John Ensign statement on expiring tax rates

Washington, D.C. –Senator John Ensign today released the following statement regarding the Senate’s votes on expiring tax rates: “Today we witnessed that political stunts are still alive and well on the floor of the United States Senate. At a time when both sides of the aisle could and should be working together to ensure that we are not raising taxes on Americans during this economic downturn, Democrats are playing games.

By setting arbitrary income limits for tax relief, our nation’s job creators will be forced to suffer under increased taxes; greatly limiting their ability to create jobs for the many unemployed people across our country. The American people expressed their outrage at this kind of wasteful legislating, but their voices have fallen on deaf ears in the Senate.” ###

Press Secretary Jennifer Cooper 119 Russell Senate Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Tel: (202) 224-6244

TEXT and IMAGE CREDIT: John Ensign

Richard Shelby Opposes Tax Increases

U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) today made the following statement after the Senate failed to extend tax relief to all American taxpayers. “President Obama’s policies have generated massive debt and bureaucracy but not jobs, as evidenced by yesterday's increase in the unemployment rate. The Democrats have created the most anti-business environment our country has ever seen. Now they want to take money from job creators to subsidize this job-killing agenda.

"We must instead pursue pro-growth policies and establish the conditions for job creation. First and foremost, we must not raise taxes. I oppose increasing taxes on anyone, especially during difficult economic times like these."

TEXT and IMAGE CREDIT: Senator Richard Shelby

Mitch McConnell A Bipartisan Rejection of Partisan Tax Hikes VIDEO

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor Saturday after the Senate’s bipartisan rejection of two Democrat-sponsored tax hike proposals:

“According to the strange logic of Democrat leaders in Congress, the best way to show middle-class Americans that they care about creating jobs is to slam some of America's top job creators with a massive tax hike.

“Today's votes were an affront to the millions of Americans who are struggling to find work and a clear signal that Democrats in Congress still haven't gotten the message of the November elections.

“With unemployment over 9 percent for more consecutive months than at any other time since World War II, the voters are looking for a different approach in Washington.

“Two years of out-of-control spending and big-government policies have led to record deficits and debt, chronic unemployment, and deep uncertainty about our nation's fiscal future. Meaningless show-votes and anti-business rhetoric won't do anything to make the situation better.

“This Saturday session is a total waste of the American people’s time. One of the votes we held today was opposed by every single Republican and many Democrats. And the other vote we held was a poll tested plan opposed by every single Republican and the President of the United States. And as you can see, nothing we did today stopped the tax hikes that are now less than one month away. As The Majority Leader said this morning, ‘these theatrics need to end.’

“There is strong bipartisan opposition to these attempts to raise taxes on small businesses across the country. Americans don't want political posturing; they want jobs. Today's' votes were the clearest signal yet that Democrats in Congress do not take our nation's jobs crisis seriously.” ####

TEXT CREDIT: Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell:

VIDEO CREDIT: RepublicanLeader

Roger Wicker Says Congress Must Prevent Tax Hikes on Americans and Small Businesses

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) issued the following statement today after voting against two Senate measures that would have raised taxes on Americans: "Hitting American job creators with a massive tax increase is not the way to respond to an economy with a national unemployment rate near 10 percent for 19 consecutive months. The policies of this administration have done little to help generate jobs. In fact they have had just the opposite effect.

“We need to promote a pro-growth environment for businesses that allows job creators to expand and hire. The most important thing we can do right now to help the economy and the millions of people struggling to make ends meet is prevent tax hikes from hitting Americans and small businesses.”

In September, Wicker cosponsored the Tax Hike Prevention Act that would extend the current tax cuts, permanently fix the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT), and provide estate tax relief. Click here for more information on the Tax Hike Prevention Act.

Earlier this week, Wicker joined Republican Senators in signing a letter to Majority Leader Harry Reid announcing that they would not support consideration of any legislative item until the Senate prevents the upcoming tax increases and funds the government. # # #

TEXT and IMAGE CREDIT: Senator Roger Wicker

Republican Focus Remains on the Economy During the Lame-Duck Session VIDEO

Despite a Democratic agenda focusing on political items, Republican senators continue to focus on the economy during the lame-duck session. Republicans are working to freeze spending, fund the government, and ensure that nobody's taxes are raised during these difficult economic times.

VIDEO and TEXT CREDIT: RepublicanSenators

David Vitter and John Cornyn letter to Tim Geithner

Vitter, Cornyn Press Administration to Protect American Taxpayers from Foreign Bailouts. Ask Treasury Department to ensure compliance with provision in Dodd-Frank Bill. (Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Sens. David Vitter and John Cornyn on Thursday sent a letter to Department of the Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner asking the administration for assurances that it will protect American taxpayers from funding foreign bailouts.

“It’s bad enough that taxpayers have to foot the bill for the mistakes of the big banks and the big automakers, but asking them to bail out irresponsible foreign governments is outrageous,” said Vitter. “Our country already owes trillions of dollars in debt. We simply can’t afford to take on other countries’ debt in addition to our own.”

“American taxpayers have seen more bailouts than they can stomach, and the last thing they should have to worry about are their hard-earned tax dollars being used to rescue a foreign government,” said Cornyn.

A provision in the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Act, based on an amendment sponsored by Vitter and Cornyn, shields taxpayer dollars from being used by the IMF to bailout nations who have made irresponsible spending decisions. It requires the Obama administration to evaluate any proposed bailout of a foreign nation where that nation’s public debt exceeds its annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and then to certify to Congress whether the bailout loan will be repaid. If the administration cannot certify that the bailout loan will be repaid, it will be required to oppose the bailout and vote against it at the IMF.

The text of the letter follows:

December 2, 2010, Secretary Timothy F. Geithner, U.S. Department of the Treasury 1500 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Washington D.C. 20220

Dear Secretary Geithner,

We are writing about recent press reports that indicate the Administration is ready to support, among other things, the extension of the European Financial Stability Facility via an extra commitment of money from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In addition, the European Union and the IMF recently announced an €85 billion bailout for Ireland to shore up its banking sector and meet its debt obligations. This move has intensified speculation that other high-debt European countries will also need IMF assistance in the near future. Although the United States currently has severe debt problems of its own, as the largest financial contributor to the IMF, American taxpayers will likely provide a major share of any IMF financial support.

As you know, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Act (P.L. 111-203) includes a provision that is based on an amendment we offered during the Senate’s consideration of the Act. The amendment was intended to safeguard taxpayers’ money from being used by the IMF to bail out foreign countries who have made irresponsible spending decisions. The Senate passed the amendment by a vote of 94-0. This provision, included in Section 1501 of P.L. 111-203, requires the Treasury Secretary to direct the United States Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund to evaluate any proposed IMF loan to a country if the amount of the public debt of the country exceeds the gross domestic product of the country and the country is not eligible for assistance from the International Development Association. The Secretary must then determine whether or not the loan will be repaid and certify that determination to Congress. Furthermore, if the Executive Director determines that an IMF loan will not be repaid, the Treasury Secretary is required to direct the Executive Director to vote in opposition to the proposed loan.

It is our expectation that the Administration and the Treasury Department will follow Section 1501 of P.L. 111-203. On this end, we would appreciate assurances from you that the Department will fully comply with Section 1501. In addition, we would like to know what actions you are taking to make sure that any taxpayer money used by the IMF will be repaid back in full. Americans deserve to know that their hard-earned money is protected from bailing out foreign countries who are likely to default on their financial obligations.

Thank you and we look forward to your timely response. If you have any questions, please contact Senator Cornyn’s staff at 202-224-2934 or Senator Vitter’s staff at 202-224-4623.

Sincerely, JOHN CORNYN DAVID VITTER U.S. Senator U.S. Senator.

TEXT and IMAGE CREDIT: United States Senator John Cornyn, Texas

Jim DeMint on Tax Debate, Debt Commission & START Treaty VIDEO

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) speaks with the CBS Early Show about the debt commission, the tax debate, and his opposition to the START Treaty:

Here's a quick summary of the tax debate discussion, as reported by KSRO Newstalk 1350:

A leading Senate conservative says he believes President Barack Obama is ready to embrace the notion of keeping Bush era tax rates in place for everyone, including the wealthy, with no New Year's increases.

Republican Sen. Jim DeMint tells CBS's "The Early Show" he wants to "keep tax rates the same." The South Carolinian said he believes Obama "has come around to the idea" that taxes can't be raised in hard economic times.

DeMint favors a permanent extension of the existing rates but said he thinks Obama will oppose anything beyond a temporary extension for the wealthy. The senator said, "A business is not going to plan to add 50 people if they only know what their taxes are going to be for the next two years."

TEXT CREDIT: United States Senator Jim DeMint

VIDEO CREDIT: SenJimDeMint

Mark Kirk Weekly Republican Address TEXT VIDEO 12/04/10

In the Weekly Republican Address, newly-elected Sen. Mark Kirk of Illinois says, "Last month, the American people sent a clear message to Washington: spend less, borrow less and tax less to put America back to work."

Sen. Kirk expresses his disappointment that leaders in Congress have not heeded this message. "The current leaders of Congress should not move forward with plans that were just rejected by the American people. These leaders should not raise taxes and risk another recession. Instead, Congress should reduce spending and prevent another tax hike on American taxpayers."

Sen. Kirk emphasizes, "Congress should set its highest priority on preventing the massive tax hike currently scheduled to hit our economy on January 1st."

He also calls for "bipartisan solutions to cut federal spending" and suggests some ideas for tackling the "mounting debts [that] pose a clear and present danger to our future."

FULL TEXT TRANSCRIPT:

Hello, I’m Senator Mark Kirk of Illinois. Last month, the American people sent a clear message to Washington: Spend less, borrow less and tax less to put America back to work. Unfortunately, too many in Washington want to continue the reckless tax-and-spend policies of the past. They ignore the warning signs of more debt, taxes and inflation. They embrace wasteful government spending and pork-barrel earmarks. And they think a new massive tax hike on the U.S. economy is exactly what the American people need.

The current leaders of Congress should not move forward with plans that were just rejected by the American people. These leaders should not raise taxes and risk another recession. Instead, Congress should reduce spending and prevent another tax hike on American taxpayers.

Americans already pay some of the highest taxes in the world. By raising taxes in order to fuel higher spending, we threaten to restart the recession, pushing millions of Americans out of work.

Right now, families and small business owners are scratching their heads asking one simple question: What will my tax rate be next month?

Taxpayers don’t know what their personal income tax rates will be come January 1st.

Family business employers don’t know what the death tax will be.

Investors and small businesses don’t know what the capital gains rate will be.

Their uncertainty hurts our economy. It’s unfair and short-sighted.

Congress should set its highest priority on preventing the massive tax hike currently scheduled to hit our economy on January 1st.

Meanwhile, our mounting debts pose a clear and present danger to our future. It’s time to cast aside our partisan differences and work across the aisle to solve this problem.

Congress should set an example by ending pork-barrel earmarks and cutting its own budget. This week, Senate Democrats rejected a proposal to end wasteful earmark spending. Their decision was disappointing and disconnected from the American people.

In the weeks ahead, Republicans and Democrats should enact bipartisan solutions to cut federal spending like a presidential line-item veto, a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution and a new procedure to ensure spending reductions actually happen.

In the 1980s, President Reagan’s bipartisan Grace Commission set the standard for serious oversight by identifying federal spending that would add little to our nation's growth but much to its debt. Marrying a new Grace Commission with the authority to submit a proposal to Congress for a straight up or down vote would lead to actual spending reductions. This proposal is in my first Senate bill –- the Spending Control Act.

Harvard economic historian Niall Ferguson warned that the decline of a great power is clear when a country pays more to its money lenders than its army. We face that year when interest payments on our debt tops our defense budget as soon as 2016. It’s clear, we need to cut spending to avoid a bankrupt future for our kids and our country.

I believe that America’s best days still lie ahead of us. If we correct our economic policy by focusing on growth and spending discipline, the sky will once again be the limit for young Americans.

Spend less, borrow less and tax less to put America back to work. That’s what we heard from the American people last month – and that’s what we should expect from our leaders today. May God bless you, your families during this holiday season, and may God bless the United States of America. ####

VIDEO and TEXT CREDIT: gopweeklyaddress

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.

Jack Kingston speaks on the House floor about the importance of preventing tax increases VIDEO

Congressman Jack Kingston (R-GA) speaks on the House floor about the importance of preventing tax increases on Americans in a time of economic hardship. While some try to engage in class warfare to score political points, Kingston points out that allowing tax rates to go up will hurt jobs. The Joint Economic Committee estimates that 750,000 small businesses - which account for half of small business revenue - will see their taxes increase as a result of the plan put forward by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

TEXT and VIDEO CREDIT: JackKingston

Dave Camp Floor Statement Against Bill Taxing Half of All Small Businesses In America VIDEO

Washington, D.C., Dec 2 - Half of America's small businesses face a tax hike under H.R. 4853.

U.S. Rep. Dave Camp, R-MI, spoke on the House Floor today against the bill which targets, as Camp said, “the very employers we need hiring more workers and buying more equipment – not paying more taxes.”

More than 30 House Democrats recently signed a letter agreeing, saying “raising any taxes right now could negatively impact economic growth.”

For more, please click the video to watch his statement, or read text below of Camp’s Floor Statement.

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

The unemployment rate in October, the latest data available, was 9.6 percent.

That marked 15 consecutive months we were at or above 9.5 percent unemployment in this country – the longest period since the Great Depression.

All told, 48 out of 50 states have lost jobs since the so-called $1 trillion stimulus bill and nearly 15 million Americans remain unemployed.

What is the Democrats’ answer to the Great Recession? Increase taxes. But not just any taxes. Democrats, in the bill before us today, are targeting half of all small business income in the country. Democrats are targeting the very employers we need hiring more workers and buying more equipment – not paying more taxes.

Let’s face it – this bill is as misguided as it is futile. This is the wrong policy at the wrong time and the Majority is wrong to bring it to the floor today. In fact, many of their own members agree with me. I have here in my hand a letter signed by over 30 Democrat members of the House. Let me read what they wrote: “In recent weeks, we have heard from a diverse spectrum of economists, small business owners, and families who have voiced their concerns that raising any taxes right now could negatively impact economic growth. Given the continued fragility of our economy and slow pace of our recovery, we share their concerns.”

I want to repeat that: “…raising any taxes right now could negatively impact economic growth.”

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that this letter be submitted into the record.

Set aside for a minute the economists and the political rhetoric and let’s look at what small businesses say about the impact of this tax-hiking legislation. According to
the National Federation of Small Business, “the businesses most likely to face a tax increase by raising the top two rates are businesses employing between 20 and 250 employees. According to U.S. Census data, businesses with between 20 and 299 workers employ more than 25 percent of the total workforce.”

Those who are most likely to be hit by these tax increases employ 1 out of every 4 workers in this nation. This Democrat tax hike is putting a target on the back of every worker in every small business in America.

As for the futility of this exercise, it would be comical if it weren’t so irresponsible. Democrats can barely muster the votes for this bill in the House. I’m told they had to whip the bill and hold a special caucus this morning just to move forward. Their position is so precarious they won’t even allow Republicans to offer amendments or any alternative. Why? Because Democrats know the Republican bill to extend the current tax rates for all taxpayers would pass with broad bipartisan support.

So, once again House Democrats have closed down the amendment process in order to pass a bill that will never see the light of day in the Senate. Just yesterday, 42 Senators sent a letter to Majority Leader Reid and stated in no uncertain terms that they “will not agree to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to any legislative item until the Senate has acted to fund the government and we have prevented the tax increase that is currently awaiting all American taxpayers.”

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that this letter be entered into the record.

Clearly, this bill is going nowhere. Democrats are wasting time, while Americans look for work. Democrats are playing games, while Americans struggle to make ends meet. The American people did not send us here to posture; they sent us here to provide solutions.

I had hoped that after the election we would get down to working together to solve the serious problems Americans are facing. That is why I was encouraged by the President agreeing to have Republicans and Democrats, House and Senate members sit down with his Administration to hammer out a deal on these expiring tax rates. I thought: maybe we have turned a corner.

Instead of letting that process work itself out, instead of working with Republicans to prevent job-killing tax increases, House Democrats are back at it again – putting politics ahead of everything else. This is a time for serious negotiations and solutions, not political stunts. Far too much is a stake, far too many families are out of work and far too many families will soon see real and sizeable amounts of money taken out of their paychecks if the Democrats continue with these games.

I urge my colleagues to reject this Democrat tax hike, this job-killing tax hike.

I reserve the balance of my time.” ###

TEXT CREDIT: Rep. Dave Camp. Contact: Lauren Phillips or Sage Eastman (202) 225-3561 Washington D.C. Office: 341 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-3561 Fax: (202) 225-9679

New Offshore Drilling Ban Just the Latest Job-Killing Policy from Dems

Maps Detail Job-Killing Proposal to Lock-Up More of the OCS

WASHINGTON, D.C., December 1, 2010 - Today, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar doubled down on the Obama Administration’s previous offshore drilling moratorium announced in March 2010, by placing EVEN MORE of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) off limits to energy development.

As the maps below illustrate, the Obama Administration has moved our country backwards in terms of offshore land available for energy leasing. In 2008, there was bipartisan support to lift the Congressional drilling moratorium, now just two years later, the Administration has unilaterally re-imposed the ban.

Map of OCS when President Obama took Office - January 2009



Map of OCS after President Announced New Drilling Plan - April 2010

* In 2008, facing record gas prices, Congress and President Bush both announced an end to the decades-long ban on offshore drilling. This opened 500 million additional acres for new energy production that contain an estimated 14 billion barrels of oil and 55 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.

* After the moratoria were lifted, the Bush Administration issued a 2010-2015 OCS leasing plan, and solicited comments on all aspects of the plan. The proposal included 31 OCS lease sales in all or some portion of the 12 of the 26 planning areas—4 areas off Alaska, 2 areas off the Pacific coast, 3 areas in the Gulf of Mexico, and 3 areas off the Atlantic coast.

* Under the plan announced by President Obama in April 2010, the majority of the areas open for drilling once the moratoria were lifted were once again closed. This included all of the Pacific Coast, the Northeastern Atlantic and Bristol Bay in Alaska.

* In total, the Obama OCS plan puts 13.14 billion barrels of oil and 41.49 trillion cubic feet of natural gas under lock and key.

* The Administration only considered development of the Mid-Atlantic, Southern Atlantic, Chukchi and Beaufort Sea following Draft Environmental Study work to be conducted over the next year.

* The Administration would allow drilling in a portion of the Eastern Gulf of Mexico if Congress lifted the ban that is in place until 2022.

* President Obama’s latest and most restrictive OCS leasing plan now places the entire Pacific, the entire Atlantic and the Eastern Gulf off limits to future energy production – as it was under the Congressional moratorium.

* This puts some of the most promising shallow water resources in the world off-limits and pushes domestic oil development into a smaller fraction of the Gulf of Mexico and into deeper water.

* Previous lease sales off the coast of Virginia, scheduled to take place in 2011, are on hold until after 2017.

* In Alaska, there is only the potential for lease sales in the Beaufort, Chukchi, and Cook Inlet planning areas before 2017.

* The American Petroleum Institute estimates today’s announcement will cost: 75,000 jobs; $91 billion in cumulative government revenues (royalties, severance taxes, property taxes, income taxes, lease bonuses); 900,000 bbls oil/day; and 2.9 tcf natural gas/day. # # #

TEXT and IMAGE CREDIT: House Committee on Natural Resources, Republicans Contact: Jill Strait or Spencer Pederson (202) 226-2311

John Boehner I'm trying to catch my breath so I don't refer to this maneuver going on today as chicken crap VIDEO

House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) weekly press briefing FULL STREAMING VIDEO. “Nonsense”: Boehner Discusses Dems’ Tax Hike Vote Washington (Dec 2)

At his weekly on-camera briefing today, Speaker-designate John Boehner (R-OH) urged Democratic leaders to focus on Americans’ top priority – creating jobs – by cutting spending and stopping all the job-killing tax hikes set to take effect in less than one month. Boehner called Democratic leaders’ plan to hold a tax hike vote today “nonsense,” and said the lame-duck Congress should “act today” to cut spending and stop all the looming tax hikes. Following are excerpts from Boehner’s comments:

BOEHNER SAYS DEMS’ JOB-KILLING TAX HIKE IS “LAST THING OUR ECONOMY NEEDS”:

“On the floor today, the majority is holding a vote to raise taxes on American families and small businesses, and the last thing our economy needs right now is a job killing tax hike, and that's what this plan of theirs would mean. I think it’s pretty clear to get the economy growing again and to create jobs we need to cut spending and stop all of the coming tax hikes. This is something that even President Obama and Democrat leaders at the White House the other day acknowledged.”

BOEHNER CALLS DEMS’ TAX HIKE VOTE “NONSENSE,” SAYS LAME-DUCK CONGRESS SHOULD FOCUS ON CUTTING SPENDING & STOPPING ALL THE TAX HIKES:

“I'm trying to catch my breath so I don't refer to this maneuver going on today as chicken crap. All right? But this is nonsense. All right? The election was one month ago. We are 23 months from the next election and the political games have already started trying to set up the next election. We had an honest conversation at the White House about the challenges that we face to get out of here and to take care of what the American people expect us to. … The American people want us to stop all the looming tax hikes and to cut spending, and that should be the priority of the remaining days that we have in this Congress.”

BOEHNER SAYS REPUBLICANS ARE FOCUSED ON KEEPING PLEDGE TO AMERICA TO CUT SPENDING & STOP ALL THE TAX HIKES:

“Instead of beating around the bush, the Congress ought to act today to stop all the tax hikes, to cut spending, because it would reduce the uncertainty that is affecting employers all across our country. And if the lame duck Congress is unable or unwilling to cut spending and stop all the coming tax hikes, the new majority in January will. That’s what we said in the Pledge to America. We meant it when we said it and that's what we will do.”

TEXT CREDIT: gopleader.gov Contact H-204 The Capitol Washington, DC 20515 P (202) 225-4000 F (202) 225-5117

VIDEO and IMAGE CREDIT: C-SPAN

Governor-Elect Rick Scott Issues Statement On Obama Administration’s Ban On Offshore Drilling In The Eastern Gulf Of Mexico

Continuing this morning to meet with legislators to learn about their upcoming legislative priorities. Posted on November 30, 2010 by ScottForFlorida

Governor-Elect Rick Scott Issues Statement On Obama Administration’s Ban On Offshore Drilling In The Eastern Gulf Of Mexico. FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – Statement from Governor-elect Scott: “The Obama Administration’s offshore drilling ban is yet another example of government regulation impeding economic growth. Florida is committed to pursuing energy independence, which is essential to national security. With sound policies in place, we could expand domestic drilling and eliminate our reliance on foreign oil. Furthermore, I am disappointed that the White House has chosen to unilaterally impose a policy that threatens job creation and economic growth in Florida without consulting our office.”

TEXT CREDIT Office of Governor-Elect Rick Scott contact press@scotttransition.com or call 954-915-3360.

Eric Cantor Statement on FCC, Net Neutrality

Uploaded on December 8, 2009 by republicanconference Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 2.0 GenericW

Washington, D.C. – House Republican Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA) released the following statement after Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski announced sweeping new internet regulations. “I am disappointed with Chairman Genachowski’s decision to push forward with a partisan proposal to regulate the Internet in the face of a court that has questioned his authority, a Congress that has questioned his policy, and an American people that have said we need less government, not more. I am also troubled by the process under which the proposed rules have been crafted. The companies that power our economy should not be forced to choose between bad and worse. Rest assured we intend to conduct rigorous oversight and explore all our legislative options to put things back on the proper track.

"If last month’s election told us anything, it’s that Americans are exasperated by the explosive growth of government and the higher taxes and burdensome regulations that come with it. Imposing net neutrality requirements would significantly harm a key industry by shackling it with unnecessary and anti-competitive regulations at a time when we can least afford it. Make no mistake, a thriving broadband industry will be a crucial piece of the private sector in the years ahead, and we must do everything we can to ensure long-term broadband investment and availability."

TEXT CREDIT: Eric Cantor || Republican Whip

Mitch McConnell Priorities Of The American People Should Come First VIDEO

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell delivered the following remarks Wednesday regarding the signed letter from Senate Republicans to Majority Leader Reid:

“For the past two years, Democrat leaders in Washington have spent virtually all their time ticking off items on the liberal wish list while they’ve had the chance.

“Government-run health care, a national energy tax, financial regulations, bigger government, bigger deficits, union bailouts and government takeovers.

“And so here we, just a few weeks left in the session, and they’re still at it.

“Last month, the American people issued their verdict on the Democrat’s priorities.

“Democrats have responded by doubling down.

“For two years, they legislated as if we weren’t in the middle of a national jobs crisis.

“And now they’re legislating as if they don’t realize government’s about to run out of money and every taxpayer in America is about to get slammed with a giant tax hike.

“With just a few weeks to go before the end of the session, Democrats continue to place their own priorities over the priorities of the American people.

“These are the things Democrats have chosen to do instead of preventing a massive tax hike that economists tell us would stifle the economy.

“Republicans have pleaded with Democrats to put aside their wish-list — to focus on the things Americans want us to focus on. They’ve ignored us. The voters repudiated their agenda at the polls. They’ve ignored them. Time is running out. They’re ignoring that.

“The election was a month ago. It’s time to get serious. It’s time to focus on priorities.

“A little while ago, I delivered a letter to Senator Reid signed by all 42 Senate Republicans.

“It says that every Republicans will vote against proceeding to any legislative matter until we’ve funded the government and protected every taxpayer from a tax hike. Basically, first things first.

“With time running out in this session, we need to focus on these critical priorities.

“As the letter states,

`Our constituents have repeatedly asked us to focus on creating an environment for private-sector job growth; it is time that our constituents’ priorities become the Senate’s priorities.’

“At the moment, every taxpayer in the country stands to get a massive tax increase — and a cut in pay — on December 31st. We need to show the American people that we care more about them and their ability to pay their bills than we do about the special interests' legislative Christmas-list.

“Republicans are united in our opposition to proceeding to any of these things until Democrats make the priorities of the American people their own.”

TEXT CREDIT: U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell:

VIDEO CREDIT: Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell

John Boehner on Dems’ Tax Hike Vote: “A Washington Stalling Tactic With Job-Killing Implications”

House Speaker-designate John Boehner (R-OH) responded today to Majority Leader Steny Hoyer's (D-MD) announcement that House Democrats will hold a tax hike vote by reaffirming Republicans’ pledge to America to cut spending and permanently stop all the tax hikes scheduled for January 1st:

“To help our economy get back to creating jobs, we need to cut spending and stop all the tax hikes scheduled for January 1st. The last thing our economy needs right now is a job-killing tax hike on small businesses, and that’s what Democratic leaders’ plan would mean. This vote is a Washington stalling tactic with job-killing implications for employers and entrepreneurs gripped by uncertainty over the looming tax hikes. Instead of holding a vote to raise taxes, Congress should vote immediately to cut spending and stop all the tax hikes. If the lame-duck Congress is unwilling to cut spending and permanently stop all the tax hikes, the new House majority will act in January. That’s our pledge to America, and we intend to keep it.”

TEXT CREDIT: gopleader.gov Contact H-204 The Capitol Washington, DC 20515 P (202) 225-4000 F (202) 225-5117

IMAGE CREDIT: PBSNewsHour

Congressman Connie Mack Our Government is a Money Pit!

Mack: Our Government is a Money Pit! Urges no retreat on extending the tax cuts. WASHINGTON – With growing pressure on Congress to extend the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts before adjourning for the year, Congressman Connie Mack (FL-14) today issued the following statement.

Mack said:

“Like a decaying house in need of a major overhaul, the federal government has become one big money pit with our tax dollars. The federal government has failed to act responsibly with our money and we want it back.

“The American people spoke loud and clear on November 2nd: the federal government doesn’t deserve any more of our hard-earned dollars and all elected officials should be held accountable for that mandate. While our economy still teeters on a “European” 10 percent unemployment rate, we have seen some signs of life recently which should not be stifled by the stiff hand of an undeserving federal government.

“The time has come for Congress to extend the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts and make them permanent once and for all.” -- 30 --

TEXT and IMAGE CREDIT: Congressman Connie Mack Washington, D.C. 115 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Phone: 202-225-2536 Fax: 202-226-0439.

John Carter Federal Pay Freeze a Good Start; Now Fire the Czars

(WASHINGTON, DC) – President Obama’s announcement of a pay freeze for federal employees should be followed by firing the unneeded “Czars” the President has appointed without Senate confirmation, according to House Republican Conference Secretary John Carter. “Time to throw out the deadweight,” says Carter. “If we can hold off pay increases for federal employees and social security recipients, we can certainly get rid of this crowd of folks who were appointed under constitutionally-questionable conditions for jobs that could be done by existing officials.

That is a waste of taxpayer dollars, and I hope the President will use his apparent new deficit-cutting momentum to send out some pink slips to the rent-seekers.”

TEXT and IMAGE CREDIT: Congressman John Carter Washington, D.C. Office 409 C.H.O.B. Washington, D.C. 20515 (202) 225-3864

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.forcing Pete Hoekstra from official Washington office

Hoekstra Encourages Constituents to Contact District Office Washington, D.C. Office Scheduled to Close on Nov. 30 Washington, Nov 29 - U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland, is encouraging constituents to contact his Holland District Office with questions concerning policy as his Washington office in the Rayburn House Office Building will soon become vacated.

"The ability of my office in Washington to respond to constituent concerns will begin to diminish beginning on Dec. 1," Hoekstra said. "The Speaker of the House is forcing my staff from my official office while Congress is still in session. It is unfortunate that she is doing so, but that is the reality in which we are working."

Hoekstra’s Holland District Office can be reached by phone at (616) 395-0030 and can be reached by mail or in person at 184 S. River Ave., 49423.

"We will continue to work hard at responding to questions and concerns that arise as we have always done," Hoekstra said. "Through the month of December, however, a more effective means of doing so will be by contacting my staff in Holland."

Contact: Dave Yonkman 202.225.4401

TEXT and IMAGE CREDIT: Representative Pete Hoekstra

Chris Christie 2012: VIDEO

12 in 2012: Chris Christie, New Jersey's governor is a rising Republican star.

VIDEO and TEXT CREDIT: FoxNews.com