Diane Black Weekly Republican Address TEXT PODCAST VIDEO 03/05/11

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Weekly Republican Address: Rep. Diane Black on Creating a Better Environment for Job Creation Rep. Black: “What we need is a new approach – a path to prosperity that gets government out of the way by cutting unnecessary spending and removing barriers to job growth.”

Washington (Mar 4)

Delivering the Weekly Republican Address, Rep. Diane Black (R-TN) talks about how the path to job creation and prosperity lies in liberating our economy from the shackles of big government and out-of-control Washington spending. Rep. Black, a member of the Budget and Ways & Means committees, is in her first term representing Tennessee’s Sixth Congressional District. She also serves as the freshman class representative to the Republican Policy Committee.

"Hello, I’m Diane Black. In addition to being a nurse, I'm also a small business owner and I taught at a local community college. I’m also a proud mother of three and grandmother of six – all of them wonderful. Just two months ago today, I had the honor of being sworn-in to serve the people of Tennessee’s Sixth Congressional District, as part of the new Republican freshman class in the House of Representatives.

“My colleagues and I in the freshman class know that we weren’t sent to Washington to sit on our hands, or to find new ways to avoid old problems. We were sent here by our constituents to help put an end to Washington's policies that are making it harder to create jobs and threatening our nation’s future.

“Job creation has to be the number-one priority for both parties. The policies of the past haven’t worked, and despite some signs of life in our economy, the unemployment rate is still far above the levels that the president’s advisors promised when the ‘stimulus’ spending bill was signed into law.

“What we need is a new approach – a path to prosperity that gets government out of the way by cutting unnecessary spending and removing barriers to job growth. We need to unleash our nation’s economy instead of burying it under a mountain of regulation, taxation and debt.

“Since the moment we were sworn into office, this has been the focus of our new majority in the House.

“Whenever I tour my district and I ask small businesspeople ‘what can I do to help?,’ they tell me to just get government out of the way and they’ll create the jobs and grow on their own. That’s exactly why our new majority is taking a complete inventory of Washington's rules and regulations, looking to root out the ones that make it harder to create jobs.

“We’re hoping to find things that could have been discovered if Washington had been doing its work in an open and transparent way. There’s no better example of this than the 1099 paperwork mandate in ObamaCare. The House passed a bill this week to repeal it.

“And soon, we’re going to vote to cut wasteful mandatory spending programs – not just in ObamaCare, but also in the Dodd-Frank financial regulation bill that’s drying up credit for our small businesses. We’ve also got our eye on EPA rules that are hurting job creation and creating higher gas prices.

“It’s not just the overreaching that has to stop – it’s the overspending, which many economists agree is a barrier to job creation.

“It’s now been just two weeks since the House passed H.R. 1, a bill that makes much-needed spending cuts and keeps the government running through the end of the fiscal year. Unfortunately, the Democrats who run the Senate haven’t allowed the vote on this bill or any other bill that would cut spending and keep the government running long-term.

“You may have heard President Obama say that we need to make sure ‘we're living within our means.’ He’s right about that. Unfortunately, his budget doesn’t match his words. It continues out-of-control spending, it adds to our $14 trillion debt, and it adds to the uncertainty that makes it harder to create jobs. Maintaining the status quo – and refusing to offer a credible plan to cut spending – is just unacceptable and inexcusable.

“Again, we weren’t sent here to sit on our hands. The American people want us to keep the government running while cutting its cost. So with your support, Republicans spearheaded the passage of a short-term measure that cuts spending by $4 billion. That’s $4 billion of YOUR money that would otherwise have gone to earmarks and other wasteful programs. It’s a start, but it’s not nearly enough. By enacting this bill, we’ve provided another two weeks for our Democrat colleagues in the Senate to either pass H.R. 1, or to pass a credible alternative that meets the people’s priorities. Doing nothing is not an option.

“After two years, we know that government doesn’t create private-sector jobs. It’s small businesses and the people behind them who do. That’s why our majority is focused on getting government out of the way and charting a new path to prosperity. It’s what our constituents sent us here to do, and it’s what we need to do for the future of our children and our country.

“Thank you for listening.”

VIDEO CREDIT: HouseConference

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

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

Energy Tax Prevention Act (H.R. 910), a bill to block EPA’s controversial backdoor climate change agenda

Leading Bipartisan Voices on Energy Policy Introduce Energy Tax Prevention Act, H.R. 910 Energy Tax Prevention Act in PDF FORMAT

March 3, 2011 WASHINGTON, DC – Republican and Democratic leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives today introduced the Energy Tax Prevention Act (H.R. 910), a bill to block EPA’s controversial backdoor climate change agenda that would further drive up the price of energy for American consumers and job creators at a time when gas prices are already spiking and job creation remains weak. The bill is narrowly drawn to clarify the EPA’s authority under the Clean Air Act, preserving the law’s important and longstanding functions to reduce air pollution.

Introducing the bill are Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI), Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson (D-MN), Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Nick Rahall (D-WV), and Energy and Power Subcommittee Chairman Ed Whitfield (R-KY), in addition to others.

“Whether at the pump or on their monthly utility bills, American families, farmers, and employers feel the pinch when energy prices go up. The very last thing the federal government should do is make matters worse by intentionally driving up the cost of energy. Yet that is exactly what’s in store if the EPA moves forward with its plans to regulate and penalize carbon emissions under the Clean Air Act,” said Chairman Upton.

“The EPA is pursuing a dramatic shift in our nation’s energy and environmental policy that would send shock waves through our economy,” said Chairman Whitfield. “Setting the course of our energy policy is the job of Congress, not a single federal agency acting without authority. The Energy Tax Prevention Act is a sensible, straightforward plan to end the uncertainty and economic threat posed by the EPA’s climate change agenda.”

“The EPA needs to be reined in. If Congress does not do something about the regulations being imposed on our farmers, ranchers and rural communities, the economic effects could be devastating. This is the last thing we need when our economy is beginning to show signs of recovery,” said Ranking Member Peterson.

The text in PDF FORMAT of the Energy Tax Prevention Act is available online along with letters of support for the legislation from American Electric Power, the American Farm Bureau Federation, the Industrial Energy Consumers of America, the National Association of Realtors, and the National Mining Association. ###

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

Senators Coburn, McCain, DeMint, Ensign, Johnson, Paul, Lee, Ayotte Sign Letter Promising to Hold Unconstitutional and Fiscally Irresponsible Bills

WASHINGTON, D.C.) – U.S. Senators Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-OK), John McCain (R-AZ), Jim DeMint (R-SC), John Ensign (R-NV), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Rand Paul (R-KY), Mike Lee (R-UT) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) today sent a Dear Colleague letter in PDF FORMAT to all Senators announcing their intention to withhold unanimous consent, or “hold,” bills that fail meet the following criteria:

• All New Spending Must Be Offset with Cuts to Lower Priority Spending: Congress authorizes billions of dollars in new spending every year to create new or expand existing government programs. Yet, few bills are passed to eliminate outdated, duplicative, unnecessary, inefficient, wasteful, or low priority programs. To make government more efficient, any legislation authorizing new spending or creating a new agency, office, program, activity, or benefit or increasing the authorization of an existing function must offset the cost of this expansion by eliminating an existing program or function or reducing the authorized funding level of ongoing spending.

• Government Programs Must Be Periodically Reviewed and Renewed: Never ending government programs must end. Congress should periodically determine whether or not every government program is working as intended, is still needed, or is worthy of continued taxpayer support. To ensure this happens, any legislation establishing or continuing an agency, office, or program must also include a “sunset” date at which point Congress must decide whether or not to update or extend the life of the program.

• The Cost and Text of Bills Must Be Available Prior to Passage: Too many bills costing billions of dollars with far reaching implications are approved by the Senate with little debate, few if any amendments, and not even time to read the actual text of the legislation. To guarantee taxpayers and senators have sufficient time to read bills and information to understand their cost and impact, all legislation must be publicly available in an electronic format for at least three full days along with a cost estimate completed by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) prior to being passed.

• Duplicative Government Programs Must Be Consolidated or Eliminated: Despite the existence of hundreds of duplicative federal programs costing billions of dollars, Congress continues to create new programs with similar missions, goals, and purposes. To reduce redundancy, any bill creating a new program that replicates a current government mission must consolidate overlapping activities or eliminate the existing programs.

• Congress Must Not Infringe Upon the Constitutional Rights of the People: Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution grants Congress a very limited set of enumerated powers. Far too often, Congress infringes upon the rights and liberties reserved for the people and the states provided elsewhere in the Constitution. These overreaches are no more than an afterthought when most bills are debated. To restore the intended balance of powers between the states and the federal government and to preserve the freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution, all bills must have a clear and obvious basis connected to one of the enumerated powers and must not infringe upon any of the rights guaranteed to the people.

“Before we can get our fiscal house in order, Congress first has to stop making the problem worse. I’m pleased so many of my colleagues have agreed to withhold consent from bills that borrow and spend new money, duplicate existing programs, violate the Constitution or are not a legitimate role of the federal government. This week’s GAO report exposing widespread duplication in the federal government shows why Congress needs to eliminate programs that don’t work instead of creating new programs we don’t need, and can’t afford,” said Dr. Coburn.

“Each year, the federal government washes billions of taxpayer dollars down the drain through wasteful and duplicative spending. This waste is even more unconscionable in the present economy, as American families and businesses are struggling financially,” said Senator John McCain. “I am pleased to join my colleagues in working to implement simple, commonsense practices in the Senate to reduce wasteful and unnecessary spending.”

“The problem in the Senate isn’t that we’re not passing enough legislation, it’s that we’re passing so many new spending bills and regulations with little review or debate,” said Senator Jim DeMint. “I’m proud to stand with my fellow conservative Senate colleagues to require thorough review of bills to prevent secret passage of wasteful spending and unconstitutional legislation. Our nation is on the edge of bankruptcy and we simply cannot afford more borrowing from foreign nations to spend on programs we don’t need.”

“These gross duplications in federal programs and agencies, along with billions of dollars in binge spending increases, are crippling the present and future of the United States,” said Senator John Ensign. “The GAO report underscores the great negligence of the federal government when it comes to managing hard-earned taxpayer dollars and further highlights the need for Congress to get our fiscal house in order. The time has come for the government to get its act together: decrease its size and increase its effectiveness so that it does what we need it to do not just what some want it to do.”

“This year, according to the Congressional Budget Office, we will spend 1.65 trillion dollars that we don’t have. That is a huge amount of money and a huge problem. It is a problem we must start to address. The letter I have signed - initiated by Senator Coburn - is just a very common sense approach to beginning the process of reining in the out of control spending and debt. We need to hold the federal government accountable. Families are not able to spend beyond their means; Washington certainly shouldn’t be able to do so either,” said Senator Ron Johnson.

“The American people deserve better from their federal government,” said Senator Mike Lee. “By holding bills that spend irresponsibly and overstep the proper role of the federal government, we can begin to rebuild their trust and make Congress more transparent and accountable. I'm proud to stand with my colleagues who agree that this wasteful, irresponsible spending must stop.”

“The status quo in Washington is unacceptable. Rather than continue to create new government programs, we must tighten our belts in Congress and live within our means like families do,” said Senator Kelly Ayotte.

###

TEXT CREDIT: Tom Coburn, M.D., United States Senator from Oklahoma Washington D.C.: 172 Russell Senate Office Bldg. Washington, DC 20510 Main: 202-224-5754 Fax: 202-224-6008

H.R. 4, repealing the onerous 1099 reporting requirement for small businesses

H.R. 4, repealing the onerous 1099 reporting requirement for small businesses: Leader Cantor Statement on 1099 Repeal Bill Text 112th Congress (2011-2012) H.RES.129.EH in PDF Format. WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) today issued the following statement on the passage of H.R. 4, repealing the onerous 1099 reporting requirement for small businesses:

“Today, the House took another step to make it easier for our small businesses to grow and create jobs by repealing the onerous 1099 provision. This needless tax compliance mandate included in the ill-conceived ObamaCare law bogs down businesses in paperwork, creating yet another hoop for them to jump through, instead of allowing them to focus on growing their business and creating jobs. While Republicans wish to repeal ObamaCare as a whole, we do not agree with the status quo for health care in this country which is why we offered a bill last year that was focused first and foremost on lowering costs.

“Nearly every small business person I meet says this is one of the most damaging provisions in the ObamaCare law because it forces them to issue burdensome tax forms, spending time and money on paperwork rather than hiring new employees or growing their businesses. I am hopeful we can work with the Senate to iron out the differences between the two versions, so that the President can sign this repeal into law.

"House Republicans are taking serious action to remove barriers to economic growth – including repealing ObamaCare and cutting spending – so that people can get back to work and we can start to get our fiscal house in order."

NOTE: 76 Democrats supported the measure. H R 4 RECORDED VOTE 3-Mar-2011 2:12 PM

TEXT CREDIT: Office of the Majority Leader H-329, The Capitol House of Representatives P: 202.225.4000

IMAGE CREDIT: RepBobGibbs

Paul Ryan Announces House Budget Committee Hearings for March

Chairman Ryan Announces House Budget Committee Hearings for March Committee to advance dialogue on budget challenges March 2, 2011 WASHINGTON – House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (WI-01) announced today two upcoming Committee hearings aimed at engaging the public on the Federal’s government unsustainable fiscal trajectory, and the need to repair our health and retirement security safety net.

On Thursday, March 10, the Committee will hear testimony on the subject of “Lifting the Crushing Burden of Debt.” On Thursday, March 17, the Committee will hear testimony on the subject of “Fulfilling the Mission of Health and Retirement Security.” Both hearings will take place at 10:00 a.m. in 210 Cannon House Office Building.

“Lifting the Crushing Burden of Debt”

Thursday, March 10, at 10:00 a.m. ET, the Committee will hear testimony from:

Douglas Holtz-Eakin
President, American Action Forum
Former Director of the Congressional Budget Office
Additional witnesses to address the economic consequences of the debt will be announced.

“Fulfilling the Mission of Health and Retirement Security”

Thursday, March 17, at 10 a.m. ET, the Committee will hear testimony from:

Alice M. Rivlin
Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution
Founding Director of the Congressional Budget Office
Former Director of the Office of Management and Budget

Charles Blahous
Research Fellow, Hoover Institution
Public Trustee for Social Security

James C. Capretta
Fellow, Ethics and Public Policy Center
Former Associate Director of the Office of Management and Budget

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

John Boehner Mitch McConnell press conference Where is Washington Democrats’ Plan to Cut Spending? 03/02/11 VIDEO

WASHINGTON, DC (Mar 2)

At a press conference today with Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) called on Senate Democrats to either hold a vote on House-passed legislation to fund the government for the rest of the fiscal year and cut spending to create a better environment for job growth – or outline their plan. A link to the video and Boehner’s remarks as prepared are below:

“The American people want us to focus on creating jobs and cutting spending, and passage of this short-term bill shows that we’re listening. “Today’s Senate vote is a positive step forward. “American families are doing more with less; the federal government can do the same. “In order to create a better environment for job creation, we must rein in out-of-control federal spending.

“We’ve now passed two bills in the House to cut spending and keep the government open, including H.R. 1, which funds the government for the rest of the fiscal year.

“These stopgap measures are only necessary because Democrats failed to pass a budget last year.

“Passing this short-term bill gives Senate Democrats two more weeks to either consider H.R. 1 – or outline their plan.

“Americans have a right to know: where is Senate Democrats’ plan to cut spending and fund the government for the rest of the fiscal year?”

# # # # #

TEXT CREDIT: Speaker of the House John Boehner Posted by Speaker Boehner Press Office on February 08, 2011, H-232 The Capitol Washington, DC 20515 P (202) 225-0600 F (202) 225-5117

VIDEO and IMAGE CREDIT: JohnBoehner

Governor Christie on CBS’s Face the Nation with Bob Schieffer 02/28/11 VIDEO TEXT TRANSCRIPT

FULL TEXT Transcript:

Governor Christie on CBS’s Face the Nation with Bob Schieffer on Sunday, February 27, 2011.

BOB SCHIEFFER: Well, now to the protests, back home protests of a very different kind. These are peaceful protests in Madison, Wisconsin, by union members. That demonstration is moving into its thirteenth day. Yesterday’s turnout of seventy thousand was the largest yet. And yesterday, union workers across the country turned out to support them, these demonstrations over the Wisconsin governor’s plan to reduce spending by ending the collective bargaining rights of teachers and many other public service employees.
Well Governor Christie, you took on the-- the public service unions in New Jersey. But you didn’t talk about ending collective bargaining rights. Do you think Governor Walker out there in Wisconsin has gone too far?

GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE (R-New Jersey): Bob, let me tell you what-- what went on in New Jersey. My predecessor Governor Corzine stood on the front steps of the Capitol at a public sector union rally and said, “I’ll fight to get you a good contract.” And I thought to myself watching that, who’s he fighting with? Once he says that the fights over. What I believe in is true adversarial collective bargaining. And so, every state is different. I’m not going to micromanage Wisconsin from Trenton, New Jersey. I know Scott Walker. I like him. And I trust him. And I think he believe he’s doing what’s in the best interest of Wisconsin, the same way I’m going to do what I think needs to be done for New Jersey, which is, to reform the pension system and roll
back health benefits for public sector workers, to put them more in line with the rest of the population in New Jersey, to put us on a long-term path to fiscal stability.

BOB SCHIEFFER: Well, but what about this idea? Do they have a right to collective bargaining?

GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE: Now listen. All these rights are legislatively created. They didn’t come down from tablets at the top of a mountain. And so, political things change and go back and forth. And every state is going to make their own determination on that. Wisconsin is in the middle of making that determination. As you know, Bob, there are plenty of states in America where that right doesn’t exist. And so, each state has to make their own determination on that.

BOB SCHIEFFER: Well, is that good or bad for New Jersey? Do you think they ought to have the right in New Jersey to collective bargaining?

GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE: What I’ve said in New Jersey is, as long as it’s fair and reasonable collective bargaining. You know, we can’t have what we’ve had before. You know, Bob, public sector workers, state workers in New Jersey, this past year, were working under a contract from my predecessor Jon Corzine, got seven percent salary increases in a zero percent inflation world. I don’t think the people who are paying the bills think that’s the result of fair adversarial collective bargaining. They want someone in the room representing the taxpayers. And that’s what I’ll be this June, when that contract expires.

BOB SCHIEFFER: Do you see a danger here that this is turning into some kind of may be not a danger, may be it’s something you would encourage, turning into some kind of national political war, where you have Democrats and the unions on one side and Republicans on the other?

GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE: I-- I don’t think it is. I think again, there are so many states that don’t have collective bargaining and there are a lot of states are not having this conflict right now. And so, I think this is really a state-by-state issue. There’s a lot of interest in this right now because of the emotion that’s going on in Wisconsin--strong stand by Governor Walker and a
strong stand by the people on the other side. It’ll be resolved politically in the state legislature in Wisconsin. So, I don’t see it that way. Obviously, it has national interest in story, Bob, but we’ve been taking on the unions in New Jersey for the last year and that’s gotten a lot of attention too. So everybody is doing it their own way.

BOB SCHIEFFER: Let me ask you this. You really came on hard against the teachers’ union. I think everybody in this country on all sides of all this thinks we need education reform that we’ve got to do something to make our educational system better. Do you worry that the stance you have taken has somehow demonized teachers and-- and will raise questions in young people’s minds as to whether they want to go into the profession?

GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE: No, I don’t. In fact, I did quite the opposite. Listen, I think that the teachers in New Jersey, and there’s thousands and thousands of great ones deserve a union as good as they are and they don’t have it. And, I disagree with the premise of your question which is that everybody agrees there should be education reform. It’s everybody, but the teachers union who believes that everything is fine. If you listen to them in New Jersey, they’ll tell you everything is fine. I mean it’s great. It’s great except for the hundred and four thousand kids in New Jersey that are struck in-- stuck in two hundred chronically-failing schools. I mean, you know just because their zip code is in a poor urban center doesn’t mean we should be fighting to change the system that’s failing them. So, no. What I’m trying to do is have a merit-based system for teachers, so that great ones get rewarded and paid more and that the really great ones want to stay in the profession, not only because they love it but because they’re rewarded financially for it. The union, Bob, they protect the worse of the worst. That’s what there for, they make it impossible to fire bad teachers and it’s ruining our education system.

BOB SCHIEFFER: What do you think of President Obama’s plans to reform education at the federal level by his-- you know let’s reward good teachers. His, you know, the-- the things that Secretary Duncan has outlined. Are-- are you-- generally think he’s on the right track?

GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE: I do. And-- and I’ve said that publicly. I think the President has shown some real courage, especially for a Democrat who’s been dependent upon the teachers union nationally for political support to come out for merit pay and race to the top and some of the things he’s done to push reform, I think the President has been on the right track. I’m little concerned about comments I heard yesterday from Secretary Duncan that seemed to be, you know blowing the hornet for treat on that a little bit. And I-- I hope that that’s not an election year ploy for them to cozy back up to the NEA and the ATF, as the President prepares for reelection. But in general, I think the President has been very strong on this. And that’s why you see Republicans agreeing with him on it.

BOB SCHIEFFER: You have a reputation as a straight talker I think. Do you believe that the budgetary problems across this country can be resolved without raising taxes?

GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE: Well, let’s take New Jersey, for instance, Bob. We raised taxes and fees a hundred and fifteen times in the last eight years. And we still have one of the worst budget problems in America. And so, I think unless you deal with the underlying structural expense problems and we’ve been dealing with them in New Jersey, you-- there’s no amount of taxation is ever going to keep up with the amount of spending increase that we have. And so, my view is we’ve already done things on the tax side in New Jersey. We have one of the highest top marginal income tax rates one of the highest sales tax rates, one of the highest corporate business tax rates. What we need to get to now is cutting back the size and scope of
government and have those two things meet. For instance, this year in my budget, while we still reduce spending, I added two hundred and fifty million dollars to K-12 education. We’re going to do things that make sense. But we’re not going to continue the spending spree and we’re certainly not just going back to raising more and more taxes. The people in New Jersey have had enough of that. Hundred and fifteen times in eight years, I think they’d given it the office, Bob.

BOB SCHIEFFER: You know there are some groups, anti-tax groups that ask people, especially people who are running for the Republican nomination for president to take a pledge not to raise taxes. I know you’re not running. I know what you’ve said about running. But it’s-- would you do that? Would you ever take a pledge not to raise taxes?

GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE: Well, listen. If I were running, I guess I’d have to make that decision. But at the end of the day I think what matters much more is what you do and not anything that you sign or-- or that you say. You have to prove and do it. And I think the reason why people in New Jersey are responding to what we’re doing is I’m actually doing in the job,
Bob, what I said I would do. I said if there were income tax increases I would veto them. I did and my veto was sustained. I said I would cut spending in the size of government. We’ve now
cut spending two years in a row--not projected spending, real spending. And we’re taking on the things that they’re not taking on at the federal level--pension benefits and health care. And we’re doing those two things to cut back the cost of that.

BOB SCHIEFFER: One of the things that you have spoken out on is something that a lot of people in politics have not. Here’s what you said at the American Enterprise Institute this week
in Washington.

GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE (February 16): You’re going to 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.

BOB SCHIEFFER: All right. You said it.

GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE: I did.

BOB SCHIEFFER: Should-- should other people be saying that?

GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE: Of course, I mean, listen, you know and I know that the overall majority has a problem on the federal level comes down to three programs--Social Security,
Medicare and Medicaid. And unless we go about tackling those three issues, all the rest of the things that the President is talking about and others on Capitol Hill are talking about are minor league issues. Not saying they’re not important. Not saying they’re not, you know, interesting and-- and-- and I might like some of them. But if you don’t deal with those three, those three are
going to eat up everything else. And so, we’ve to start dealing with it. And I think the people of the United States are-- are ready for a frank, adult conversation about it. I’ve seen that in New
Jersey. I’ve done a lot of things that people say I don’t like but I’m glad you’re taking it on because you have to, because we know we’re in trouble. And so, my view on it and the reason I came down and gave that speech was to say to people stop being afraid and stop telling-- selling the people of America short. They’re smart. They know we have to do this.

BOB SCHIEFFER: All right. Governor, let’s take a break here. And we’ll come back and talk about this and some other things, including the government shutdown that may be coming in
this country in-- in-- in Washington. Back in a minute.

(ANNOUNCEMENTS)

BOB SCHIEFFER: And we’re back now with Governor Christie. Governor, Congress is back this week and the first thing they’ve got to tackle is some sort of emergency stopgap legislation to
keep the con-- government from shutting down. But I know there are a lot of people in your party, especially on the Tea Party side, who say maybe just let the government shut down. Let’s do not compromise on-- on spending. Do you think it would be a good idea to shut the government down?

GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE: I don’t, unless that’s the only way to forward your principles. And I think they’re going to be able to find a way to find compromise that protects the principles
that, you know the folks in my party got elected on and the ones that are important to Democrats. I mean their job is to solve these problems and not just to stand in a corner and hold your breath. So-- and I say that about both sides. So let’s get together. They’ve got a week to figure it out. Let’s get in the room and figure it out. I was a little surprised they took the last week off, to tell you the truth, given that this was looming. Why? I-- I think most Americans wanted to know why they weren’t go to work, but they’re getting back to work tomorrow. So let’s get back to work and let’s get it solved.

BOB SCHIEFFER: Well, what do you say to the Tea Party folks who say, look, I mean, it-- it’s our way or no way. We have simply got to stop this and if it takes shutting down the government, shut it down.

GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE: Well, those are two different things, right? I mean, I think that you can accomplish the goals of downsizing government, of cutting spending, and you can do it in a way that I think Democrats will go along with you on. I mean you have to have some fights. And that’s fine. As you know, I’m not, you know averse to a fight. But I think also you just have to get in a room and start working it out with people. That’s what we’ve done in New Jersey, Bob. Now I have a democratic legislature. And the things that I’ve accomplished with cutting
spending and putting a cap on property taxes, cap on interest arbitration awards, reforming initially for new employees pension and benefits, I’ve done that with a democratic legislature. It means I don’t get every ounce of what I want but we get in a room and we work it out. And that’s what they should do down here.

BOB SCHIEFFER (overlapping): Well--

GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE: The President should lead on that.

BOB SCHIEFFER: Once they get this stopgap measure to keep the government running then they have to take a vote on-- on whether to raise the debt ceiling. What’s your view on that?

GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE: My view on it is that it better be in line also with some real long-term commitments to cutting spending. You’ve got to do both. And-- and I think it’s a good
moment to force that conversation and they should. And-- and I-- I just believe that if the President shows leadership on this, he can bring the parties together. That’s what a president’s for.

BOB SCHIEFFER: Let’s talk about-- let’s talk about President Obama. What do you think of the job he’s doing?

GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE: Listen, there are some things I like and there some things I don’t like. The spending has been out of control and not as advertised when he ran for
president. And-- and that’s very disappointing to me. I’m-- I’m not a fan of the health care reform. And I think it’s unnecessarily hamstrung states. And I doubt that it’s constitutional. Now
on the other side, as I said before I like what he’s done on education reform. And I think it’s a Nixon to China kind of moment. You know, we need a democratic president to make these
reforms in education to lead the way. I-- I like some of the things he’s had to say in renewable energy because I think we need to find a path to lower our dependence on foreign oil and-- and
we can see what’s going on in the Middle East this week. That it can turn things upside down for us. So I like some of the things he’s been doing on that as well. But, you know, overall, I didn’t vote for him. And I doubt I’ll vote for him next time.

BOB SCHIEFFER: A lot of Republicans, you know are giving hints, indications and so forth that they may or may not seek the Republican nomination to run against Barack Obama. You have said in one of the-- one of your memorable quotes, I’ve-- if I have, I-- I’d have to commit suicide to convince people I’m not running. Well, you may or may not walk back from the ledge on that. What-- you haven’t been all that kind I guess is what I would say to-- to some of the people that do seem to be suggesting they’re going to run. What do you like about the field so far and what don’t you like?

GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE: Well, we don’t have a field yet. First of all, no one has declared. And-- and what I’ve said is let’s judge the complete field once they all get in. You know lots of people can flirt with it, Bob. But you know it’s-- it’s an enormous decision to make the decision to run for president of the United States and enormous personal commitment. When the team that we’re going to field gets in there, then I’ll make my evaluation of them. And I don’t think I’ve said anything uncharitable about any of them. I’ve said some very nice things about Governor Daniels but I’ve said those things because I really believe that Governor Daniels is speaking about the issues that need to be spoken about and has a track record in Indiana that proves he can actually do it. That doesn’t mean I’d endorse Governor Daniels if he ran. But what it means is, I think those are the things that other people who are considering running should be looking at and talking about, to having an honest conversation with the American people.

BOB SCHIEFFER: Well, what you have said is they’ve got to get out here and talk about these things that are going to be the issues, that you can’t finesse it.

GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE: No, you can’t finesse it. And then-- and you have to have unscripted moments. I mean you cannot be blow dried and, you know, poll tested and come out here. That’s not what the American people want. They want somebody who is going to speak straight to them. And they want to ask you questions, so they want unguarded moments. That’s
when they can really judge your character.

BOB SCHIEFFER: Is that-- is that aimed at, say, Sarah Palin who seems to talk to people mostly on her website and-- and not-- and she doesn’t do many interviews?

GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE: Well, I-- I think it’s-- it’s aimed at all of them. But certainly, when I first made that comment, it was in response to a question about Governor Palin. And I think if she wants to prove she’s ready for this, you got to have to have some unscripted moments. Now she may very well be up to it and if she is, good for her, but I think people want to see that. Very-- they’re very much interested in her. So they want to see that about her to make a judgment as to can you trust somebody in the Oval Office who can do that? Unless you do those unscripted moments, I think it’s hard to get the person to pull the lever for you.

BOB SCHIEFFER (overlapping): What-- I mean do you think she’s ready?

GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE: Well, listen. She’s got to make that judgment herself. And you know what, Bob, I’ll make my vote in the voting booth privately like every other American.

BOB SCHIEFFER: All right. Let me-- let me ask you this. Some of the people on the right have sort of poked fun and made fun of Michelle Obama, because she’s been trying to get people to eat better. I know that you have done dieting. You have worked on your weight and so forth. You described yourself as portly. Do you think-- what do you think about this criticism coming
from the right of Michelle Obama, because she’s trying to get people to eat better.

GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE: Well, I think it’s unnecessary. I think it’s a really good goal to encourage kids to eat better. You know, I’ve-- I’ve struggled with my weight for thirty years and
it’s a struggle. And if a kid can avoid that in his adult years or her adult years, more power to them. And I think the first lady is speaking out well. I mean, I don’t want the government deciding what you can and what you can’t eat. I still think that’s your choice. But I think Mrs. Obama being out there encouraging people in a positive way to eat well and to exercise and to be healthy, I don’t have a problem with that.

BOB SCHIEFFER: Governor Christie, thank you so much. I hope you’ll come back to see us.

GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE (overlapping): Absolutely, I will.

BOB SCHIEFFER: We enjoyed having you.

GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE: Thank you, Bob.

TEXT CREDIT: Office of the Governor PO Box 001 Trenton, NJ 08625 609-292-6000

VIDEO CREDIT: GovChristie

For Immediate Release: Date: Monday, February 28, 2011 Contact: Michael Drewniak Kevin Roberts 609-777-2600

Scott Brown Outlines Targeted Approach To Tackle Washington's Binge Spending VIDEO

U.S. Senator Scott Brown (R-MA) outlined his targeted steps to tackle Washington’s binge spending. Brown’s measures include reducing government spending, setting budget priorities, increasing transparency and accountability for taxpayers and eliminating waste and abuse in government agencies and programs:

Ending Earmarks In Washington: Senator Brown is opposed to earmarks, and is the only member of the Massachusetts delegation who refuses to sponsor them. Senator Brown believes that federal spending should be prioritized based on the merits of projects, not on the political influence of a particular member of Congress. In December, Senator Brown opposed the Omnibus Appropriations bill because it was laden with thousands of earmarks and wasteful government spending, and he will continue to support reforms to the appropriations process that incentivize thoughtful stewardship of taxpayers’ hard-earned money.

Increasing Transparency For Taxpayers: In order to help taxpayers understand where their money is being spent, Senator Brown will introduce the bipartisan Taxpayer Receipt Act with U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL). Brown and Nelson’s bill would provide an itemized taxpayer receipt showing taxpayers where every dime of money paid to the Federal government is getting spent, and how much new debt we’ve put on the national credit card. The receipt would arrive when a taxpayer files their tax returns, on or before April 15th of each year.

Reading Bills And Understanding The Cost: Senator Brown believes all legislative matters should be made available to the public and fully scored by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) before a final Senate vote. Under current law, the Senate has to wait 48 hours before considering a bill that includes a committee report after a bill is reported out of committee. Senator Brown’s bipartisan 48 Hour Spending Transparency Resolution would apply that 48 hour threshold (as well as the CBO score requirement) before any consideration of a legislative matter by a subcommittee or committee, or on the floor of the Senate.

Tackling The Debt: Senator Brown believes that continuing down our current fiscal path threatens the future stability of our country. Senator Brown believes that we should change the way we budget and spend – putting a system in place that helps the federal government prioritize what we really need, while eliminating what we can live without and balancing the budget. On February 1st, Senator Brown sent a letter to the Budget Committee calling for responsible Budget reform. The letter asked Budget Committee leaders to ensure that priorities are actually established before the Senate holds any vote to increase our nation’s debt limit.

Cutting Wasteful Government Spending: Senator Brown is a co-sponsor of the Reduce Unnecessary Spending Act to give the President additional tools, such as a constitutional line-item veto procedure, to eliminate the kind of reckless spending that sticks taxpayers with the bill for congressional pork. This authority helped Congress and the President balance the budget in the past and it can again. Senator Brown also co-sponsored a resolution that would cut back the Senate budget. When families across Massachusetts are making tough choices, we should be doing the same.

Eliminating Waste, Fraud, Abuse In Federal Agencies And Programs: For too long, federal agencies and programs have been immune from accountability and oversight. For example, recent Congressional testimony estimates that $60 billion – or approximately thirteen percent – of our nation’s Medicare spending is at risk of fraud. The Social Security program is also not immune. In fiscal year 2008, the Social Security Administration (SSA) made overpayments in the Social Security Income (SSI) program alone that totaled $ 4.6 billion.

Last year, as ranking member of the Contracting Oversight subcommittee of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Senator Brown sent a list of recommendations to the President’s Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, providing concrete proposals to radically reform the acquisition process and save billions of taxpayer dollars. This Congress, Senator Brown will introduce the Federal Acquisition Reform Act – comprehensive legislation that will potentially save billions by streamlining the way the federal government purchases goods and services. As the new ranking member of the Federal Financial Management (FFM) Subcommittee, Senator Brown will hold hearings on the Social Security Program, the Medicare and Medicaid Programs, and federal agencies to root out the problems within these programs and ensure they are operating efficiently.

VIDEO CREDIT: USSenatorScottBrown

TEXT CREDIT: Scott Brown 317 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Phone: (202) 224-4543 Fax: (202) 228-2646

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.

H.R. 394 Federal Courts Jurisdiction and Venue Clarification Act of 2011 FULL TEXT

H.R. 394 Federal Courts Jurisdiction and Venue Clarification Act of 2011 Bill Text 112th Congress (2011-2012) H.R.394.RH IN PDF FORMAT Sponsor: Rep. Smith, Lamar (Judiciary Committee) Date: March 01, 2011 112th Congress, 1st Session. FLOOR SITUATION On Monday, February 28, 2011, the House is scheduled to consider H.R. 394, under suspension of the rules, requiring a two-thirds majority vote for passage. The bill was introduced on January 24, 2011, by Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX) and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. The Committee held a markup of H.R. 394 on January 26, 2011, and ordered the bill to be reported by voice vote.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

H.R. 394 would make several changes to judicial procedures, including the determination of original jurisdiction and court venue for certain types of cases. The bill would specify the court of original jurisdiction for certain cases involving resident aliens and corporations. Lastly, H.R. 394 would change how the venues for federal court cases are determined, particularly when the cases involve multiple districts.

BACKGROUND

According to the majority staff on the House Committee on the Judiciary, the House approved a similar bill (H.R. 4113) by voice vote under suspension of the rules on September 28, 2010.

The Senate Judiciary Committee insisted on the following minor amendments.

* Maintaining the status quo treatment of derivative jurisdiction. H.R. 4113 as passed by the House made technical changes to §1441(f) to clarify that the derivative jurisdiction doctrine has no application to other sections within title 28. Prior to 1986, the derivative jurisdiction doctrine meant that if a state court lacked jurisdiction over an exclusively federal matter, removal to federal court under §1441(f) was nonetheless barred because the US district court’s jurisdiction was not “derivative” of the jurisdiction that attached in state court. Justice Department attorneys said that although it is infrequently used, the doctrine of derivative jurisdiction is indeed sometimes invoked by them when suits involving federal officers and agencies are removed to federal court. They gave as a particular example the situation when a defendant seeking to escape a state court forum brings a third-party action against a federal employee. If the federal employee was acting within the scope of the employee's employment, the U.S. can remove the case to federal court under 28 USC §1442 & §2679. The federal court then applies the derivative jurisdiction doctrine and dismisses the third-party claim against the federal employee, remanding the underlying action to state court. DOJ says that in such instances the third-party claim against a federal employee is often brought merely to obtain a federal forum, thereby frustrating the plaintiff's choice of forum.

* A clarification that a district court, and not state court, can make findings regarding the appropriateness of certain removals. This is a non-substantive change.

* Substitution of the generic word “entity” for “party” in one instance, consistent with the context of its usage.

* Deletion of an extra comma in one provision.

H.R. 394 includes the base text as approved by the House in the 111th Congress along with the Senate changes.

H.R. 394 would attempt to bring clarity to the operation of jurisdictional statute and facilitate the identification of the appropriate state or federal court where actions should be brought. Many Judges believe the current rules force them to waste time determining jurisdictional issues at the expense of adjudicating the underlying litigation. The contents are based on recommendations developed and approved by the United States Judicial Conference.

COST
According to CBO, H.R. 394 would have no significant budgetary impact.

TEXT CREDIT: Legislative Digest - GOP.gov: Staff Contact For additonal information, contact Sarah Makin

IMAGE CREDIT: Congressman Lamar Smith Washington, DC Office 2409 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 ph: 202-225-4236 fax: 202-225-8628 8:30 am- 6:00 pm EST

President Obama touts the failed stimulus for masking state budget woes

President Obama touts the failed stimulus for masking state budget woes.

You can connect with Majority Leader Eric Cantor through the social media accounts that are listed below. They'll help you stay informed about what's happening in Congress and allow you to join the conversation about how our nation can remain the land of prosperity and opportunity.

Social media is revolutionizing the way we communicate, so join the conversation about our country's future and make your voice heard today by connecting with Leader Cantor on any of these platforms:

Twitter: http://twitter.com/GOPLeader
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/EricCantor
Digg: http://digg.com/EricCantor
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/EricCantor
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/HouseChamber

VIDEO CREDIT: EricCantor

TEXT CREDIT: Eric Cantor Majority Leader

Ron Paul Tea Party Patriots American Policy Summit 02/26/11 VIDEO

Ron Paul at Tea Party Patriots American Policy Summit 02/26/11 VIDEO Afternoon Session 1:00 PM Sat, Feb 26

Subcommittee on Domestic Monetary Policy “Can Monetary Policy Really Create Jobs?” Hearing Date: February 9, 2011 Chairman Ron Paul Statement for the Record

For the past three decades, the Federal Reserve has been tasked with a dual mandate: keeping prices stable and maximizing employment. Influenced by Keynesian economics and the supposed tradeoff between inflation and unemployment, the dual mandate relies on the idea that a handful of experts can successfully steer the American economy and create economic growth. This has forced upon us an interventionist monetary policy that believes that creation of money out of thin air is the cure for all that ails us.

This policy relies not only on the fatal conceit of believing in the wisdom of supposed experts, but also on numerical chicanery. Rather than understanding inflation in the classical sense as a monetary phenomenon-- an increase in the money supply- it has been redefined as an increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The CPI is calculated based upon a weighted basket of goods which is constantly fluctuating, allowing for manipulation of the index to keep inflation expectations low. Employment figures are much the same, relying on survey data, seasonal adjustments, and birth/death models, while the major focus remains on the unemployment rate. Of course, the unemployment rate can fall as discouraged workers drop out of the labor market altogether, leading to the phenomenon of a falling unemployment rate with no job growth.

In terms of keeping stable prices, the Fed has failed miserably. According to the government's own CPI calculators, it takes $2.65 today to purchase what cost one dollar in 1980. And since its creation in 1913, the Federal Reserve has presided over a 98% decline in the dollar's purchasing power. Recent news stories have offered numerous anecdotes of prices rising far faster than would be expected if official inflation figures were accurate. With commodities, oil, or food prices, speculation is that the Federal Reserve's quantitative easing is leading to hot money flooding world markets. The average American family sees the price of milk, eggs, and meat increasing, while packaged household goods decrease in size rather than price. People around the world are reacting against the specter of sharp price increases. While the focus of this hearing does not deal with inflation or even specifically with the dual mandate, this subcommittee undoubtedly will hold further hearings on these topics in the future.

Today's hearing focuses on jobs, and the inability of the Federal Reserve's monetary policy to create jobs or to achieve maximum employment. The stagflation of the 1970s should have taught us this lesson already The Federal Reserve's loose monetary policy, rather than leading to a tradeoff between jobs and inflation, instead led to both high inflation and high unemployment. Hopefully we will learn the lesson this time around.

Of course loose fiscal policy has failed to create jobs too. Consider that we had a $700 billion TARP program, nearly $1 trillion in stimulus spending, a government takeover of General Motors, and hundreds of billions of dollars of guarantees to Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, HUD, FDIC, etc. On top of those programs the Federal Reserve has provided over $4 trillion worth of assistance over the past few years through its credit facilities, purchases of mortgage-backed securities, and now its second round of quantitative easing. Yet even after all these trillions of dollars of spending and bailouts, total nonfarm payroll employment is still seven million jobs lower than it was before this crisis began. Since employment levels bottomed out last year, the government reports that roughly one million jobs have been created. This means that each job created has cost upwards of five million dollars. We probably would have been better off just printing out these trillions of dollars and throwing them out the window of a helicopter.

In this same period of time that we lost seven million jobs, the total U.S. population has increased by nine million people. We would expect that roughly four million of these people should have been employed, so we are really dealing with eleven million fewer employed people than would otherwise be expected. Let us put this figure in perspective. Eleven million people represents almost the population of Ohio, a figure greater than the population of 43 of the 50 states. Eleven million people is twice as many people as are currently employed in construction, 45% more people than are currently employed in financial activities, and almost as many people as are currently employed in manufacturing.

Unfortunately, numbers like these are often ignored or overlooked. Everyone pays attention to the unemployment rate, which has just recently declined. Part of this is due to discouraged workers who have given up looking for work and have taken themselves out of the labor force, but the employment numbers are rigged in such a way as to make it look as though the employment situation is improving.

Another curious anomaly in employment data relates to seasonal adjustments. Seasonal variations are understandable-- for instance workers hired for the Christmas season and laid off immediately afterward. But such statistical adjustments are easy to manipulate. When unemployment figures were released in February of 2010, non-seasonally adjusted figures showed an additional 1.4 million unemployed workers from December 2009 to January 2010, while the seasonally adjusted numbers showed 69,000 fewer unemployed. The most recent figures released in February of 2011 showed an additional 3.1 million unemployed workers from December 2010 to January 2011, yet the seasonal adjustment shows 367,000 fewer unemployed. Spinning a 22% increase in the number of unemployed workers into a statistical decrease should be met with a healthy dose of skepticism.

It should not be surprising that monetary policy is ineffective at creating jobs. For one thing, there are numerous other factors that affect employment, including taxes, labor laws, and other regulations that contribute to labor market rigidity and institutional unemployment. But it is the effects of monetary policy itself that cause the boom and bust of the business cycle that leads to swings in the unemployment rate.

By lowering interest rates through its loose monetary policy, the Fed spurs investment in long-term projects that would not be profitable at market-determined interest rates. The signal to businesses is that consumers are increasing savings and deferring consumption in order to consume more capital-intensive more in the future. If the Fed-mandated interest rate is in fact lower than the market interest rate, the reality is that consumer preferences between consumption and savings have not changed, but businesses act as though they have. The result of lower interest rates is an economic boom which manifests itself as a bubble.

Everything seems to go well for awhile until businesses realize that they cannot sell their newly-built houses, their inventories of iron ore, or their new cars. Low interest rates have spurred production, but because the low interest rates resulted from Fed intervention and not through changes in consumption patterns, the result is overcapacity. Resources have been “malinvested,” directed into sectors of the economy which are not truly in demand from consumers. These resources must be liquidated, and this is the corresponding bursting of the bubble. Until these resources are redirected, often with great economic pain for all involved, true economic recovery cannot begin.

Labor is one of these resources that can be malinvested. As inflation rises due to the Fed's monetary intervention, real wage rates decrease, increasing the demand for labor and leading to lower unemployment. Sectors into which this new money flows see hiring increases, as we recently saw in financial services, mortgage lending, and construction during the housing boom. When the bust comes, however, these workers end up being laid off. They find it difficult to find employment in other industries due to an inability to sell their houses and move, or to retrain for a new skilled labor position, or for any number of other reasons. However the result of that initial meddling in monetary policy is an eventual increase in the unemployment rate.

We find ourselves now in the midst of the worst economic crisis in decades. Unemployment remains persistently high, and the United States cannot afford increased meddling by the Federal Reserve. Over $4 trillion in bailout facilities and outright debt monetization, combined with interest rates near zero for over two years, have not and will not contribute to increased employment. I shudder to think of what the Fed might do if the unemployment rate were to continue to increase.

By falsely diagnosing the cause of the crisis, the Fed's solution is fatally flawed. What is needed is liquidation of debt and of malinvested resources. Pumping money into the same sectors that have just crashed merely prolongs the crisis and ensures that the day of financial reckoning that eventually will come will be far more severe than otherwise. Until we learn the lesson that jobs are produced through real savings and investment and not through the creation of new money, we are doomed to repeat this boom and bust cycle.

VIDEO CREDIT: 12onPaul

TEXT CREDIT: Congressman Ron Paul Washington, DC 203 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Phone Number: (202) 225-2831

IMAGE CREDIT: C-SPAN

Tim Pawlenty Remarks for Tea Party Patriots Summit: Government is Too Damn Big VIDEO TEXT

FULL TEXT TRANSCRIPT

I’m here today to say “thank you.” Thank you for standing up to the “ruling class.” Thank you for standing up to the liberal power brokers, guardians of the status quo, and the royal triangle of greed: big government, big unions and big bailed out businesses. Thank you for being modern day Paul Revere’s – rallying Patriots to the cause of this great nation. The promising work of Governors Walker, Kasich, Christie, and so many others is the direct result of the dedicated Patriots in this room and across the country who had enough, stood up, fought back, and are restoring this country’s foundation.

Our Founders put it in terms so simple even a politician should be able to understand: They started with a most important principle: They didn’t say we’re endowed by our member of Congress or we’re endowed by our bureaucrat.

They said we’re endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable Rights -- and that government derives its powers from the consent of the governed. And what government did our Founders institute and our Fathers ratify? The one that begins, “We the people…”

The message of the Tea Party, as I see it, is simple. God made us to be free, and the Founding Fathers made the Constitution to keep us free. And just about every problem our country faces today comes from a rejection of one of those two principles. And every solution we need today will come from a return to those core principles. The Constitution was not written to limit freedom, it was written to limit government.

It appears President Obama has forgotten what this says. It says in the Constitution: “In order to form a more perfect Union….” Mr. President, that does not mean coddling out of control public employee unions. And Mr. President, Wisconsin does not need a lecture from somebody who’s never balanced a budget in his life.

Speaking of Wisconsin, will you join me in applauding Governor Walker for standing strong against overreaching unions?

Now, I’m not one who questions the existence of the President’s birth certificate. But, when you listen to his policies, don’t you at least wonder what planet he’s from? We don’t share President Obama’s worldview.

We don’t want a bigger government shoving mandates down our throats. He’s got it completely backwards. They, the bureaucrats, don’t tell us what to do. We, the people, tell the government what to do!

My friends, we need to restore American confidence and American optimism by restoring American common sense. As Washington proves time and time again, not everyone’s born or elected with common sense.

We need leaders who remember where they came from, and what made this nation the greatest country the world has ever known. For me, that real world experience started in my hometown of South St. Paul, Minnesota – a place filled with good-hearted people, strong families and the rock-solid values of the heartland.

When I grew up there, it was home to some of the world's largest stockyards and meat-packing plants. But when those plants shut down, so did a big part of the spirit and soul of my hometown. My mom died when I was 16 and later, my dad, who worked for a trucking company, lost his job for a while.

The foundations of my hometown and my family were shaken hard. At a young age, I saw up close the face of challenge, the face of hardship, the face of job loss -- and I saw in the mirror -- the face of a very uncertain future. I know many Americans are feeling that way today. I know that feeling. I lived it.

But in those moments, we learn some things. We remember what’s important.

We simply need more common sense, and less Obama non-sense. And let’s start with this: It’s complex -- and I know there may be some liberals watching this -- so I’ll say it slowly so they can follow along: We can’t spend more than we take in.

You can't do it as an individual, a family or a business. And we can’t let our government do it anymore! Just because we followed Greece into democracy, does not mean we should follow them into bankruptcy!

Big government spenders come with excuses. They say, "Oh, Governor, how do you do that? It's too hard. The politics are difficult and the unions are too tough”.

I know something about the spenders -- and I know something about difficult. I'm from the state of United States Senator Al Franken.

But we cut government in Minnesota. If we can do it there, we can do it anywhere. It wasn’t easy. I set a record for vetoes. Had the first government shutdown in Minnesota’s history. Took one of the longest transit strikes in the country’s history to get public employee benefits under control. And, I cut spending in real terms for the first time in the history of my state.

My friends, it’s time for the federal government to do the same. We should not raise the debt ceiling! We should pass a constitutional amendment to balance the budget! We should appoint judges who will not legislate from the bench. We must repeal Obamacare! And we must throw the ridiculous federal tax code overboard!

And let’s require, under penalty of perjury, every member of Congress to do their own tax returns without the help of a tax preparer, accountant or lawyer. Let them experience firsthand the mind-numbing, burdensome, frightening beast our tax system has become.

Do you remember the guy who ran in the NYC mayor's race who ran his entire campaign on a simple motto: He said over and over: "The rent is too damn high". So here’s our simple motto: "The Government’s too damn big!"

Americans need jobs, not more government-forced anything. The private sector, not government, is the answer to job creation. We shouldn’t ask Washington D.C. how to create jobs. We should ask the people who actually provide the jobs!

Their answer is clear and simple and it’s this: “Reduce my costs and get government off my back” Ladies and gentlemen, America needs job growth, not government growth!

My friends, none of this is going to be easy. If prosperity were easy, everybody around the world would be prosperous. If security were easy, everybody around the world would be secure. And if freedom were easy, everybody around the world would be free. They’re not.

It takes extraordinary effort. It takes extraordinary commitment. It takes extraordinary strength to stand up to those who oppose these principles. But we can do it.

Valley Forge wasn't easy. Settling the West wasn't easy. Winning World War II wasn’t easy. And Going to the moon wasn’t easy. This ain't about easy. This is about rolling up our sleeves, plowing forward, and getting the job done.

This is our guide. This is our Constitution. "We, the People of the United States" will rise up again. We will take back our government. This is our country.

Our Founding Fathers created it, Americans embraced it, Ronald Reagan personified it and Lincoln stood courageously to protect it. Now, as ever, "This nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom....” Our “government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth….” and America will remain the greatest country the world has ever known.

Thank you. God bless you. And God bless the United States of America!

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).

VIDEO CREDIT: GovernorTimPawlenty

Rob Portman Weekly Republican Address TEXT PODCAST VIDEO 02/26/11

Podcast of the address: Download MP3 for PODCAST || FULL TEXT TRANSCRIPT BELOW. ||

In the Weekly Republican Address, Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio says, "We've had to relearn the lesson we all know in our hearts: you can't spend your way to prosperity. As American families have tightened their belts over the past couple of years and businesses have had to do more with less, the federal government has taken the opposite path, spending more, growing bigger, and becoming more involved in our economy and our lives. This historic failure to control spending directly affects our economy and the ability to create jobs."

Sen. Portman explains, "There is an urgency about this that the American people get even while many in Washington seem to be in denial. We must rise to the challenge and work together to meet our economic and fiscal problems head-on by putting in place pro-growth measures and spending restraint and we must do it now."

Sen. Portman expresses his disappointment that Democrats in Washington still don't seem to understand this. "Having chosen to duck the tough choices for the coming year and beyond, the President and Democrats in Congress are now objecting to any reductions in spending Congress can control in the current budget year. This is despite the fact that this year's $1.6 trillion deficit is at record levels, and over the past two years under Democrat leadership, this type of spending has increased 24 percent, and over 80 percent if you include the Stimulus. Our goal as Republicans is to make sensible reductions in this spending and create a better environment for job growth, not to shutdown the government. Getting our debt and deficits under control is the first step we can take, and the single most important step Washington can take, to get our economy moving and create the jobs we so badly need."

Full TEXT Transcript of Senator Portman’s Address:

“I’m Rob Portman. I am proud to represent the people of Ohio as a new United States Senator. What I heard in my travels to every county in Ohio over the past couple of years, and what I continue to hear across our state, is a deep concern over jobs and the future of our economy. There is an understandable frustration with Washington's failure to address even the most basic problems.

“People are looking for leadership to help create jobs and opportunity and instead what they see is the same, tired political responses. We were told two years ago this month that the way to grow the economy was through bigger government, more spending, and more borrowing. The Stimulus plan ended up costing over a trillion dollars when you include the interest on the money that had to be borrowed to pay for it. It was a grand experiment that failed. It not only failed to produce new jobs, an economic boost the Obama Administration promised, the trillion dollar price tag, combined with higher levels of spending across government, added up to a record deficit again this year and a national debt that is now dangerously close to the size of the entire U.S. economy. This growing red ink is hurting the economy today and mortgaging the future for our kids and grandkids.

“So we've had to relearn the lesson we all know in our hearts: you can't spend your way to prosperity. As American families have tightened their belts over the past couple of years and businesses have had to do more with less, the federal government has taken the opposite path, spending more, growing bigger, and becoming more involved in our economy and our lives.

“This historic failure to control spending directly affects our economy and the ability to create jobs. It pushes up interest rates, crowds out private investment, and leaves us with three bad choices, either far higher taxes, even more borrowing, or both. Left unchecked, these mounting debts could lead to the kind of financial crises we’ve seen in Greece and other countries. At the same time, job creators tell us Washington has added to the uncertainty by pursuing other policies that stifle job growth, including onerous new federal regulations, a tax code that expires, making it a political football, unpredictable rising health care costs, and an increasing reliance on the Mideast and other volatile parts of the world for our energy. It’s time to change course.

“There is an urgency about this that the American people get even while many in Washington seem to be in denial. We must rise to the challenge and work together to meet our economic and fiscal problems head-on by putting in place pro-growth measures and spending restraint and we must do it now.

“This means enacting new tax policies that take away uncertainty and encourage innovation and investment and make us more competitive in a global economy. It means real health care reform that truly reduces costs, helping working families and small businesses afford access, and addressing the biggest cost-driver in entitlement programs that everyone acknowledges are unsustainable. It means sensible regulatory reform that reverses the growing burdens on employers that drive jobs overseas. It means a national energy policy that uses our own resources to stop our dangerous dependence on foreign oil, and it means stopping the red ink that threatens to swamp our economy.

“Once a year Presidents are required to submit a federal budget that sets out a vision for the coming year and into the future. It is a leadership opportunity and a solemn responsibility. There was a lot of anticipation surrounding the President's budget release last week. After all, President Obama had repeatedly and eloquently described the dire fiscal condition of the nation and he promised action. In last year’s budget proposal, he established a Fiscal Commission that issued a stern report in November calling for deep spending reductions to stave off a fiscal and economic disaster. The President himself has rightly pointed out, ‘What we have done is kicked the can down the road,’ and ‘we are now at the end of the road and [are] not in a position to kick it any further.’

“And, yet, the President's budget did exactly that. He rejected the dire warnings and recommendations of his own Fiscal Commission and not only kicked the can down the road but made the road more perilous by advocating deeper debt and ignoring bipartisan calls for entitlement reform and pro-growth policies, including tax reform and regulatory restraint.

“Instead of making the tough choices all Americans know are necessary to get our fiscal house in order and strengthen our economy, the President's budget locks in the higher levels of spending over the past two years and doubles the national debt. As the Democrat co-chairman of the President's Fiscal Commission said, ‘it goes nowhere near where they’ll have to go’ to address our fiscal problems.

“Having chosen to duck the tough choices for the coming year and beyond, the President and Democrats in Congress are now objecting to any reductions in spending Congress can control in the current budget year. This is despite the fact that this year's $1.6 trillion deficit is at record levels, and over the past two years under Democrat leadership, this type of spending has increased 24 percent, and over 80 percent if you include the Stimulus. Our goal as Republicans is to make sensible reductions in this spending and create a better environment for job growth, not to shut down the government. Getting our debt and deficits under control is the first step we can take, and the single most important step Washington can take, to get our economy moving and create the jobs we so badly need.

“In Ohio and around the country, people are looking for common sense leadership to get us back on track. They know what we Americans are capable of, the innovation, invention and millions of new jobs that are within our grasp if Washington will act with resolve to create the climate for success. But they know that we risk the American dream becoming a fiscal nightmare if we do not act, and act now to do what's right.

“Thank you for listening.”

VIDEO and IMAGE CREDIT: gopweeklyaddress

TEXT CREDIT: United States Senator Rob Portman

President George W. Bush Targeted by Saudi Arabian Khalid Ali-M Aldawsari with improvised explosive device (IED)

Khalid Ali-M Aldawsari

President George W. Bush Targeted by Saudi Arabian Khalid Ali-M Aldawsari with improvised explosive device (IED) Texas Resident Arrested on Charge of Attempted Use of Weapon of Mass Destruction Suspect Allegedly Purchased Bomb Materials and Researched U.S. Targets WASHINGTON – Khalid Ali-M Aldawsari, 20, a citizen of Saudi Arabia and resident of Lubbock, Texas, was arrested late yesterday by FBI agents in Texas on a federal charge of attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction in connection with his alleged purchase of chemicals and equipment necessary to make an improvised explosive device (IED) and his research of potential U.S. targets.

The arrest and the criminal complaint, which was unsealed in the Northern District of Texas, were announced by David Kris, Assistant Attorney General for National Security; James T. Jacks, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas; and Robert E. Casey Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Dallas Field Division.

Aldawsari is expected to make his initial appearance in federal court in Lubbock at 9:00 a.m. on Friday morning. Aldawsari, who was lawfully admitted into the United States in 2008 on a student visa and is enrolled at South Plains College near Lubbock, faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted of attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction.

According to the affidavit filed in support of the complaint, Aldawsari has been researching online how to construct an IED using several chemicals as ingredients. He has also acquired or taken a substantial step toward acquiring most of the ingredients and equipment necessary to construct an IED and he has conducted online research of several potential U.S. targets, the affidavit alleges. In addition, he has allegedly described his desire for violent jihad and martyrdom in blog postings and a personal journal.

“As alleged in the complaint, Aldawsari purchased ingredients to construct an explosive device and was actively researching potential targets in the United States. Thanks to the efforts of many agents, analysts and prosecutors, this plot was thwarted before it could advance further,” said Assistant Attorney General Kris. “This case serves as another reminder of the need for continued vigilance both at home and abroad.”

“Yesterday’s arrest demonstrates the need for and the importance of vigilance and the willingness of private individuals and companies to ask questions and contact the authorities when confronted with suspicious activities. Based upon reports from the public, Aldawsari’s plot was uncovered and thwarted. We’re confident we have neutralized the alleged threat posed by this defendant. Those reports resulted in the initiation of a complex and far-reaching investigation requiring almost around the clock work by hundreds of dedicated FBI agents, analysts, prosecutors and others. Their effort is another example of the work being done to protect our country and its citizens. These individuals are deserving of our respect and gratitude,” said U.S. Attorney Jacks.

“This arrest and criminal charge is a result of the success of the FBI's counterterrorism strategy, which is to detect, penetrate, and disrupt terrorist plots in the United States and against U.S. interests abroad. In this case, FBI Agents and other FBI experts worked tirelessly to neutralize the imminent terrorist threat described in the criminal complaint. The public can be justifiably proud of the national security expertise shown by the FBI in this investigation,” said Special Agent in Charge Casey.

Purchases of Chemical Ingredients and Other Equipment

The affidavit alleges that on Feb. 1, 2011, a chemical supplier reported to the FBI a suspicious attempted purchase of concentrated phenol by a man identifying himself as Khalid Aldawsari. According to the affidavit, phenol is a toxic chemical with legitimate uses, but can also be used to make the explosive trinitrophenol, also known as T.N.P., or picric acid. The affidavit alleges that other ingredients typically used with phenol to make picric acid, or T.N.P., are concentrated sulfuric and nitric acids.

Aldawsari allegedly attempted to have the phenol order shipped to a freight company so it could be held for him there, but the freight company returned the order to the supplier and called the police. Later, Aldawsari falsely told the supplier he was associated with a university and wanted the phenol for “off-campus, personal research.” Frustrated by questions being asked over his phenol order, Aldawsari cancelled his order and later e-mailed himself instructions for producing phenol. The affidavit alleges that in December 2010, he successfully purchased concentrated nitric and sulfuric acids.

According to the affidavit, legally authorized electronic surveillance revealed that Aldawsari used various e-mail accounts in researching explosives and targets, and often sent emails to himself as part of this process. On Feb. 11, 2011, for instance, he allegedly e-mailed himself a recipe for picric acid, which the e-mail describes as a “military explosive.” He also allegedly sent himself an e-mail on Oct. 19, 2010 that contained information on the material required for Nitro Urea, how to prepare it, and the advantages of using it.

The affidavit alleges that Aldawsari also e-mailed himself instructions on how to convert a cellular phone into a remote detonator and how to prepare a booby-trapped vehicle using items available in every home. One e-mail allegedly contained a message stating that “one operation in the land of the infidels is equal to ten operations against occupying forces in the land of the Muslims.” During December 2010 and January 2011, Aldawsari allegedly purchased many other items, including a gas mask, a Hazmat suit, a soldering iron kit, glass beakers and flasks, wiring, a stun gun, clocks and a battery tester.

Searches of Aldawsari’s Residence

Two legally authorized searches of Aldawsari’s apartment conducted by the FBI in February 2011 indicated that the concentrated sulfuric and nitric acids; the beakers and flasks; wiring; Hazmat suit; and clocks were present in Aldawsari’s residence.

FBI agents also found a notebook at Aldawsari’s residence that appeared to be a diary or journal. According to the affidavit, excerpts from the journal indicate that Aldawsari had been planning to commit a terrorist attack in the United States for years. One entry describes how Aldawsari sought and obtained a particular scholarship because it allowed him to come directly to the United State and helped him financially, which he said “will help tremendously in providing me with the support I need for Jihad.” The entry continues: “And now, after mastering the English language, learning how to build explosives and continuous planning to target the infidel Americans, it is time for Jihad.”

In another entry, Aldawsari allegedly wrote that he was near to reaching his goal and near to getting weapons to use against infidels and their helpers. He also listed a “synopsis of important steps” that included obtaining a forged U.S. birth certificate; renting a car; using different driver’s licenses for each car rented; putting bombs in cars and taking them to different places during rush hour; and leaving the city for a safe place.

Research on Potential Targets

According to the affidavit, Aldawsari conducted research on various targets and e-mailed himself information on these locations and people. One of the documents he sent himself, with the subject line listed as “Targets,” allegedly contained the names and home addresses of three American citizens who had previously served in the U.S. military and had been stationed for a time at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.

In another e-mail titled “NICE TARGETS 01,” Aldawsari allegedly sent himself the names of 12 reservoir dams in Colorado and California. In another e-mail to himself, titled “NICE TARGETS,” he listed two categories of targets: hydroelectric dams and nuclear power plants. On Feb. 6, 2011, the affidavit alleges, Aldawsari sent himself an e-mail titled “Tyrant’s House,” in which he listed the Dallas address for former President George W. Bush. The affidavit also alleges that Aldawsari conducted research that could indicate his consideration of the use of infant dolls to conceal explosives and possible targeting of a nightclub with an explosive concealed in a backpack.

The affidavit also alleges that Aldawsari created a blog in which he posted extremist messages. In one posting, he expressed dissatisfaction with current conditions of Muslims and vowed jihad and martyrdom. “You who created mankind….grant me martyrdom for Your sake and make jihad easy for me only in Your path,” he wrote.

This case was investigated by the FBI’s Dallas Joint Terrorism Task Force, with assistance from the Lubbock Police Department. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Richard Baker and Denise Williams from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas, and Trial Attorney David Cora from the Counterterrorism Section of the Justice Department’s National Security Division.

The charges contained in the criminal complaint are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

TEXT CREDIT: Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, February 24, 2011

IMAGE CREDIT: Lubbock County Sheriff 811 Main St P.O. Box 10536 Lubbock, TX. 79408 Phone : 806-775-1400 Emergency Number: 806-767-1441 or 911 Fax: 806-775-1491 Office Hours: 8:00am to 5:00pm