Rick Perry Make Us Great Again Ad Newsreel VIDEO

Rick Perry Make Us Great Again Ad Newsreel VIDEO

VIDEO CREDIT: MakeUsGreatAgain

Obama, i'm greater than any president except Lincoln, Roosevelt or Lyndon Johnson VIDEO

Obama, i'm greater than any president except Lincoln, Roosevelt or Lyndon Johnson. Obama's record doesn't match his rhetoric on his accomplishments.

American Crossroads releases new video: “Great” December 23, 2011 By American Crossroads

American Crossroads released a new video highlighting Obama’s claim that , his accomplishments so far are greater than any president except Lincoln, Roosevelt or Lyndon Johnson.

VIDEO CREDIT: AmericanCrossroads

New Mitt Romney Iowa Ad Conservative Agenda VIDEO

New Mitt Romney Iowa Ad Conservative Agenda VIDEO

It is a moral imperative for America to stop spending more money than we take in. It's killing jobs, and it's keeping our kids from having the bright prospects they deserve.

VIDEO CREDIT: mittromney

Richard Hanna Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season

Richard Hanna, Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season with family and friends. Especially our troops serving us abroad this time of year. #NY24

TEXT and IMAGE CREDIT: Congressman Richard Hanna Washington Office 319 Cannon HOB Washington, DC 20515 P: 202-225-3665 F: 202-225-1891

Kristi Noem Merry Christmas South Dakota

When you hear the bell ringing, you know it is Christmas morning. At least that’s the way it is in the Noem house. When my kids, Kassidy, Kennedy and Booker, hear me ringing the special bell outside their bedrooms on Christmas morning they know it’s time to get up and start enjoying the special day. (I’m scared to think about how early they might get up if it weren’t for the bell.) Every family, or group of friends, has holiday traditions that make this time of year so special.

On Christmas Eve, every year, we go to the home of my husband Bryon’s aunt with most of his family for oyster stew, then to church. The next morning starts with the bell ringing, then gifts and breakfast. The afternoon is usually spent with my family having fun outside on snowmobiles and sleds.

Every year I’m reminded of how blessed we are to have so much of our family around us for the holiday season. For me, celebrating the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ, with our dearest loved ones is the best gift imaginable.

From our family to yours, we wish you a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year, and hope you have the chance to spend this special season with your family and friends.

Rep. Kristi Noem is South Dakota’s lone U.S. Representative, elected in November 2010. She serves on the Agriculture, Education and Workforce and Natural Resources Committees.

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

Chuck Fleischmann wishes East Tennesseans a Merry Christmas

CHATTANOOGA – Congressman Chuck Fleischmann wished those in the 3rd District a Merry Christmas.

"I want to wish everyone in East Tennessee a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I am glad to be home in Tennessee to celebrate with my family. In my first year in office I have learned that often what goes on in Washington is simply a distraction when compared to what really matters in this great nation of ours. It is being around the table with your family and celebrating the birth of Christ that truly matters. There will always be time for politics, but let’s celebrate this time together and remember the true reason for the season," Fleischmann said.

### Dec 24, 2011 Issues: Congressional Issues

TEXT and IMAGE CREDIT: Congressman Chuck Fleischmann Washington, DC 511 Cannon HOB Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-3271 Fax: (202) 225-3494 Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00AM-5:00PM Eastern time

Mike Pence Weekly Republican Address TEXT PODCAST VIDEO 12/24/11

Washington (Dec 23) ***Embargoed until 6:00 a.m. EST, December 24, 2011***

Delivering the Weekly Republican Address, Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN) marks Christmas by encouraging all Americans to find renewed strength in the faith and traditions of one another and the brave men and women of our Armed Forces. Rep. Pence represents Indiana’s Sixth Congressional District. The audio of the Weekly Republican Address is available immediately below; the video will be available for viewing and downloading after the embargo is lifted tomorrow at 6:00 a.m. EST.

DOWNLOAD MP3 FOR PODCAST;

FULL TEXT TRANSCRIPT:

“Hello, I’m Mike Pence and I have the privilege of representing Indiana in our nation's Capitol.

“It’s Christmas Eve and if your family is anything like mine, today means last minute shopping, wrapping presents, and traveling to be with loved ones.

“For most here in Indiana, it's about family, hearth and home, dreaming of a white Christmas, children squinting through frosted windows to catch a glimpse of wonder in the night sky.

“For some of you, it will be a holiday on the beach or in the mountains, a candlelight service, midnight mass or a quiet gathering with friends.

“For our family, Christmas is a time when we reflect on our faith, on a promise fulfilled in a little town called Bethlehem more than 2,000 years ago with the humble birth of the Prince of Peace.

“Americans from all walks of life will celebrate the holidays in their own unique way, in accordance with their own beliefs and traditions.

“But while many of us are blessed to enter this season surrounded by loved ones with most of our needs met, too many will greet this season with heartache.

“For far too many in America, these are difficult times. Some of our neighbors, family and friends are struggling to make ends meet despite their best efforts, unable to find work in this difficult economy.

“This holiday season, let’s all make a special effort to come alongside these families in their time of need and support local charities as they provide for the needs across our communities. Let’s also make a point to personally reach out to that neighbor or friend who needs a helping hand, a kind greeting or an invitation - it might be just the gift someone needed most.

“And let's not forget those who serve in uniform at home and abroad.

“It was during another Christmas season in 1776, that a bold general led his weary army across the Delaware River on Christmas night. That night, George Washington won a battle that turned out to be a defining moment in the history of our still young nation.

“This night let us not forget those who still stand in harm’s way far from home so we can enjoy this season in peace and freedom.

“Even as one conflict draws to a close and joyful homecomings abound, let’s also remember the empty chair at every holiday table for those who won’t be with family this year by virtue of their service and sacrifice for our freedom.

“For all our soldiers and their beloved families, I pray they find peace and comfort in the true meaning of Christmas.

“These are challenging times in the life of this nation, but for all the challenges we face, we can still find renewed strength in the faith and traditions of those who have gone before.

“‘For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.’

“From my house to your house: May God bless you and your family with a joyous holiday season. Thank you for listening, and Merry Christmas.”

TEXT CREDIT: John Boehner | speaker.gov H-232 The Capitol Washington, DC 20515 P (202) 225-0600 F (202) 225-5117

IMAGE CREDIT: Congressman Mike Pence Washington D.C. Office 1431 Longworth HOB Washington, DC 20515 (p) 202 225-3021 (f) 202 225-3382

VIDEO CREDIT: HouseConference

John Boehner Senate passed, short-term payroll tax cut extension is burdensome and unworkable VIDEO TEXT TRANSCRIPT

John Boehner Senate passed, short-term payroll tax cut extension is burdensome and unworkable VIDEO TEXT TRANSCRIPT

Washington (Dec 22) At a press conferences with Republican leaders and House payroll tax cut negotiators today, House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) reiterated that the Senate-passed, short-term payroll tax cut extension is burdensome and unworkable for American job creators, and will not provide the level of tax relief American families need in this struggling economy. Speaker Boehner once again called on Senate Democrats to work with Republicans on a long-term extension and “solve this problem so that American workers don’t see their taxes go up in January.” Following are video and text of Speaker Boehner’s remarks.

“Yesterday, I spoke with President Obama. I urged him to call on Senator Reid to work with us to finish this bill that will provide for one year of tax relief for American workers. I told the President there’s one big reason why we need to do a full-year, and that’s jobs.

“A one-year bill – like the President requested and like the House produced – is simply better for jobs and better for our economy. A one-year bill provides, on average, about $1,000 for American workers, as opposed to the Senate bill which would provide a measly $166. As importantly, a one-year bill would provide certainty for American employers as they begin to plan for next year. A two month extension only perpetuates the uncertainty that too many employers already have in dealing with the economy and what’s coming out of Washington.

“Listen, I used to run a small business. I can tell you that the language in the Senate bill will hurt small businesses. The Senate [bill] only goes for two months, but businesses send their taxes in – write the check, I used to write the check to the IRS – but it’s done on a quarterly basis. And so, you’re going to have a couple of months of this, and another month of this, trying to figure out what your obligation is is going to be difficult. And secondly, the paperwork requirements and the programming requirements contained in the Senate bill will make it virtually impossible for those who provide payroll services to do the job that employers hire them to do.

“The fact is, we can do better. Americans are still asking the question, ‘where are the jobs?’ It’s time for us to sit down and have a serious negotiation, solve this problem, so that American workers don’t see their taxes go up in January.”

TEXT CREDIT: John Boehner | speaker.gov H-232 The Capitol Washington, DC 20515 P (202) 225-0600 F (202) 225-5117

VIDEO and IMAGE CREDIT: JohnBoehner

John Boehner., We’re here. We’re ready to go to work to Extend Full-Year Payroll Tax Relief VIDEO

Speaker Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) met with the eight House Republican negotiators appointed to work with Senate Democrats on extending payroll tax relief for a full year. Boehner said Senate Democrats should appoint negotiators too and help prevent a tax hike on middle class families -- without hurting small business job creators, as the short-term Senate bill would do:

Last week, the House passed a bipartisan bill extending payroll tax relief for a full year. The bill reformed and extended unemployment insurance for a full year, protected Social Security, and would help create new jobs as well. After Senate Democrats passed a short-term two month bill, the House voted to start negotiating with the Senate now so this important matter could be resolved before the end of the year.

Unfortunately, Senate Democrats have so far refused to appoint negotiators. As Speaker Boehner wrote this morning in USA Today, “We hope the president, who has repeatedly said he won't go on vacation until this matter is resolved, will urge Senate Democrats to change their minds.”

BOEHNER: “Yesterday the House voted to reject the Senate bill and ask for a conference with the Senate where we could resolve the differences between the two houses. I’ve appointed the eight men and women sitting here with the Majority Leader and I to be our negotiators. We’re here. We’re ready to go to work. And we’re hoping that Senate Democrats will appoint negotiators, come to the table, and resolve these differences. I think it’s important to note that the president, bipartisan leaders in the House and bipartisan leaders in the Senate, have all really asked for the same thing over the course of the last several months: let’s extend the payroll tax credit for a year. And all we’re asking for is to get the Senate members over here to work with us to resolve our differences so we can do what everybody wants to do: extend the payroll tax credit for the next year. I’m hoping that they’re ready to work as we are.”

TEXT CREDIT: John Boehner | speaker.gov H-232 The Capitol Washington, DC 20515 P (202) 225-0600 F (202) 225-5117

VIDEO CREDIT: JohnBoehner

Darrell Issa has requested that Eric Holder testify before the Oversight Committee

WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa, R-Calif., has requested that Attorney General Eric Holder testify before the Oversight Committee on January 24, 2012. Issa noted that the committee has offered AG Holder six alternate dates.

In the letter, Issa explains that the hearing will cover what senior Justice Department officials could have - and should have - done to prevent a reckless program like Operation Fast and Furious.

letter to Attorney General Holder in PDF FORMAT. ###

Committee on Oversight and Government Reform 2157 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING, WASHINGTON, DC 20515 PHONE: (202) 225-5074 FAX: (202) 225-3974

Dave Camp Statement on H.R. 3630 Conference Committee Appointment

Washington, DC – Today, Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) appointed Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI) to serve on a Conference Committee to be made up of House and Senate members to resolve differences over H.R. 3630, The Middle Class Tax Relief & Job Creation Act.

"I urge my Democrat colleagues to quickly appoint conferees so we can ensure middle-class families are not hit with a tax increase next year, the unemployed do not have their benefits expire and seniors do not see the reimbursement rates for their doctors slashed. The only thing standing in the way of completing this bill is the Senate’s refusal to come back from vacation, appoint conferees and do the work the American people sent us here to do. Americans lucky enough to have a job in this economy are not on vacation, and Congress shouldn’t be either.”

###

CONTACT: House Committee on Ways & Means: 1101 Longworth HOB, Washington, D.C. 20515 Phone (202) 225-3625 Fax (202) 225-2610 Jim Billimoria, Michelle Dimarob, or Sarah Swinehart (202) 226-4774

Statement of the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on Ethics Regarding the Matter of Representative Maxine Waters

Statement of the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on Ethics Regarding the Matter of Representative Maxine Waters.

The Committee on Ethics has voted unanimously to extend the contract of William R. Martin to continue his service as outside counsel to the Committee in the matter of Representative Maxine Waters. The Committee’s goal has been and remains to resolve this matter as expeditiously as possible, but due to unavoidable delays, additional time is needed for outside counsel to complete his initial review and report his findings and conclusions to the full Committee, which will then determine whether the matter should proceed. The Committee’s decision to extend the contract does not indicate that the Committee has made any findings or reached any conclusions, or reflect any judgment on behalf of the Committee.

In July 2011, the Committee announced that it had retained Mr. Martin to review, advise, and assist the Committee in completing this matter. The decision to retain outside counsel reflected the high priority of this unique matter and the need to resolve it with the utmost care, diligence, and integrity. Hiring an outside counsel allowed for an independent review and a faster resolution than if the Committee staff were to handle it alone. In addition, retaining outside counsel in this matter has allowed the Committee and its staff to continue to work diligently on its large number of other pending investigative matters, as well as its substantial ongoing work within its advice and education, financial disclosure, travel, and training responsibilities.

To date, Mr. Martin and his team have performed a substantial amount of work to move this matter forward. Mr. Martin has reviewed tens of thousands of pages of documents, interviewed numerous witnesses, and conducted extensive legal research regarding the nature of due process rights which attach to Members of Congress appearing before this Committee. While significant progress has been made, Mr. Martin’s review and recommendations regarding due process allegations will not be complete by the end of the first session of the 112th Congress, which is the termination date of the initial contract. Mr. Martin has suggested to the Committee that he not present his recommendations regarding substantive issues of due process, including whether any fact witnesses should consider recusal from this matter, until the factual review is complete.

The new contract has an expiration date of July 31, 2012, and authorizes expenditures of between $50,000 and $500,000. The Committee has not concluded either that the entirety of the matter will be completed by that date or that outside counsel will need the full amount of time and/or funding to complete his initial review and any subsequent work, if necessary.

Instead, both the expiration date and amount of funding are intended to provide both outside counsel and the Committee with the flexibility to finish this matter as promptly as a thorough, diligent, and fair review of the allegations and relevant facts will allow. As with the initial contract, pursuant to Committee rules, any cancellation, further extension, or amendment to the contract must be approved by a majority vote of the Members of the Committee, acting consistent with integrity and fairness.

The Committee notes that the initial contract with Mr. Martin also authorized expenditures of between $50,000 and $500,000, but that to date, the cost of services provided under the initial contract is approximately $300,000. The range designated in the new contract was fully contemplated in the Committee’s request to the Committee on House Administration for funding in the second session of the 112th Congress. The Committee on House Administration has approved both the funding request and the new contract with Mr. Martin, consistent with its rules. Representative Waters and her counsel were informed of the new contract.

At the end of each stage in the matter, the Committee will consider what, if any, statement is appropriate to keep the House and the public informed of the activities of the Committee. Until the next such appropriate time, however, neither the Committee nor outside counsel will have further public comment on this matter.

FULL RELEASE in PDF FORMAT: Statement of the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on Ethics Regarding the Matter of Representative Maxine Waters

John Boehner Full-Year Payroll Tax Cut Extension Needed to Give Job Creators Certainty VIDEO

Boehner: Full-Year Payroll Tax Cut Extension Needed to Give Job Creators Certainty They Need to Put Americans Back to Work.

Announces House Will Vote to Go to Conference, Resolve Differences Between House & Senate Payroll Bills.

Washington (Dec 19) At a press conference today, House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) reiterated the need for a full-year extension of the payroll tax cut to provide certainty for job creators, and previewed a House vote this evening to request a formal conference to resolve differences between the two chambers. Following are video and text of Speaker Boehner’s remarks:

BOEHNER: “A TWO-MONTH EXTENSION CREATES UNCERTAINTY & WILL CAUSE PROBLEMS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO CREATE JOBS”:

“Americans are tired of Washington’s short-term fixes and gimmicks, which are creating uncertainty for job creators at a time when millions of Americans are out of work. Democrats and Republicans agree that the payroll tax cut needs to be extended for a full year to provide the kind of relief that Americans need in this struggling economy. The House last week passed a bill to do just that -- but instead of passing the House bill or another bill which extended the payroll credit for a year, the Senate Democratic leaders passed a two-month extension, punting the problem into next year.

“We oppose the Senate bill because doing a two-month extension instead of a full year extension causes uncertainty for job creators. I used to run a small business, I met a payroll, I hired workers. A two-month extension creates uncertainty and will cause problems for people who are trying to create jobs in the private sector. The idea that tax policy can be done two months at a time is the kind of activity that we see here in Washington that’s really put our economy off its tracks.

“Last week both chambers worked together to pass a full-year bill to fund our government. And I don’t think this issue is any different. It’s time for Congress to do its work. No more kicking the can down the road.”

BOEHNER: HOUSE WILL SEND HOUSE-SENATE PAYROLL TAX CUT BILLS TO CONFERENCE TO RESOLVE DIFFERENCES:

“Tonight the House will vote on the Senate-passed bill. This is a vote on whether Congress will stay and do its work, or go on vacation. I expect that the House will disagree with the Senate amendment, and instead vote to formally go to conference – the formal process in which the House and Senate can resolve differences between the two chambers and between our two bills. And I expect the House to take up legislation that reinforces the need to extend the payroll tax relief for a full year, rather than just two months, again – to provide certainty for job creators. And I think the best way to resolve the difference between the two-month extension and the full-year bill is to follow the regular order here in Congress. When there’s a disagreement between the two chambers we sit down in a conference and resolve those differences. And that’s exactly what I believe the House will do.”

BOEHNER: NO VACATION UNTIL WE “FINISH THE NATION’S BUSINESS”:

“The President has said repeatedly that no one should be going on vacation until the work is done. Democrat leaders in the House and Senate have said exactly the same thing. So I think it’s time for Senate Democrat leaders to follow the president’s example, put their vacations on hold, and work in a bipartisan manner to finish the nation’s business.”

TEXT CREDIT: John Boehner | speaker.gov H-232 The Capitol Washington, DC 20515 P (202) 225-0600 F (202) 225-5117

VIDEO CREDIT: JohnBoehner

John Barrasso Weekly Republican Address TEXT PODCAST VIDEO 12/17/11

FULL TEXT TRANSCRIPT: John Barrasso Weekly Republican Address TEXT PODCAST VIDEO 12/17/11

Hi. I'm John Barrasso, United States Senator for Wyoming.

As we begin the holiday season, we're reminded of those who are far from home serving our country in the military. We've welcomed many back home, but there are still men and women in dangerous places protecting our freedoms and keeping us safe.

This Thanksgiving, I had the special opportunity to visit Wyoming National Guard troops deployed overseas. We talked about their mission and their hopes for the future.

What these soldiers were most concerned about was whether they would be able to find a good job when they return.

Here at home, Republicans are working on legislation that will make it easier and cheaper for the private sector to create jobs for all Americans.

For example, the creation of the Keystone Pipeline, a shovel-ready American energy project. It will create as many as 20,000 construction jobs and 100,000 indirect jobs and it will strengthen our nation's energy security.

Keystone would allow us to transport 700,000 barrels of oil a day from our northern neighbor Canada to refineries in the United States. Having a steady source of energy from our friend and ally here would make us less dependent on energy from the volatile Middle East and that is good for America.

Everyone from members of the United States Chamber of Commerce to members of Labor Unions support this project.

But the President has threatened to veto this bill because the pipeline is opposed by a number of extreme environmental groups.

These are the same groups who in the past have supported the President and he needs their support for his reelection.

It appears that President Obama is opposing these new American jobs in order to try to save his own job. It's time for the President to stop playing politics.

After repeatedly saying, 'We Can't Wait' for American job creation, the President now wants Americans to wait on the jobs from the pipeline until after next year's election.

Canada has made it clear, if we don't build this pipeline, the United States will lose these jobs and Canada will sell the oil to China. And we will be forced to get more of our energy from the Middle East.

If the President successfully blocks these new jobs, it will only add to his long list of bad economic decisions for our country.

While the President may have inherited a bad economy, he has made it worse.

Earlier this week, in a '60 Minutes' interview, the President said that he has not overpromised. His record shows otherwise.

His Administration projected that his $800 billion failed stimulus bill would keep unemployment below 8 percent. Almost three years later, under the Obama economy, the unemployment rate is 8.6 percent and it has been over 8 percent for a record 34 straight months.

He promised that he would cut spending. But in less than three years as President, America's national debt has increased so much that we have to borrow almost $3 million every minute -- a lot of it from China.

He promised that his health care law would lower premiums for families, but since his inauguration, premiums have increased more than $2,200.

He promised to create a new era of bipartisanship in Washington, and now he wants to veto a bill that both Democrats and Republicans enthusiastically support.

Americans deserve better. Americans want real solutions and good jobs.

The Keystone pipeline is a real solution that President Obama should embrace immediately to create new jobs across America.

The House of Representatives has now passed the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation bill. This bill gives the President everything he has claimed to be for.

It extends payroll tax relief for hard working Americans.

It helps those who are still looking for work.

And it is paid for by actually cutting government spending.

Most Americans want their government to be smaller, not larger; they want their taxes to be lower, not higher.

We are a strong and resilient nation. We will weather this storm.

To get Americans back to work, small business owners need a level of predictability that they just don't have with this President and this Administration.

We need more from the White House than threats to veto a bill that would create 20,000 jobs for Americans.

Thanks for listening.

VIDEO CREDIT: gopweeklyaddress

Iowa Republican (GOP) Debate FULL VIDEO FOX NEWS 12/15/11

Iowa Republican (GOP) Debate FULL VIDEO FOX NEWS 12/15/11

Seven candidates participated: Michele Bachmann, Newt Gingrich, Jon Huntsman, Ron Paul, Rick Perry, Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum.

Fox News anchor Bret Baier moderated

TWEETERS NOTE: IOWA REPUBLICAN DEBATE OFFICIAL HASHTAG: #IowaDebate

MORE DEBATES:

• Iowa Republican GOP debate FULL DEBATE VIDEO 12/10/11
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• CNBC Republican Debate 11/09/11 FULL VIDEO
• Republican GOP Debate Hanover, New Hampshire 10/11/11 FULL VIDEO
• Republican Presidential Debate Orlando Florida Fox News, Google 9/22/11 (Full Length Streaming VIDEO)
• CNN / Tea Party Republican Debate Tampa, Florida 09/12/11 FULL DEBATE STREAMING VIDEO

Iowa Republican (GOP) Debate LIVE STREAMING VIDEO FOX NEWS 12/15/11

UPDATE 12/16/11: Iowa Republican (GOP) Debate FULL VIDEO FOX NEWS 12/15/11

Iowa Republican Debate LIVE VIDEO STREAM. coverage begins at 8:30 p.m. ET. (5:30 p.m. PT) with the debate scheduled from 9 to 11:00 p.m. EDT. Mobile phone viewing, the live stream can also be seen via Fox News iPhone and iPad app and Droid app

This feed should go LIVE shortly before 8:30 pm ET. FOX NEWS, Iowa Republican Debate from Sioux City on Wednesday, December 15 at 9 pm ET. FULL STREAMING VIDEO. Iowa Republican (GOP) Debate LIVE STREAMING VIDEO FOX NEWS 12/15/11.

Seven candidates will participate: Michele Bachmann, Newt Gingrich, Jon Huntsman, Ron Paul, Rick Perry, Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum.

Fox News anchor Bret Baier, will moderate

TWEETERS NOTE: TONIGHT’S OFFICIAL HASHTAG: #IowaDebate

RELATED:

• Iowa Republican GOP debate FULL DEBATE VIDEO 12/10/11
• Republican National Security Debate 11/22/11 FULL VIDEO
• Republican CBS News-National Journal Presidential Debate 11/12/11 Spartanburg, South Carolina FULL VIDEO TEXT TRANSCRIPT
• CNBC Republican Debate 11/09/11 FULL VIDEO
• Republican GOP Debate Hanover, New Hampshire 10/11/11 FULL VIDEO
• Republican Presidential Debate Orlando Florida Fox News, Google 9/22/11 (Full Length Streaming VIDEO)
• CNN / Tea Party Republican Debate Tampa, Florida 09/12/11 FULL DEBATE STREAMING VIDEO

Democrats Should Stop Holding Government Funding Hostage VIDEO

Washington (Dec 14) At a press conference with GOP leaders, House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) called on President Obama and Senate Democrats to end the threat of a government shutdown by allowing a bipartisan funding agreement to move forward:

“It’s pretty clear to all of us that President Obama and Senator Reid want to threaten a government shutdown so that they can get leverage on a jobs bill because the United States Senate can’t pass one. We’ve got an agreement between appropriators in the House and the Senate – Democrats and Republicans – on a bipartisan bill to fund our government. We believe that the responsible thing to do is to move this.

“I’m tired of hearing what the Senate can’t do. I think it’s time for us to wait and see what the Senate can do. I’m hopeful that the president and Senator Reid will allow the appropriators to sign the conference report and allow that bill to come to a vote in the House and the Senate to keep our government open, and allow the conversations to continue about how best to put the American people back to work. … It’s time for the Senate to do its job.”

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

VIDEO CREDIT: JohnBoehner

Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp introduces H.R. 3630 FULL TEXT The Middle Class Tax Relief & Job Creation Act

Legislation Includes Extension of Payroll Tax Holiday, Reforms the Unemployment Insurance Program, Prevents Cuts to Doctors Serving Our Nation’s Seniors and Does Not Add One Dime to the Nation’s Debt.

Washington, DC – Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI) introduced H.R. 3630, The Middle Class Tax Relief & Job Creation Act. The legislation extends a number of provisions scheduled to expire at the end of the year and includes fully paid-for extensions of the payroll tax holiday and a reformed unemployment insurance program, along with a two-year freeze on cuts to doctors providing care to our nation’s seniors and disabled enrolled in Medicare. The legislation also extends and expands provisions to encourage employers to invest and hire.

“This bill is about strengthening our economy and getting Americans back to work through commonsense reforms,” said Camp. “In addition to helping create jobs, this bill will ensure America’s seniors and the disabled are protected by preventing massive cuts to doctors working in the Medicare program. This package includes many of the President’s own ideas. With its passage, Americans can be confident that these programs and provisions will be available next year, that they will not result in decades of debt and that they will be paid for with fiscally responsible reforms, not job-killing tax hikes.”

The legislation incorporates a wide range of long overdue reforms spanning across the Ways and Means Committee’s jurisdiction and that of many other committees. Within the purview of the Ways and Means Committee are:

Tax Provisions: Extends the payroll tax holiday to help middle class families struggling in this economy while protecting the Social Security Trust Funds and also extends 100 percent expensing to help employers expand and hire new workers. The President has endorsed both of these policies.

Medicare Provisions: Prevents a 27 percent cut to doctors serving Medicare patients and replaces it with payment updates in 2012 and 2013; reforms and extends temporary Medicare payment provisions to ambulance services; outpatient therapy services; assistance for low-income seniors; and physician payments in certain areas. Additionally, the legislation adopts a recommendation from President Obama that reduces subsidies to high-income seniors by requiring them to pay a greater share of their Part B and D premiums. This change alone reduces spending by $31 billion in the next decade.

Unemployment Insurance Provisions: Strengthens job search requirements in the unemployment insurance program; allows States to screen and test for drug use; increases State flexibility to design reemployment programs (including those supported by President Obama); reduces waste, fraud and abuse through increased program integrity measures like data standardization; and reduces the maximum weeks of unemployment benefits from 99 to 59 weeks – a level consistent with prior recessions. The weeks of benefits are immediately reduced by 20 and then, by adopting one of the President’s own policies, an additional 20 weeks are phased out by the middle of 2012 in all but four States.

Welfare Provisions: Extends through September 30, 2012 the nation’s primary welfare program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), which is set to expire on December 31, 2011 while making some needed reforms to ensure that taxpayer funds are protected from abuse. Those reforms include bipartisan efforts to improve program integrity by requiring standardized data and Health and Human Services coordination of exchanges across State TANF programs, as well as closing the current “strip club loophole” to ensure welfare funds cannot be accessed at ATMs in strip clubs, liquor stores and casinos.

Repeals Provisions in the Democrats’ Health Care Law: Prevents $13.4 billion in wasteful overpayments of Exchange subsidies (the President has twice signed similar measures into law) and repeals provisions in the law that hurt physician-owned hospitals. The legislation also includes an additional $12 billion in reduced spending in the Energy and Commerce Committee’s jurisdiction, chaired by Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI): cutting $8 billion from the Harkin Prevention Fund and reducing Medicaid spending by more than $4 billion.

Provisions to Protect Taxpayer Dollars: Prevents fraud and abuse of the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) program by requiring individuals to include their Social Security number on their tax return in order to claim the credit. This legislation also incorporates a recommendation from President Obama to prevent Social Security overpayments by improving coordination with State and local governments.

Camp added, “In addition to reforms in the unemployment insurance program and Medicare, the legislation also cracks down on fraud and abuse in our nation’s welfare and tax credit programs. These reforms protect taxpayer dollars and, when paired with other reforms supported by President Obama, allow us to meet the needs facing America without adding to the debt.”

To access more detailed summaries of key Ways and Means provisions, click here.

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Jim Billimoria || Michelle Dimarob || Sarah Swinehart (202) 226-4774

H.RES.491 -- Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3630) to provide incentives for the creation of jobs, and for other purposes. (Reported in House - RH)

HRES 491 RH House Calendar No. 99 112th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 491 Report No. 112-328

Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3630 ) to provide incentives for the creation of jobs, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES December 12, 2011

Mr. DREIER, from the Committee on Rules, reported the following resolution; which was referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed

RESOLUTION

Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3630 ) to provide incentives for the creation of jobs, and for other purposes.

Resolved, That upon the adoption of this resolution it shall be in order to consider in the House the bill (H.R. 3630 ) to provide incentives for the creation of jobs, and for other purposes. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived. The amendment printed in the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying this resolution shall be considered as adopted. The bill, as amended, shall be considered as read. All points of order against provisions in the bill, as amended, are waived. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill, as amended, to final passage without intervening motion except: (1) 90 minutes of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Ways and Means; and (2) one motion to recommit with or without instructions.

House Calendar No. 99 112th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 491 Report No. 112-328

RESOLUTION

Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3630 ) to provide incentives for the creation of jobs, and for other purposes.

FULL TEXT in PDF FORMAT: H.RES.491 -- Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3630) to provide incentives for the creation of jobs, and for other purposes. (Reported in House - RH)

TEXT CREDIT: waysandmeans.house.gov 1101 Longworth HOB, Washington, D.C. 20515 Phone (202) 225-3625 Fax (202) 225-2610

Iowa Republican GOP debate FULL DEBATE VIDEO 12/10/11

UPDATE 12/15/11: Iowa Republican (GOP) Debate LIVE STREAMING VIDEO FOX NEWS 12/15/11

Republican GOP Debate Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa 9 pm ET 12/10/11 FULL DEBATE VIDEO. Six candidates participated: Michele Bachmann, Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul, Rick Perry, Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum.

The ABC News, Yahoo News, WOI-TV, Des Moines Register, Iowa Republican Party debate FULL DEBATE VIDEO

The ABC News, Yahoo News, WOI-TV, Des Moines Register, Iowa Republican Party Debate on Saturday, December 10 at 9 pm ET. FULL STREAMING VIDEO.

9 p.m. Eastern/8 p.m. Central. The debate was moderated by ABC’s Diane Sawyer and George Stephanopoulos on the campus of Drake University in Des Moines Iowa.

TWEETERS NOTE: OFFICIAL HASHTAG: #IowaDebate

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• CNBC Republican Debate 11/09/11 FULL VIDEO
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VIDEO EMBED CREDIT: RonPaulcom

Republican GOP Debate Des Moines, Iowa 12/10/11 LIVE STREAMING VIDEO

UPDATE 12/15/11: Iowa Republican (GOP) Debate LIVE STREAMING VIDEO FOX NEWS 12/15/11

UPDATE 12/11/11: Iowa Republican GOP debate FULL DEBATE "OFFICIAL" VIDEO 12/10/11

Republican GOP Debate Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa 9 pm ET 12/10/11 LIVE STREAMING VIDEO. Six candidates will participate: Michele Bachmann, Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul, Rick Perry, Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum.

This feed should go LIVE shortly before 9 pm ET. The ABC News, Yahoo News, WOI-TV, Des Moines Register, Iowa Republican Party Debate on Saturday, December 10 at 9 pm ET. FULL STREAMING VIDEO

The ABC News, Yahoo News, WOI-TV, Des Moines Register, Iowa Republican Party debate LIVE STREAMING VIDEO

begins at 9 p.m. Eastern/8 p.m. Central. The debate will be moderated by ABC’s Diane Sawyer and George Stephanopoulos on the campus of Drake University in Des Moines Iowa. Watch on any ABC television station. Live-streams will be provided by ABCNews.com, Yahoo.com, MyABC5.com, and DesMoinesRegister.com

TWEETERS NOTE: TONIGHT’S OFFICIAL HASHTAG: #IowaDebate

RELATED:

• Republican National Security Debate 11/22/11 FULL VIDEO
• Republican CBS News-National Journal Presidential Debate 11/12/11 Spartanburg, South Carolina FULL VIDEO TEXT TRANSCRIPT
• CNBC Republican Debate 11/09/11 FULL VIDEO
• Republican GOP Debate Hanover, New Hampshire 10/11/11 FULL VIDEO
• Republican Presidential Debate Orlando Florida Fox News, Google 9/22/11 (Full Length Streaming VIDEO)
• CNN / Tea Party Republican Debate Tampa, Florida 09/12/11 FULL DEBATE STREAMING VIDEO

Live-streams will be provided by ABCNews.com, Yahoo.com, MyABC5.com, and DesMoinesRegister.com