Scott Walker.Democracy Requires Participation

The following is a column written by Governor Scott Walker. The budget repair bill is now in the hands of the Legislature. Although it is getting a lot more attention than most bills, it is still just a bill working its way through the process. In our state, budget bills are introduced by the Governor, reviewed by the Joint Finance Committee and then brought before the State Assembly and State Senate.

Legislators can debate budget bills in committee and on the floor of their respective houses and offer amendments. Most importantly they have the responsibility to vote, much like citizens do at the ballot box during elections.

The public offered suggestions and we made changes to the bill because of their participation in the public process. I also applaud Assembly Democrats for publicly debating the budget repair bill I introduced two weeks ago.

In contrast, their counterparts in the Senate fled the state in an effort to prevent democracy from working, stifle debate, and ultimately try and negate the results of the election that took place last November.

The reason Senate Democrats claimed they left the state was because citizens needed more time to debate the issue. This is ironic because 12 of the 14 missing Senate Democrats passed Governor Doyle’s budget repair bill, which raised taxes by a billion dollars, within 24 hours of introduction and without a public hearing in February 2009. Senate Republicans vehemently disagreed with the bill and the process Democrats used to ram it through; however they stayed in Wisconsin, debated the legislation and made the choice to participate in democracy by casting their vote in opposition.

The Legislation has been public for two weeks and the Joint Finance Committee listened to more than 17 hours of public testimony on the budget repair bill. Yet Senate Democrats still remain out of state endlessly holding media interviews.

In one interview Senator Larson said, “it’s almost like a reality TV show.”

I have a message for Senator Larson: No it isn’t. This isn’t for entertainment, this is real.

We have a deficit for the remainder of this fiscal year and a $3.6 billion deficit for the next budget that starts on July 1. Our budget repair bill allows us to save $300 million from state government workers and gives local units of government the tools to save $1.44 billion in the next state budget. In addition, it gives local governments the tools to save even more in order to protect jobs and vital services. To achieve these savings, we need to pass our repair bill. That’s why the Senate Democrats need to come home.

I go to work every day to defend the plan I laid out to make the tough decisions needed to balance Wisconsin’s budget.

It’s clear Senate Democrats disagree with the bill I put forward. I understand and respect that. I’ll always be willing to cooperate and communicate with the Democrats, but that has to happen at the State Capitol in Madison.

—Governor Scott Walker

For Immediate Release Thursday, February 24, 2011

TEXT CREDIT: Office of Governor Scott Walker 115 East Capitol Madison WI 53702 Phone (608) 266-1212 Email: govgeneral@wisconsin.gov

IMAGE CREDIT: Governor Scott Walker

Financial Services Committee Will Markup Bills to Terminate Failed Programs

WASHINGTON: Financial Services Committee Chairman Spencer Bachus announced a subcommittee hearing and full committee markup of four bills that will terminate failed and ineffective housing foreclosure programs.

The four proposals – which terminate the troubled Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP), the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, the FHA Refinance Program, and the Emergency Homeowner Relief Fund – will be the subjects of a hearing on March 2 by the Insurance, Housing and Community Opportunity Subcommittee and a full committee markup on March 3.

“In an era of record-breaking deficits, it’s time to pull the plug on these programs that are actually doing more harm than good for struggling homeowners,” said Chairman Bachus. “These programs may have been well-intentioned but they’re not working and, in reality, are making things worse.”

Insurance and Housing Subcommittee Chairman Judy Biggert said: “We need to break down barriers that have delayed the housing recovery, including expensive and ineffective government programs that have failed to helphomeowners. Unfortunately, these programs were set up in haste, executed poorly, and have done little to restore stability in the marketplace. A government program that spends more to save a single borrower than it costs to buy a home is no help at all – it’s just a waste of taxpayer money. We need to stop funding programs that don’t work with money we don’t have.”

The Committee will consider the following bills:

The HAMP Termination Act. The Obama Administration’s signature anti-foreclosure effort, the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP), has failed to help a sufficient number of distressed homeowners to justify the program’s cost. According to the Administration, HAMP was supposed to help 4 million homeowners. Instead, only 521,630 loans have been permanently modified under this program and the re-default rate is high. To date, the Administration has spent approximately $840 million of the $29 billion earmarked for HAMP from the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP).

Far from helping at-risk homeowners, HAMP has actually made many worse off, according to a report from the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (SIGTARP):

People who apply for modifications via HAMP sometimes “end up unnecessarily depleting their dwindling savings in an ultimately futile effort to obtain the sustainable relief promised by the program guidelines. Others, who may have somehow found ways to continue to make their mortgage payments, have been drawn into failed trial modifications that have left them with more principal outstanding on their loans, less home equity (or a position further ‘underwater’), and worse credit scores. Perhaps worst of all, even in circumstances where they never missed a payment, they may face back payments, penalties, and even late fees that suddenly become due on their ‘modified’ mortgages and that they are unable to pay, thus resulting in the very loss of their homes that HAMP is meant to prevent. While it may be true that many homeowners may benefit from temporarily reduced payments even though the modification ultimately fails, Treasury’s claim that ‘every single person’ who participates in HAMP gets ‘a significant benefit’ is either hopelessly out of touch…or a cynical attempt to define failure as success.”
(Office of the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program)

In a separate report, the SIGTARP noted HAMP “continues to fall dramatically short of any meaningful standard of success.”

(Office of the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program)
The HAMP Termination Act ends the Treasury Secretary’s authority to provide new assistance under the program but preserves assistance already offered to homeowners through HAMP prior to the bill’s enactment.

The Neighborhood Stabilization Program Termination Act. Congress has appropriated $7 billion for the Neighborhood Stabilization program, including $2 billion in the Obama Administration’s stimulus plan. Two rounds of NSP funding have already been provided to states and localities. The Neighborhood Stabilization Program Termination Act ends the program and rescinds the unobligated third round of funding of $1 billion.

Critics have argued that the NSP does not benefit at-risk homeowners facing foreclosure, and may instead create perverse incentives for banks and other lenders to foreclose on troubled borrowers – arguably worsening the housing crisis.

The FHA Refinance Program Termination Act terminates the program and rescinds unobligated funding. The price tag for this program is $8.12 billion, of which only $50 million has been disbursed thus far. For this large outlay, the taxpayers have seen minimal return on their investment. As of December 13, 2010, only 35 applications had been submitted for this program.

The Emergency Mortgage Relief Program Termination Act ends the program and rescinds unobligated funding. The Dodd-Frank Act reauthorized the long-expired Emergency Homeowners’ Relief Act of 1975 and provided $1 billion to authorize HUD to make emergency mortgage relief payments to homeowners facing foreclosure for up to 12 months, with a possible extension of another 12 months. These loans will serve to increase the amount of the borrower’s indebtedness, so a borrower who is unable to pay back either the original amount of principal or the additional loans made under the program will be worse off in the long run.

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

Energy & Commerce Leaders Press Energy Dept. on Yucca Mountain, Status of Billions of Taxpayer Dollars Collected for Disbanded Project

WASHINGTON, DC – House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) and Environment and the Economy Subcommittee Chairman John Shimkus (R-IL) today sent a letter to Energy Secretary Steven Chu seeking answers on the Yucca Mountain nuclear repository.

Upton and Shimkus are concerned that despite the scientific community’s seal of approval as well as billions of taxpayer dollars collected for the project, the administration inexplicably pulled the plug on the Yucca repository without offering a viable alternative.

In the letter to Energy Secretary Chu, Upton and Shimkus expressed concern over the billions of dollars that have been collected from the American public’s monthly electric bills. The two lawmakers wrote, “In the case of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act (the Act) we have extra obligations: a fiduciary duty to consumers who, under the Act, have paid billions of dollars into the Waste Fund only—so far—to receive nothing in return; and a moral obligation to stop the flow of taxpayer dollars from the U.S. Treasury to pay damages to plant operators whose contracts with the Department of Energy (the Department) to transfer possession of nuclear waste material are breached.”

Upton and Shimkus further wrote, “It would be difficult to draft legislation to make the Act more plain, specific, and mandatory than it already is. However, all three of these problems must be solved: the establishment of a permanent facility for accepting high level waste; the consumers paying out billions of dollars and receiving nothing in return; and the Treasury paying out billions of dollars in damages with no real end in sight due to the Department’s failure to meet its obligations.”

The full text of the letter to Energy Secretary Steven Chu. in PDF FORMAT

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: Americans Deserve Better Than Empty Promises From A Broke Government

House Budget Committee Chairman calls for honest leadership and fiscal responsibility. Washington – House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (WI-01) issued the following statement in response to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s proposal to lock in elevated levels of spending: “I remain hopeful that the President and his party will work with House Republicans to cut government spending and help grow the economy.

Over the past two years, spending on domestic government agencies increased by nearly 25%. This reckless spending spree failed to create jobs, plunged our nation deeper into debt, and stifled growth by fueling uncertainty.

“Last week, House Republicans sent a bill to the Senate that funds the government for the rest of the fiscal year while fulfilling our pledge to bring spending back to pre-stimulus, pre-bailout levels. Regrettably, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid insists on locking in elevated spending levels, rejecting warnings from economists and demands from the American people to get Washington’s fiscal house in order. If Senate Democrats block legislation that would fund the government for the rest of the year at more reasonable spending levels, House Republicans intend to pass a short-term bill to keep the government running, but one that actually cuts spending. Republicans remain committed to restraining the explosive growth of government, which is critical to spur economic growth and job creation.

“Responsible leadership requires honestly addressing our nation’s most pressing fiscal and economic challenges. Americans deserve better than continued empty promises from a government heading for bankruptcy. We must advance spending cuts and real reforms to ensure real security and a path to prosperity.”

###

TEXT CREDIT: Committee On The Budget U.S. House of Representatives 207 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Phone: 202.226.7270

IMAGE CREDIT: RepPaulRyan

Mike Huckabee "very well may" run in 2012 VIDEO

Chris Wragge talks to former Ark. governor and potential GOP presidential contender for 2012, Mike Huckabee about his new book, "A Simple Government."

"If they read this, they'll know where I stand, If they read this and say, 'That makes sense,' then that's an encouragement for me to take the next step. If they read it and say, 'That guy is a nut,' then, well, maybe I'll have a different conclusion."

"You can't spend money you don't have, You can't borrow money that you can't afford to pay back. Every citizen knows that. Every small business owner knows that. It's like government is the last entity on Earth to get that message."

"They can't expect to pay $1 in and get $57 from the state as a pension match. Nobody else gets that. And that's what's unrealistic. So, if the unions don't come to some type of reality, then they're going to get busted, and if not by the governor, they'll get busted by reality in terms of a budget that can't manage that sort of cost."

"Sometime, either now or later, the government will shut down, either from bankruptcy in the future or from a targeted effort to try get someone's attention that we're overspending and not managing at all."

VIDEO and TEXT CREDIT: Huckabee: I "very well may" seek GOP nod in '12

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker's Fireside Chat to Taxpayers 02.22.11 VIDEO

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker's Fireside Chat to Taxpayers 02.22.11.flv

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker sits down to speak directly to the people of Wisconsin in his first fireside chat.

VIDEO and TEXT CREDIT: GovWalker

Bob McDonnell supports Scott Walker VIDEO

"every governor's got tough choices to make." "We've got to set priorities, we've got to make government more accountable and I think Gov. Walker realizes that means state employees have got to pay a little bit more for their benefits,

I'm asking our state employees to do more this year, so I support what he's doing."

"We made tough choices, what I think the president failed to do this time, That's what Scott Walker and many other governors, Republican and Democrat, are doing is to say we can't afford to do things the same way." "not campaigning for anything ... I'd just like to be part of the national debate on the issues of spending and fiscal responsibility ... so far down the road ... four or five great candidates right now, most of whom are former governors or current governors."

"governors make great chief executives."

"Military families so much appreciate the love, support and prayers,If you know you're supported, you're going to work harder, you're going to be more focused on your mission."

VIDEO and TEXT CREDIT: Bob McDonnell: I stand with Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker

IMAGE CREDIT: Governor of Virginia

Kristi Noem Lincoln Knew Leading Tests Character

My 8 year-old son, Booker, could not get enough of President Abraham Lincoln’s final hours during our visit to Ford’s Theater. He was fascinated, like most 8 year-old boys, with the intrigue surrounding the assassin John Wilkes Booth, his gun, and Lincoln’s bloody overcoat still on display at the theater.

Our time at Ford’s Theater was a highlight from my family’s trip to Washington, DC last month for congressional swearing-in ceremonies. In a city filled with history, Ford’s Theater did a particularly good job making the history that happened there come alive for Booker and the rest of our family.

This month as we celebrate both Lincoln’s birthday and President’s Day, we should remember one of our greatest Presidents for more than his tragic death. Lincoln was a man known for his humility and his perseverance. Lincoln also knew what men were capable of, both good and bad. He, in fact, led our country through some of the darkest days in American history during the Civil War.

Lincoln once said, “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.”

The set of challenges we face today are quite different from those of Lincoln’s day. Our union does not literally hang in the balance, yet we do face tough fiscal choices. How we respond, as leaders in Washington, to these challenges will test our character.

The easy thing will be to politicize these tough decisions. Some politicians might choose to pit interest groups against each other – favoring some over others for political reasons. Some will choose to scare seniors with threats about cutting Medicare and other entitlement programs for current beneficiaries. (For the record, no one is proposing cutting benefits for today’s retirees or those near retirement.) Some will use the threat of a government shutdown to further their own political agenda rather than using the critical decision point to reform the way Washington does business.

It is my hope that we take the higher road. I hope that the debate remains squarely on the need to turn our economy around. I believe we can restore our economy by spending less than we take in and giving our small businesses more regulatory and tax certainty so that they can begin hiring again.

The South Dakotans I speak with in grocery stores and at basketball games seem to inherently know we are at a critical crossroads as a nation and they are ready for their leaders in Washington to live up to the tough decisions they know we must make. They are ready for politicians in Washington to act like adults and make tough decisions.

As Lincoln said, “America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.” Now, as much as we ever have, we need real leadership in Washington, DC.

POSTED at: Republican National Convention Blog

TEXT CREDIT: Kristi Noem, Congresswoman for South Dakota Washington, D.C. 226 Cannon HOB Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-2801 Fax: (202) 225-5823

IMAGE CREDIT: RepKristiNoem All rights reserved.

Spencer Bachus Announces Planned Financial Services Committee Schedule for March

WASHINGTON: Financial Services Committee Chairman Spencer Bachus announced the committee’s planned hearing schedule for March 2011. Chairman Bachus said, “The Committee will continue our efforts to promote economic recovery and job creation. We are committed to ensuring government policies promote, rather than hinder, a stronger economy and more jobs. That means the Committee will continue focusing on the need to end the bailouts of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which have already cost taxpayers $150 billion. It means we will fulfill our Constitutional obligation to exercise rigorous oversight of the implementation of the Dodd-Frank Act and its impact on the economy, and it means we will pursue the elimination of unnecessary spending at a time of record deficits.”

This is a tentative schedule and will depend on witness availability and other factors that may require changes. Therefore, each meeting will become final only when the official notice is distributed. Hearing witnesses will be announced at later dates.

Unless otherwise noted, all hearings will take place in 2128 Rayburn House Office Building.

Tuesday, March 1:

· Full Committee hearing on GSE Reform at 10 am

· Full Committee hearing on the FY 2012 HUD Budget at 2 pm

Wednesday, March 2:

· Full Committee hearing to receive the Monetary Policy Report to the Congress required under the Humphrey-Hawkins Act at 10 am

· Financial Institutions Subcommittee hearing on the impact of the Dodd-Frank Act on small financial institutions at 2 pm

Thursday, March 3:

· Full Committee mark up of bills to be determined at 10 am

Wednesday, March 9:

· International Monetary Policy Subcommittee hearing on the Export-Import Bank at 10 am

· Insurance, Housing and Community Opportunity Subcommittee hearing on reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program at 2 pm

Thursday, March 10:

· Capital Markets Subcommittee hearing on the SEC’s budget at 10 am

Friday, March 11:

· Capital Markets Subcommittee hearing on covered bonds at 10 am

Tuesday, March 15:

· Full Committee mark up of Budget Views and Estimates at 10 am

Wednesday, March 16:

· Capital Markets Subcommittee hearing on the Risk Retention Securitization Rule at 10 am

· Financial Institutions Subcommittee hearing on oversight of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at 2 pm

Thursday, March 17:

· Domestic Monetary Policy Subcommittee hearing on monetary policy and rising prices at 10 am

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: Spencer Bachus Washington Office 2246 Rayburn Building Washington, DC 20515 (p) 202-225-4921 (f) 202-225-2082

Search Bill & Summary Status 112th Congress

Search Bill & Summary Status 112th Congress Word/Phrase Bill Number

THOMAS was launched in January of 1995, at the inception of the 104th Congress. The leadership of the 104th Congress directed the Library of Congress to make federal legislative information freely available to the public.

Paul Ryan CBS Face the Nation 02/20/11 VIDEO

Earlier today, Rep. Paul Ryan joined CBS' Face the Nation to discuss House Republicans' continued efforts to cut government spending and help spur economic growth and job creation. Speaking from his hometown of Janesville, Wisconsin, Ryan addressed the need for honest leadership at all levels of government, putting an end to empty promises and fiscal recklessness: "These governors are telling people the truth; we need to do the same thing in Washington... We have to tell the truth and fix these problems." Ryan, Chairman of the House Budget Committee, affirmed the House Republicans' commitment to lead where the President failed with a spring budget that will address the drivers of the debt and chart a path to prosperity.

On Spending Cuts:

"We're not looking at rubber stamping these really high, elevated spending levels. Congress increased spending by 24% on domestic discretionary programs two years ago - 84% when you include the stimulus, and now they want to keep that status quo locked in place. We want real spending cuts. We don't want to accept these extremely high levels of spending."

On Wisconsin:

"All levels of government have been making empty promises. These governors are telling people the truth; we need to do the same thing in Washington. We can't keep borrowing, we can't keep spending and making empty promises to people. We have to tell the truth and fix these problems. The sooner we act, the better off everybody is going to be."

On Democrats' Efforts to Cling to Failed Spending Spree:

"This is the same economic methodology that was used to say that if we passed the stimulus bill we would keep unemployment from hitting 8%. Well it went up to about 10%. These high deficits today mean high tax increases and interest rate increases tomorrow. High deficits, uncontrolled debt mean job creation goes away today. If you actually get this deficit and debt under control, you can help jobs today. Our goal is to cut spending and grow the economy, and get prosperity in a lasting way back in place in America. Taxing, borrowing, and spending didn't work and it won't work."

On the President's Disappointing Budget:

"Presidents are elected to lead. This President has punted on these issues. He seems to be complicit in this out of control debt because that is what his budget produces. We are going to offer the country a different vision: one of a debt-free nation, one of economic growth and prosperity today by having government live within its means, by getting these programs under control."

VIDEO, IMAGE and TEXT CREDIT: HouseBudgetCommittee

List of the successful amendments to the Continuing Resolution CR (H.R. 1)

List of the successful amendments to the Continuing Resolution CR (H.R. 1). Bill Summary & Status 112th Congress (2011 - 2012) H.R.1 Hal Rogers CR is a “Monumental Accomplishment” for American Taxpayers. H.R.1 Latest Title: Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011 Sponsor: Rep Harold Rogers [KY-5] (introduced 2/11/2011) Cosponsors (None) Related Bills: H.RES.92 Latest Major Action: 2/19/2011 Passed/agreed to in House. Status: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 235 - 189 (Roll no. 147). Latest Action: 2/19/2011 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Appropriations Chairman Hal Rogers today praised the passage of H.R.1, the Continuing Resolution (CR). The legislation includes funding to continue federal government operations for the rest of the 2011 fiscal year, while making the largest single discretionary spending cut in the history of the nation.

“This bill is a monumental accomplishment for each and every American who believes that their government is spending too much. It dramatically scales back the size and scope of domestic government programs, eliminates $100 billion in spending compared to what the President asked for last year, and will mark the beginning of a new trend of reductions that will take place throughout the next year.

“We held no program harmless from our spending cuts, and virtually no area of government escaped this process unscathed. While these choices were difficult to make, we strived to spread the sacrifice fairly, weeding out waste and excess, with a razor-sharp focus on making the most out of every taxdollar.

“My Republican Committee members and I promised to slash spending and to help reduce our nation’s dangerous levels of deficits and debt so that our economy can grow and businesses can create jobs. This bill does just that,” Rogers said.

In addition to spending cuts, the legislation also contains multiple provisions to stop harmful regulations or programs that would hurt the nation’s economy and inhibit the ability of American businesses to create jobs, such as onerous EPA “greenhouse gas” regulations, the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste storage facility application process, and the Obama Administration’s health care reform act.

“The hand of government has reached too far into Americans’ everyday lives, hindering our freedoms and impairing our economic recovery. This legislation will help stop harmful regulations, misguided laws, and over-reaching bureaucracies to allow our businesses to create jobs and our economy to thrive,” Rogers said.

This legislation will now go to the Senate for a vote. If the CR is not enacted before the current funding measure’s deadline of March 4th, Congress must pass another short-term funding resolution or else risk a government-wide shutdown.

“So that we can promptly continue our regular budgetary work for this year, the House, Senate, and White House must come together to complete this process before March 4th – when our current funding measure expires. It is critically important that we move this CR, avoid a government shutdown, and get spending cuts passed by the Congress and signed by the President. The American people expect no less,” Rogers said.

The CR was considered in an historic and unprecedented open process on the House floor that included more than 580 amendments offered by both parties and a grueling 60-plus hours of public debate. Of these amendments, 67 were accepted or passed, changing the underlying legislation and reflecting the fair representation of the American people. In all, the successful amendments included more than $620 million in additional spending cuts.

“For first time after years of closed-door Democrat control, the House was able to work its will in an open and transparent fashion in full view of the American people. Hundreds of amendments were considered, the debate offered everyone a chance to be heard, and the legislation now contains changes that reflect the many varied interests of families, communities, and businesses across the country. I am proud that the House has returned to a regular and fair democratic process, and look forward to continuing this effort throughout the Appropriations process this year,” Rogers said.

A list of the successful amendments to the CR (H.R. 1) follows:

· An amendment by Rep. Rooney (R-FL) to eliminate $450 million in funding for the Alternate Engine, produced by GE-Rolls Royce, for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

· An amendment by Rep. Michaud (D-ME) to transfer $80 million from the Census Bureau to the Economic Development Administration, an agency within the Department of Commerce.

· An amendment by Rep. Flake (R-AZ) to eliminate $34 million in funding for the National Drug Intelligence Center, a component of the Department of Justice that provides drug-related intelligence, training and support.

· An amendment by Rep. Holt (D-NJ) to ensure that the Department of Justice continues funding the National Instant Criminal Background Check at the current level of $20 million.

· An amendment by Rep. Weiner (D-NY) to transfer $298 million from NASA Cross Agency Support to the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program.

· An amendment by Rep. McClintock (R-CA) to eliminate $1.9 million in funding from the Bureau of Reclamation.

· An amendment by Rep. Pascrell (D-NJ) to transfer $510 million from the research and development programs of the Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology program to increase funding for Firefighter SAFER grants, which use federal resources for hiring local firefighters.

· An amendment by Rep. Burton (R-IN) to eliminate $2 million in funding from the Bureau of Land Management for holding pens created for wild horses and burros.

· An amendment by Rep. Pompeo (R-KS) to eliminate $8.4 million from the EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Registry, a program that collects data on industrial greenhouse gas emissions, returning its funding to 2008 levels.

· An amendment by Rep. Reed (R-NY) to reduce EPA STAG grants by $10 million to defund sewer improvements in Tijuana, Mexico.

· An amendment by Rep. Walberg (R-MI) to decrease funding for the Grants and Administration portion of the National Endowment for the Arts by $20.5 million.

· An amendment from Rep. Canseco (R-TX) to eliminate $4.5 million from the National Capital Arts and Cultural Affairs program, which has the primary purpose of providing grants to not-for-profit institutions for performing arts and exhibitions in Washington, DC.

· An amendment from Rep. Reed (R-NY) that eliminates all funding ($15 million) from the Presidio Trust Fund, removing all funding for the Presidio National Park, a former military compound in San Francisco.

· An amendment from Rep. McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) that increases funding for Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), which funds state grants, by $557.7 million, restoring IDEA funding to the current level of $11.5 billion. The increase is offset by a $500 million cut to Teacher Quality State Grants and a $336.6 million cut to School Improvement Grants, a program that received $3 billion in “stimulus” funds and has $554 million in leftover funds from fiscal year 2010.

· An amendment from Rep. Young (R-AK) that strikes the language that prohibits the Department of Education from using the Alaska Native Education Equity Act and the Native Hawaiian Education Program, providing supplemental education services to the Native Hawaiian and Alaska Native populations.

· An amendment from Rep. Whitfield (R-KY) to eliminate $1.5 million for the “Greening of the Capitol” initiative from the Legislative Branch section of the CR.

· An amendment from Rep. Weiner (D-NY) that eliminates $42.6 million in funding from the United States Institute of Peace.

· An amendment from Rep. Canseco (R-TX) that eliminates $10.7 million in funding for the East-West Center, an independent, public nonprofit that has historically not received funding in the Subcommittee bill.

· An amendment from Rep. McClintock (R-CA) that eliminates $20 million for tropical forest debt reduction, affecting the Department of the Treasury, Debt Restructuring portion of the CR.

· An amendment from Rep. Scalise (R-LA) that prohibits the use of federal funds to pay the salaries and expenses of the following “czars,” or special presidential advisers who are not required to go through the Senate confirmation process: Obama Care Czar, Climate Change Czar, Global Warming Czar, Green Jobs Czar, Car Czar, Guantanamo Bay Closure Czar, Pay Czar and Fairness Doctrine Czar.

· An amendment from Rep. Cole (R-OK) that restricts public funds from being used for the Presidential Election Campaign Fund or political party conventions. This amendment correlates with the “YouCut” bill that passed the House in January, saving $38 million in fiscal year 2012.

· An amendment from Rep. Price (D-NC) that creates a subsidy for the operating expenses of state and local communities by waiving the cost share and eligibility requirements for SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Responders) Grants.

· An amendment from Rep. Walden (R-OR) that blocks funding for the Federal Communications Commission to institute Net Neutrality rules.

· An amendment from Rep. Carter (R-TX) that prohibits the use of funds to implement, administer or enforce the rule entitled “National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants From the Portland Cement Manufacturing Industry and Standards of Performance for Portland Cement Plants,” published by the Environmental Protection Agency on September 9, 2010, which limits the levels of mercury in cement.

· An amendment from Rep. Lummis (R-WY) to put a moratorium, for the duration of the CR, on the payment of legal fees to citizens and groups who sue the government, in order to study abuses in the system.

· An amendment from Rep. Fortenberry (R-NE) that prohibits U.S. military assistance to Chad, due to its continued use of child conscription, consistent with the Child Soldiers Prevention Act of 2007.

· An amendment from Rep. Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) that provides $30 million to carry out the provisions of title I of the PROTECT our Children Act.

· An amendment from Rep. Lowey (D-NY) that prohibits the use of funds for the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency, State and Local Programs to provide grants under the Urban Area Security Initiative to more than 25 high-risk urban areas.

· An amendment from Rep. Hastings (D-FL) that increases funding for the HIV-AIDS within the Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services account by $42 million.

· An amendment from Rep. Kline (R-MN) that bans funding for the Department of Education regulations on Gainful Employment, as-yet-unpublished rules that would restrict federal student aid to for-profit colleges whose students have high debt-to-income ratios and require the schools to report more information about student outcomes.

· An amendment from Rep. Pence (R-IN) to prohibit federal funds from being made available to the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc., or any of its affiliates.

· An amendment from Rep. Young (R-AK) to prohibit funds from being used by the EPA’s Environmental Appeals Board to consider, review, reject remand or other invalidate any permit issued for Outer Continental Shelf sources located offshore of the States along the Arctic Coast.

· An amendment from Reps. Poe (R-TX), Barton (R-TX) and Carter (R-TX) that defines specifically what greenhouse gases are and prohibits the EPA from imposing regulations on those gasses emitted by a stationary source for seven months.

· Nine amendments to defund various aspects of President Obama’s health care law, effectively blocking the administration from carrying out the planned health system overhaul, including:

o An amendment from Rep. Rehberg (R-MT) that prohibits federal funding from being used to pay any employee, officer or contractor to implement the provisions of President Obama’s health care law, stopping the Department of Health and Human Services from implementing the law.
o An amendment from Rep. King (R-IA) that strips funding for any provision of the President’s health care law.
o An amendment from Rep. King (R-IA) that prohibits the payment of salaries for any officer or employee of any federal department or agency with respect to carrying out the President’s health care law. (This amendment has virtually the same effect as Rep. Rehberg’s amendment.)
o An amendment from Rep. Emerson (R-MO) that bars the use of funds in the bill from being used to implement the individual mandate and penalties and reporting requirements of the President’s health care law.
o An amendment from Rep. Price (R-GA) that prohibits the use of federal funds from being used to carry out the medical loss ratio restrictions in the President’s health care law. These provisions require insurers to spend at least a certain percent of their premium revenues on medical care.
o An amendment from Rep. Gardner (R-CO) that blocks funds for Health Insurance Exchanges, a set of state-regulated health care plans offered under the President’s health care law.
o An amendment from Rep. Burgess (R-TX) prohibiting the use of funds for employee and officer salaries at the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight at the Department of Health and Human Services, created by the President’s health care reform bill.
o An amendment from Rep. Pitts (R-PA) that prohibits the funding of salaries for any officer or employee of the government to issue regulations on essential benefits under section 1302 of the President’s health care law.
o An amendment from Rep. Hayworth (R-NY) that prohibits funds for the independent payment advisory board.

· An amendment from Rep. McClintock (R-CA) that prohibits funds from being used to implement the Klamath (California) Dam Removal and Sedimentation Study, conducted by the US Bureau of Reclamation and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

· An amendment by Rep. Herger (R-CA) that prohibits the use of funds to implement or enforce the Travel Management Rule, which would close roads and trails on National Forest System land.

· An amendment from Rep. Boren (D-OK) that prohibits the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives from collecting information on multiple sales of rifles or shotguns to the same person.

· An amendment by Rep. Forbes (R-VA) that prohibits the use of funds to take any action to effect or implement the disestablishment, closure or realignment of the US Joint Forces Command.

· An amendment by Rep. Forbes (R-VA) that prohibits the use of funds made available to the Department of Defense for official representation purposes.

· An amendment from Rep. Johnson (R-OH) to prohibit the use of funds for the Department of the Interior’s Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) from moving forward with a proposed rule that would effectively eliminate the Stream Buffer Zone Rule, a rule that presently allows surface mining operations with qualified permits to work within 100 feet of a stream.

· An amendment from Rep. Reed (R-NY) that prohibits the use of funds for the Overseas Comparability Pay Adjustment, an increase in pay for overseas Foreign Service Officers approved by President Obama under the supplemental appropriations bill in 2009.

· An amendment from Rep. Matheson (D-UT) that prohibits the use of funds for the Community Connect broadband grant program administered by the Rural Utilities Service of the Department of Agriculture.

· An amendment from Rep. Goodlatte (R-VA) that would prohibit EPA funding for enforcement of total maximum daily loads in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

· An amendment by Rep. Weiner (D-NY) that bans foreign aid to Saudi Arabia.

· An amendment by Rep. Weiner (D-NY) that prohibits the use of funds to provide nonrecourse marketing assistance loans to mohair farmers.

· An amendment from Rep. Rooney (R-FL) that prohibits funding for the EPA to impose and enforce federally mandated numeric Florida water quality standards.

· An amendment from Rep. Stearns (R-FL) that prohibits funds for UN construction within the US.

· An amendment from Rep. Flake (R-AZ) that prohibits funds from being used to construct ethanol blender pumps or ethanol storage facilities.

· An amendment from Rep. Hall (R-TX) prohibiting funds to implement a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Service, part of the President’s fiscal year 2012 budget request.

· An amendment from Rep. Griffith (R-VA) prohibiting the EPA, Corps of Engineers and the Office of Surface Mining from implementing coordination procedures that have served to extend and delay the review of coal mining permits.

· An amendment from Rep. Jones (R-NC) that prohibits the use of funds from being used to develop or approve a new limited access privilege program – “catch-shares” – for any fishery under the jurisdiction of the South Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic, New England or Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council.

· An amendment from Rep. Luetkemeyer (R-MO) that prohibits funds for the study of the Missouri river projects.

· An amendment from Rep. Luetkemeyer (R-MO) that prohibits the use of funds for the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

· An amendment from Rep. Sullivan (R-OK) that blocks funds for the EPA to implement a waiver to increase the ethanol content in gasoline from 10 percent to 15 percent.

· An amendment from Rep. McKinley (R-WV) that prohibits funding for the EPA to deny proposed and active mining permits under Section 404 (c) of the Clean Water Act, specifically to revoke retroactively a permit for the Spruce Mine in West Virginia.

· An amendment from Rep. McKinley (R-WV) that prohibits funding for the EPA to implement regulations to designate coal ash reside as hazardous waste.

· An amendment from Rep. Pompeo (R-KS) that prohibits funds for a government sponsored “consumer products complaints database.”

· An amendment from Rep. Noem (R-SD) to prohibit funding for EPA to modify the national primary ambient air quality standards applicable to coarse particulate matter (dust).

· An amendment from Rep. Burgess (R-TX) that prohibits funds to implement a provision specific to the State of Texas in the “Education Job Fund.” ##### ###

TEXT CREDIT: Committee on Appropriations H-307, The Capitol Washington, DC 20515 Main Number: (202) 225-2771

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

Scott Walker on Fox News Sunday 02/20/11 VIDEO

Scott Walker on Fox News Sunday 02/20/11 VIDEO.

The Cost of Public Sector Benefits

Madison–In an effort to raise awareness about the cost of public sector employee benefits today Governor Walker’s office released the following fact sheet.

·In 2001 taxpayers contributed $423 million dollars to state employee health insurance premiums, while in 2011 taxpayers contributed more than $1 billion dollars. In 2011, state employees paid $64 million toward their health insurance, or about 5.6% of the total cost. (ETF Health Care Analysis)

·From 2001 to 2010 taxpayers spent more than $8 billion dollars on state employee health care coverage—over the same period of time state employees contributed about $398 million. (ETF Health Care Analysis)

·Public employers contributed almost $1.37 billion to the state’s pension fund in 2009, while employees contributed about $8 million, or about 0.6%. (LFB paper 84 Wisconsin Retirement System, Table 28)

·From 2000 to 2009 taxpayers spent about $12.6 billion on public employee pensions, during the same period public employees contributed $55.4 million. (LFB paper 84 Wisconsin Retirement System, Table 28)

·When looking at state operations, state employees account for about 60% of taxpayer cost—77% of state operations for the UW are employees, 70% for corrections, 63% for health services. (State Budget Office Memo 2-9-11)

·Wisconsin taxpayers currently make nearly a 100% payment for the employee portion of the public sector pension contribution. Illinois and Indiana taxpayers contribute the entire employee portion as well, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota and Ohio pay 0% of the employee contribution. (State Budget Office Memo 2-9-11)

·Public employees in Wisconsin are vested in the retirement system immediately, while in Illinois it takes 8 years, 10 years in Indiana, 4 years in Iowa, 10 years in Michigan, 3 years in Minnesota, and 5 years in Ohio. (State Budget Office Memo 2-9-11)

·Survey data finds that private employer HMO plans in Wisconsin typically require a co-pay of $18 per office visit, $45 per specialist visit, $75 per emergency room visit, or $175 in-patient treatment. The average health insurance premium for these plans averaged $108 per month for single coverage and $261 for family. (State Budget Office Memo 2-9-11)

·Taxpayers spent $733 million of general purpose revenue on fringe benefits for state employees in fiscal year 2010. (State Budget Office Memo 2-9-11)

·Fringe benefits made up 25.6% of school district expenditures in 2008-09. (State Budget Office Memo 2-9-11)

Along with the release of this information Governor Walker’s spokesman, Cullen Werwie, released the following statement:

Wisconsin is in a fiscal crisis because past budgets, which were supported by members of both political parties, used one time sources of revenue for ongoing operating expenditures and did little to address the long-term financial challenges facing our state.

Both democrats and republicans know that state workers do great work. But unfortunately many private sector workers who are also hard working, good people either lost their job, took a pay cut, or saw their benefit package reduced as a result of the recent economic downturn. Governor Walker’s budget repair bill strikes a fair balance—asking public employees to make a modest 5.8% pension contribution, which is about the national average, and 12.6% health insurance contribution, which is about half the national average.

Governor Walker is going to engage in an honest discussion about the cost of our government. He will continue to offer long-term budget reforms that fix Wisconsin’s current fiscal disaster, which will ensure sustainable delivery of the core services taxpayers demand.

###

VIDEO CREDIT: RepGovs

TEXT CREDIT: Office of Governor Scott Walker 115 East Capitol Madison WI 53702 Phone (608) 266-1212 Email: govgeneral@wisconsin.gov

Statement by Tim Pawlenty in Support of Governor Scott Walker

Tim Pawlenty

"Governor Scott Walker is making tough choices needed to avoid financial ruin. The nation's governors don't need a lecture from a President who has never balanced a budget. All levels of government need to bring public employee compensation in line with the private sector. The gig is up for public employee groups who demand better benefits than the taxpayers who are paying the bill. I'm confident Governor Walker's reforms will succeed in Wisconsin. Stand strong, Scott -- average taxpayers everywhere are rooting for you."

TEXT CREDIT: Tim Pawlenty's Freedom First PAC PO Box 9190 St. Paul, MN 55109

IMAGE CREDIT: Official photo of Governor Tim Pawlenty (R-MN).

Governor Rick Scott Rejects Federal High Speed Rail VIDEO TEXT

Tallahassee, Fla. – After thoughtful consideration, Governor Rick Scott informed U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood of the state’s decision to reject President Obama’s Tampa to Orlando high-speed rail project.

Below are Governor Scott’s Remarks as Prepared:

* As you know, I was elected to get Floridians back to work and to change the way government does business in our state. * I am committed to making good on those promises. * Recently, I sent a budget proposal to the legislature that reduces the size and scope of government; reduces the costs of that government and passes those cost savings on to taxpayers so that we can create new jobs and turn Florida’s economy around.

* I believe when you reduce government’s reach and hold that government accountable, you create an environment where the economy can flourish.

* When you reduce taxes and put that money back in the hands of hardworking Floridians and Florida businesses, that money will be spent on creating private sector jobs

* As you know, my background is in business, not politics. But you don’t have to be an economics expert to understand that if you spend more money than you take in, your business will fail.

* Unfortunately, politicians haven’t always seemed to grasp that same principle.

* In fact, the Obama administration just announced a $3.73 trillion budget that includes the largest budget deficit in our nation’s history ($1.65 trillion).

* The president’s budget includes $1.6 trillion in higher taxes.

* Those higher taxes will impact Floridians and our competitiveness worldwide. We cannot expect individuals to build businesses in America if our taxes are higher than other countries.

* Higher taxes and more government spending is a recipe for disaster. Government has become addicted to spending beyond its means and we cannot continue this flawed policy.

* Let us never forget, whether it is Washington or Tallahassee, government has no resources of its own. Government can only give to us what it has previously taken from us.

* That is why today I am announcing my decision to reject the Obama administration’s plan to partially-fund the costly Tampa to Orlando high-speed rail project.

* Moments ago I spoke with U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to inform him of my decision. I appreciate the Secretary’s efforts to work with us and I look forward to working with him in the future.

* My decision to reject the project comes down to three main economic realities:

o First – capital cost overruns from the project could put Florida taxpayers on the hook for an additional $3 billion.

o Second – ridership and revenue projections are historically overly-optimistic and would likely result in ongoing subsidies that state taxpayers would have to incur. (from $300 million – $575 million over 10 years) – Note: The state subsidizes Tri-Rail $34.6 million a year while passenger revenues covers only $10.4 million of the $64 million annual operating budget.

o Finally – if the project becomes too costly for taxpayers and is shut down, the state would have to return the $2.4 billion in federal funds to D.C.

* The truth is that this project would be far too costly to taxpayers and I believe the risk far outweighs the benefits.

* Historical data shows capital cost overruns are pervasive in 9 out of 10 high speed rail projects and that 2/3 of those projects inflated ridership projections by an average of 65 percent of actual patronage.

* It is projected that 3.07 million people will use the train annually. Keep in mind that Amtrak’s Acela train in Washington, D.C., Boston, Philadelphia, New York and Baltimore only had 3.2 million riders in 2010. And that market’s population is 8 times the size of the Tampa/Orlando market.

* President Obama’s high-speed rail program is not the answer to Florida’s economic recovery.

* We must make investments in areas where we will get a return for the shareholders – Florida’s taxpayers.

* Rather than investing in a high-risk rail project, we should be focusing on improving our ports, rail and highway infrastructure to be in a position to attract the increased shipping that will result when the Panama Canal is expanded when the free trade agreements with Colombia and Panama are ratified and with the expansion of the economies of Central and South America.

* By capturing a larger share of containerized imports entering our seaports, expanding export markets for Florida businesses and emerging as a global hub for trade and investment we can create up to an additional 143,000 jobs according to a recent chamber of commerce study.

* It is absolutely critical that we make smart investments with taxpayer dollars, whether state or federal, and I believe our state will be better served by spending these funds on projects that will benefit Florida and not turn into a spending boondoggle.

* The answer is to reduce government spending, cut government’s leash on our state’s job creators and then hold that government accountable for the investments it makes.

* That is what I was elected to do and that is how I plan to govern. Let’s get to work! # # #

View Governor Rick Scott’s Letter to USDOT Secretary Ray LaHood in PDF FORMAT

VIDEO CREDIT: newsserviceflorida

TEXT and IMAGE CREDIT: Office of Governor Rick Scott State of Florida The Capitol 400 S. Monroe St. Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001 (850) 488-7146

Ann Coulter, Chris Christie most viable 2012 Republican presidential contender VIDEO

Ann Coulter MSNBC interview with Last Word host Lawrence O’ Donnell.

If we don't run christie, romney will be the nominee.

>> here's the truth nobody's talking about. you'll have to raise the retirement age for social security. oh, i just said it. and i'm still standing here. i did not vaporize into the carpeting. and i said it.

>> in the spotlight tonight, new jersey governor chris christie's blunt speech yesterday in washington has more republicans calling for him to run for president. the leading cheerleader of the christie for president movement is ann coulter, who made news at cpac last weekend by saying christie is the only republican who can beat barack obama. and tuesday she continued her draft christie campaign by comparing him to the most admired republican of the 20th century, ronald reagan.

>> i don't care if he wants to run. his country needs him.

>> social issues and some --

>> he's pro-life. a lot of false rumors about him.

>> health care, immigration, some other issues he's --

>> there are a few things he's a little soft on, but by the way, our whitewash memories of reagan, he was soft on a few thing, too.

>> joining me now, my former msnbc colleague, ann coulter. ann, thank you for being here tonight.

>> thank you for having me.

>> does msnbc still appear on your resume anywhere or has that been whitewashed soviet style?

>> it's the only network i've ever worked for. started with you.

>> there you go. here's the idea for tonight.

>> yes.

>> we're going to try, for a change of pace for you --

>> yes.

>> we're going to try to find areas of agreement. going to reach across the aisle for areas of agreement.

>> can i play, too?

>> yes, yes, indeed. so, for example, an area of agreement we seem to have, mitt romney is a loser. please expound.

>> well, i wouldn't say that. i mean, he may well be the best candidate if it's not my love, chris christie. and when it came down to three candidates, huckaby, mccain, or romney, i was totally for romney if that's what my choice is. maybe i'm wrong about my predictions saying he would run.

>> you're right. you said romney would lose. totally right.

TEXT and VIDEO CREDIT: msnbc video: Ann Coulter talks GOP winners and losers

Tom Price Weekly Republican Address TEXT PODCAST VIDEO 02/19/11

Washington (Feb 18) Delivering the Weekly Republican Address, House Republican Policy Committee Chairman Tom Price (R-GA) highlights the new majority’s effort to free our economy from the shackles of big government and skyrocketing debt that are creating the economic uncertainty that economists say makes it harder to create jobs. Chairman Price reaffirms the new majority’s commitment to lead where the President has punted on addressing our most significant fiscal challenges, including entitlement reform. Chairman Price is in his fourth term serving the people of Georgia’s Sixth Congressional District. In addition to being a member of the House GOP leadership team, he is a member of the House Budget and Ways & Means Committees and a former Chairman of the Republican Study Committee.

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

“Hello, I’m Congressman Tom Price and I have the privilege of working for the people of Georgia’s Sixth Congressional District. In addition to serving as the Chairman of the House Policy Committee, I’m a member of the House Budget Committee.

“And by now you’ve probably heard a lot of talk coming out of Washington about a so-called budget battle. We’ve even got some Democrats who run Washington threatening to shut down the government instead of listening to the American people and cutting spending. Right now, our focus should be creating jobs and getting our economy moving again.

“After all, the President promised that this would be the year that he got serious about the deficits and the debt hurting our economy. Instead, he started out by asking Congress to raise the debt limit, without any commitment to cutting spending at the same time. In his State of the Union address, he called for more ineffective ‘stimulus’ spending. And this week he submitted a budget for the next fiscal year that destroys jobs by spending too much, and borrowing too much, and taxing too much.

“Listen to economists, listen to the folks who create jobs in this country, and you’ll hear that we need to end Washington’s spending binge to reduce uncertainty, to boost confidence, and to encourage private investment in our economy. To help create a better environment for job creation in America, the spending binge has got to stop. Now with the support of Republican governors and our reform-minded colleagues in the Senate, the new House majority is working hard toward that goal.

“That’s why the House spent this past week working on a bill to cut discretionary spending by $100 billion over the last seven months of the current fiscal year. We’re not only living up to our Pledge to America, we’re exceeding it. And more cuts and more reforms are on the way.

“Now as part of our focus on job growth, committees in the House are combing through job-crushing government regulations, and conducting rigorous oversight of how the government spends the people’s time and your money. We’ll soon begin work on legislation to cut wasteful mandatory spending.

“In the spring, under the leadership of our Budget Chairman, Paul Ryan, we’ll put forth a budget for the next fiscal year that confronts the fiscal challenges facing our nation instead of ducking them. It’ll offer ideas for real entitlement reform so we can have a conversation with the American people about the challenges we face and the need to chart a new path to prosperity.

“Now as a doctor and as a parent, I find it astounding that the President has submitted a budget that ignores the recommendations of his own fiscal commission and it punts on all of the tough choices – including entitlement reform. Instead, he’s expanded entitlements through ObamaCare – a government takeover that will destroy 800,000 jobs, according to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, and will accelerate our path to fiscal ruin.

“This issue demands presidential leadership – something that the President so far just seems unwilling to offer.

“Now if we can find an upside, it’s that the President admitted that his budget fails to address our fiscal crisis. You see, some Members of Congress still won’t even acknowledge that there’s a crisis. One in particular, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, said not too long ago, and I quote, “Social Security is fine.” But you know it’s not fine. This year, for the first time, it will pay out more money than it takes in.

“And, with the wave of Baby Boomers starting to retire, there’s no way that we can protect programs like Social Security for the future and get our debt under control unless we begin to honestly address entitlements. Now for the President, leadership requires telling friends like Harry Reid the truth, even if it’s politically difficult.

“Now, our reforms will focus both on saving these programs for current and future generations of Americans and on getting our debt under control and our economy growing. By taking critical steps forward now, we can fulfill the mission of health and retirement security for all Americans without making changes for those in or near retirement.

“The new Republican majority will lead even as the Democrats who run Washington ignore their responsibilities.

“And if Senator Reid and President Obama change their minds, we’ll be ready to work with them. In the meantime, Republicans are focused on listening to the people, confronting our nation’s challenges, and helping our economy get back to creating jobs.

“Thanks 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

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker press conference VIDEO

Amid protests over the state's budget dispute, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker held a press conference 02/18/11, stating that "like nearly every state across the country, we don't have any more money."

Walker also said Wisconsin has been broke for years, and that the previous governor "delayed the pain" of making tough decisions with federal stimulus money. Walker Calls Democrat Legislators Back Into State, Madison–Today Governor Walker released the following statement:

Out of respect for the institution of the Legislature and the democratic process, I am calling on Senate Democrats to show up to work today, debate legislation and cast their vote. Their actions by leaving the state and hiding from voting are disrespectful to the hundreds of thousands of public employees who showed up to work today and the millions of taxpayers they represent.

press conference 02/17/11

VIDEO CREDIT: FoxNewsInsider

TEXT CREDIT: Office of Governor Scott Walker 115 East Capitol Madison WI 53702 Phone (608) 266-1212 Email: govgeneral@wisconsin.gov

IMAGE CREDIT: Governor Scott Walker

Governor Bob McDonnell speaks out in support of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker VIDEO

Governor Bob McDonnell speaks out in support of Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker's efforts to trim a $3billion budget deficit by cutting spending, not raising taxes.

TEXT and VIDEO CREDIT: mcdonnellforgovernor

Republican Study Committee will offer an amendment to reduce spending in H.R. 1, the FY 2011 continuing resolution, by an additional $22 billion

RSC Members Offer Amendment to Cut More from 2011 Spending Bill Looking to Make a Good Bill Better Washington, Feb 18 -

Today, members of the Republican Study Committee (RSC) will offer an amendment to reduce spending in H.R. 1, the FY 2011 continuing resolution, by an additional $22 billion. The amendment would return total non-security spending in 2011 to just below its pre-stimulus 2008 level, which represents a savings of more than $100 billion from President Obama’s non-security discretionary budget request for this year.

“After years of endless increases, Congress is finally talking about how to reduce spending and get Washington out of the way,” said RSC Chairman Jim Jordan. “In the last four years, federal spending rose by nearly 36% while Americans’ median family income fell by 4.2%. At the same time, the national debt spiked by a staggering $5.4 trillion.

“Families and businesses have had to cut back, and they’re demanding that Washington do the same. This week, Republicans are taking the first step to getting the country’s finances in order. This is already a good bill, but I believe we can make it even better.”

The amendment, which will be formally offered by Rep. Marsha Blackburn, makes across-the-board cuts of 11% to Legislative Branch accounts and 5.5% to all other non-security accounts, excluding aid to Israel.

In addition to Chairman Jordan and Rep. Blackburn, other sponsors of the amendment include Reps. Jeff Flake, Scott Garrett, Mike Pence, John Campbell, Jeff Duncan, Frank Guinta, Tim Huelskamp, Steve Southerland, and Joe Walsh.

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TEXT and IMAGE CREDIT: Republican Study Committee (RSC) - The Caucus of House Conservatives FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2.18.2011