide tax relief for small businesses and working families. Raising taxes is not the solution; job killing legislation is not a viable option.
Congress and the Administration have to realize that the federal government does not have an income problem; it has a spending problem. Reining in spending is the first step in addressing the deficit, not tax hikes. Recently, I introduced H.R. 4746, the Taxpayer Certainty Act, which would make the tax policies put in place in 2001 and 2003 permanent, thus preventing one of the largest tax hikes in our nation’s history next year. If Congress doesn’t act this year, everyone’s taxes will be higher next year. As your representative in Washington, I will continue to push for increased fiscal responsibility and a tax policy that won’t empty the pockets of working Americans.
According to the Tax Foundation, individual income taxes—including federal, state and local taxes—require 32 days' work. Payroll taxes take another 25 days' work. Sales and excise taxes take 15 days to pay off. Corporate income taxes take 8 days, and property taxes take 12. Americans will work 6 more days to pay other miscellaneous taxes, including motor vehicle license taxes and severance taxes and about half a day for estate taxes.
Tax Freedom Day does not include covering the cost of the out of control deficit. If Americans were required to pay for all federal government spending this year, including the $1.3 trillion the federal government is spending beyond its income, they would be working until May 17 before they had earned enough to pay their taxes—an additional 38 days of work.
With Tax Day right around the corner, the American people are increasingly faced with a growing burden of taxes, debt and uncertainty about the future. If we want to get this economy back on track, we must provide tax relief for small businesses and working families. Raising taxes is not the solution; job killing legislation is not a viable option.
Congress and the Administration have to realize that the federal government does not have an income problem; it has a spending problem. Reining in spending is the first step in addressing the deficit, not tax hikes. Recently, I introduced H.R. 4746, the Taxpayer Certainty Act, which would make the tax policies put in place in 2001 and 2003 permanent, thus preventing one of the largest tax hikes in our nation’s history next year. If Congress doesn’t act this year, everyone’s taxes will be higher next year. As your representative in Washington, I will continue to push for increased fiscal responsibility and a tax policy that won’t empty the pockets of working Americans.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Happy Easter
This weekend, my family and I will gather together to celebrate the most remarkable day in our Christian faith, Easter Sunday. This day holds great meaning for my family just as it does for many of you in West Texas and millions of people around the world.
As our nation continues to face many struggles, I am renewed by the hope and the promise of the first Easter morning so many years ago. During this Easter week, I am especially thankful for the honor to serve the people of West Texas and the Big Country in Congress. May you have safe travels and joyful fellowship with friends and family this week.
As our nation continues to face many struggles, I am renewed by the hope and the promise of the first Easter morning so many years ago. During this Easter week, I am especially thankful for the honor to serve the people of West Texas and the Big Country in Congress. May you have safe travels and joyful fellowship with friends and family this week.
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