Doc Hastings All-of-the-Above Energy Production Needed off Atlantic Coast

WASHINGTON, D.C., February 7, 2011 - House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) released the following statement today regarding Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Energy Secretary Steven Chu’s announcement of new offshore wind projects in the mid-Atlantic: “Offshore wind is an important part of a robust all-of-the-above energy plan. However, it’s unwise for the Obama Administration to exclusively focus on developing offshore wind in the Atlantic while ignoring the need for expanded oil and natural gas production.

Despite the fact that some of most promising shallow water resources are in the Atlantic, the Administration has placed the entire coast off-limits to new offshore drilling and canceled the Virginia lease sale scheduled to take place this year. With gas prices steadily rising, the Administration must stop imposing regulations that lock-up valuable American energy resources that are necessary to create jobs, generate new federal and state revenue and decrease our reliance on energy from hostile, unstable foreign countries.” # # #

Contact: Jill Strait or Spencer Pederson 202-226-9019

TEXT CREDIT: Committee on Natural Resources United States House of Representatives 1324 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Phone: (202) 225-2761 Fax: (202) 225-5929

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.

Committee on House Administration Effectiveness of the MOVE Act in the 2010 Election

Committee on House Administration: Military and Overseas Voting: Effectiveness of the MOVE Act in the 2010 Election.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011 10:30 a.m. 1310 Longworth House Office Building. If you have any questions, please contact the Committee at (202) 225-8281.

TEXT and IMAGE CREDIT: Committee on House Administration 1309 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 | t. 202-225-8281 | f. 202-225-9957

Witnesses Announced For Subcommittee Chairman Ron Paul’s Hearing On The Federal Reserve’s Impact on Unemployment

WASHINGTON - February 7, 2011, Domestic Monetary Policy and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Ron Paul announced the witnesses for the Subcommittee’s hearing to examine the impact of Federal Reserve policies on job creation and the unemployment rate. The hearing will be held on Wednesday, February 9th at 10 am in room 2128 Rayburn. Subcommittee Chairman Paul said, “I’m very pleased to hold our first subcommittee hearing in the new Congress on a topic that could not be more critical, namely unemployment. Despite enormous amounts of monetary and credit expansion by the Federal Reserve in recent years, the nation’s unemployment picture remains bleak. While many focus on the impact of fiscal policies on employment, the effect of monetary policy often goes unexamined.

In my view we are now experiencing the bust that inevitably results from the misallocation of capital and human resources in a period of artificially cheap credit. It is important to understand the Federal Reserve’s role in creating today’s unemployment crisis, while also highlighting that high unemployment and low economic growth can persist even in the face of tremendous monetary inflation.”

The Federal Reserve has taken unprecedented action to provide liquidity to financial markets and some U.S. corporations; however, unemployment remains at 9 percent. The hearing, entitled Can Monetary Policy Really Create Jobs?, will focus on the Fed’s recent actions, the likelihood those actions will reduce unemployment, and the critical role of the private sector in job creation.

While the Obama administration and Democrats in Congress believe increased government spending will improve the nation’s economy, Republicans on the Financial Services Committee know economic growth depends on providing the private sector, especially small businesses, with the certainty they need to create jobs. The Fed’s policies, as well as the Obama administration’s unsustainable debt and spending, continue to prevent small business owners from growing and hiring because of continued uncertainty over new taxes, higher interest rates, and the expanding role of government in the economy.

On November 3, 2010, the Federal Reserve announced that it planned to purchase $600 billion in long-term Treasuries (dubbed “QE2”). This is the second time since the 2008 financial crisis that the Federal Reserve has engaged in quantitative easing. The latest round of quantitative easing, along with the Fed’s action to bailout financial companies, has added trillions of dollars to the government balance sheet.
Scheduled to testify at the hearing:

· Thomas J. DiLorenzo, professor of economics, Sellinger School of Business, Loyola University, Baltimore, Maryland

· Dr. Richard Vedder, professor of economics, Ohio University

· Dr. Josh Bivens of the Economic Policy Institute, Washington, D.C. ###

TEXT CREDIT: Committee on Financial Services • 2129 Rayburn House Office Building • Washington, DC 20515 • (202) 225-7502 For Press Inquiries: (202) 226-0471

IMAGE CREDIT: Ron Paul

***MEDIA ADVISORY*** Committee on Education and the Workforce to Hold Hearing on ObamaCare and Its Impact on Employers and the Workforce

WASHINGTON, D.C. | February 7, 2011 - On Wednesday, February 9 at 10:00 a.m., the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce, chaired by Rep. John Kline (R-MN), will hold a hearing on “The Impact of the Health Care Law on the Economy, Employers, and the Workforce” in room 2175 of the Rayburn House Office Building. Employer-provided health insurance is a critical element of the American health care system. An estimated 170 million individuals receive health care coverage through an employer-sponsored health care plan.

Health care reform signed into law in 2010 imposes significant changes on America’s health care system, including requiring all businesses with more than 50 employees to provide government-approved health insurance or pay a fine. According to the chief actuary at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the 2010 law increases national health care costs by $311 billion over 10 years. As a result, businesses must decide whether to provide government-approved health care at a higher cost or pay a government penalty. The Congressional Budget Office commented in October of 2010 that the health care law would reduce “the amount of labor used in the economy by roughly half a percent…” If true, that would result in fewer hours worked or the loss of 700,000 jobs. At a time when 13.9 million Americans are unemployed, Congress needs to fully understand the impact the 2010 health care law will have on the nation’s workforce.

Members of the committee will examine broadly the consequences of the Democrats’ health care law for employers and the workforce and hear directly from job creators how the 2010 law affects their ability to grow and hire new workers.

# # #

WITNESS LIST

Paul Howard, Ph.D.
Senior Fellow
Manhattan Institute
New York, NY

Gail Johnson
President and CEO
Rainbow Station, Inc.
Richmond, VA

Neil Trautwein
Vice President and Employee Benefits Policy Counsel
National Retail Federation
Washington, D.C.

Paul N. Van de Water
Senior Fellow
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Washington, D.C.

TEXT CREDIT: Education & the Workforce Committee U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce 2181 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Tel: 202-225-4527 Fax: 202-225-9571

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.

Gary Sinise Speaks At Reagan 100th Birthday Celebration VIDEO

Editor's note sound level amplified in copy below.

Gary Sinise addresses guests at the Ronald Reagan 100th Birthday Anniversary Celebration Simi Valley, CA _ Feb. 06, 2011. VIDEO and IMAGE CREDIT: LensWideOpen

Wounded Warrior Marines SuperBowl Bound

Major Brian Bilski presents a football autographed by wounded, ill and injured Marines to Scott Miller, of Republic Services, at a welcome dinner here at the Irving Convention Center tonight. The signed football is a token of their appreciation for the support he will provide to the Marines during the time leading up to their attendance at Super Bowl XLV. The 40 Marines and Marine veterans, supported by the United States Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment, are from military treatment facilities and communities across the nation.

2/4/2011 By Capt. Jill Leyden , Wounded Warrior Regiment IRVING, Tx. — Marines and Marine veterans, supported by the United States Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment, gathered here to attend a welcome dinner at the Irving Convention Center, marking the start of events leading up to their attendance at Super Bowl XLV. The 40 Marines and Marine veterans are from military treatment facilities, military bases and communities across the nation. They were hand selected by Wounded Warrior Regiment staff to attend Super Bowl XLV and participate in various activities throughout the week. The Mayor of Irving asked the city’s citizens to join him in honoring wounded warriors as he proclaimed today United States Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment Day. Mayor Herbert A. Gears presented each of the 40 wounded, ill and injured Marines with a Texas state flag that was flown over the Capital in honor of the day.

As he addressed the audience, filled with veterans and military supporters, Mayor Gears said during his tenure as mayor he has never missed a city council meeting- until tonight. He commented that nothing would be more worthwhile than attending the dinner. Gears, who noted his grandfather was a two-time prisoner of war, said “I stand before you as a humble servant and it is an honor to be here.”

During the week, the Marines will experience various activities, such as a visit to Rough Creek Ranch, the NFL Experience and a tour of Cowboys Stadium. Since 2006, the Cleveland Browns have donated 40 tickets to the Wounded Warrior Regiment so that wounded, ill and injured Marines can attend the Super Bowl.

The Wounded Warrior Regiment provides and facilitates non-medical care to combat and non-combat wounded, ill, and injured Marines, and sailors attached to or in direct support of Marine units, and their family members in order to assist them as they return to duty or transition to civilian life. The WWR assists active, reserve and veteran Marines. The Regimental Headquarters element, located in Quantico, VA, commands the operations of two Wounded Warrior Battalions located at Camp Pendleton, California and Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and multiple detachments in locations around the globe.

Air Force F-15 Eagles patrol Super Bowl XLV

F-15 Eagles patrol areas around critical infrastructure and during special events. Fighter aircraft such as this one conducted air patrols around Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla., in support of Super Bowl XLIII. (U.S. Air Force photo/Chief Master Sgt. Gary Emery)

by Capt. Jared Scott 601st Air Operations Center Public Affairs 2/3/2011 - TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) -- Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region fighters will be busy well before Super Bowl Sunday preparing to protect the sky around Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Exercise Amalgam Virgo 11-05A, a NORAD air defense exercise, was held Feb. 2 in the greater Arlington area to allow interagency partners the chance to practice airspace violation procedures.

The Amalgam Virgo exercise comprises a series of training flights held in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration, Customs and Border Protection, Civil Air Patrol, and CONR's Western Air Defense Sector.

"Interagency coordination is a key aspect of our daily air defense measures," said Maj. Gen. Garry Dean, the CONR commander. "This Amalgam Virgo exercise is an excellent opportunity for all of our interagency air defenders to hone our air defense skills in preparation for Super Bowl Sunday."

These exercises are carefully planned and closely controlled to ensure CONR's rapid response capability. CONR officials have conducted exercise flights of this nature throughout the U.S. since the start of Operation Noble Eagle, the command's response to the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

"When it comes to defending America's skies, the Continental U.S. NORAD Region and America's Air Operation Center are always ready," General Dean said.

Since Sept. 11, 2001, CONR fighters have responded to more than 3,400 possible air threats in the U.S. and have flown more than 58,200 sorties with the support of Airborne-Warning and Control-System and air-to-air-refueling aircraft.

Jeb Hensarling Weekly Republican Address TEXT PODCAST VIDEO 02/05/11

Podcast of the address: Download MP3 for PODCAST || FULL TEXT TRANSCRIPT BELOW. || VIDEO DOWNLOAD MPEG File || MP4 File ||

Weekly Republican Address: Chairman Hensarling Highlights House Majority’s Commitment to Creating a Better Environment for Job Growth Washington (Feb 4)

Delivering the Weekly Republican Address, House Republican Conference Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) highlights the new majority’s commitment to creating a better environment for job growth by ending Washington’s spending binge and reducing uncertainty for those who create jobs. Chairman Hensarling highlights the steps the new majority has already taken to cut spending and grow the economy, and reiterates that there is no limit to the amount of spending Republicans are willing to cut. Chairman Hensarling is in his fifth term representing Texas’ Fifth Congressional District.

“Hi, I’m Congressman Jeb Hensarling of Texas, and I serve as Chairman of the House Republican Conference. “Now down here in Texas, we have a saying: ‘when you’re digging a deep hole for yourself, stop digging.’

“Now this isn’t a rule the powers-that-be in Washington have been willing to follow, and because of that American workers are clearly paying the price.

“Under President Obama’s economic policies, we’ve seen not only our first, but our second trillion dollar deficit in our nation’s history, and we are well on our way to our third.

“These deficits are unsustainable and unconscionable. They add uncertainty to our economy. They weaken confidence in our government. And they keep job-creating investment on the sidelines.

“Now to help get our economy back to creating jobs, we need to end the spending binge in Washington and get government out of the way. We need to stop the digging. That’s what history tells us, it’s what economists tell us, and that’s what the American people are demanding.

“Instead of working with us to cut spending though, President Obama has asked Congress to yet again increase the debt limit. Now no one wants America to default on its debt.

“But if the President wants our help to pay off his debts, he’s going to have to begin the process of cutting up the credit cards. In other words, we need major spending cuts and major spending reforms.

“Unfortunately, instead of committing to these cuts and reforms, the President has called for – are you ready for this – even more ‘stimulus’ spending, as ineffective as it’s been.

“Now, you’ve probably heard the President talk about cutting spending, but what he’s really after is savings to pay for more quote-unquote ‘investments’ in yet even more ‘stimulus’ programs.

“You know, my questions for the President are these: Mr. President, how does spending us down the road to national bankruptcy help us ‘win the future’? And Mr. President, how does borrowing even more money from the Chinese make us more competitive?

“After two years, it’s pretty clear we can’t borrow, spend, and bail out our way to economic prosperity. No nation can. So while I appreciate the President’s ‘can-do’ rhetoric, his job-destroying policies won’t do, and that’s what matters most to American families.

“Now the new House majority is listening to the people and taking a responsible approach to cutting spending and growing our economy. Here’s what we’ve done since going to work on behalf of the American people just one month ago today:

“We voted to reduce the deficit by $700 billion and to reduce spending by more than $2.6 trillion by repealing the job-destroying health care law. This week, our Republican colleagues in the Senate kept their promise to fight for repeal.

“We voted to save taxpayers $617 million by ending taxpayer funding for political candidates and conventions.

“We banned Congressional earmarks and cut our own budget by five percent, because you’ve got to lead by example.

“We’ve changed the culture of the House by now holding weekly 'YouCut' votes to actually cut spending and eliminate wasteful government programs.

“And this month, we will put forward a continuing budget resolution that outlines billions of dollars in spending cuts because we pledged to cut spending back to the pre-’stimulus,’ pre-bailout levels.

“In order to get Americans back to work and create jobs, there is no limit to the amount of spending that we’re going to be willing to cut.

“Of course, Americans know you don’t simply ‘win’ the future, you’ve got to plan for it.

“And that’s what makes this issue so important. Washington’s spending binge isn’t just hurting our workers, it’s threatening our children’s future as well.

“We’ve reached a tipping point where we are firmly on the course to be the first generation in America’s history to leave the next generation with less freedom and a lower standard of living. In other words, loss of the American Dream.

“It doesn’t have to be this way. If we are principled, if we are courageous and smart, together we can preserve the torch of liberty for our children and our grandchildren and they will have a brighter future.

“Thank you for listening.”

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

VIDEO and IMAGE CREDIT: HouseConference

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

Lamar Alexander Named Ranking Republican Member on Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee

Oversees Funding of Oak Ridge, Y-12, Tennessee Locks and Dams “After we reduce spending, we still must set priorities that make it easier and cheaper to create private-sector jobs.” – Lamar Alexander MARYVILLE – U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) announced today that he has been chosen to serve during the 112th Congress as the highest-ranking Republican, known as the “Ranking Member,” on the Senate Committee on Appropriations’ Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, which has jurisdiction over funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Department of Energy – including scientific and nuclear weapons national laboratories.

“After we reduce spending, we still must set priorities that make it easier and cheaper to create private-sector jobs. This position will allow me to make sure that priorities like research at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, nuclear weapons modernization at Y-12, dredging at the Memphis Port, and construction at Chickamauga Lock and the Wolf Creek and Center Hill Dams get the attention they deserve.”

Last year, the Energy and Water Subcommittee held a hearing at Alexander’s request to examine the response of federal agencies, including the Army Corps of Engineers, and helped spur improvements in flood-prediction systems and flood response. Alexander led the questioning of the agencies as a member of the subcommittee.

Alexander also will serve as a member of five other Appropriations subcommittees during the 112th Congress: Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies; Defense; Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies; Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies; and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies.

In addition to the Appropriations Committee, Alexander will serve on three other Senate committees during the 112th Congress: the Committee on Rules and Administration; the Committee on Environment and Public Works; and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. He was elected to serve as “Ranking Member” on the Committee on Rules and Administration earlier this week, which you can read more about here.

Alexander also was reelected unanimously to serve as Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, the third-ranking member of the Senate GOP leadership, during the 112th Congress. # # #

February 4 2011

TEXT and IMAGE CREDIT: U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander Washington Office. 455 Dirksen Senate Office Building. Washington, DC 20510 Phone: (202) 224-4944 Fax: (202) 228-3398 TTY: (202) 224-1546

Fred Upton Ed Whitfield James Inhofe The Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011 FULL TEXT

Upton, Whitfield, Inhofe Unveil Energy Tax Prevention Act to Protect America’s Jobs & Families. The Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011 FULL TEXT in PDF FORMAT

Washington, D.C.—Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.), Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-Ky), Chairman of the Energy and Power Subcommittee, and Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, issued a joint statement today on the release of their discussion draft, “The Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011.” The Energy and Power Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the draft legislation next Wednesday, February 9th at 10:00am.

Reps. Upton and Whitfield and Sen. Inhofe are releasing the draft as part of a deliberative process with their colleagues on both sides of the aisle to discuss the most effective approach to stop EPA’s cap and trade agenda. The draft legislation is based on the belief that 1) Congress, not EPA bureaucrats, should be in charge of setting America’s climate change policy; and that 2) A 2-year delay of EPA’s cap-and-trade agenda provides no meaningful certainty for job creators, fails to protect jobs, and punts decision-making in Congress on a critically important economic issue past the voters and the election next year.

“The Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011” would:

* Stop EPA bureaucrats from making legislative decisions that should be made by Congress;
* Clarify that the Clean Air Act was not written by Congress to address climate change;
* Stop EPA bureaucrats from imposing a backdoor cap-and-trade tax that would make gasoline, electricity, fertilizer, and groceries more expensive for consumers; and
* Protect American jobs and manufacturers from overreaching EPA regulations that hinder our ability to compete with China and other countries.

“With this draft proposal, we are initiating a deliberative, transparent process that we hope will prevent EPA from imposing by regulation the massive cap-and-trade tax that Congress rejected last year. We firmly believe federal bureaucrats should not be unilaterally setting national climate change policy, and with good reason: EPA’s cap-and-trade tax agenda will cost jobs, undermine the competitiveness of America’s manufacturers, and, as EPA has conceded, will have no meaningful impact on climate. In other words, all cost with no benefit. America’s consumers, large and small businesses, farmers, and entrepreneurs should not carry this burden. We look forward to working with our colleagues on both sides of the aisle, and the Obama Administration, to pass and sign into law legislation that stops EPA, puts Congress in charge, and helps get our economy growing again.”

TEXT and IMAGE CREDIT: House Energy and Commerce Committee January 11, 2011 By Alexa Marrero, (202) 225-3641 or Sean Bonyun, (202) 225-3761 2125 Rayburn House Office Building | Washington, DC 20515 | (202) 225-2927

Paul Ryan Washington’s Spending Spree is Over

House Budget Committee Chairman to set spending limit allocations. WASHINGTON – House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (WI-01) today announced spending limits for the remainder of the current fiscal year, a significant step forward to cut government spending and help spur economic growth and job creation. The measure will bring non-security discretionary spending back to pre-stimulus, pre-bailout levels, as House Republicans called for in their Pledge to America.

For the remainder of the current fiscal year, the measure will save $74 billion relative to President Obama’s budget request.

With respect to today’s effort to cut spending and spur economic growth, Chairman Paul Ryan issued the following statement:

“Washington’s spending spree is over. As House Republicans pledged – and voted to affirm on the House floor last week – the spending limits will restore sanity to a broken budget process and return spending for domestic government agencies to pre-stimulus, pre-bailout levels. Last year, House Democrats failed to pass, or even propose, a budget and the spending binge continued unchecked. After two consecutive trillion dollar budget deficits and with unemployment remaining unbearably high, we must chart a new course.

“The spending limit measure marks another step in House Republicans’ continued efforts to change Washington’s pervasive culture of spending. In one of our first acts in the new Majority, we voted to cut Congress’s own budget. We voted to cut trillions of dollars in new government spending by advancing a repeal of the President’s health care law. The President has asked for an increase in the national debt limit, but we must first work to enact serious spending cuts and reforms. Endless borrowing is not a strategy. Business as usual in Washington is not acceptable.

“House Republicans will continue to build upon this down payment, working to restrain the explosive growth of government and to help restart America’s engine of economic growth and job creation.”

The Chairman will establish this limit by filing a discretionary spending allocation when the U.S. House of Representatives returns to session next week. The measure will provide enforceable limits on discretionary spending bills for the remainder of the fiscal year until Congress adopts a budget resolution for Fiscal Year 2012.

For additional information: Fact Sheet on the FY2011 Discretionary Spending Allocation for the Appropriations Committee

Contact: Conor Sweeney 202-226-7270

TEXT CREDIT: Committee On The Budget

IMAGE CREDIT: RepPaulRyan

Orrin Hatch Mike Enzi call on President for withdrawal of the nomination of Craig Becker to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)

HATCH, ENZI, SENATE REPUBLICANS CALL ON PRESIDENT TO WITHDRAW CONTROVERSIAL LABOR BOARD NOMINEE. Hatch Says, If President is Serious About Relieving Pressure on the Business Community and Ushering in a New Era of Bipartisanship, He Should Withdraw the Becker nomination.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, and Mike Enzi (R-Wyoming), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, sent a letter to President Obama calling for the withdrawal of the nomination of Craig Becker to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). All Republican Senators signed onto the letter, which was sent to the White House yesterday.

“Last year, the Senate rejected Mr. Becker’s nomination because there were serious questions as to whether he could remain impartial while serving on the NLRB. These questions have not been resolved and, if anything, it is more clear now that Mr. Becker is more interested in furthering a pro-union political agenda than in upholding our nation’s labor laws. If the President, as he stated in the State of the Union, is serious about relieving pressure on the business community and ushering in a new era of bipartisanship, he should withdraw the Becker nomination and work with us to find someone that both parties can support,” Senator Hatch said.

“I oppose the nomination of Craig Becker absolutely. Over the past ten months, Mr. Becker has made his intention and bias clear. The NLRB is meant to be an impartial authority ensuring organizing freedom in the workplace, not a politicized institution bent on increasing unionization rates at the cost of American jobs. Last year, Mr. Becker was appointed against the will of the Senate. This year, I urge President Obama to work with Senators to identify a replacement nominee,” Senator Enzi said.

Mr. Becker’s record showed he supported expanding the role of the NLRB without congressional authorization. Senators Enzi and Hatch stand ready to work with the President to identify a new nominee capable of receiving swift confirmation. Please click here to view the letter. ###

February 3rd, 2011 Media Contact(s): Mark Eddington, Heather Barney (202) 224-5251

TEXT CREDIT: Orrin Hatch Washington DC Office 104 Hart Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Tel: (202) 224-5251 Fax: (202) 224-6331

IMAGE CREDIT: SenatorOrrinHatch

Mitch McConnell S.AMDT.13 FULL TEXT To repeal the job-killing health care law and health care-related provisions in the Health Care and Education

(Sen. McConnell): To repeal the job-killing health care law and health care-related provisions in the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. -- Amendment SA 13 proposed by Senator McConnell. Bill Summary & Status 112th Congress (2011 - 2012) S.AMDT.13 AMENDMENT PURPOSE: To repeal the job-killing health care law and health care-related provisions in the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010.

TITLE __--REPEAL OF JOB-KILLING HEALTH CARE LAW

SEC. X01. SHORT TITLE.

This title may be cited as the ``Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act''.

SEC. X02. REPEAL OF THE JOB-KILLING HEALTH CARE LAW AND HEALTH CARE RELATED PROVISIONS IN THE HEALTH CARE AND EDUCATION RECONCILIATION ACT OF 2010.

(a) Job-Killing Health Care Law.--Effective as of the enactment of Public Law 111-148, such Act is repealed, and the provisions of law amended or repealed by such Act are restored or revived as if such Act had not been enacted.

(b) Health Care-Related Provisions in the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010.--Effective as of the enactment of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-152), title I and subtitle B of title II of such Act are repealed, and the provisions of law amended or repealed by such title or subtitle, respectively, are restored or revived as if such title and subtitle had not been enacted.

Bill Summary & Status 112th Congress (2011 - 2012) S.AMDT.13

TEXT CREDIT: THOMAS (Library of Congress)

IMAGE CREDIT: RepublicanLeader

Mitch McConnell Introduces Repeal of Health Spending Bill VIDEO

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor Tuesday after introducing the House-passed repeal bill as an amendment:

“What we have today is an opportunity. An opportunity for the Majority to reevaluate what it has done on the issue of health care.

“And take another path.

“It’s no secret the American people don’t like the health bill that passed last year. And if you’ve talked with doctors or nurses or anybody else involved in health care over the last year, most of them will tell you they don’t like it either. “Employers big and small have been desperately trying to get the message across of how damaging this bill will be to their ability to create jobs. “They tell us the impact of this bill is severe.

“Higher taxes. Penalties for hiring workers. New regulations that already run to more than 6,000 pages. Mountains of new paperwork.

“All this at a time at a time when businesses want to create jobs, and millions of Americans are looking for one.

“Don’t take it from me. Here’s how the National Federation of Independent Businesses puts it:

`Small business owners everywhere,’ the NFIB has said, `are rightfully concerned that the unconstitutional new mandates, countless rules and new taxes in the healthcare law will devastate their business and their ability to create jobs.’

“And now, yesterday, a federal court in Florida found the crux of the law to be unconstitutional.

“So we have an opportunity today.

“For all those who supported the health law, it’s an opportunity to reevaluate your vote.

“To listen to your constituents who are desperately trying to get your attention.

“You can say, perhaps this was a mistake. We can do this better.

“Or you can continue to dismiss the majority of the people in this country as not knowing what they’re talking about.

“It’s not every day that you can get a second chance on a big decision after you know all the facts.

“Today is one of those days.

“For all of us who opposed the health bill: today we reaffirm our commitment to work a little harder to get it right.

“We can’t afford to get it wrong.

“So I urge all my colleagues to move beyond party affiliation.

“Just look at the facts before us.

“If everyone in this chamber evaluated this bill for what it is, we’d repeal it right now.

“And then we’d begin the work of achieving our mutual goal of delivering health care at a higher quality for lower costs.

“Let’s take this opportunity.” ####

VIDEO and IMAGE CREDIT: RepublicanLeader

TEXT CREDIT: U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell Washington Office 361-A Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Phone: (202) 224-2541 Fax: (202) 224-2499

Vern Buchanan H.R.478 Requires Terrorists to be Tried as Enemy Combatants, Not Common Criminals

Rep. Buchanan Seeks Cosponsors to the Military Tribunals for Terrorists Act Rep. Vern Buchanan (FL-13) Bill Summary & Status 112th Congress (2011 - 2012) H.R.478 Washington, Jan 31 - This week, Rep. Buchanan introduced H.R. 478, the “Military Tribunals for Terrorists Act.” This legislation mandates that any terrorist who attacks the United States or its people be interrogated, prosecuted and tried in military court, not civilian court.

Using military tribunals to interrogate, prosecute, and sentence foreign terrorists who conspire, attempt, or attack the United States and its people is a far better way to handle these kinds of cases. Military tribunals protect U.S. intelligence from being revealed in open court.

Congressman Jim Jordan is Chairman of the Republican Study Committee (RSC). ###

Requires Terrorists to be Tried as Enemy Combatants, Not Common Criminals

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Vern Buchanan (FL-13) introduced legislation requiring terrorists to be tried as enemy combatants, not common criminals. Buchanan’s bill, the “Military Tribunals for Terrorists Act” will mandate that any terrorist who attacks the United States or its people be interrogated, prosecuted and tried in military court, not civilian court.

“The American people are outraged that foreign terrorists who have declared war on America are being tried in civilian courts,”said Buchanan, Florida’s only member of the powerful Ways & Means Committee. “Terrorists with ties to known terror organizations such as al Qaeda should not be afforded the same constitutional protections as American citizens, nor should sensitive homeland security and intelligence information be publicized in open, civilian court proceedings.”

Buchanan’s bill, which he first introduced in the 111th session of Congress, is co-sponsored by three leading national security experts: the Chairman of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI); the Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon (R-CA); the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX).

“Foreign terrorists are just that, foreign citizens who terrorize the United States – not common criminals,” said U.S. Rep. Rogers. “They are not entitled to the same rights as U.S. citizens and should be treated as such. Congressman Buchanan’s bill ensures that they are treated as enemy combatants who are interrogated for valuable intelligence and tried in military tribunals, not U.S. civilian courts.”

McKeon said, “Rep. Buchanan’s efforts will make our country safer. Terrorists who are engaged in a war against America must be treated as enemy combatants—not common criminals—and should be prosecuted in accordance with the laws of warfare.”

Chairman Smith added: “The first Gitmo detainee trial in civilian courts was a near disaster. Though Ahmed Ghailani was sentenced to life in prison for his role in the 1998 bombings of two U.S. embassies, he was only convicted of one count out of 285 charges. And the case isn’t over yet. Because Ghailani was acquitted of terrorism and murder charges, his attorneys will try to overturn the conspiracy verdict on appeal.

“Terrorists are enemy combatants, not common criminals. They commit acts of war against the American people, not crimes. They should be tried at military commissions, not in civilian courts where they have access to the same rights as U.S. citizens. The Military Tribunals for Terrorists Act makes sure that foreign terrorists are tried in military tribunals, not civilian courts. Military tribunals have served the nation well since the Revolutionary War and we should continue to use them.”

“Using military tribunals to interrogate, prosecute, and sentence foreign terrorists who conspire, attempt, or attack the United States and its people is a far better way to handle these kinds of sensitive matters,” Buchanan said. “Military tribunals protect U.S. intelligence sources and methods from being revealed in open court.”

The decision to prosecute these terrorists in civilian court was made by the Attorney General and the Justice Department. Buchanan’s bill, the “Military Tribunals for Terrorists Act”, would take away the discretion to try terrorists in civilian court and mandate that they always be treated as enemy combatants and brought before a military tribunal.

Bill Summary & Status 112th Congress (2011 - 2012) H.R.478

IMAGE CREDIT: VernBuchanan

TEXT CREDIT: House Republican Study Committee 1524 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 226-9717 Fax: (202) 226-1633 rsc@mail.house.gov

TEXT CREDIT: buchanan.house.gov Washington D.C. Office • 221 Cannon HOB • Washington, D.C. 20515 • Phone: (202) 225-5015 • Fax: (202) 226-0828 •

Governor Jan Brewer Applauds Decision by Florida U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson in ObamaCare Lawsuit

Florida Judge Issues Summary Judgment in Favor of States’ Rights PHOENIX – Governor Jan Brewer today hailed the ruling by Florida U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson as a major victory for states’ rights in its finding that the individual mandate in ObamaCare, which requires everyone to purchase federally-approved health care or pay a penalty beginning in 2014, is an unprecedented and unconstitutional application of the Commerce Clause. “I knew ObamaCare was unaffordable and unsustainable, and today’s court ruling confirms that it is unconstitutional, as well,” said Governor Jan Brewer.

“Our country was founded on the concepts of individual liberty and state sovereignty, not federal mandates and penalties. So I applaud the court for doing its duty in upholding the Constitution, and I look forward to leading the continued fight against this federal monstrosity.”

In a 78-page decision, Judge Vinson ruled for summary judgment in favor of the 26 states regarding the individual mandate provision, striking down every single argument offered by the Obama Administration in its failed effort to justify why Congress should have the power to require its citizens to buy any good or service as a condition of lawful residence in the United States. Moreover, the court held that the individual mandate is not severable from the rest of the act and, therefore, the entire act must be declared void.

In his ruling Judge Vinson said, “Never before has Congress required that everyone buy a product from a private company (essentially for life) just for being alive and residing in the United States.” The Judge went on later to note that if Congress has the power to compel an otherwise passive individual into a commercial transaction with a third party merely by asserting that the transaction is commerce, then “the enumeration of powers in the Constitution would have been in vain for it would be ‘difficult to perceive any limitation on federal
power… and we would have a Constitution in name only. Surely this is not what the Founding Fathers could have intended.”

As the Governor stated in her letter to Secretary Sebelius last week, Arizona is in a struggle for
survival. The Medicaid program is slowly taking over Arizona’s state budget. State obligations for Medicaid have grown from 17 percent of the state General Fund in FY2007 to 29 percent in FY2011. During that time, spending on Medicaid has soared by 63 percent, while the state has slashed spending in almost all other areas of government. This cannot be sustained. Arizona’s deficit is $763 million in FY2011 and a staggering $1.2 billion in FY2012.

In previous rulings, the Court acknowledged the critical point made by the states in that ObamaCare forces upon them the choice of either accepting the sweeping changes to Medicaid, which will “explode their state budgets,” or withdrawing from the system entirely. ObamaCare transforms Medicaid from a federal-state partnership to reimburse needy persons’ medical costs into a vast federally-mandated program to benefit millions of persons with incomes above the poverty line. The Act now limits state flexibility and turns the states into an administrative arm of the federal government.

Today’s decision striking down ObamaCare in its entirety has a direct impact upon the federal Medicaid requirement from which Governor Brewer sought a waiver last week. If the federal health plan is unconstitutional, she said, it follows that the maintenance-of-effort funding requirement it implemented upon the states would be unconstitutional, as well.

“I hope that federal officials’ take today’s decision into account when reviewing the waiver request that I submitted last week,” said Governor Brewer. ###

Governor Jan Brewer Applauds Decision in ObamaCare Lawsuit - 1/31/2011 in PDF FORMAT

TEXT CREDIT: State of Arizona. Janice K. Brewer Governor Office of the Governor 1700 West Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ 85007 Main Phone: 602-542-4331 Facsimile: 602-542-7601 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 31, 2011 CONTACT: Tasya Peterson (602) 542-1361 tpeterson@az.gov

John Boehner Applauds Ruling on Job-Destroying Health Care Law, Calls for Expedited Review

Washington (Jan 31) House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) issued the following statement welcoming U.S. District Court Judge Robert Vinson of Florida’s ruling that the job-destroying health care law is unconstitutional, and calling for expedited review of his decision: “Today’s decision affirms the view, held by most of the states and a majority of the American people, that the federal government should not be in the business of forcing you to buy health insurance and punishing you if you don’t.

It’s not only unconstitutional, it’s also unaffordable. This job-destroying health care law remains a major source of uncertainty for small businesses, which is why all parties involved should request that this case be sent to the U.S. Supreme Court for a swift and fair resolution. Of course, the easiest way to protect the American people from this job-destroying health care law is to repeal it so we can start over with common-sense reforms that lower costs and protect jobs without unconstitutional mandates, new taxes, and costly penalties. The House has passed legislation to do just that, and I hope that Senate Democratic leaders will bring up the measure for an up-or-down vote.”

NOTE : Speaker Boehner filed an amicus brief in this case in November supporting the position of American small businesses and most states that the job-destroying health care law is unconstitutional. Two weeks ago, the new House majority voted to repeal the job-destroying health care law – which 200 economists call “a barrier to job growth” – and began work on replacing it with common-sense reforms aimed at lowering costs and protecting American jobs.

TEXT CREDIT: Speaker of the House John Boehner 2011 H-232 The Capitol Washington, DC 20515 P (202) 225-0600 F (202) 225-5117

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

Mike Johanns Applauds Florida Court Ruling On Unconstitutionality Of Health Care Bill

WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) today expressed support for the ruling by a U.S. District Court in Florida that the health care law enacted last year is unconstitutional. Last November, Johanns joined 31 of his colleagues in filing a legal brief challenging the law's constitutionality. "I strongly believe that Congress does not have the authority to force individuals to buy a product, as the health care law does, and that is exactly what the District Court has ruled today," Johanns said. "There is a reason we teach schoolchildren at a young age about the ideas of checks and balances and limited government.

Congress does not have unlimited power. I'm pleased to see the Court has provided a necessary check on Congressional overreach."

TEXT CREDIT: Senator Johanns Washington, D.C. Office: 404 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Tel: (202) 224-4224 Fax: (202) 228-0436 Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. ET

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

Spencer Bachus statement regarding Florida Court ruling federal health care law is unconstitutional

WASHINGTON (January 31, 2011) – Congressman Spencer Bachus (AL-6) today issued the following statement regarding the ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Roger Vinson in Pensacola, Florida that the individual mandate to purchase health insurance under the new federal health care law is unconstitutional. Bachus submitted an amicus brief in the case that supported the challenge to the law. “All along, I have held that the mandate forcing individual Americans to buy health insurance is an intrusion into personal liberty and a violation of our constitutional principles. The ruling in Florida is another validation of the irreparable flaws contained in the legislation hastily passed by Congress last year.

The Republican majority in the House has properly voted to repeal this bad law. It is already causing harm to consumers, small businesses, and our economy. The damage will get even worse unless we stop it and then work together on common sense reforms that address the issues in our health care system without having the government running everything and spending uncontrollably.”

Spencer Bachus amicus brief in PDF FORMAT

TEXT CREDIT: bachus.house.gov Washington Office 2246 Rayburn Building Washington, DC 20515 (p) 202-225-4921 (f) 202-225-2082

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.

Notice on the District Court Florida Health Care unconstitutional ‎ Case Ruling FULL TEXT 3:10cv91-RV/EMT (1/31/2011)

Judge Roger Vinson: Notice on the District Court Florida Health Care unconstitutional ‎Case Ruling FULL TEXT

Case 3:10-cv-00091-RV -EMT Document 150 Filed 01/31/11 The Order on the Motion for Summary Judgment has been entered in 3:10cv91-RV/EMT as document 150. The Final Summary Declaratory Judgment is document 151. Download full text in PDF Format Notice on the Health Care Case Ruling (1/31/2011)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA PENSACOLA DIVISION STATE OF FLORIDA,

by and through Attorney General Pam Bondi, et al.; Plaintiffs, v. Case No.: 3:10-cv-91-RV/EMT UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, et al., Defendants.
____________________________________/
ORDER GRANTING SUMMARY JUDGMENT

On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed health care reform legislation: “The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.” Pub. L. No. 111-148, 124 Stat. 119 (2010), as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, Pub. L. No. 111-152, 124 Stat. 1029 (2010) (the “Act”).

This file is a work of a employee of the THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA PENSACOLA DIVISION, taken or made during the course of the person's official duties. As a work of the U.S. federal government, the file is in the public domain.

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