Committing to Afghanistan

Our national security is one of the most important issues facing our nation.  The War on Terror is not over. The threat to our security is still great, which is why it is important President Obama clarify where he now stands on the Afghanistan strategy.

I am deeply concerned the President may abandon the counterinsurgency strategy that he endorsed just six months ago. Abandoning Afghanistan at this critical juncture would be a huge victory for the terrorists.

I believe we owe it to the brave men and women serving in Afghanistan to get the job done right and provide them with the resources they need to succeed in their mission.  Prior to his recent comments, I supported the President’s comprehensive strategy in Afghanistan. Under his plan, our Armed Forces would be given the tools to beat back the insurgents, deny Al Qaeda and the Taliban safe haven in the country, and give the Afghan government time to build long-term economic and political stability.

The President cannot delay. Postponing this important decision will only put our troops in Afghanistan in greater danger. I call on President Obama to take a stand on Afghanistan and set his polices based on the unvarnished guidance provided by our Commanders on the ground, not the political opinions of a liberal Congress. 

Federal Reserve Transparency Act

In the past year, we have had overwhelming intervention by the federal government in our financial system. The American people are tired of Washington’s bailout obsession and have watched the Federal Reserve’s balance sheet grow rapidly.

While the Federal Reserve has provided more information to the public through new reports such as these monthly reports, there are certain areas in which the law currently prohibits a full audit of Federal Reserve actions.

For that reason, I am a co-sponsor of H.R. 1207, the Federal Reserve Transparency Act. If enacted, this legislation would allow the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a full audit of all activities of the Federal Reserve Board and regional Reserve Banks. More openness in the Fed’s operations will enhance public understanding of the institution and foster greater accountability for its decisions, which affect the economic well-being of every American.

As Congress continues to debate financial regulatory reform, I will continue to support common-sense legislation that will stop bailouts, end the government’s practice of picking winners and losers and restore market discipline. In addition to supporting Congressman Paul’s legislation, I also support the House Republican Regulatory Reform Plan. The Republican alternative includes other reforms reign in the expansion of the Federal Reserve’s authority, including provisions that will prevent the Fed from bailing out individual firms, as was done with AIG and Bear Stearns, in the future.

If the President won’t shed light on czars, Congress will

Did you know that senior advisors in the White House, also known as "Czars" are not required to file their disclosure forms with the Office of Government Ethics? Seems like a double standard to me.

Last night I introduced H.R. 3613, the Transparency and Executive Accountability Act, which would require all Executive Branch employees at this senior level file their paperwork with the Office of Government Ethics, and no longer just the White House ethics office as it is presently the case.

You deserve to know what type of people are advising the President and this legislation will shine more light on these people and their role in the White House as well as reduce the time-consuming task of searching unreliable websites, filled with incomplete information and miscommunication.

I have heard your demands loud and cjavascript:void(0)lear. As your Representative, I want you to know that I working to do something about it. I believe the people of West Texas and the Big Country deserve maximum transparency from the President, Administration and Congress. It’s time we bring real change and openness to Washington, instead of making mere campaign promises.

Preparing for Flu Season and H1N1 Update

With the start of the school year and the arrival of fall, it is time to start thinking about the cold and flu season. This year, with the development of the H1N1 virus, we need to be especially mindful of protecting ourselves and our families from these flu viruses. In an effort to keep you informed, I wanted to provide you and your family with some information on how to stay healthy.

First and foremost, prevention is the key. The best way to prevent the spread of H1N1 is to follow the same steps you would to prevent any other flu: wash your hands with soap and warm water, cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing, and stay home from work or school if you are sick to prevent the spread of the flu to others.

For more information on the H1N1 virus, and ways to help keep you and your family healthy, I encourage you to visit www.flu.gov.In addition, I would recommend checking in with the State of Texas website as well as your local county, and school district for further information.

The Defund ACORN Act

Today, the House of Representatives voted 345-75 to pass the Defund ACORN Act, which I am an original co-sponsor of. The amendment would prohibit any organization, including ACORN, that has been indicted for violations of State or federal election laws, or that employs an individual who has been indicted for violations of state or federal election laws, from accessing federal taxpayer dollars.

This is a small victory for the American taxpayers in the ongoing battle to stop the federal funding of ACORN. However, we cannot give up the fight until all government ties to this corrupt organization are severed. As your representative in Congress, I will continue to fight to make sure this organization and others like it stop receiving your hard-earned tax dollars.

The Taxpayers are Tired of Funding ACORN

There seems to be a lot of hypocrisy going on in Washington and we should add the activities of ACORN to the list. For years, we have been hearing about the questionable actions affiliated with this organization that has received taxpayer dollars to provide housing and other services. If voter fraud charges weren’t enough, we’ve now seen the videos that raise even more questions.

Today, I joined with my Republican colleagues to send a letter to President Obama asking him to disclose and terminate all taxpayer funding of ACORN. If the President does not to take action, I have also signed onto legislation to stop federal funding of ACORN once and for all.

The American taxpayers have spoken loud and clear; they are tired of funding this organization. It’s time for Washington to listen.

We need better regulators, not more regulators

In the past year, we have had overwhelming intervention by the federal government in our financial system. The American people are tired of Washington’s bailout obsession. It is time for the government to now move forward with a more aggressive exit strategy.

Unfortunately, President Obama’s promise of reform will only expand the government’s role and perpetuate the “too big to fail” and bailout mentality.

The American people deserve a better solution. Based on the principles of ending taxpayer bailouts, getting government out of picking winners and losers, and restoring market discipline, the Republican Regulatory Reform Plan calls for simplification for consumers, not duplication and creation of a new bureaucracy. Our plan says failing firms won’t be able to count on the taxpayers for a bailout.

We need to enact reform that will tighten up the regulatory structure and protect the taxpayer. Rather than more bailouts and more bureaucracy, we need more regulator accountability and more taxpayer protection.

NOTE: To view the Republican Regulatory Reform Plan click here.

Supporting Congressman Joe Wilson

Congressman Joe Wilson’s apology to the White House was both appropriate and adequate, especially since President Obama immediately accepted. When the President of the United States accepts an apology, no observer has an additional claim. Unfortunately, Speaker Pelosi and the Democrat Majority are trying to play partisan politics by drafting a resolution that will call on Congressman Wilson to apologize again on the House Floor.

Although I did not entirely agree with the timing of Congressman Wilson’s comments, I do understand his frustrations. President Obama promised in his address to Congress that, “There are also those who claim that our reform effort will insure illegal immigrants. This, too, is false—the reforms I’m proposing would not apply to those who are here illegally.” However, President Obama’s statement was not supported by the facts, especially in light of two House committee votes, the findings of the Congressional Budget Office, and a Congressional Research Service report.

The American people deserve to know the truth about the President’s health care proposal. I will work with my colleagues in Congress to ensure that Americans have full access to all the information about these proposed health care plans

Remembering the September 11th terrorist attacks

Today, we remember the thousands of innocent Americans that lost their lives in the September 11th terrorist attacks. Eight years after the attack, our nation still mourns for all those who lost their lives.

On this day, we also reflect on those who have given their lives in the fight against terrorism to ensure that we will never again have a tragedy like this occur in America. As we face these terrorists abroad, we must never stop our efforts to find and eliminate them. This is a task we will uncompromisingly pursue to protect our nation and honor all those who lost their lives.

Coffees with the Congressman

I would like to thank everyone for the wonderful audience participation at our Coffees with the Congressman in Lubbock, Abilene, Hereford and Plainview. It was great to hear your thoughts and concerns about reforming our health care system. With such great success, I look forward to today’s Coffee in Big Spring as well as my upcoming Coffees in Albany and Graham.

As I said last week, I understand that many of you are strongly opposed to a government-run health care plan and I agree with you. Our healthcare system needs to be reformed, but like you, I do not believe bigger government and more spending is the solution. I want you to know that as long as a plan to nationalize our healthcare system is on the table, I will vote against it. You deserve a better plan that will reform the system but also keep taxes low and give you choices.

Travels This Week

Today, I am in Plainview to meet with the local Rotary Club as well as host a "Coffee with the Congressman". On Wednesday, I will be in Big Spring for several meetings and a Coffee. Following my events on Wednesday, I will be heading to Albany and Graham for the remainder of the week.

As I travel through West Texas and the Big Country, I hope you will be able to join me to discuss health care and other important issues that are on your mind.