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.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
USAToday: Health care law too costly, most say
This was an interesting poll published by USAToday this morning. It clearly shows that the American think this health care legislation costs too much, increases the size of government and ignores the rising costs of health care.
“Based on what you know or have read about the healthcare legislation Congress passed this past week, do you, personally, think each of the following applies or does not apply to that legislation?”
It will expand the government’s role in the healthcare system too much
65% Yes, applies
33% No, does not apply
2% No opinion
It will cost the government too much
64% Yes, applies
33% No, does not apply
3% No opinion
It does not do enough to deal with rising health care costs
58% Yes, applies
36% No, does not apply
6% No opinion
USA Today/Gallup; conducted March 26-28, 2010; Survey of 1,033 Adults Nationwide
“Based on what you know or have read about the healthcare legislation Congress passed this past week, do you, personally, think each of the following applies or does not apply to that legislation?”
It will expand the government’s role in the healthcare system too much
65% Yes, applies
33% No, does not apply
2% No opinion
It will cost the government too much
64% Yes, applies
33% No, does not apply
3% No opinion
It does not do enough to deal with rising health care costs
58% Yes, applies
36% No, does not apply
6% No opinion
USA Today/Gallup; conducted March 26-28, 2010; Survey of 1,033 Adults Nationwide
Health Care Going Forward
On Tuesday, March 30, President Obama will sign the last piece of the new health care legislation into law.
Throughout the health care debate, I have maintained that improvements should be made to the existing health care system, but this trillion dollar government takeover of one sixth of the economy is not the right answer. When the federal government is borrowing 41 cents for every dollar it spends, we cannot afford the $1.2 trillion cost of this new health care law. When unemployment is near 10 percent, the uncertainty of new taxes and mandates from this law will discourage employers from creating new jobs. Continuing to go down this path of expanding entitlement and dependence on the government simply will not work.
The law contains the first ever federal mandate to require individuals to purchase health insurance and requires unprecedented levels of government approval for the insurance plans that Americans will be allowed to choose from. More government involvement will add further inefficiencies and costs to the system that will be paid for by consumers in the form of higher taxes and insurance premiums. Further, the new law reduces Medicare by more than $500 billion. Rather than use funds within Medicare, which is already going broke, these funds will be directed toward covering other costs of this new law.
This is a very complex law, and it will take a number of years to be fully implemented. In fact, many provisions do not become effective until 2014 and later. Click here for a timeline with further details about the new law and when key provisions will take effect.
The American people voiced their objections to this law loud and clear, but the Congressional Leadership did not listen to them. Even though this legislation may be law, please be assured I will continue to work for repeal of this bill and replacement of these flawed policies with real reform that provides more affordable solutions to improve health care access and costs.
Throughout the health care debate, I have maintained that improvements should be made to the existing health care system, but this trillion dollar government takeover of one sixth of the economy is not the right answer. When the federal government is borrowing 41 cents for every dollar it spends, we cannot afford the $1.2 trillion cost of this new health care law. When unemployment is near 10 percent, the uncertainty of new taxes and mandates from this law will discourage employers from creating new jobs. Continuing to go down this path of expanding entitlement and dependence on the government simply will not work.
The law contains the first ever federal mandate to require individuals to purchase health insurance and requires unprecedented levels of government approval for the insurance plans that Americans will be allowed to choose from. More government involvement will add further inefficiencies and costs to the system that will be paid for by consumers in the form of higher taxes and insurance premiums. Further, the new law reduces Medicare by more than $500 billion. Rather than use funds within Medicare, which is already going broke, these funds will be directed toward covering other costs of this new law.
This is a very complex law, and it will take a number of years to be fully implemented. In fact, many provisions do not become effective until 2014 and later. Click here for a timeline with further details about the new law and when key provisions will take effect.
The American people voiced their objections to this law loud and clear, but the Congressional Leadership did not listen to them. Even though this legislation may be law, please be assured I will continue to work for repeal of this bill and replacement of these flawed policies with real reform that provides more affordable solutions to improve health care access and costs.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
March is Women's History Month
March is a busy month in Congress, but we can’t forget to honor the women who have been influential in our lives and communities. During Women’s History Month, we recognize and celebrate the many achievements of women. It’s important that we take this time to remember the great contributions of women to this great nation. From Betsy Ross and the American flag and Susan B. Anthony in the fight for women’s voting rights to Rosa Parks and her bus ride for civil rights, women have made an impact on every facet of our nation’s past, present and future.
I encourage you to take this opportunity to thank the important women in your life for all they do, not just this month, but every month out of the year. To learn more about Women’s History Month, visit the Library of Congress website.
I encourage you to take this opportunity to thank the important women in your life for all they do, not just this month, but every month out of the year. To learn more about Women’s History Month, visit the Library of Congress website.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
We Must Reform the Way Congress Spends Taxpayer Dollars
Congress’ ability to control spending is broken, as evidenced by the $1.4 trillion deficit in 2009 and projections for more of the same this year. Not only are we spending taxpayers’ dollars irresponsibly, but we are spending money we don’t have. The American people have lost confidence in Congress’ ability to spend their dollars responsibly.
Today’s vote by House Republicans to halt earmarks for this year is a step in the right direction when it comes to reforming the way Congress spends the taxpayers’ money. Certainly not all earmarks are “bridges to nowhere,” and many Members put forth quality requests vetted in a transparent process, but the waste and abuse of other earmarks have become symbols of why reform is needed and why trust in the system has broken down.
The American people are tightening their belts and Congress must do the same, but our moratorium is not going to save the taxpayers any money unless Congress also reduces the overall budget and total spending.
As Congress works on a budget outline for the year, we must take concrete actions to reduce the out of control spending and borrowing. The budget proposal President Obama sent us, which includes a record $3.8 trillion in spending and doubles the national debt over five years, is simply a non-starter.
The Constitution empowers Congress with the authority to decide how taxpayers’ dollars are spent, and I continue to believe this is an important role of Congress. However, if Congress is going to regain the confidence of the American people, we must reform not only the process for requesting earmarks, but the entire budget process. The future of our children and grandchildren depends on our ability to control spending and the growth of the national debt now.
Today’s vote by House Republicans to halt earmarks for this year is a step in the right direction when it comes to reforming the way Congress spends the taxpayers’ money. Certainly not all earmarks are “bridges to nowhere,” and many Members put forth quality requests vetted in a transparent process, but the waste and abuse of other earmarks have become symbols of why reform is needed and why trust in the system has broken down.
The American people are tightening their belts and Congress must do the same, but our moratorium is not going to save the taxpayers any money unless Congress also reduces the overall budget and total spending.
As Congress works on a budget outline for the year, we must take concrete actions to reduce the out of control spending and borrowing. The budget proposal President Obama sent us, which includes a record $3.8 trillion in spending and doubles the national debt over five years, is simply a non-starter.
The Constitution empowers Congress with the authority to decide how taxpayers’ dollars are spent, and I continue to believe this is an important role of Congress. However, if Congress is going to regain the confidence of the American people, we must reform not only the process for requesting earmarks, but the entire budget process. The future of our children and grandchildren depends on our ability to control spending and the growth of the national debt now.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
We Will Continue the Fight in Afghanistan
Today, the House of Representatives debated H. Con Res. 248, sponsored by Rep. Dennis Kucinich, calling for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan within the next 30 days. While there are some who continue to oppose our commitment to this region, debating a non-binding resolution that the Commander-in-Chief would not sign does nothing to help support our troops. While millions of Americans are unemployed and we are facing sky-rocketing deficit levels, Mr. Kucinich's resolution resulted in 3 hours of debate talking about a resolution that would undermine our mission in Afghanistan. Even Rep. Ike Skelton (D-Mo.), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, agrees that we should not prematurely withdraw troops from Iraq. I am pleased the House rejected this resolution by an overwhelming margin. Like every Member of Congress, I want our troops home as soon as possible, but without successfully completing our mission, we're faced with the inevitability of returning to finish what we started.
After months of deliberation the President finally chose to take decisive action in pursing a broad counterinsurgency strategy to defeat the Taliban and al-Qaeda in December. I was glad to see that. The longer we waited to take action, the stronger a foothold al-Qaeda and the Taliban threaten to gain in Afghanistan. National security is one of the most critical issues facing our nation, and the War on Terror is not yet over. When we entered this war, we knew that it would be not be easy or quick. If we want to prevent another attack on American soil, we cannot leave this job undone.
The mission of rooting out al-Qaeda and preventing a Taliban takeover is achievable, but only if we provide our commanders and troops the resources they need to clear, hold and bring stability and security to Afghanistan. One of these resources is time. We must reaffirm our commitment to Afghanistan. The real path to victory requires a reliable partner in the Afghan government. Success will be defined as a stable country that denies the Taliban and al-Qaeda a safe haven to launch attacks against the Afghan people, Afghanistan’s neighbors, or the United States and its allies. May God bless our troops and the Afghan people as we work towards victory in Afghanistan.
After months of deliberation the President finally chose to take decisive action in pursing a broad counterinsurgency strategy to defeat the Taliban and al-Qaeda in December. I was glad to see that. The longer we waited to take action, the stronger a foothold al-Qaeda and the Taliban threaten to gain in Afghanistan. National security is one of the most critical issues facing our nation, and the War on Terror is not yet over. When we entered this war, we knew that it would be not be easy or quick. If we want to prevent another attack on American soil, we cannot leave this job undone.
The mission of rooting out al-Qaeda and preventing a Taliban takeover is achievable, but only if we provide our commanders and troops the resources they need to clear, hold and bring stability and security to Afghanistan. One of these resources is time. We must reaffirm our commitment to Afghanistan. The real path to victory requires a reliable partner in the Afghan government. Success will be defined as a stable country that denies the Taliban and al-Qaeda a safe haven to launch attacks against the Afghan people, Afghanistan’s neighbors, or the United States and its allies. May God bless our troops and the Afghan people as we work towards victory in Afghanistan.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
EPA’s Backdoor National Energy Tax
Late last year, the Environmental Protection Agency signed an “endangerment finding” stating that greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide, “threaten the public health and welfare of current and future generations.” Now the EPA is trying to regulate emissions and put new energy taxes in place. These regulations are premised on the EPA’s recent endangerment finding that would make carbon dioxide – something that is necessary to sustain life on earth – a regulated pollutant under the Clean Air Act.
I oppose any effort to implement the EPA’s job killing regulations. Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) introduced a Resolution of Disapproval, H. J. Res. 77, on the Environmental Protection Agency’s job-killing scheme to regulate carbon dioxide. I fully support this resolution and am proud to be an original cosponsor.
The EPA’s endangerment finding is a backdoor attempt to institute a national energy tax that will cap our economy and trade our jobs away. The EPA’s actions, rushed by the Obama Administration, represent a clear and present danger to our economy. For the sake of every Texan, small business owner or farmer who drives a car, flips on a light switch, or buys products made in the United States, Congress must pass this resolution in order to shut down the EPA’s efforts now. Shouldn’t decisions that will so greatly affect the livelihood of thousands of American workers be made by the representatives they elected, not the Administration?
There is a better way to clean up the environment and seek better sources of energy, without introducing a national energy tax. The American Energy Act, H.R. 2846, is an all-of-the-above plan that would provide energy independence, more jobs here at home and a cleaner environment at the same time.
We cannot afford to make ourselves uncompetitive in the global economy. An out of control, activist EPA permitting processes and extensive regulatory regime will cost billions of dollars to implement and could potentially affect millions of small emitters such as hotels, hospitals, churches, farms, and various small businesses. The rules will inject uncertainty into the economy, delay or halt new construction, and deter investment. The people of the 19th Congressional don’t want this policy and neither do I, which is why I will continue to oppose any effort to implement the EPA’s job-killing regulations.
I oppose any effort to implement the EPA’s job killing regulations. Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) introduced a Resolution of Disapproval, H. J. Res. 77, on the Environmental Protection Agency’s job-killing scheme to regulate carbon dioxide. I fully support this resolution and am proud to be an original cosponsor.
The EPA’s endangerment finding is a backdoor attempt to institute a national energy tax that will cap our economy and trade our jobs away. The EPA’s actions, rushed by the Obama Administration, represent a clear and present danger to our economy. For the sake of every Texan, small business owner or farmer who drives a car, flips on a light switch, or buys products made in the United States, Congress must pass this resolution in order to shut down the EPA’s efforts now. Shouldn’t decisions that will so greatly affect the livelihood of thousands of American workers be made by the representatives they elected, not the Administration?
There is a better way to clean up the environment and seek better sources of energy, without introducing a national energy tax. The American Energy Act, H.R. 2846, is an all-of-the-above plan that would provide energy independence, more jobs here at home and a cleaner environment at the same time.
We cannot afford to make ourselves uncompetitive in the global economy. An out of control, activist EPA permitting processes and extensive regulatory regime will cost billions of dollars to implement and could potentially affect millions of small emitters such as hotels, hospitals, churches, farms, and various small businesses. The rules will inject uncertainty into the economy, delay or halt new construction, and deter investment. The people of the 19th Congressional don’t want this policy and neither do I, which is why I will continue to oppose any effort to implement the EPA’s job-killing regulations.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Read Across America Day
Today we celebrate the 13th annual Read Across America Day, and honor the memory of Theodor Geisel – or “Dr. Seuss.” No one has encouraged children to discover the joy of reading more than Dr. Seuss’ books. In fact, one in four children receive Dr. Seuss as their first book.
Families are busy today, rushing from work to school to sporting events, with little time to breathe in between. It is easy, in these times that we find ourselves in, to forget the importance of family time. I encourage you to take a moment to read with your children for 30 minutes today and every day. It’s hard to imagine how powerful the simple act of reading can be and the many lessons children can learn from books. Reading is a great opportunity to spend quality time with your children and continue to grow their minds. The time I spend reading with my grandchildren is priceless. I hope you will join me today, no matter your age, in picking up a good book and reading with others across America.
Families are busy today, rushing from work to school to sporting events, with little time to breathe in between. It is easy, in these times that we find ourselves in, to forget the importance of family time. I encourage you to take a moment to read with your children for 30 minutes today and every day. It’s hard to imagine how powerful the simple act of reading can be and the many lessons children can learn from books. Reading is a great opportunity to spend quality time with your children and continue to grow their minds. The time I spend reading with my grandchildren is priceless. I hope you will join me today, no matter your age, in picking up a good book and reading with others across America.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
President Obama's Plan
Yesterday, President Obama released his latest proposal for health care legislation. Once again, we see a health care plan that was created without bi-partisan input behind closed doors in the White House. The President’s 11-page proposal melds elements of the House and Senate-passed health care bills along with new provisions. However, the White House has not revealed legislative text and no CBO score is yet available.
After traveling around the district last week, I know the people of the 19th Congressional District want health care reform that lowers the cost of health insurance without growing the size of government. But it’s also clear that the American people don’t want a government takeover of health care.
On Thursday Republican and Democrat leaders will meet with the President at the White House to discuss health care reform. Republicans care about health care, and tomorrow’s meeting will reflect our willingness to work out a plan that actually benefits the American people and will improve their access to affordable, quality health care. The White House claims this health care plan is an improvement of the House and Senate legislation from last year. However in reality, this plan is just another version of the same government takeover of health care that will increase premiums, destroy jobs, raise taxes, and cut Medicare benefits. According to the Obama Administration’s own experts, this bill increases health care spending— not reduces it. This plan would cost at least $950 billion and likely raise individual health insurance premiums by more than $2,100 for every family. While the “Cornhusker Kickback” for Nebraska was dropped from the text, there are still several other states and special interest groups receiving special deals in President Obama’s legislation.
And now, President Obama and the Democrat Leadership will attempt to push this proposal through Congress without bi-partisan support. This is the same thing we saw last year. According to a new Rasmussen poll released today, 41% of voters favor Obama’s health care plan, while 56% oppose it. The American people know what they want, and it is not this health care plan.
We can reform health care without the government restructuring the entire system, and we need to start over with a clean slate. We need a balanced, common sense approach that provides assistance to those who truly need it and keeps health care patient-centered rather than government-centered for everyone.
The GOP alternative would reduce insurance rates by up to 10 percent and give Americans access to high quality, affordable care. As your representative in Congress, you can be certain that I will continue to push for real reform that will empower the people of the 19th Congressional District, not limit their health care coverage. Let’s find immediate, measurable ways to make it more accessible and affordable without jeopardizing quality, individual choice, or personalized care.
To read a full outline of President Obama’s proposal, click here.
After traveling around the district last week, I know the people of the 19th Congressional District want health care reform that lowers the cost of health insurance without growing the size of government. But it’s also clear that the American people don’t want a government takeover of health care.
On Thursday Republican and Democrat leaders will meet with the President at the White House to discuss health care reform. Republicans care about health care, and tomorrow’s meeting will reflect our willingness to work out a plan that actually benefits the American people and will improve their access to affordable, quality health care. The White House claims this health care plan is an improvement of the House and Senate legislation from last year. However in reality, this plan is just another version of the same government takeover of health care that will increase premiums, destroy jobs, raise taxes, and cut Medicare benefits. According to the Obama Administration’s own experts, this bill increases health care spending— not reduces it. This plan would cost at least $950 billion and likely raise individual health insurance premiums by more than $2,100 for every family. While the “Cornhusker Kickback” for Nebraska was dropped from the text, there are still several other states and special interest groups receiving special deals in President Obama’s legislation.
And now, President Obama and the Democrat Leadership will attempt to push this proposal through Congress without bi-partisan support. This is the same thing we saw last year. According to a new Rasmussen poll released today, 41% of voters favor Obama’s health care plan, while 56% oppose it. The American people know what they want, and it is not this health care plan.
We can reform health care without the government restructuring the entire system, and we need to start over with a clean slate. We need a balanced, common sense approach that provides assistance to those who truly need it and keeps health care patient-centered rather than government-centered for everyone.
The GOP alternative would reduce insurance rates by up to 10 percent and give Americans access to high quality, affordable care. As your representative in Congress, you can be certain that I will continue to push for real reform that will empower the people of the 19th Congressional District, not limit their health care coverage. Let’s find immediate, measurable ways to make it more accessible and affordable without jeopardizing quality, individual choice, or personalized care.
To read a full outline of President Obama’s proposal, click here.
Friday, February 19, 2010
A Fiscal Commission Won’t Solve the Spending Problem
Yesterday, President Obama issued an Executive Order creating a bipartisan fiscal commission with the expressed mission of "identifying policies to improve the fiscal situation in the medium term and to achieve fiscal sustainability over the long run." The commission would be charged with identifying and presenting policy recommendations "designed to balance the budget," including policies to cut deficits by increasing taxes and slowing the growth in entitlements.
While the President’s commission may produce some helpful suggestions, it can’t be a substitute for Congress doing its job, which is to make responsible decisions with the taxpayers’ dollars. Congress must fulfill its responsibility to the taxpayers of being good stewards of their money. We will face some difficult choices, but the taxpayers should expect and desire nothing less from their Representatives. Unfortunately, since taking over Congress and the White House, Democrats have an atrocious record of increasing spending, deficits, and taxes. Since Democrats took control of Congress and started passing their budgets in 2007, the national debt has grown by 42.8 percent. In 2009 alone, House Democrats passed a "stimulus" bill-which the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) now predicts will cost $862 billion-a $1.3 trillion health care takeover that raises taxes by more than $700 billion, a $873 billion national energy tax on every American, two omnibus spending bills totaling more than $855 billion, and increased non-defense discretionary spending by 12 percent.
Congress can’t sit back and wait to get recommendations from this Commission in December when the federal government is continuing to run such high deficits. Congress needs to start doing its job now with the budget and spending bills we will take up this year and begin taking steps to reign in spending.
If President Obama were really serious about reducing the deficit, he shouldn’t propose a budget that would result in more than a trillion dollar deficit and then set up the commission to try to reduce the deficit. Instead, he should use his budget proposal to submit solid ideas about reducing the deficit and make the tough choices he was elected to make.
More taxes to pay for this spending are not the answer to our problems. Real deficit reduction will require actual, significant spending cuts. The government is trying to do too many things for too many people. We need to slow down the entitlements, and get back to the principles of empowerment employed by our Founders. As long as I am in Congress, I will work to empower rather than entitle and protect America from digging deeper into debt.
While the President’s commission may produce some helpful suggestions, it can’t be a substitute for Congress doing its job, which is to make responsible decisions with the taxpayers’ dollars. Congress must fulfill its responsibility to the taxpayers of being good stewards of their money. We will face some difficult choices, but the taxpayers should expect and desire nothing less from their Representatives. Unfortunately, since taking over Congress and the White House, Democrats have an atrocious record of increasing spending, deficits, and taxes. Since Democrats took control of Congress and started passing their budgets in 2007, the national debt has grown by 42.8 percent. In 2009 alone, House Democrats passed a "stimulus" bill-which the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) now predicts will cost $862 billion-a $1.3 trillion health care takeover that raises taxes by more than $700 billion, a $873 billion national energy tax on every American, two omnibus spending bills totaling more than $855 billion, and increased non-defense discretionary spending by 12 percent.
Congress can’t sit back and wait to get recommendations from this Commission in December when the federal government is continuing to run such high deficits. Congress needs to start doing its job now with the budget and spending bills we will take up this year and begin taking steps to reign in spending.
If President Obama were really serious about reducing the deficit, he shouldn’t propose a budget that would result in more than a trillion dollar deficit and then set up the commission to try to reduce the deficit. Instead, he should use his budget proposal to submit solid ideas about reducing the deficit and make the tough choices he was elected to make.
More taxes to pay for this spending are not the answer to our problems. Real deficit reduction will require actual, significant spending cuts. The government is trying to do too many things for too many people. We need to slow down the entitlements, and get back to the principles of empowerment employed by our Founders. As long as I am in Congress, I will work to empower rather than entitle and protect America from digging deeper into debt.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
A Year of ‘Stimulus’, More Government Waste
One year ago today, President Obama signed the so-called stimulus into law. I opposed this bill because of increased spending and lack of accountability for the funds.
In the past year, we have heard how money has been wasted on pet projects and pointless initiatives. Yesterday, Vice President Biden referred to the stimulus as “one of the best run programs in terms of fraud and abuse and waste of any program the federal government has ever initiated.” Now, I’m not sure where he gets his information from, but let me take this opportunity to highlight some of the wasteful spending under the stimulus.
•ABC News reported that road signs advertising stimulus-funded road projects cost $500 apiece in Maryland and New Hampshire, $1,700 in Georgia, $2,000 in Pennsylvania and New York, and $3,000 per project in New Jersey. For the price of one $2,000 sign, 40 potholes could be repaired. New York was reported to be spending about $1 million on signs.
•$390,000 to study the relationship between malt liquor and marijuana use. The State University of New York at Buffalo received $390,000 in Stimulus funds to conduct a study on the relationship between drinking malt liquor and using marijuana. 100 people will be paid $45 a day for three weeks by taxpayers to drink malt liquor and smoke marijuana.
•Rose Hagner of Anne Arundel County, Maryland, received a $250 supplemental Social Security check funded by the stimulus bill. However, Mrs. Hagner died on Memorial Day 1967.
•$2.3 Million in stimulus funds for beauty school tuitions. Eight Tampa Bay cosmetology and massage schools are receiving $2.3 million in Stimulus funds to pay the tuitions for hairdressers, masseuses and nail technicians … Monica Ponce, the owner of Tampa’s Muse The Salon, doesn’t believe there is actually a demand for more beauty school graduates in the bay area. Chad Malm, owner of Tampa’s Salon Jack, agreed with Ponce noting there are already plenty of hairdressers in the area. According to Malm, not only is the idea of subsiding beauty school tuitions ridiculous, it’s also “wasting tax dollars.” (Will Van Zant, $2.3 Million In Federal Stimulus Money Is Going To Pay For Tampa Bay Area Beauty School Tuition, The St. Petersburg Times, 10/17/09)
These examples are just a handful of initiatives that make it clear that the stimulus is wasting American tax dollars. Of that nearly $1 trillion in spending, much remains unspent and all of this government spending has done nothing to create new, permanent jobs. It is time to take a new approach. I am looking at how we can reduce spending in programs that have unspent stimulus funds. Let’s stop wasting our hard-earned money, and get this economy moving again. For more information on where we stand after one year of the so-called “stimulus,” click here.
In the past year, we have heard how money has been wasted on pet projects and pointless initiatives. Yesterday, Vice President Biden referred to the stimulus as “one of the best run programs in terms of fraud and abuse and waste of any program the federal government has ever initiated.” Now, I’m not sure where he gets his information from, but let me take this opportunity to highlight some of the wasteful spending under the stimulus.
•ABC News reported that road signs advertising stimulus-funded road projects cost $500 apiece in Maryland and New Hampshire, $1,700 in Georgia, $2,000 in Pennsylvania and New York, and $3,000 per project in New Jersey. For the price of one $2,000 sign, 40 potholes could be repaired. New York was reported to be spending about $1 million on signs.
•$390,000 to study the relationship between malt liquor and marijuana use. The State University of New York at Buffalo received $390,000 in Stimulus funds to conduct a study on the relationship between drinking malt liquor and using marijuana. 100 people will be paid $45 a day for three weeks by taxpayers to drink malt liquor and smoke marijuana.
•Rose Hagner of Anne Arundel County, Maryland, received a $250 supplemental Social Security check funded by the stimulus bill. However, Mrs. Hagner died on Memorial Day 1967.
•$2.3 Million in stimulus funds for beauty school tuitions. Eight Tampa Bay cosmetology and massage schools are receiving $2.3 million in Stimulus funds to pay the tuitions for hairdressers, masseuses and nail technicians … Monica Ponce, the owner of Tampa’s Muse The Salon, doesn’t believe there is actually a demand for more beauty school graduates in the bay area. Chad Malm, owner of Tampa’s Salon Jack, agreed with Ponce noting there are already plenty of hairdressers in the area. According to Malm, not only is the idea of subsiding beauty school tuitions ridiculous, it’s also “wasting tax dollars.” (Will Van Zant, $2.3 Million In Federal Stimulus Money Is Going To Pay For Tampa Bay Area Beauty School Tuition, The St. Petersburg Times, 10/17/09)
These examples are just a handful of initiatives that make it clear that the stimulus is wasting American tax dollars. Of that nearly $1 trillion in spending, much remains unspent and all of this government spending has done nothing to create new, permanent jobs. It is time to take a new approach. I am looking at how we can reduce spending in programs that have unspent stimulus funds. Let’s stop wasting our hard-earned money, and get this economy moving again. For more information on where we stand after one year of the so-called “stimulus,” click here.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
National Salute to Veteran Patients
National Salute to Veteran Patients is an annual program recognized during the week of February 14. This week promotes activities designed to pay tribute and express appreciation to America’s many hospitalized veterans. There are more than 98,000 veterans of the U.S. armed services who are cared for every day in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers, some of them right here in the 19th Congressional District at the Big Spring VA Medical Center.
First established as an official VA program in 1978, National Salute to Veteran Patients serves as a valuable public awareness program to help people understand the important role of VA medical facilities and encouraging volunteer activities to help veterans.
It is great to have a facility in West Texas to care for our veterans. Veterans play an important role in our communities, and so often we forget of their great sacrifices on our behalf. I encourage everyone across the 19th Congressional District to take time beyond this week to recognize the contributions of our service men and women. We owe an eternal debt of gratitude to America's soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines. Giving our support to hospitalized veterans and recognizing their service, as we are doing this week, is one important step toward repaying that debt. May God bless our men and women in uniform, both past and present.
For more information on the Big Spring VA Medical center, and how you can volunteer, click here.
First established as an official VA program in 1978, National Salute to Veteran Patients serves as a valuable public awareness program to help people understand the important role of VA medical facilities and encouraging volunteer activities to help veterans.
It is great to have a facility in West Texas to care for our veterans. Veterans play an important role in our communities, and so often we forget of their great sacrifices on our behalf. I encourage everyone across the 19th Congressional District to take time beyond this week to recognize the contributions of our service men and women. We owe an eternal debt of gratitude to America's soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines. Giving our support to hospitalized veterans and recognizing their service, as we are doing this week, is one important step toward repaying that debt. May God bless our men and women in uniform, both past and present.
For more information on the Big Spring VA Medical center, and how you can volunteer, click here.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
More of the Same: More Debt
This afternoon, the House passed yet another debt limit increase, without a single Republican vote. Today’s vote to increase the debt limit by $1.9 trillion is a giant Ponzi scheme to allow Democrats to continue spending taxpayer dollars and create massive debts for our children and grandchildren to pay. In the past two and a half years we have increased the debt limit six times, adding more than $4 trillion dollars to the government credit limit. Today we increased the limit on the government credit card again, but we continue to do nothing to slow the spending that keeps bringing us back to this same place. My question is: who is going to pay the bill?
As someone who studied accounting and ran a small business, the math just doesn’t add up. Simply put, President Obama and the liberals in Congress are addicted to spending. This 15.3 percent increase in the debt limit will allow the government to keep spending at leisure, accumulating more record debt to be passed along to our children and grandchildren. Furthermore, each American will shoulder an increase of $6,157 in debt, totaling $40,053 for every man, woman, and child in the U.S.
If we want to bring relief to the people, we must address the cause of these continued and massive increases in our government’s borrowing: spending. Yesterday I introduced H.R. 4587, which would require Congress to pass 10-year statutory spending caps in conjunction with any increase in the statutory debt limit. This legislation will require Congress to have a plan for controlling spending before we simply allow the federal government to borrow more. If Congress can’t be more responsible when it comes to spending and running up the debt in first place, binding spending caps will force us to do so.
We cannot continue to borrow, spend and tax our way back to a growing economy. I firmly believe government should empower citizens to succeed in the economy, not erode their freedoms and encourage dependency. This debt increase undermines empowerment by reducing our economic growth and making America dependent on other nations for financing. The necessary road to recovery must be based on the principle of empowering Americans through limited government, fiscal and personal responsibility.
As someone who studied accounting and ran a small business, the math just doesn’t add up. Simply put, President Obama and the liberals in Congress are addicted to spending. This 15.3 percent increase in the debt limit will allow the government to keep spending at leisure, accumulating more record debt to be passed along to our children and grandchildren. Furthermore, each American will shoulder an increase of $6,157 in debt, totaling $40,053 for every man, woman, and child in the U.S.
If we want to bring relief to the people, we must address the cause of these continued and massive increases in our government’s borrowing: spending. Yesterday I introduced H.R. 4587, which would require Congress to pass 10-year statutory spending caps in conjunction with any increase in the statutory debt limit. This legislation will require Congress to have a plan for controlling spending before we simply allow the federal government to borrow more. If Congress can’t be more responsible when it comes to spending and running up the debt in first place, binding spending caps will force us to do so.
We cannot continue to borrow, spend and tax our way back to a growing economy. I firmly believe government should empower citizens to succeed in the economy, not erode their freedoms and encourage dependency. This debt increase undermines empowerment by reducing our economic growth and making America dependent on other nations for financing. The necessary road to recovery must be based on the principle of empowering Americans through limited government, fiscal and personal responsibility.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
President Obama's Budget
Despite President Obama’s recent calls for fiscal responsibility, if Congress implements his budget request, we would more than double the debt, drive spending to a new record of $3.8 trillion for the next year, push the deficit to a new record of $1.6 trillion this year, and raise taxes by more than $2 trillion through 2020.
This budget goes beyond fiscal irresponsibility; it is fiscal insanity. The President’s budget features too many new taxes, too much new spending and too much new debt, all of which will discourage job creation and growth in our economy.
Although, I’m pleased President Obama has spoken out about the need to get our fiscal house in order, and his proposed freeze of some spending next year is certainly a good first step, Washington must get serious about fiscal responsibility. As the voice for the people of the 19th Congressional District in Washington, I will continue to hold the President and Congress accountable and fight for fiscal discipline. We need more than a targeted freeze in some spending; we need real spending reductions.
This budget goes beyond fiscal irresponsibility; it is fiscal insanity. The President’s budget features too many new taxes, too much new spending and too much new debt, all of which will discourage job creation and growth in our economy.
Although, I’m pleased President Obama has spoken out about the need to get our fiscal house in order, and his proposed freeze of some spending next year is certainly a good first step, Washington must get serious about fiscal responsibility. As the voice for the people of the 19th Congressional District in Washington, I will continue to hold the President and Congress accountable and fight for fiscal discipline. We need more than a targeted freeze in some spending; we need real spending reductions.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
The Declaration of Health Care Independence
The Founding Fathers got it right. When they gathered to declare freedom from the British, they did so with a new agenda for America and put it all on the line. They pledged their very honor and lives in these invaluable principles that formed the Declaration of Independence, shaping the very foundation of our country and the freedoms of today.
This afternoon, I had the opportunity to join with several of my Republican colleagues to unveil the Declaration of Health Care Independence in response to the Democrat’s push for a government takeover of our health care. The principles of this document are a commitment to protect the ability of the American people to make their own health decisions, reduce bureaucratic red-tape and decrease burden of debt on our children and grandchildren.
As this new declaration says, health care reform must “empower, rather than limit, an open and accessible marketplace of health care choice and opportunity.” There is no way around it. We cannot allow bureaucrats to govern doctor-patient relationships or ration quality health care.
I believe the people of the 19th Congressional District will agree with the principles in this Declaration of Health Care Independence. The people have spoken. They do not want a government takeover of health care that will raise taxes, raise health care costs and increase government spending. Let’s go back to the drawing board, keep the process open and transparent and work on real reforms that improve our health care system rather than take it over.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
The Party of Contradiction
The idea of freezing federal spending isn’t new. Conservatives have long called for reducing spending to bring our fiscal house into order. But over the past year, Speaker Pelosi and her liberal Congress have advocated policies that expand government’s control of the economy and increase taxes, creating uncertainty for small businesses, restriction of credit on Main Street and higher costs for consumers. Due largely to higher spending the past year, the deficit grew from $459 billion in 2008 to $1.4 trillion for 2009.
Last night, the White House announced that President Obama would propose a freeze in the pot of domestic spending that Congress allocates among government agencies and programs every year in his the 2011 federal budget request he is sending to Congress next week. While I welcome President Obama moving in the right direction, this proposal seems a little a too late after he and Congressional leaders increased spending by hundreds of billions of dollars that we didn’t have in 2009. Today’s projections from the Congressional Budget Office show that the 2010 deficit will be $1.3 billion, and that the deficit will remain near $1 trillion in 2011 if current policies are continued. While a freeze on any portion of the federal budget is a good idea, Congress will need to do far more than President Obama has proposed if we are going to make any progress on reducing the deficit and lowering the amount of debt our children and grandchildren will have to pay off.
I have never met a spending freeze I didn’t like, so if the President is sincere, I welcome the attempt at a spending freeze. However, he’s only talking about freezing around 15 percent of all federal spending. We need to do much more and we need to ensure that “emergency” spending is counted in any such freeze. It’s time for Congress to make the choices necessary to restore fiscal discipline and hold federal spending at pre-recession levels. Like the rest of the nation, rather than bigger government and more spending, the people of the 19th District want Congress to focus on common sense solutions to foster job creation.
Last night, the White House announced that President Obama would propose a freeze in the pot of domestic spending that Congress allocates among government agencies and programs every year in his the 2011 federal budget request he is sending to Congress next week. While I welcome President Obama moving in the right direction, this proposal seems a little a too late after he and Congressional leaders increased spending by hundreds of billions of dollars that we didn’t have in 2009. Today’s projections from the Congressional Budget Office show that the 2010 deficit will be $1.3 billion, and that the deficit will remain near $1 trillion in 2011 if current policies are continued. While a freeze on any portion of the federal budget is a good idea, Congress will need to do far more than President Obama has proposed if we are going to make any progress on reducing the deficit and lowering the amount of debt our children and grandchildren will have to pay off.
I have never met a spending freeze I didn’t like, so if the President is sincere, I welcome the attempt at a spending freeze. However, he’s only talking about freezing around 15 percent of all federal spending. We need to do much more and we need to ensure that “emergency” spending is counted in any such freeze. It’s time for Congress to make the choices necessary to restore fiscal discipline and hold federal spending at pre-recession levels. Like the rest of the nation, rather than bigger government and more spending, the people of the 19th District want Congress to focus on common sense solutions to foster job creation.
Census 2010
In March, the 2010 Census will begin arriving in mailboxes around the 19th Congressional District. This year the census questionnaire is one of the shortest forms in history, asking only 10 questions. I encourage you to take 10 minutes to fill out this form when you receive it. Any information you provide is private and will not be shared with any other government agency.
The 2010 Census is a part of our community’s voice in government. Not only is the census a constitutional responsibility, but the response also determines how you are represented in both Congress and the state legislature. We need everybody to be counted. Especially in rural areas, if you’re not counted, your vote may not count in the next election.
If you would like more information, I encourage you to visit the new Census section on my website or contact my office by calling toll free at (888) 763-1611.
The 2010 Census is a part of our community’s voice in government. Not only is the census a constitutional responsibility, but the response also determines how you are represented in both Congress and the state legislature. We need everybody to be counted. Especially in rural areas, if you’re not counted, your vote may not count in the next election.
If you would like more information, I encourage you to visit the new Census section on my website or contact my office by calling toll free at (888) 763-1611.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
One Year Later
A year ago today, President Obama took the oath of office on the steps of the U.S. Capitol. After a campaign of hope and change many Americans anticipated the future of Obama’s promises. Unfortunately for the American people the failed policies of more spending and more debt have not helped the economy recover, left the federal deficit at a record high, cost millions of jobs and resulted in a slew of broken promises. With a super-majority in the House, Democrats forced countless partisan, big government policies through Congress while the House Republicans stood together to slow down the train wreck of Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s liberal agenda and offer common sense solutions to get small businesses and families back on their feet.
A year into Obama’s presidency the people sent a referendum to Washington. They are not happy with his big government policies and the direction of the country. We saw it in the Virginia and New Jersey governor races this fall, and now in Massachusetts where yesterday a Senate seat in a solidly Democrat state was won by a Republican candidate. The election last night in Massachusetts, for Senator-elect Brown, was about listening to the people. The American people are tired of being told by Washington how to think and what to do. The people want to be heard.
President Obama’s inauguration was one year ago today, and without a doubt, we’ve had change in America. But I’m not sure this is the change America wanted. We know that stimulating the economy and getting America growing again cannot be brought about by borrowing and spending trillions of dollars we don’t have. It is my hope that in the year to come we can learn from the mistakes of our past, and emerge a greater, stronger nation.
As we enter into the second year of President Obama’s term, you can be certain that I will continue to stick to the conservative principles of fiscal responsibility, tax relief and the American spirit valued so deeply in the 19th Congressional District. It’s time to put an end to more of the same old Washington politics we saw in President Obama’s first year in office.
A year into Obama’s presidency the people sent a referendum to Washington. They are not happy with his big government policies and the direction of the country. We saw it in the Virginia and New Jersey governor races this fall, and now in Massachusetts where yesterday a Senate seat in a solidly Democrat state was won by a Republican candidate. The election last night in Massachusetts, for Senator-elect Brown, was about listening to the people. The American people are tired of being told by Washington how to think and what to do. The people want to be heard.
President Obama’s inauguration was one year ago today, and without a doubt, we’ve had change in America. But I’m not sure this is the change America wanted. We know that stimulating the economy and getting America growing again cannot be brought about by borrowing and spending trillions of dollars we don’t have. It is my hope that in the year to come we can learn from the mistakes of our past, and emerge a greater, stronger nation.
As we enter into the second year of President Obama’s term, you can be certain that I will continue to stick to the conservative principles of fiscal responsibility, tax relief and the American spirit valued so deeply in the 19th Congressional District. It’s time to put an end to more of the same old Washington politics we saw in President Obama’s first year in office.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Congressman Neugebauer Hosts Special Order on the House Floor
Yesterday evening, I had the opportunity to host a Special Order on the House floor about health care and jobs. A special order speech allows Members of the House of Representatives to speak on any topic they wish, for up to one hour. These events often occur at the end of a day’s legislative work.
Like many of you, I have been disappointed in the lack of openness and transparency during the recent health care debate. As many of you are aware, C-SPAN has requested that their cameras be allowed to cover these critical negotiations, unfortunately the only word they've heard was: NO. In my opening remarks, I made reference to three specific days. These dates are significant because they are historical references to when Congress last made major changes to health care policy and when members of both sides of the aisle, from both the House and Senate sat down to iron out differences in the bills passed by each body. Fortunately for transparency and democracy, C-SPAN's cameras were there. If you are interested in viewing these videos, you may access them by clicking here, here or here.
If you were unable to watch the Special Order live, visit my YouTube page to view a recording of my remarks on the House floor.
Like many of you, I have been disappointed in the lack of openness and transparency during the recent health care debate. As many of you are aware, C-SPAN has requested that their cameras be allowed to cover these critical negotiations, unfortunately the only word they've heard was: NO. In my opening remarks, I made reference to three specific days. These dates are significant because they are historical references to when Congress last made major changes to health care policy and when members of both sides of the aisle, from both the House and Senate sat down to iron out differences in the bills passed by each body. Fortunately for transparency and democracy, C-SPAN's cameras were there. If you are interested in viewing these videos, you may access them by clicking here, here or here.
If you were unable to watch the Special Order live, visit my YouTube page to view a recording of my remarks on the House floor.
Friday, January 8, 2010
If it's broken, fix it
The American people understand that if something is broken, you fix it. If your pipes were leaking, would you let them flood your kitchen? If you had a flat tire, would you just keep driving? You may know that you have to fix these problems immediately, but a lot of the Democrats in Congress can’t seem grasp this concept.
Today’s new unemployment numbers solidified yet another difficult month for America’s working families and small businesses. The Administration announced this morning that the national unemployment rate for December remained at 10 percent, with 85,000 jobs lost last month.
President Obama and Congressional Democrats promised that passing a trillion dollar “stimulus” package would create jobs "immediately." Here we are, almost a year later, with the economy continuing to lose tens of thousands of jobs each month. To some in Washington, the loss of American jobs is not as pressing as their other legislative initiatives but for the majority of people around the country a loss of a job is a loss of necessary income, food and security for their family.
The Democrat policies of higher taxes, runaway spending and record debt are hurting the economy and piling even more debt and burden onto the backs of American taxpayers. President and Speaker Pelosi must stop creating an environment of uncertainty for employers on issues such as health care and energy if they want to create real jobs and economic prosperity. It’s time we bring real change to Washington. Republicans have offered common sense solutions and alternatives to the Democrats’ big government plans. It’s time to support creating jobs instead of killing them.
Today’s new unemployment numbers solidified yet another difficult month for America’s working families and small businesses. The Administration announced this morning that the national unemployment rate for December remained at 10 percent, with 85,000 jobs lost last month.
President Obama and Congressional Democrats promised that passing a trillion dollar “stimulus” package would create jobs "immediately." Here we are, almost a year later, with the economy continuing to lose tens of thousands of jobs each month. To some in Washington, the loss of American jobs is not as pressing as their other legislative initiatives but for the majority of people around the country a loss of a job is a loss of necessary income, food and security for their family.
The Democrat policies of higher taxes, runaway spending and record debt are hurting the economy and piling even more debt and burden onto the backs of American taxpayers. President and Speaker Pelosi must stop creating an environment of uncertainty for employers on issues such as health care and energy if they want to create real jobs and economic prosperity. It’s time we bring real change to Washington. Republicans have offered common sense solutions and alternatives to the Democrats’ big government plans. It’s time to support creating jobs instead of killing them.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Staying Connected in 2010
Over the past year, we saw one of the most liberal and expensive agendas in our nation’s history in Congress. With that being said, it is more important than ever that your voice is heard in Washington, D.C. As your voice in Congress, hearing from you allows me to better represent West Texas and the Big Country. In an effort to better serve you, I would like to share the many ways you can communicate your thoughts and say up-to-date as we begin the second session of the 111th Congress.
By visiting www.randy.house.gov, you will find several ways to contact my office and leave your questions, comments and concerns. My website is also the best one-stop-shop for the latest updates on events I am hosting in District 19, contact information for my offices and updates on votes I have taken. The website is frequently updated so that you might have the most recent information available to you. Check back often for new information and features.
Sometimes the schedule in Congress keeps me from being in the 19th District as much as I would like to, but I still want to find ways to create an open dialogue with you. This year, I hope to use a variety of different technologies to stay in touch. Be on the lookout for notices of upcoming telephone town halls and virtual town halls, where you will be able to interact with me directly over the phone or Internet.
I am also using new media tools to create an open forum with the people of the 19th Congressional District. These are some of the new media technologies that you can use to connect with me:
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/rep.randy.neugebauer?_fb_noscript=1
• Randy’s Blog: http://randyneugebauer.blogspot.com/
• Twitter: http://twitter.com/RandyNeugebauer
• YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/RandyNeugebauer
• Flickr Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/randyneugebauer
I hope you find these new media tools as a useful resource. As we begin the second session of the 111th Congress, I look forward to hearing from you and keeping you updated on the important issues impacting you and your family.
By visiting www.randy.house.gov, you will find several ways to contact my office and leave your questions, comments and concerns. My website is also the best one-stop-shop for the latest updates on events I am hosting in District 19, contact information for my offices and updates on votes I have taken. The website is frequently updated so that you might have the most recent information available to you. Check back often for new information and features.
Sometimes the schedule in Congress keeps me from being in the 19th District as much as I would like to, but I still want to find ways to create an open dialogue with you. This year, I hope to use a variety of different technologies to stay in touch. Be on the lookout for notices of upcoming telephone town halls and virtual town halls, where you will be able to interact with me directly over the phone or Internet.
I am also using new media tools to create an open forum with the people of the 19th Congressional District. These are some of the new media technologies that you can use to connect with me:
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/rep.randy.neugebauer?_fb_noscript=1
• Randy’s Blog: http://randyneugebauer.blogspot.com/
• Twitter: http://twitter.com/RandyNeugebauer
• YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/RandyNeugebauer
• Flickr Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/randyneugebauer
I hope you find these new media tools as a useful resource. As we begin the second session of the 111th Congress, I look forward to hearing from you and keeping you updated on the important issues impacting you and your family.
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