Republican National Convention Blog

Saturday, January 08, 2011

Gabrielle Giffords Biography

Photo released by Giffords' congressional office, that was taken on May 17, 2011, showing her recovery.

Gabrielle Giffords Post Recovery. Source: Office of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Author: P.K. Weiss / Released by United States Congress. Permission. (Reusing this file). Official Congressional photo

Gabrielle Giffords underwent surgery on May 18, 2011 to replace part of her skull that had been removed in January to permit her brain to swell after the gunshot to her head. During Wednesday's surgery, the missing bone was replaced with a piece of molded hard plastic with tiny screws. Doctors said that her skull will eventually fuse with the plastic's porous material.

Giffords' chief of staff Pia Carusone said "5/17/11" was scrawled on the helmet as a reminder of the last day she would have to don the headgear.

On June 9, 2011 Carusone, told the press that the Congresswoman continues to make progress in her therapy. As of that date, while Giffords' comprehension appeared to be "close to normal, if not normal", she is not yet using complete sentences. "She is borrowing upon other ways of communicating. Her words are back more and more now, but she's still using facial expressions as a way to express. Pointing. Gesturing. Add it all together, and she's able to express the basics of what she wants or needs. But, when it comes to a bigger and more complex thought that requires words, that's where she's had the trouble."

"When she is trying to come up with a word or a sentence and she's clearly struggling, putting everything she's got into it, and sometimes she's not successful. When she is, there's a relief that comes across her face that she has found the word. But when she can't come up with that, it is absolute frustration."

Gabrielle Giffords meeting a constituent during a Congress On Your Corner event

Gabrielle Giffords born June 8, 1970 in Tucson, Arizona is the U.S. Representative for Arizona's 8th congressional district that covers 9,000 square miles including a 114 mile border with Mexico. The district encompasses the southeastern part of the state. It includes Cochise County and parts of Pima, Pinal, and Santa Cruz counties.

She is a member of the Democratic Party and is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition. She was the third woman in Arizona's history to be elected to serve in the U.S. Congress.

Gabrielle with her parents, Spencer and Gloria Giffords. IMAGE CREDIT

Giffords' a third generation Tucsonan, parents are Spencer J. Giffords and Gloria Kay Fraser Giffords. Her father served on the board of the Tanque Verde Unified School District and her mother is an art conservator. Her grandparents lived in Southeastern Arizona and are buried at Fort Huachuca.

She graduated from Tucson's University High School holds a Master’s Degree in Regional Planning from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York 1996. and a B.A. from Scripps College. Between her undergraduate and graduate programs, she studied for a year in Chihuahua, Mexico on a Fulbright Scholarship and worked as a researcher in San Diego studying the effects of Operation Gatekeeper II on the San Ysidro Port of Entry. She is a fellow at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Gabrielle Giffords

She married Captain Mark Kelly who was Born February 21, 1964 in Orange, New Jersey and has two daughters from an earlier marriage, on November 10, 2007, a Navy Pilot veteran of Desert Storm who flew 39 combat missions. and NASA astronaut. He was the space shuttle's pilot on STS-108 and STS-121, and commander of STS-124 and future flight STS-134 (scheduled for April 2011), her wedding ring is inscribed: "You're the closest to heaven that I've ever been." She is the only U.S. Representative with an active duty military spouse.

The wedding was officiated by Rabbi Stephanie Aaron at an organic produce farm in Amado, Ariz., called Agua Linda.

They met for the first time in Hangzhou, China in 2003 both had been selected to be on the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations.

Giffords is Arizona's first Jewish Congresswoman. Giffords, was raised “mixed” by a Christian Scientist mother and Jewish father, but said that after a visit to Israel sponsored by the American Jewish Committee in 2001, she had decided she was Jewish only. “It was one of the most memorable experiences of my life,” she said.

“I got to see firsthand the sacrifices that Israelis make in the name of security because of the dangerous state of affairs there. I will always be a strong supporter of Israel.”

During her years in the statehouse, Rep. Giffords served on the The Anti-Defamation League Arizona Regional Board. In an op-ed piece for the Arizona Jewish Post she said she is the grandchild of Akiba Hornstein, who was “the son of a Lithuanian rabbi.” Her grandfather changed his name, she said to Giffords “for reasons of anti-Semitism.” “like my grandmother, I am a lifetime member of Hadassah and am now a member of Congregation Chaverim a Reform synagogue in Tucson, where she said Rabbi Stephanie Aaron is her spiritual mentor.

Prior to serving in the United States House of Representatives, Giffords served in the Arizona House of Representatives from 2001 until 2003, and the Arizona State Senate from 2003 until 2005, when she resigned to run for the seat held by then-Congressman Jim Kolbe.

FOXNEWS January 7, 2011 Members of Congress Must Lead by Example

She also worked as an associate for regional economic development at Price Waterhouse in New York City, and as President and Chief Executive Officer of local automotive chain, El Campo Tire Warehouses, her family’s tire and automotive business founded by her grandfather after he moved to Southern Arizona from New York. In 2000, she oversaw the sale of the company to Goodyear Tire.

Giffords began her political career as a legislator in the Arizona House of Representatives, where she served from 2001 to 2003.

Giffords was elected to the Arizona Senate in the fall of 2002 and is the youngest woman ever elected to this body. She took office in January 2003 and was re-elected in 2004. She resigned from the Arizona Senate on December 1, 2005, in preparation for her congressional campaign.

After Hurricane Katrina struck in the late summer of 2005, Giffords spent time as a volunteer in Houston, Texas,

Giffords launched her first candidacy for the U.S. Congress on January 24, 2006, The Sierra Club and Arizona Education Association were among her backers. Giffords won the race on November 7, 2006, with 54 percent of the vote. In 2008 Giffords was elected to a second term, Giffords was reelected with 56.20 percent of the vote. On November 5, 2010, the Associated Press declared Giffords the victor for a third term after a close race.

Giffords serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the Subcommittees on Air and Land Forces and Military Readiness, on the House Science and Technology Committee, the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere. In January of 2009, Congresswoman Giffords was selected to serve as Chair of the Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee. She is also Vice Chair of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition and as Vice Chair of the U.S.-Mexico Interparliamentary Group. She is also among five members of Congress to serve on United States Holocaust Memorial Council.

Find the complete record of Rep Gabrielle Giffords 60 Sponsored Bills Summary & Status:

In 2009, the National Guard Association of the United States awarded her the Charles Dick Medal of Merit, presented to elected representatives in state and federal government who have demonstrated positive and lasting support for the National Guard over an extended period of time.She has been named Woman of the Year by Tucson Business Edge, Woman on the Move by the YWCA and one of America’s Eight Young Leaders Worth Watching by Gannett News Service.

Gabrielle and Mark enjoy hiking and spending time with their family in the canyons and deserts of Arizona.

Gabrielle also is an avid motorcycle rider and a member of the Congressional Motorcycle Caucus. She hopes to ride her bike to Argentina one day, but for now she opts for Highway 83 between Tucson and Patagonia.

Mark E. Kelly at the side of wife Gabrielle Giffords in the University Medical Center, recovering from injuries sustained during the 2011 Tucson shooting.

Author: U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords' office

On Saturday January 8, 2011 At 10 a.m. MST, Giffords was shot in the head outside a Safeway grocery store parking lot in Casas Adobes, near Tucson, Arizona, during her first "Congress on Your Corner" gathering of the year. At least nine others were injured including a congressional aide and Federal Judge John McCarthy Roll, when a man ran up to the crowd and began firing. She was taken to the University Medical Center in Tucson for emergency surgery.

She has since been reported to be responding to doctors' commands. According to Dr. Peter Rhee from University Medical Center in Tucson, the bullet went through Giffords' brain, exiting from the other side of her head. The suspect, identified as Jared Lee Loughner age 22, was caught by a bystander and was taken into police custody.

TEXT RESOURCES:

IMAGE CREDIT: These United States Congress images are in the public domain. This may be because it is an official Congressional portrait, because it was taken by an official employee of the Congress, or because it has been released into the public domain and posted on the official websites of a member of Congress. As a work of the U.S. federal government, the images are in the public domain.

VIDEO CREDIT: giffords2

John Boehner Condemns Attack on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords

Washington (Jan 8) Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) issued the following statement condemning the attack on Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) and members of her staff today in Tucson, AZ:

“I am horrified by the senseless attack on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and members of her staff. An attack on one who serves is an attack on all who serve. Acts and threats of violence against public officials have no place in our society. Our prayers are with Congresswoman Giffords, her staff, all who were injured, and their families. This is a sad day for our country."

TEXT CREDIT: Speaker of the House John Boehner Contact: H-232 The Capitol Washington, DC 20515 P (202) 225-0600 F (202) 225-511

IMAGE CREDIT: This United States Congress image is in the public domain. This may be because it is an official Congressional portrait, because it was taken by an official employee of the Congress, or because it has been released into the public domain and posted on the official websites of a member of Congress. As a work of the U.S. federal government, the image is in the public domain.

Eric Cantor Weekly Republican Address TEXT PODCAST VIDEO 01/07/11

Podcast of the address: Download MP3 for PODCAST || FULL TEXT TRANSCRIPT BELOW. || MPEG File || MOV File (FULL HD) ||

Weekly Republican Address: Cantor Highlights New Majority’s Efforts to Repeal Job-Killing Health Care Law & Replace It With Better Solutions

Washington (Jan 7)

Delivering the Weekly Republican Address, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) highlights the new majority’s efforts to focus on the people’s priorities of cutting spending and creating jobs, including taking the first steps to repeal the job-killing health care law and replace it with common-sense reforms that will lower costs and protect jobs. In the address, Leader Cantor highlights a report the new majority released yesterday that documents the job-killing and budget-busting impact of the health care law. Leader Cantor is in his sixth term representing Virginia’s 7th Congressional District.

“Hi, I’m Eric Cantor from the 7th District of Virginia and the Majority Leader for the 112th Congress. This week, the transition of power in the United States Congress took place and John Boehner was elected Speaker of the House. We know that we have been given a golden opportunity to listen, lead, and deliver results.

From the start, I think you’ll see that our actions will define us as the ‘cut and grow’ majority. We are going to cut spending and cut job-killing government regulations while growing the economy and private-sector jobs. We will abide by a three part rule:

“Each day, we will come to work asking: one, ‘Are our actions focused on job creation and the economy?’ two, ‘Are our actions focused on cutting spending?’ and three, ‘Are our actions focused on shrinking government while protecting and expanding liberty?’ If not, why are we doing it?

“It is in this spirit that we’ve opened Congress by cutting our own operating budgets by five percent. Our next step is to fulfill our pledge to repeal the $1 trillion job-killing health care law that was rammed through Congress last year by the previous majority – despite the public outcry against it.

“This week I joined Speaker Boehner and other key Republicans in releasing a new report that documents how the health care law is destroying jobs and piling up more debt. It makes a compelling case for taking immediate action to repeal ObamaCare and replace it with reforms that will lower costs and protect jobs. At a time when we need to do everything in our power to encourage job creation, the health care law hangs around the necks of businesses small and large, causing them to not hire new workers – or worse, be forced to let current employees go. Just as harmful, businesses that would currently be hiring more employees are re-evaluating their decisions and in some cases sitting on large piles of cash. With each day that ObamaCare remains law and continues to engulf our health care system, this destructive pattern continues and too many Americans remain without a job.

“It has now been 10 months since ObamaCare was signed into law. And it is telling that the more Americans learn about it, the more discouraged they are by its harmful effects. The law is fundamentally flawed because it enables federal bureaucrats to come between patients and their doctors, limiting choices. And because of its mandates, ObamaCare has already caused the cost of health care to increase, while forcing some Americans to give up the health care they have even if they like it.

“Despite claims of reducing deficits and saving taxpayer dollars, the new law is riddled with budget gimmicks that double count savings, offset six years of benefits with 10 years of tax increases, and rely on cuts to Medicare and tax increases to fund a new entitlement. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office works hard to provide accurate accounting, but they are only able to score the legislation put in front of them – even if it includes budget gimmicks and fiscal shell games designed to hide its true cost. The reality is that this trillion-dollar, new government entitlement will lead to one-size-fits-all care and put our country on a path to bankruptcy.

“Republicans care about health care. We simply disagree that excessive government regulation and sweeping mandates on individuals and businesses are the right way to go about it. The status quo is unacceptable, and we understand that the key to real health care reform is to lower costs and improve access. That is why after the House passes repeal of ObamaCare, we’ll begin a two-step process of conducting continued oversight of the continued harm that it is doing to our economy and our health care system, as well as beginning work on a new vision to improve our healthcare system without bankrupting our country.

“We will provide Americans with the mainstream solutions they were denied when Democrats used dubious procedural tactics to jam through the bill along strictly partisan lines.

“Looking ahead, the best boost that Congress can provide to the economy is to send a credible signal that we are serious about cutting spending and eliminating job-killing regulations. Our surging debt burden hangs over the economy like a dark cloud, waiting to unleash a storm of inflation, higher taxes and higher borrowing costs upon businesses and families. Only when the cloud is lifted can we get on the path to long-term growth.

“America stands at a crossroads, and the decisions we make today will determine the type of country that we leave to our children and grandchildren. We face some very tough decisions and the coming weeks and months will not be easy, but it’s time to make government accountable to the people. For years, families have been doing more with less, while government has been doing less with more.

“We will work each and every day to reverse that trend so that America can return to opportunity, responsibility, and success.”

VIDEO and IMAGE CREDIT: EricCantor

TEXT CREDIT: Speaker of the House John Boehner Contact H-232 The Capitol Washington, DC 20515 P (202) 225-0600 F (202) 225-5117

AUDIO/VIDEO CREDIT: The House Republican Conference - Digital Communications visual.media@mail.house.gov 202-225-5439

Friday, January 07, 2011

Paul Ryan: Health Care Law a 'Fiscal Train Wreck' TEXT VIDEO

House Budget Committee Chairman on law’s costly consequences January 6, 2011

WASHINGTON – House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan issued the following statement with respect to House Republicans’ continued efforts to repeal and replace the Democrats’ costly government takeover of health care:

“The Democrats' health care law is a budget buster. Misleading claims on its deficit impact exclude the $115 billion needed to implement the law and over $500 billion in double-counting Social Security payroll taxes, CLASS Act premiums, and Medicare reductions. The law was written to measure 10 years of tax increases to offset 6 years of new spending. The Democrats stripped costly provisions that were included in initial score, and enacted them separately to add hundreds of billions of dollars to the deficit. Hiding spending does not reduce spending. There is no question that the creation of a trillion dollar open-ended entitlement is a fiscal train wreck.

“To be clear, our dispute is not with the hard-working, non-partisan professionals at the Congressional Budget Office. CBO scores what is put in front of them - and what Democrats put in front of them last year was legislation packed with smoke and mirrors to hide the impact of trillions of dollars in new spending.

“Unless repealed, this law exacerbates the spiraling cost of health care, explodes our deficit and debt, and will forever alter the relationship between the government and the American people. I look forward to voting for the repeal of this law and continuing to advance fiscally responsible, patient-centered reforms.”

To learn more about the fiscal impact of the Democrats' health care law: budget.house.gov/healthcare

Contact: Conor Sweeney 202-226-7270

VIDEO CREDIT: RepPaulRyan

TEXT CREDIT: Committee On The Budget

Hal Rogers floor statement on the House Offices Budget Cuts VIDEO TEXT

Chairman Rogers' Statement on the House Offices Budget Cuts

Washington, Jan 6 -

House Appropriations Chairman Hal Rogers today gave the following floor statement on a resolution that would cut the office budgets of Members of Congress, committees, and leadership in the House by 5%. Chairman Rogers directed the cuts to his committee to go even further, cutting his own committee budget by 9%.

Floor Statement by Chairman Rogers (as prepared for delivery):

“Mr. Speaker,

“This is a historic time for the Congress, this House, and my committee. I can say without a moment’s hesitation that this day represents a crucial turning point for our nation as this new Congress begins a path to fiscal sanity.

“With this resolution today, Congress will begin immediately to reduce spending – starting here and now – with our own office budgets.

“To demonstrate my strong commitment to slashing spending, reducing our national deficit, and getting our economy on track, I have directed my own Committee budget to be cut by 9% - nearly double the amount of reductions proposed for other House offices.

“This year, the Appropriations Committee will be ground zero for a wide range of reductions across the federal government, and by cutting our own budget first, we are showing we’re willing to lead by example.

“This is a critical time for the Appropriations Committee, as we will carry out the most expansive reduction of discretionary spending in the history of our nation. Under my watch, the Appropriations Committee will be an instrument of change to enforce the will of the American people.

“My Republican colleagues on the Committee and I are ready to stand and fight for the American people and show that we are serious about our commitment to rein in government spending and control our exploding deficits.

“Yet, it is important to remember that slashing spending to save taxpayer dollars and reducing the size of government is a means to an end. We must always keep our eyes on the ultimate goal: improving our economy, getting our people back to work, and safeguarding the nation’s financial security for the future.

“The one and only mandate we received from the American people in November was to put our economy and jobs first. This is why people came to the polls and voted for a change in this body, and this is the duty that we must fulfill.

“To this end, it is clear that this Congress cannot let favored, yet troublesome programs slip by or allow turf battles to cloud our shared interest in protecting the taxpayer. Our budget axe will swing wide and true, and no area of the federal government will be immune from our scrutiny and cuts. Sacred cows are, for all intents and purposes, extinct.

“Mr. Speaker, we have a big job ahead of us. While this resolution is a small step forward, it is a giant leap to show – in a very personal and practical way – the commitment we have to reducing spending and getting our economy back on track.”

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TEXT and IMAGE CREDIT: Congressman Hal Rogers

VIDEO CREDIT: RepHalRogers

Michele Bachmann introduced H.R. 87, to repeal the Dodd-Frank financial reform bill

POSTS TAGGED: Michele Bachmann

Washington, Jan 6 - Upon being sworn in for her third term in the House of Representatives, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (MN-06) introduced new legislation, H.R. 87 Bill Summary & Status 112th Congress (2011 - 2012) H.R.87, to repeal the Dodd-Frank financial reform bill, one of the most far-reaching legislative items of the previous Congress. Congresswoman Bachmann released the following statement about the repeal legislation:

“I’m pleased to offer a full repeal of the job-killing Dodd-Frank financial regulatory bill.

Dodd-Frank grossly expanded the federal government beyond its jurisdictional boundaries. It gave Washington bureaucrats the power to interpret and enforce the legislation with little oversight.

“Dodd-Frank also failed to address the taxpayer-funded liabilities of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Real financial regulatory reform must deal with these lenders who were a leading cause of our economic recession. True reform must also end the bailout mindset that was perpetuated by the last Congress. I am proud to work towards repeal of Dodd-Frank because Congress must protect the taxpayers, instead of handing out favors to Wall Street.”

Bachmann’s legislation has been endorsed by the Club for Growth and Americans for Prosperity. Original cosponsors include Chairman Darrell Issa (CA-49) of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Representative Todd Akin (MO-2), Representative Tom McClintock (CA-4) and Representative Bill Posey (FL-15). ###

Bill Summary & Status 112th Congress (2011 - 2012) H.R.87

TEXT and IMAGE CREDIT: Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, 6th District of Minnesota Washington Office 103 Cannon HOB Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-2331 Fax: (202) 225-6475

Thursday, January 06, 2011

Sandy Adams Co-Sponsors H.R. 25 FairTax Legislation

Washington, D.C. – Representative Sandy Adams (FL-24) issued the following statement after she co-sponsored H.R. 25, the FairTax, Bill Summary & Status 112th Congress (2011 - 2012) H.R.25 on the first day of session in the 112th Congress. If enacted into law, the FairTax would eliminate the IRS, letting Florida taxpayers keep more of their hard earned money and helping create the private sector jobs that will improve our economy.

“The FairTax isn’t about taxes; it’s about freedom, jobs and less government intrusion. Florida residents are fed up with business as usual in Washington, D.C. and by signing on as a co-sponsor of the FairTax on the first day of session I am sending a message to my constituents that I heard their concerns and will do everything I can to follow through on their strong desire to fix what is wrong with Congress.”

“It is clear that our current system of taxation is a bureaucratic mess, full of loopholes that allow the Federal Government to dig deeper into our pocketbooks. I support removing the IRS from the process because it will not only open the door to transparency, but it will create a more simple and equitable tax system. The FairTax will replace the bureaucracy of the IRS with a simple, easy to understand tax policy that encourages economic growth while reducing the heavy burden of excessive taxes on the American people. The last thing we need in a recession is to raise taxes, and passing the FairTax while eliminating the IRS will give families and small businesses the tools they need to create jobs and grow the economy.” ###

Bill Summary & Status 112th Congress (2011 - 2012) H.R.25

TEXT CREDIT: Congresswoman Sandra Adams Washington, DC. 216 Cannon HOB Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-2706 Fax: (202) 226-6299 Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00AM-5:00PM Eastern time.

IMAGE CREDIT: www.gop.gov/

Dan Burton introduces Empowering Patients First Act, to Repeal Obamacare and Replace it with Real Reform

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Congressman Dan Burton (R-Indiana) introduced the Empowering Patients First Act, a bill to repeal the costly job-killing government takeover of health care and replace it with real reforms that benefit all Americans.

“As a strong supporter of the Republican “Pledge to America” I promised Hoosiers that I would work to repeal and replace Obamacare with real reform that will not put the government between patients and their doctor, place an unsustainable tax burden on our constituents or destroy jobs.

Today, I introduced legislation to fulfill that promise. This legislation is centered on four main pillars: access to coverage for all Americans; coverage that is truly owned by the patient; improving the health care delivery structure, and reining in out-of-control costs. I am proud to make this bill the first piece of legislation I introduce in the 112th Congress because I want Hoosiers to know that I am not simply about voting no on health care reform. I am about repealing the government-run solution jammed through the Congress last year by the Democrats in favor of real cost effective health care reform.”

Background:

Today Rep. Burton introduced legislation which repeals the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (commonly called Obamacare) in favor of health care reforms based on four central pillars:

Pillar #1: Access to Coverage for All Americans

• Makes the purchase of health care financially feasible for all – Extends the income tax deduction (above the line) on health care premiums to those who purchase coverage in the non-group / individual market. And, there is an advanceable, refundable tax credit (on a sliding scale) for low-income individuals to purchase coverage in the non-group / individual market.

• Covers pre-existing conditions – Grants states incentives to establish high-risk / reinsurance pools. Federal block grants for qualified pools are expanded.

• Protects employer-sponsored insurance – Individuals can be automatically enrolled in an employer-sponsored plan. Small businesses are given tax incentives for adoption of auto-enrollment.

• Shines sunlight on health plans – Establishes health plan and provider portals in each state, and these portals act to supply greater information, rather than acting as a purchasing mechanism.

Pillar #2: Coverage Is Truly Owned by the Patient

• Grants greater choice and portability – Gives patients the power to own and control their own health care coverage by allowing for a defined contribution in employer-sponsored plans. This also gives employers more flexibility in the benefits offered.

• Expands the individual market – Creates pooling mechanisms, such as association health plans and individual membership accounts. Individuals are also allowed to shop for health insurance across state lines.

• Reforms the safety net – Medicaid and SCHIP beneficiaries are given the option of a voucher to purchase private insurance. And states must cover 90% of those below 200% of the federal poverty level before they can expand eligibility levels under Medicaid and SCHIP.

Pillar #3: Improving the Health Care Delivery Structure

• Institutes doctor-led quality measures – Nothing suggested by the Council for Comparative Effectiveness Research can be finalized unless done in consultation with and approved by medical specialty societies. It also establishes performance-based quality measures endorsed by the Physician Consortium for Performance Improvement (PCPI) and physician specialty organizations.

• Reimburses physicians to ensure continuity of care – Rebases the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) (“doctor fix”) and establishes two separate conversion factors (baskets) for primary care and all other services.

• Promotes healthier lifestyles – Allows for employers to offer discounts for healthy habits through wellness and prevention programs.

Pillar #4: Reining in Out-of-Control Costs

• Reforms the medical liability system – Establishes administrative health care tribunals, also known as health courts, in each state, and adds affirmative defense through provider-established best practice measures. It also encourages the speedy resolution of claims and caps non-economic damages.

• Pays for the plan – The cost of the plan is completely offset through decreasing defensive medicine, savings from health care efficiencies (reducing Disproportionate Share Hospital payments – but only if the number of uninsured Americans goes down), ferreting out waste, fraud, and abuse, plus an annual one-percent non-defense discretionary spending step down. ###

TEXT CREDIT: Dan Burton - Indiana 5th District FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 5, 2011 CONTACT: Joshua Gillespie (317) 848-0201 Washington, DC 2308 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515-0001 (202) 225-2276

IMAGE CREDIT: This United States Congress image is in the public domain. This may be because it is an official Congressional portrait, because it was taken by an official employee of the Congress, or because it has been released into the public domain and posted on the official websites of a member of Congress. As a work of the U.S. federal government, the image is in the public domain.

Dave Reichert H.Res.874 Government Transparency Legislation Passes

Proposal Opens All Committee Votes to Public Scrutiny

Washington, Jan 5 - Congressman Dave Reichert (WA-08) today announced passage within the first hours of the 112th Congress of legislation he authored that would increase government transparency by requiring each of the 21 standing Committees in the U.S. House of Representatives to post recorded votes on their websites within 48 hours.

Reichert’s H.Res.874 was included in the package of rules to govern the U.S. House in the 112th Congress, and will allow Americans better access to each and every vote taken by their representatives.

“Passage of this legislation sets an appropriate and respectful tone for how we should serve our constituents in the 112th Congress,” Reichert said. “The American people deserve openness, transparency, and to know how their representatives vote in all cases, and I’m pleased with the message we’re sending them today with this important vote.

“In the coming months we will debate and pass proposals that will affect the health, livelihood and well being of each and every American, and they should have the right to know how that legislation takes shape at every step along the way,” Reichert continued. “In this day and age it makes no sense that we’re not already offering this information, and my bill will ensure we’ll provide it in a fiscally responsible and easily accessible way by using the existing official committee websites.”

BACKGROUND

To address the inequity that exists with regard to taxpayer access to information, H.Res.874 is a part of Congressman Reichert’s Common Cents Agenda. This initiative is composed of a variety of legislation that is targeted to ensure government is transparent and accountable to taxpayers. Reichert initially introduced H.Res. 874 on October 28, 2009, in part as a solution to the way in which negotiations were conducted on the trillion-dollar government-run health care overhaul. Had Reichert’s legislation been law at the time those negotiations took place, it would have provided a full picture of members’ support or opposition to a proposal and, for example, quickly revealed that 38 amendments were considered in the House Ways & Means Committee, but 0 passed. This legislation is a fiscally responsible transparency measure that will provide constituents a critical view of what their Member supports at every point in the legislative process.

Contact: Amanda Halligan (206) 275-3438

TEXT CREDIT: Congressman Dave Reichert Washington, DC Office U.S. House of Representatives 1730 Longworth Building Washington, DC 20515 (202) 225-7761 (202) 225-4282 Fax Hours: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm ET, Monday – Friday

IMAGE CREDIT: This United States Congress image is in the public domain. This may be because it is an official Congressional portrait, because it was taken by an official employee of the Congress, or because it has been released into the public domain and posted on the official websites of a member of Congress. As a work of the U.S. federal government, the image is in the public domain.

John Fleming introduced H.R. 38 to Rescind Funds for Health Care Implementation

Washington, Jan 5 - Today, Representative John Fleming, M.D. introduced H.R. 38, legislation that would rescind $ 1 billion dollars from the Health Insurance Reform Implementation Fund originally appropriated to pay for federal administrative expenses to carry out ObamaCare.

“When ObamaCare passed last year, Democrats in Congress and the President raised all sorts of claims that it would lower insurance premiums, increase health care access and lower costs,” said Fleming.

“Contrary to these claims, as this law continues to be implemented, premiums have risen, health insurance options have declined, and Medicare and Medicaid are facing significant physician shortages. ObamaCare needs to be repealed, and we will have a vote on that next week.”

“If the President won’t sign the repeal, which I expect, then the next best thing is to defund this monstrosity. The American people sent a clear message in November that they want nothing to do with ObamaCare,” continued Fleming. “It’s time to stop implementation of this law and choke it off at the roots. H.R. 38 will do just that by defunding the money appropriated to implement ObamaCare and putting it back towards reducing the federal deficit. Passage of my bill will be a crucial first step toward restoring health care liberty for the American people.”

H.R. 38 FULL TEXT H.R. 38 FULL TEXT in PDF FORMAT.

Contact: Jamie Hennigan 202.225.2777

TEXT and IMAGE CREDIT: Congressman John Fleming Washington DC Office 416 Cannon HOB Washington, D.C. 20515 P: (202) 225-2777 F: (202) 225-8039

Charles.Boustany Introduces 'Realize America's Maritime Promise Act'

Washington, D.C.– U.S. Representative Charles W. Boustany, Jr., R-Southwest Louisiana, yesterday introduced the Realize America’s Maritime Promise (RAMP) Act. This legislation will ensure that funds designated for dredging projects in America’s harbors and ports will be used solely for this purpose.

“Dredging federally maintained waters to their authorized levels is crucial for Louisiana and the American economy,”said Boustany. “For too long, Congress used the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund to disguise the federal deficit, limiting the fund’s ability to address real problems along many of the waterways important to trade, commerce and jobs.

These waterways create thousands of jobs throughout the Gulf Coast region, but chronically underfunded dredging imperils those jobs and commerce each year.”

The Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund currently has a balance of approximately $5.1 billion, yet this funding is not being used to address the backlog of necessary maintenance dredging needed to sustain vital infrastructure. Failure to maintain these harbors and ports impacts regional and national commerce, reduces America’s economic competitiveness, and increases the risk of vessel groundings, collisions, and pollution incidents. “During this time of economic turmoil, we cannot afford to threaten these water highways that are so important to our nation’s commerce,” Boustany said.

The bill is cosponsored by 26 bipartisan, nationwide Members of Congress who understand the importance of adequately maintaining the nation’s ports and waterways.

Funds from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund are also used to rebuild wetlands by way of beneficial use of dredged material projects. Congressman Boustany has worked tirelessly in Congress to protect Louisiana’s coast and has been at the forefront of the fight to ensure that Louisiana harbors are adequately maintained. ###

TEXT and IMAGE CREDIT: Congressman Charles Boustany Washington, DC Office 1431 Longworth House Office Bldg Washington, DC 20515-1807 Phone: (202) 225-2031 Fax: (202) 225-5724

Wednesday, January 05, 2011

Eric Cantor @GOPLeader Now Live on Twitter As 112th Congress Set to Open

WASHINGTON, DC – For the 112th Congress, Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) and his office can now be found on Twitter as @GOPLeader.

In addition, the Office of the Majority Leader presents a new Facebook page – House Chamber – to provide updates on the House of Representatives' floor schedule in real-time. Here's a full run-down of where you can connect with Cantor on the web:

Twitter: Leader Cantor will take over the account once held by Speaker-elect John Boehner (R-OH), who will now tweet as @SpeakerBoehner. Majority Whip-elect Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) will takeover @GOPWhip. Additionally, Cantor's press office will be tweeting as @CantorPress.

Facebook: Americans can "Like" House Chamber on Facebook and receive the House's weekly and daily floor schedule, as well as schedule updates in real-time throughout the day as Congress debates and votes on legislation to address the major challenges confronting our nation.

Website: This is your news hub for the latest information from the Office of the Majority Leader, including the Majority Leader blog, the House floor calendar and schedule, and YouCut, the program which allows Americans to have a voice in determining which spending cuts they'd like to see Congress make and which has received over 2.5 million votes. Leader Cantor’s Virginia constituents can still visit Cantor.House.gov for help with constituent services and information on legislation in Congress

YouTube: Experience the latest videos from the Majority Leader, including floor speeches, news clips, and our video news releases designed to give you the latest information on what's going on in Congress

Social media is revolutionizing the way we communicate, and these platforms will continue to help people stay informed about what's happening in Congress and allow them to join the conversation about how our nation can remain the land of prosperity and opportunity.

TEXT CREDIT: Eric Cantor || Majority Leader ||

Ed Royce Turns Up Heat on Vietnamese Government

Introduces sanctions bill and "CPC" resolution Washington, Jan 5 -

Today, the first day of the 112th Congress, Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA) introduced the Vietnam Human Rights Sanctions Act, a bill to impose sanctions on Vietnamese government officials who are complicit in human rights abuses committed against the people of Vietnam. The bill targets government agents, police officers, and others who commit egregious human rights abuses against peaceful dissidents with travel restrictions and financial sanctions.

"With the Communist government in Vietnam increasing its crackdown on human rights, Congress needs to respond. Those squashing freedom must pay a price," said Royce.

The legislation notes that Vietnam remains a one-party state that is ruled and controlled by the Communist Party of Vietnam, and continues to deny its citizens the right to change their government. Those who bravely speak out against the totalitarian system are frequently beaten, detained, or put under house arrest.

To exert pressure on the Vietnamese government, the Vietnam Human Rights Sanctions Act instructs the President to create a list of individuals who continue to wantonly disregard the human rights of the Vietnamese people. Those listed will be refused entry into the United States, and will be prohibited from doing business with U.S companies.

"The Obama Administration has been disturbingly silent on human rights. This legislation lets those in Vietnam struggling for freedom know that Congress stands with them," said Royce.

In addition to introducing the Vietnam Human Rights Sanctions Act, Royce once again introduced a resolution calling on the State Department to relist Vietnam as a "Country of Particular Concern" for violations of religious freedom. This resolution passed the House of Representatives in the last Congress on December 17, 2010.

"Building off last year’s success, I want to put this Congress on record that we will continue to fight for religious freedom in Vietnam. The Communist government continues its crackdown on peaceful religious practitioners, and it’s important that we continue to put heat on the oppressors and the too tolerant Obama State Department," said Royce.

Rep. Ed Royce is a senior member on the Asia, the Pacific and the Global Environment Subcommittee. Additionally Royce serves on the Congressional Caucus on Vietnam and the Caucus on Human Rights. ###

TEXT CREDIT: U.S. Congressman Ed Royce WASHINGTON, DC OFFICE 2185 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 T (202) 225-4111

John Boehner Elected Speaker of the House VIDEO TEXT

Excerpts from Boehner’s Speech to the Opening Session of the 112th Congress. Jan 5, 2011

Washington- Following are excerpts from Congressman John Boehner’s (R-West Chester) remarks to the opening session of the 112th Congress which will convene today at 12:00 p.m. ET:

“We gather here today at a time of great challenges. Nearly one in ten of our neighbors are looking for work. Health care costs are still rising for families and small businesses. Our spending has caught up with us, and our debt will soon eclipse the size of our entire economy. Hard work and tough decisions will be required of the 112th Congress. No longer can we fall short. No longer can we kick the can down the road. The people voted to end business as usual, and today we begin carrying out their instructions.”

* * * * * * * * * * * *
"The American people have humbled us. They have refreshed our memories as to just how temporary the privilege to serve is. They have reminded us that everything here is on loan from them. That includes this gavel, which I accept cheerfully and gratefully, knowing I am but its caretaker. After all, this is the people’s House. This is their Congress. It’s about them, not us. What they want is a government that is honest, accountable and responsive to their needs. A government that respects individual liberty, honors our heritage, and bows before the public it serves.”

* * * * * * * * * * * *
“Our aim will be to give government back to the people. In seeking this goal, we will part with some of the rituals that have come to characterize this institution under majorities Republican and Democratic alike. We will dispense with the conventional wisdom that bigger bills are always better; that fast legislating is good legislating; that allowing additional amendments and open debate makes the legislative process ‘less efficient’ than our forefathers intended. These misconceptions have been the basis for the rituals of modern Washington. The American people have not been well served by them.”

* * * * * * * * * * * *
“We will not always get it right. We will not always agree on what is right. A great deal of scar tissue has built up on both sides of the aisle. We cannot ignore that, nor should we. My belief has always been, we can disagree without being disagreeable to each other. That’s why it is critical this institution operate in a manner that permits a free exchange of ideas, and resolves our honest differences through a fair debate and a fair vote. We may have different – sometimes, very different – ideas for how to go about achieving the common good, but it is our shared goal. It is why we serve.”
* * * * * * * * * * * *

NOTE: Boehner’s speech will take place after the election of the Speaker and will be streamed live online at the Pledge to America Facebook Page. # # # # #

Contact: Cory Fritz 202-225-6205

TEXT CREDIT: John Boehner - 8th District of Ohio Washington, D.C. Office 1011 Longworth H.O.B. Washington, DC 20515, (202) 225-6205 (202) 225-0704 fax

Tuesday, January 04, 2011

Rick Scott Inaugural Address Florida Governor FULL TEXT VIDEO

Rick Scott Inaugural Address Florida Governor 01/04/11 FULL STREAMING VIDEO.

Florida Governor Rick Scott Inaugural Address, As Prepared for Delivery.

Governor Crist, thank you for your graciousness.

Mr.President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Cabinet, Mr. Chief Justice and members of the Supreme Court.

Distinguished guests and my fellow Floridians.

We gather today to talk about Florida’s future.

To assess where we are…

To define where we want to go…

And to plan how to get there.

Clear goals and hard work can achieve amazing things.

The giant oak trees that surround us here

ARE what they ARE

Because acorns had a plan.

Once we take the right steps, I am absolutely convinced that Florida will become the most exciting place in the world to live and work.

Let’s begin by facing squarely the challenge of our time-a stalled economy.

This morning more than a million Floridians got out of bed and faced another day of unemployment.

For months they’ve searched for work.

They fill out applications.

They beg for interviews.

They face rejection after rejection.

Many are people who once earned a good living on a construction site.

When the economy stalled, building stopped,

and they found themselves with skills,

but no degree and no job.

Some are young adults who got a degree and were eager to get started on their lives, but they couldn’t find a job, and they’ve had to move back home.

Others are middle-aged adults who had been steadily employed for years– and then lost their jobs almost overnight .

Unemployed parents struggle

to put on a brave face for their children,

but it’s hard to hide

the fact…

that the wolf is at the door.

For ALL the unemployed, life without a paycheck is a desperate daily scramble to provide the basics.

I’ve been a child in a home like that.

My father was often laid off…

My mother took in ironing just so we could have food on the table…

I have a very clear memory of their fear and uncertainty as they struggled to provide for five kids…

So, for me, job creation is a MISSION.

My personal memories fortify my commitment to this mission.

There are millions of families across Florida whose future depends on the steps we take to create jobs.

America was built on the promise that anyone could succeed who was willing to work hard…

But, when our economy falters and jobs disappear, that American promise seems hollow.

Left uncorrected, high unemployment creates a spiral down into hopelessness.

WE WILL NOT LET THAT HAPPEN IN FLORIDA.

Faced with a deep recession, some say the answer is to expand the role of Government.

That’s the approach the Administration chose to take in Washington.

It’s the WRONG approach.

It requires magical thinking to expect Government to create prosperity.

Government has no resources of its own.

Government can only give TO us what it has previously taken FROM us—minus a huge cut for the government middleman

A lean and limited Government has a role to play in providing a safety net.

But prosperity comes from the private sector.

ONLY from the private sector.

The only path to better days is paved with new private sector jobs.

In my own life, my first jobs were low-paying, but they gave me a toe-hold on the future.

They taught me self-discipline.

They gave me self-respect.

They made me a productive citizen rather than a dependent.

The availability of those first jobs is essential for steady improvement in the lives of young Floridians.

But those entry-level jobs are not enough.

The availability of BETTER jobs is the key to long-term prosperity.

Florida has to develop a broader-based economy with a wider diversity of employment opportunities.

Our incredible natural resources,

our wonderful climate, our beautiful beaches have given us competitive advantages in agriculture and tourism.

We have a long history as a critical national resource for the support and training of our military and the manufacture of defense related materials .

Those sectors will always be the bedrock of our economy. But we have to capture the full spectrum of business activities.

We need to manufacture more things in Florida.

We need to capitalize on our geographical location as the natural connector and distribution hub for the growing economies of Central and South America.

We need to become the premier location for cutting edge technology.

The people of Florida elected me to get this state back to work…

And I believe in this mission.

We have hard -working people who desperately want jobs.

We have energetic entrepreneurs with plenty of ideas…

And persuadable investors with ready cash.

All that’s been missing is the determination to create the most favorable business climate in the world.

We have to remember that modern businesses can locate anywhere.

If the conditions Florida offers aren’t the best, businesses go elsewhere.

What does it take to create that favorable business climate?

Florida has to offer the best chance for financial success.

Not a guarantee -just the best chance.

Three forces markedly reduce that chance for success—

taxation…

regulation…

and litigation.

Together those three form “The Axis of Unemployment”.

Left unchecked they choke off productive activity.

Florida has wisely refused to impose an income tax.

Under my plan we’ll eliminate the business tax and reduce the property tax.

The State of Florida raises enough revenues to meet its needs.

It should focus on spending those revenues smarter, setting better priorities and demanding more accountability.

We’ll also re-examine every regulation to make sure its benefits outweigh its costs.

Unless they are pruned.

Regulations grow like weeds.

While there are SOME regulations that are essential for health and safety, and others that are essential to the protection of our priceless environment, it’s PAST TIME to demand that every regulation be re-evaluated.

We will conduct a top to bottom review of all state regulations and weed out unnecessary ones that hinder job creation.

Today, I will sign an Executive Order creating a state office of Fiscal Accountability and Regulatory reform to review all proposed and existing regulations to determine their impact on job creation.

Every Floridian should have the right to access the court system for redress of harm.

But, we will not allow excessive lawsuits to strangle job creation.

And we WILL NOT ALLOW a small group of predatory lawyers to stalk the business community in search of deep pockets.

In the absence of serious tort reform, Florida will lose opportunities for job growth.

No special interest group can be allowed to triumph over the goal of full employment.

Job creators need to know that the State Government of Florida stands ready to work WITH them,

Not against them.

It’s important to recruit companies from around the world, it’s even MORE important to support the home-grown successes in our own backyard.

Small businesses are incredibly effective weapons against unemployment.

But SMALL businesses are also the most vulnerable to poorly drawn regulations and endless delays in permitting.

Interaction between business owners and their government should not be confined to demands for fees and forms and permits.

Our main message to potential job creators will be

“How can we help you succeed?”

Private sector jobs grow in places where public sector spending is kept within bounds.

All of us who are lucky enough to have a job working for the people of Florida have a duty to watch over state spending with great vigilance.

Floridians have entrusted us with their tax dollars.

They worked hard to earn those dollars.

They badly need their money for other things.

We must treat those resources with the respect they deserve

And keep our demands to a minimum.

We will require accountability budgeting in state government and force each and every state department to justify its spending and performance every year.

Once we take the right steps, Florida will become the most exciting place in the world to live and work.

Let’s commit today to make Florida the premier location for Innovation.

Let’s encourage the modern tinkerers…

The out-of-the box thinkers…

Let’s become THE place in the world where high quality research can be translated into high quality jobs in record time.

Let’s make it easy to build and grow a business in Florida…

So that new enterprises will compete with each other for space.

Let’s tell the world

[look straight ahead]

“If you can dream it, it’s EASY to make it HAPPEN in Florida”

Why NOT?

After all, we have always been the destination for dreamers.

The place where someone with a big new idea could give it a try.

Railroads into the wilderness…

A magic kingdom…

A trip to the moon…

Freedom from a foreign tyrant…

Better health,

Life without winter.

Large and small,

Dreams are the stuff that Florida is made of.

While we set about becoming the best place in the country to create jobs, we’ll also take a fresh look at education and health care.

Few things matter as much to us as our health care and the education of our children.

It’s time to offer Floridians more choices, more opportunity to select the services they need.

Why should we cling to models created in another century?

Why should we allow bureaucracies to make our decisions for us?

Floridians differ in their dreams for their children.

Every child is unique, and every child can learn.

We need an education system that offers the maximum amount of choice.

A system focused entirely on what’s best for individual student learning.

We can’t create a workforce for the future with an education model that’s stuck in the past.

To capture the world’s best jobs, we’ll need to offer the world’s best-educated workforce.

In the health sector, top-down government programs treat patients like interchangeable parts on an assembly line.

But patients want to be treated as individuals…

Choosing their own doctors and making their own decisions in consultation with those doctors.

Increasingly, bureaucrats are trampling all over that key relationship, setting arbitrary limits and stifling innovation, without regard to the priorities of patients.

The very wealthy will always have plenty of options.

But most Floridians…

Have far too little say in how their children

are educated

or how health care services are provided.

NONE of this is written in stone.

All that’s missing is the courage to change.

Here’s how we’ll move toward better services.

First, we’ll refuse to allow increased government intrusion in these areas.

We’ll put FLORIDIANS back in the driver’s seat with increased use of free markets.

Because when government does the buying, government chooses what services are available.

The truth is…

he who pays the piper calls the tune.

We want EVERY Floridian to be in a position to call the tune.

We’ll also apply some of the key tools that private businesses use to create a culture of constant improvement.

We’ll measure everything…

We’ll implement changes based on what we learn from those measurements.

And, most importantly…

We’ll hold everyone accountable.

No job-

public or private —should be immune from accountability.

In the coming days, we’ll begin to put our plans into action.

Entrenched special interests may try to protect the status quo. But I have been given the great honor of serving ALL the people of Florida…

And I am determined to do everything I can…

To make real and lasting improvements in the lives of my fellow Floridians.

I believe that each of us is responsible

to our Maker

for what we do

with the time allotted

to us on this Earth.

Recognizing that my Maker is watching over my service as Governor,

I will be RESOLUTE in seeking bold, positive change.

In the last few years, Floridians have had a tough time.

High unemployment and declines in our housing market have left a trail of destruction as bad as any hurricane.

But EVERY generation of Floridians has faced tough challenges.

In the 1880s yellow fever hollowed out entire communities.

In the Depression of the 1930′s, more than one in five families required relief funds to survive.

In the 1940′s, over a quarter of a million Floridians served in uniform, and their worried families were sometimes short of basic necessities.

In every decade we’ve had to rebuild after horrific hurricanes.

After adversity, Floridians always come back stronger.

Our current problems are absolutely solvable and our future is in our own hands.

WE ARE RESILIENT PEOPLE…

Whether our national government takes the right steps or not,

Here in Florida,

we have what we need

to make the next four years

the most exciting time

in our history.

This is the right time to act.

Shakespeare put it this way: “There is a tide in the affairs of men Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.”

I believe this is high tide.

This is the time we can do great things together…

If we have the courage to act, our children and our grandchildren will someday thank us for it.

May God Bless the Great State of Florida.

Let’s get to work. ###

TEXT CREDIT: Florida Governor Rick Scott

VIDEO and IMAGE CREDIT: www.c-span.org/

House Appropriations Chairman Hal Rogers Cuts Own Budget by 9% PODCAST

DOWNLOAD MP3 FOR PODCAST Appropriations Committee Cuts Its Own Budget by 9% Rogers: Budget Cuts Start Here and Now.

Incoming House Appropriations Chairman Hal Rogers today announced that the annual operating budget for the House Appropriations Committee will take a 9% cut from last year’s levels. The cut is part of a proposal by Republican leadership in the House to trim the overall budgets of all Members of Congress, committees, and leadership offices.

While the average cut will be 5% across these offices, Rogers directed his Committee to take the much larger 9% cut, emphasizing his commitment to significantly reducing government spending.

“Congress must begin immediately to reduce spending, and these budget cuts should start here and now – in our own offices. To demonstrate my strong commitment to slashing spending, reducing our national deficit, and getting our economy on track, I have directed my own Committee budget to be cut by nearly double the amount of reductions proposed for other House offices. This year, the Appropriations Committee will be ground zero for a wide range of reductions across the federal government, and by cutting our own budget first, we are showing we’re willing to lead by example,” Rogers said.

The proposed legislation for the House budget cuts will save taxpayers an estimated $35 million in the first year alone. The bill is expected to be voted on by the full House on Thursday, January 6th. #####

TEXT, IMAGE amd AUDIO CREDIT: Congressman Hal Rogers Washington, DC Office 2406 Rayburn House Office Bldg Washington, DC 20515 T (202) 225-4601 F (202) 225-0940

Eric Cantor Statement on Self-Imposed Congressional Budget Cuts

WASHINGTON, DC – House Republicans have introduced - and posted online - the text of a resolution in PDF format to reduce the operating budgets of House committees, leadership offices, and individual member offices.

These budget cuts will save taxpayers an estimated $35 million in the first year alone. The resolution is expected to be voted on by the full House on Thursday, January 6th. Today, Congressman Eric Cantor (VA-07) issued the following statement in support of this effort:

“Federal spending is out of control, and that’s why we will begin the new Republican Majority by cutting our own Congressional operating budgets. For too long, families and small businesses across America tightened their belts while the federal government continued its spending spree. That federal spending spree will stop with the new Republican Majority. This self-imposed cut to our own operating budgets in the House will save American taxpayers more than $35 million right away and I hope that federal agencies across the spectrum will follow suit and find ways to cut their own budgets. If not, we’re happy to do it for them.” ###

TEXT and IMAGE CREDIT: Eric Cantor (R-VA) :: Republican Whip FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 4, 2011 CONTACT: Megan Whittemore (202) 225-7440 DC Office | 329 Cannon House Office Building | Washington, D.C. 20515 p: 202-225-2815 | f: 202-225-0011

Monday, January 03, 2011

Republican National Committee RNC Debate Michael Steele, Reince Priebus, Saul Anuzis, Maria Cino, Ann Wagner FULL VIDEO

Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Debate 01/02/11 FULL STREAMING VIDEO.

Republican National Committee RNC Debate, Michael Steele, Reince Priebus, Saul Anuzis, Maria Cino, Ann Wagner FULL VIDEO

VIDEO CREDIT: www.c-span.org/

Sunday, January 02, 2011

Meet The Press Lindsey Graham: Health fight will continue in Congress FULL VIDEO TEXT TRANSCRIPT 01/02/11

FULL TEXT TRANSCRIPT:

Here with us this morning, a leading Republican in the Senate , the senior senator from South Carolina , Lindsey Graham . Happy new year , Senator , welcome back to MEET THE PRESS .

SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM (R-SC): Thank you for having me. Happy new year .

MR. GREGORY: So the president talks about a new year's resolution to get the economy back on track. He will face a more Republican Congress . Will he find a partner in the new Congress with more Republicans there?

SEN. GRAHAM: I hope so. I -- well, why did the economy get off track? The policies the president has pursued over the last couple of years with his Democratic colleagues -- the stimulus bill, Obama health care -- I think has made economic recovery more difficult. He'll find a partner if he'll come our way when it comes to creating jobs and controlling spending. The mandate of the last election was pretty clear to me that the Democratic policies from 2008 to '10 were rejected by the American people because they created too much debt and they grew the government too much. So if you want to reduce the size of government , I think you'll find a willing partner in the Republicans .

MR. GREGORY: Well, where do you see the economy right now? You know, holiday spending was pretty good in terms of shopping. But you look at the housing market , it's still a mess.

SEN. GRAHAM: Right.

MR. GREGORY: Prices coming down, interest rates going up.

SEN. GRAHAM: Right.

MR. GREGORY: Do you think economic recovery is still going to be stalled?

SEN. GRAHAM: I think what got us into this mess was the collapse of housing , and it's very -- some bad numbers came out recently about housing . The one thing with extending the tax cuts for two years helped a bit, but the Obama health care is a real burden to small businesses and large businesses. There's been 200 and something waivers. I think one of the best things Republicans do to help the economy is give business certainty, really go after, hard, the Obama healthcare bill, redesign the stimulus bill to make sure it goes to the economy , not to the government . I think it's going to be a, a slow recovery . And 2011 will be a continuation of 2010 , probably unemployment still above nine percent.

MR. GREGORY: Let me break that down a little bit. You mentioned housing . You know, back in 2008 , Republicans , including Senator McCain and yourself...

SEN. GRAHAM: Yes.

MR. GREGORY: ...were talking about Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac , the big housing giants...

SEN. GRAHAM: Yes. Right, right.

MR. GREGORY: ...that now the government took over as being responsible for the crisis. That's a debatable point. But they now basically support the housing market in this country . Are you with the same Republicans , including your own views, that those should be wound down and privatized?

SEN. GRAHAM: Yeah, they should certainly be reviewed and reformed because they pushed mortgages out to people who couldn't pay their mortgages. The mortgages became exotic, security interests -- instruments sold all over the world . And the financial regulation bill really left unattended Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac . And when you have government entities this large who own this much of housing , who've been pushing mortgages on people who can't afford to pay them, and you do nothing about it, it's pretty hard for me to say you've reformed the, the problem that got us into this mess. So yes. Meet the Press FULL TEXT transcript for Jan. 2, 2011

TEXT and VIDEO CREDIT: www.msnbc.msn.com/

Darrell Issa, Fred Upton, Allen West, Mike Lee Fox News Sunday FULL VIDEO and TEXT TRANSCRIPT 01/02/11

Darrell Issa, Fred Upton Talk Oversight; Allen West, Mike Lee on Tea Party Conservatives

FULL TEXT TRANSCRIPT:

The following is a rush transcript of the January 2, 2010, edition of "Fox News Sunday With Chris Wallace." This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated.

CHRIS WALLACE, ANCHOR: I'm Chris Wallace. This is "Fox News Sunday."

Ringing in 2011 with a new-look Congress. With the Republicans in charge of the House, how much will they shake up Washington? We'll ask two new committee chairmen, Darrell Issa who will have broad powers to investigate the White House and Fred Upton who will dig in to health care reform and energy policy.

Then, what effect will the new Tea Party-backed members of Congress have on Capitol Hill? We'll talk with two of them, incoming Senator Mike Lee of Utah and Congressman Allen West of Florida.

Plus, has the Obama administration figured out how to go around lawmakers and impose new regulations on us? Our Sunday panel will have a fair and balanced debate.

And a remarkable story of courage from our power player of the week. All right now on "Fox News Sunday."

Hello again and happy New Year from Fox News in Washington. All eyes will be on House Republicans this week when they take control from Democrats. From investigating the White House to looking for ways to undo Obamacare, our guests will be key players.

Congressman Darrell Issa who will chair the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and Congressman Fred Upton, who will chair the Energy and Commerce Committee. And gentlemen, happy New Year and welcome to "Fox News Sunday."

REP. FRED UPTON, R-MICH.: Happy New Year.

REP. DARRELL ISSA, R-CALIF.: Happy New Year to you.

WALLACE: Let's start with the big picture. The two of you wrote an article together in the Washington Times in November under the headline "Reclaiming the Right to Oversight," in which you said this, "The new majority in Congress certainly has its work cut out to undo the big government havoc that was wrought during the Democratic one- party reign over the past two years.

Congressman Upton, let me start with you. Given the fact that Republicans still don't have control of the Senate, still don't have control of the White House, how much can you and the House do to undo and block the Obama agenda?

UPTON: Well, we can actually do a lot. I was glad to see the president talk yesterday in his radio address about jobs and the economy, reducing the size of government and reducing the deficit.

We're going to try to help them do that job. We are going to have a very aggressive oversight subcommittee in my committee, and I know that Darrell is going to do the same with his full committee.

We are going to be working together. We are going to be looking to identify programs that don't work, programs that ought to be cut, working with our leadership, Boehner and Cantor, to bring up spending reductions virtually every week, as we've done without success this last year to really get the job done.

WALLACE: Congressman Issa, White House officials have already said they're going to hire more lawyers to deal with all the oversight investigations, particularly coming from your committee. Are they going to need them?

ISSA: They're going to need more accountants. The fact is that in the 1980s, Congress did about 1,600 days of oversight. That's a lot more than my committee alone could ever do.

Last year, we did less than 400, far less. And that's with you being able to call an oversight, whether it is or it isn't. Looking for the hundreds of billions of dollars of waste, Office of Management and Budget, the president's Office of Management and Budget views $125 billion of misspending by Medicare, and yet year after year it doesn't change.

That's 10 percent of the deficit that would go away if we simply stop paying to people who don't exist their claims. There is so much opportunity, but it's more of an accounting function than legal function. It's more about the inspector generals than it is about lawyers in the White House.

And the sooner the administration figures out that the enemy is the bureaucracy and the wasteful spending, not the other party, the better off we'll be.

FULL TEXT TRANSCRIPT Darrell Issa, Fred Upton Talk Oversight; Allen West, Mike Lee on Tea Party Conservatives | Fox News Sunday

VIDEO and TEXT CREDIT: FoxNewsChannel

Face The Nation Michele Bachmann, Mike Kelly, Debbie Wasserman, Anthony Weiner FULL VIDEO and TEXT TRANSCRIPT 01/02/11

Harry Smith spoke with Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY), and Rep. elect Mike Kelly (R-PA) on how, with a shift in power, will congress set aside disagreements and work together to solve such issues as deficit reduction, job creation, and turning the economy around.

January 2, 2011 FULL TEXT Transcript:

GUESTS: REPRESENTATIVE MICHELE BACHMANN R-Minnesota, REPRESENTATIVE DARRELL ISSA R-California, REPRESENTATIVE DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ D-Florida, REPRESENTATIVE ANTHONY WEINER D-New York, REPRESENTATIVE-ELECT MIKE KELLY R-Pennsylvania, MODERATOR PANELIST: Mr. Harry Smith CBS News.

This is a rush transcript provided for the information and convenience of the press. Accuracy is not guaranteed. In case of doubt, please check with FACE THE NATION - CBS NEWS (202) 457-4481

HARRY SMITH: Today on FACE THE NATION, power shift. The new Congress, more Republicans, fewer Democrats and the President says he’s ready.

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: I’m willing to work with anyone of either party who’s got a good idea and the commitment to see it through.

HARRY SMITH: So who will hold sway? What influence will the Tea Party have on the Republicans? And for Democrats will they be united against Republican rule, or can the two sides work together. We’ll talk with House Democrats Debbie Wasserman Shultz of Florida and Anthony Weiner of New York, along with Republican Tea Party caucus leader Michele Bachman of Minnesota plus Tea Party-backed Representative-elect Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania. Then we’ll hear from Congressman Darrell Issa, the new chairman of the House committee, in charge of government investigation, about his plans. But first, what’s ahead for the new Congress on FACE THE NATION.

ANNOUNCER: FACE THE NATION with CBS News chief Washington correspondent Bob Schieffer. And now from Washington, substituting for Bob Schieffer, Harry Smith.

HARRY SMITH: Happy New Year, everybody. Thank you all, panel, here in New-- in Washington for joining us and Michele Bachmann joins us this morning from Minneapolis. Well, the 112th Congress set to convene on Wednesday, but I want to go back a little bit and talk about the last workings of the 111th with you, Michele, and in particular that the year ended with this deal on taxes and an extension of unemployment benefits. Would that deal have been made with a Congress that’s about to take convene on Wednesday?

REPRESENTATIVE MICHELE BACHMANN (R-Minnesota): Well, that’s a good question. There was a diversity of opinion on this bill. I voted against it because I was concerned about it not being paid for. It also blows a one-hundred-eleven-billion-dollar hole in the Social Security trust fund. There is no money in that trust fund, so they have to go to the General Treasury where there’s also no money. That means an additional borrowing for that one hundred eleven billion, in addition to the fifty-seven billion for unemployment. So we’re-- we’re continuing to go down the road that we’ve gone down before which is spending money that we don’t have. And that’s really, I think, one of the strongest messages that we took away from the election in November. Stop spending money that you don’t have.

HARRY SMITH: Is the Republican Party in this new Congress, is it a House divided?

REPRESENTATIVE MICHELE BACHMANN: No. I really don’t think it is. I think, we’re very-- I think we’re-- we’re fairly unified, but of course, you know, we-- we won’t all necessarily be agreeing on everything. But I think you see a fairly-- fairly cohesive group that we-- we have a sing-- singularity of purpose and that we want to be able to get the budget in order. I think that’s really job number one, because we want to see the-- the economy shift so that we have a focus on private job creation. FULL TEXT IN PDF FORMAT

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Saturday, January 01, 2011

Kelly Ayotte Weekly Republican Address TEXT VIDEO 01/01/11

In the Weekly Republican Address, Sen.-elect Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire explains the Republican agenda for the new year.

She says, "For Republicans, the start of the 112th Congress on Wednesday will mark the opening of a new chapter for our country and our Party. We're keenly aware that the American people are relying on us to change business as usual in Washington -- and we're well-positioned to do just that."

Sen.-elect Ayotte points out three areas in particular Republicans will be working to follow the clear message of voters: "Job one is to stop wasteful Washington spending. As the mother of two children, I'm like parents across the country who worry that our nearly $14 trillion debt threatens America's economic future and our children's future.... Creating the conditions necessary for businesses to add well-paying, sustainable jobs also tops our agenda. With millions of Americans unemployed or under-employed, we must work quickly to jumpstart our economy.... Finally, and most important, America must remain vigilant in the face of continuing threats from terrorists and rogue states.... My husband is an Iraq war veteran and a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air National Guard. As a military spouse, I personally understand the sacrifices that our servicemen and women make to keep us safe. In 2011, we resolve to stand firm with our troops as they continue the war against terrorist networks around the globe."

I’m Kelly Ayotte, the newly-elected senator from New Hampshire.

The arrival of a new year brings a renewed sense of optimism and purpose -- an opportunity to take stock of the year just passed while looking forward to the promise of new beginnings.

For Republicans, the start of the 112th Congress on Wednesday will mark the opening of a new chapter for our country and our party. We’re keenly aware that the American people are relying on us to change business as usual in Washington -- and we’re well-positioned to do just that.

In the House, 87 new Republican members are set to make John Boehner the next Speaker -- putting Republicans in charge of the chamber. And in the Senate, 13 new Republican senators will give us greater say in the Democrat-controlled Senate.

The American people sent us to Congress with clear instructions: make government smaller, not bigger. And stop spending money we don’t have on programs that aren’t working.

It’s now our responsibility to carry out the will of the people.

Americans across the country have been taking time to declare their ‘New Year’s resolutions.’ It’s an opportunity to clarify goals and make productive plans for the future.

Republicans headed to Washington are participating in a similar exercise. As we prepare to start the hard work of governing, we’re doubling our commitment to the principles on which we were elected. These resolutions, reaffirmed at the beginning of a new year, are intended to illuminate the path forward for our country.

Job one is to stop wasteful Washington spending. As the mother of two children, I’m like parents across the country who worry that our nearly $14 trillion debt threatens America’s economic future and our children's future.

To ensure generations to come have even more opportunities than we've had, Congress must get serious about meaningful debt reduction.

This isn’t a Republican problem or a Democrat problem -- it’s an American problem that will require tough decision-making from both parties. Republicans are ready to lead that fight.

Creating the conditions necessary for businesses to add well-paying, sustainable jobs also tops our agenda. With millions of Americans unemployed or underemployed, we must work quickly to jump-start our economy.

The successful Republican effort to prevent any income tax hikes on families and small businesses over the next two years was an important first step.

Coming from a small-business family, I’ve seen firsthand that risk-taking American entrepreneurs -- not the government -- create good jobs. We need to harness common-sense, pro-growth policies to get our economy moving again. By getting Washington out of the way, we can unleash the American entrepreneurial spirit that has made our country the most innovative in the world.

Finally, and most important, America must remain vigilant in the face of continuing threats from terrorists and rogue states. Just over one year since the ‘Christmas Day bomber’s’ failed attempt to bring down a jetliner, we’re reminded that we continue to live in a dangerous world. My husband is an Iraq war veteran and a lieutenant colonel in the Air National Guard.

As a military spouse, I personally understand the sacrifices that our servicemen and women make to keep us safe. In 2011, we resolve to stand firm with our troops as they continue the war against terrorist networks around the globe.

The challenges we face are great. But so is the resolve of the American people to face these challenges head-on. America is the greatest nation on Earth -- and we must fight to keep alive her promise.

Thank you for listening. Happy New Year and may God bless America. ###

VIDEO and IMAGE CREDIT: gopweeklyaddress

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