Congressman Paul Ryan at Values Voter Summit 2013 FULL TEXT TRANSCRIPT and VIDEO

Congressman Paul Ryan at Values Voter Summit 2013 FULL TEXT TRANSCRIPT and VIDEO

We have an opportunity here to pay down our national debt and jumpstart our economy. You know, divided government, it’s frustrating. But our country is worth the effort. We have to find a way to make it work. Now, this president, he won’t agree to everything that we need to do. A budget agreement with this president and this Senate, it won’t solve all of our problems. But I hope it’s a start. I hope we can get a down payment on our debt.

Full Text Transcript in PDF Format: 2013 Values Voter Summit Congressman Paul Ryan

Dr. Ben Carson at Values Voter Summit 2013 FULL TEXT TRANSCRIPT and VIDEO

Dr. Ben Carson at Values Voter Summit 2013 FULL TEXT TRANSCRIPT and VIDEO

My dream was to become a doctor. As a youngster growing up in Detroit and Boston, it seemed like a lofty goal, but something that I felt was obtainable. And when I finally did achieve that dream as an intern and a junior resident at Johns Hopkins, one of the things that really struck me as I went into those wards, and I would see all of these people – the CEO of this company, the president of this organization, the crown prince of this country, the queen of this nation – frequently dying of some horrible disease, and every single one of them would have gladly given every penny and every title for a clean bill of health.

And you begin to realize how critically important your health is. It is the most valuable thing that you have. Everything else pales into insignificance compared to your health. And that’s the reason that your health should be controlled by you and not by the government.

Full Text Transcript in PDF Format: 2013 Values Voter Summit Dr. Ben Carson

Ted Cruz (R-Texas) at Values Voter Summit 2013 FULL TEXT TRANSCRIPT and VIDEO

Ted Cruz (R-Texas) at Values Voter Summit 2013 FULL TEXT TRANSCRIPT and VIDEO

I am here this morning with a word of encouragement and exhortation. I want to say two things: Number one, these are extraordinary times. These are not typical times. The challenges facing this country are unlike any we have ever seen. You look at our Constitution, you look at our Bill of Rights, this is an administration that seems bound and determined to violate every single of our Bill of Rights.

Full Text Transcript in PDF Format: 2013 Values Voter Summit Senator Ted Cruz

Weekly Republican Address Buck McKeon 10/12/13 FULL TEXT TRANSCRIPT VIDEO

Weekly Republican Address Buck McKeon 10/12/13 FULL TEXT TRANSCRIPT VIDEO. In this week's address, Chairman Buck McKeon describes how both parties came together this week to make sure that the families of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country were given the benefits they deserve. This bipartisanship should continue, both as we look towards ways at reopening our entire government, and as we tackle our nation's enormous debt. After all, sitting down and resolving our differences is exactly what Americans expect their leaders to do.

FULL TEXT TRANSCRIPT

"Hello, I’m Buck McKeon, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee.

"For all the focus on disagreements in Washington, we’ve actually found some common ground this week.

"On Thursday, President Obama signed legislation that guarantees death benefits for the families of fallen troops will continue to be paid out during the government shutdown.

"We’ve also come together to ensure that members of our military and the civilians who support them will be paid no matter what.

"We shouldn’t stop there.

"The House has passed more than a dozen bills providing funding for things we can all agree on.

"Veterans, cancer research, National Guard, national parks, Head Start, food safety, flight safety, border security, nuclear weapon security, and more.

"President Obama and Senate Democrats should back these bills immediately.

"Then the president should work with us on plans to reopen the entire government and make sure we do not default on our debts.

"After all, sitting down and resolving our differences is exactly what Americans expect their leaders to do – especially at times like this.

"To that end, a group of House Republicans, including myself, went to the White House on Thursday to talk with the president and see where we can find common ground. Those conversations are continuing.

"Now, I’m sure all this back-and-forth has sounded like the typical Washington drama. But politics isn’t about politicians. It isn’t about Washington. It’s about you and your family.

"It’s about building an economy that generates good-paying jobs and real prosperity.

"It’s about making sure there’s fairness for everyone under the president’s health care law – so that hardworking people like you get the same relief big businesses have received.

"It’s about stemming the tide of debt and deficits that threatens to wash out an entire generation’s opportunities.

"And it's about ensuring our troops in harm's way, and their families, are taken care of, the same way they take care of us at home.

"Preserving the American Dream. That’s what this is about.

"And the longer we go on settling for maybe-next-time, for this notion that putting things off until after the next election is okay, the harder this will get.

"It’s a challenge, but we can do this. Let’s get back to work, together.

"Thank you for listening."

Congressman Rob Bishop Votes to Provide Security and Support to Families of Fallen Heroes

WASHINGTON— Today, Congressman Rob Bishop (UT-01) voted in support the Honoring the Families of Fallen Soldiers Act and the Flight Safety Act. The Senate must vote in support of both bills before they go to the President for signature.

“The House continues to work toward addressing the unintended consequences that have come as a result of President Obama and Senator Harry Reid’s refusal to work with us on a budget agreement. There is certainly common ground that can be found in all of this but it takes the willingness of both parties in both chambers of Congress to come together. Today, both democrats and republicans came together to pass legislation that will fund the Federal Aviation Administration, which helps ensure safe air travel across the country.

We also passed legislation supporting the families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. The Administration should choose to restore payments to these families immediately. In the event that they don’t, this legislation will ensure that families get the benefits necessary to address their needs during this difficult time. These families should not have had to worry in the first place and shame on President Obama for not stepping up to the plate to reassure them that they would receive the help and support they deserve. It appears the Administration allowed this matter to linger as part of their efforts to be as vindictive about the shutdown as possible. The Senate should pass both bills immediately,” said Bishop.


Washington, Oct 9 | Melissa.Subbotin@mail.house.gov Washington Office 123 Cannon Building Washington, DC 20515 ph: 202-225-0453 fax: 202-225-5857

House Energy and Commerce Committee Pursues Greater Transparency, Requests Health Care Enrollment Figures

Committee Leaders Seeking Analysis of Federal Marketplaces and First Week Enrollment Numbers, Also Request Monthly Updates on Enrollment

WASHINGTON, DC – House Energy and Commerce Committee leaders today sent a request to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius seeking data on the number of individuals who have purchased a health care plan through the law’s new exchanges. In the months leading up to open-enrollment, administration officials insisted everything was “on track,” going so far as to assure members less than two weeks before launch, “Consumers will be able to go online, they will be able to get a determination of what tax subsidies they are eligible for, they’ll be able to look at the plans that are available where they live, they will be able to see the premium net of subsidy that they would have to pay, and they will be able to choose a plan and get enrolled in coverage beginning October 1.” Despite over three and a half years to prepare, last week’s launch was defined by errors and “glitches” in all fifty states and the District of Columbia.

“For the last three and a half years, the administration repeatedly promised that everything was ‘on track’ for enrollment, but widespread reports of website failures and the administration’s lack of transparency suggest otherwise,” said full committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI). “Although the administration was quick to boast how many people visited their website the first week, they have been silent on the most important numbers of all, enrollment. It is time for the administration to provide regular updates on enrollment figures to ensure the American people have a real understanding just how implementation is proceeding.”

In the letter to Sebelius, the committee leaders write, “To date, the administration has only provided information about the number of visits to healthcare.gov, the number of web-chats, and the number of calls to a toll-free number. No information has been released on the number of Americans that have actually enrolled. Multiple reports indicate, though, that some states failed to enroll anyone on the first day. The reasons for this are not clear. Are website failures preventing enrollment? Are consumers balking at the price of coverage, which was predicted to be significantly higher for many individuals?”

In order to better determine the progress of the health care law’s implementation, members are calling on the administration to release enrollment figures and an evaluation of the federal marketplaces. They add, “going forward we ask that your agency provide monthly updates to the committee on enrollment until March 31, 2014, including the number of individuals enrolled and the performance of the federally facilitated marketplaces. If you are unable to provide this information to the committee on this timetable, provide a written response identifying the specific reasons why HHS is not able to confirm the number of individuals who have successfully enrolled in the federally facilitated marketplaces.”

In addition to Chairman Upton, the letter was signed by Vice Chairman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Chairman Emeritus Joe Barton (R-TX), Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Tim Murphy (R-PA), Health Subcommittee Chairman Joe Pitts, (R-PA), Vice Chairman of the Health and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittees Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), and the GOP members of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee.

FULL TEXT IN PDF FORMAT Read the full text of the letter here.

Committee on Energy and Commerce 2125 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 (202) 225-2927 tel (202) 225-1919 fax

House Passes Food & Drug Safety Act

WASHINGTON, DC – House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) released the following statement after the House of Representatives approved H.J.Res. 77, the Food and Drug Safety Act:

“Senate Democrats and the president shut down the government to protect special breaks for Congress and big businesses under ObamaCare, and won’t negotiate to open the government back up. So the House has passed several individual measures to make sure critical services – veterans benefits, cancer research, and now food safety – are still up and running. We need the Senate to act on these bills now, and then come to the table so we can resolve our differences and end their needless shutdown.”

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Office of the Speaker H-232 The Capitol. Washington D.C. 20515. P: (202) 225-0600. F: (202) 225-5117

Congressman Ton Graves Votes To Fund Low Income Women and Children, Disaster Recovery

Congressman Ton Graves Votes To Fund Low Income Women and Children, Disaster Recovery

U.S. Rep. Tom Graves (R-GA-14) issued the following statement after voting for, and the House passed, legislation to provide funding for nutrition assistance for low income women and children as well as emergency response and disaster recovery efforts:

"Once again, House Republicans and Democrats have joined together to fund common ground areas of government. We are committed to keeping as much of the government open as possible until Harry Reid and Senate Democrats agree to negotiate. Today, we acted to ensure that nutrition assistance for low income women and children and funding for emergency response efforts are not impacted by the partial shutdown. Sadly, Harry Reid will not allow the Senate to vote on these bills.

“It’s time for Harry Reid to come to the table and talk through our differences. As an appointed negotiator for Republicans, I am ready to work with Democrats to pass a fair funding bill and open the entire government today.”

Today the House passed the following funding bills:

H.J. Res. 75 - Nutrition Assistance for Low-Income Women and Children Act

H.J. Res. 85 - National Emergency and Disaster Recovery Act

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Congressman Ton Graves. WASHINGTON, DC OFFICE 432 Cannon House Office Bldg.Washington, DC 20515 T (202) 225-5211 F (202) 225-8272

Weekly Republican Address Senator John Cornyn TEXT VIDEO 10/05/13

In the Weekly Republican Address, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn of Texas says Republicans are eager to end the government shutdown and move ahead with fiscal and economic reforms, but that Senate Democrats and the President continue to refuse to negotiate. Sen. Cornyn, the Senate Republican Whip, says that House Republicans have repeatedly sent over legislation that would fund federal operations, but Senate Democrats have rejected each and every bill.

"It has become disturbingly clear that the Obama-Reid shutdown is no longer about health care, spending, or ideology," says Sen. Cornyn. "It's about politics, plain and simple. The Democrats have calculated that by prolonging the shutdown, and maximizing the pain involved, they can bully Republicans into doing whatever President Obama and Majority Leader Reid want them to do. It's a very cynical game, but Democrats have decided to play it."

Full Text Transcript:

“Hi, I’m Texas Senator John Cornyn. Every day, Capitol Hill police officers protect Members of Congress, and our visiting guests, with courage, dignity, and professionalism. Their tireless efforts often go unnoticed; but whenever they’re called upon to act in a moment of crisis, we’re reminded of their tremendous commitment and bravery. I want to take this opportunity to thank the Capitol Hill police for all that they do to protect our collective safety and security.

“Like most Americans, I was disappointed when certain parts of the federal government were forced to shut down because Senate Democrats refused to make any changes whatsoever to the deeply flawed health-care law known as Obamacare. Republicans are eager to end the shutdown and move ahead with the fiscal and economic reforms that our country so urgently needs. But we’re never going to make real progress without greater cooperation from our friends across the aisle.

“House Republicans have repeatedly sent over legislation that would fund federal operations, but Senate Democrats have rejected each and every bill. They’re effectively arguing that the House bills are simply illegitimate, because they contain policy measures that the Democrats don’t like.

“But what normally happens when the two parties disagree on policy is a negotiation. Each side gives up a little and gets a little, and you wind up with a bipartisan compromise. The problem right now is that Senate Democrats are refusing to negotiate. Here’s a partial list of what they have unanimously rejected:

“They’ve rejected a one-year delay in Obamacare’s health-insurance mandate for individuals and families, even though the Administration has already delayed the mandate for employers.

“They’ve rejected a bill that would force Members of Congress to obey the same health-care laws as everyone else.

“They’ve also rejected a bill that would abolish Obamacare’s medical-device tax, even though a majority of their caucus expressed support for repeal back in March. In other words, most Senate Democrats voted against the medical-device tax when it didn’t matter, and then voted to keep the tax when it did.

“Meanwhile, President Obama has threatened to veto a series of individual House bills that would fund our veterans’ programs, and our military-reserve programs, as well as the National Institutes of Health, and the D.C. city government. He’s also threatened to veto a bill that would keep open our war memorials, our national parks, and museums. When Republicans asked Senate Democrats to join with us and pass these bills, they simply said no. The White House recently claimed that somehow they were ‘winning’ and that it ‘doesn’t really matter’ how long the shutdown lasts. Apparently they think the government shutdown is good politics, and they’re in no hurry to break the stalemate.

“It has become disturbingly clear that the Obama-Reid shutdown is no longer about health care, or spending, or ideology. It’s about politics, plain and simple. The Democrats have calculated that by prolonging the shutdown, and maximizing the pain, they can bully Republicans into doing whatever President Obama and Majority Leader Reid want them to do. It’s a very cynical game, but Democrats have decided to play it.

“All Republicans can do is to continue promoting common-sense solutions that would end the shutdown and allow us to move forward. Hopefully our friends across the aisle will eventually get tired of playing politics. Hopefully they’ll remember that neither house of Congress can set the national agenda all by itself.

“Thank you for listening, and may God bless the United States of America.”

Senator Tim Scott to Donate Shutdown Salary to Charity

Washington – U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) will donate his salary from the government shutdown to charity.



“With thousands of folks on furlough, including a significant portion of my own staff, I will be donating my shutdown salary to charity,” Scott said. “Members of Congress should not be given preferential treatment, period.”

Oct 2, 2013 Washington, DC. 167 Russell Senate Office Building. Washington, DC 20510. Phone: (202) 224-6121 Fax: (202) 228-5143. Hours: 8:30am - 5:30pm EST (M-F)

President Obama Blocks WW II Vets from Their Memorial

President Obama Blocks WW II Vets from Their Memorial to Force Obamacare on American People

WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) made the following statement today regarding Obamacare, the government "shutdown," and the World War II Memorial:

“President Obama is so fixated on forcing Obamacare on the American people that he's even willing to deny World War II veterans the right to access the memorial they have earned through their heroic service.

"This scenario encapsulates the bigger problem in Washington. President Obama is so set on imposing his destructive, far-left ideology that his government is literally barricading World War II veterans out of their memorial and blocking funding to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

“The House is on track today to pass individual CRs to fund Veterans Affairs and National Monuments, but Senator Reid and President Obama say they refuse to consider them, even though they agreed to pass a similar CR covering military pay on Monday night.

“This is untenable and our veterans deserve much better, especially our disabled vets. During this debate we should focus on those areas of agreement and pass those CRs. That’s the practical way to proceed and the House deserves great credit for its leadership.”

Yesterday, Senator Cruz proposed a bill to fund all parts of the VA during the government shutdown.

There are more than 3.2 million veterans who currently receive disability compensation and 300,000 veterans who receive pension benefits that are at risk from a lack of funding due to the government shutdown. Our disabled veterans in Texas and around the nation have earned these benefits from their service and sacrifice to our nation and Congress should immediately act to ensure they are supported.

Contact: press@cruz.senate.gov / (202) 228-7561 Wednesday, October 2, 2013 FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 506

Weekly Republican Address Cathy McMorris Rodgers TEXT PODCAST VIDEO 09/28/13

Weekly Republican Address: Tying Debt Limit to Cuts & Reforms Has Public Support, Bipartisan History. In this week’s Republican address, House Republican Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) details the bipartisan history of coupling an increase in the debt limit with spending cuts and economic reforms – a common-sense policy with broad public support.

Remarks by House Republican Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) Weekly Republican Address The Capitol September 28, 2013

Bownload MP3 for PODCAST FULL TEXT TRANSCRIPT

Right now, we have a golden opportunity to fix the problems coming out of Washington.

By an overwhelming margin, Americans believe any debt ceiling increase should be coupled with solutions that help solve our debt and grow our economy.

Republicans have put forward a plan that does just that. It contains cuts and real reforms to build a 21st century economy – from approving the Keystone pipeline and fixing our outdated tax code to delaying the president’s health care law.

Our bill also increases the debt limit. The best way to preserve the full faith and credit of the United States is by strengthening it – which is what our plan does.

Coupling an increase in the debt limit with efforts to rein in spending is common sense – so much so that it’s been used by presidents from both parties.

President Reagan did it in 1985 when he signed the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings deficit reduction bill.

Five years later, President Bush reached a budget deal with a Democratic Congress that included a debt limit increase.

President Clinton reached a similar agreement with a Democratic majority in 1993, and with a Republican majority on the balanced budget agreement of 1997

Finally, President Obama himself worked with Republicans on a large deficit-reduction deal tied to the debt limit in the summer of 2011. It has its flaws – including the ‘sequester’ the president devised and insisted on – but it has cut spending.

Unfortunately, the president is now demanding that we increase the debt limit without engaging in any kind of bipartisan discussions about addressing our spending problem.

He wants to take the easy way out – exactly the kind of foolishness that got us here in the first place. As we know, it’s hardworking people like you who would ultimately pay the price for business as usual through higher taxes, higher prices, and fewer jobs.

To reiterate, every major deficit reduction effort of the last 30 years has been tied to the debt limit. This time should be no different. If anything, it’s more important than ever if we’re serious about getting people working again and protecting our children’s future.

Thank you for listening.

Love me, I'm a liberal

Philip David Ochs (/ˈoʊks/; December 19, 1940 – April 9, 1976) was an American protest singer (or, as he preferred, a topical singer) and songwriter who was known for his sharp wit, sardonic humor, earnest humanism, political activism, insightful and alliterative lyrics, and distinctive voice. He wrote hundreds of songs in the 1960s and released eight albums in his lifetime.

"Love Me, I'm a Liberal" is a satirical song by Phil Ochs, a U.S. protest singer. Originally released on his 1966 live album, Phil Ochs in Concert, "Love Me, I'm a Liberal" was soon one of Ochs's most popular concert staples.[1] The song mocks the differences between what liberals say and what they do.

Introducing the song on the live album, Ochs said: In every American community there are varying shades of political opinion. One of the shadiest of these is the liberals. An outspoken group on many subjects, ten degrees to the left of center in good times, ten degrees to the right of center if it affects them personally. Here, then, is a lesson in safe logic

Weekly Republican Address Governor Brian Sandoval Full Video and Text

Weekly Republican Address Governor Brian Sandoval Full Video and Text. In the Weekly Republican Address, Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval says it's no accident that the fastest growing states with the best economies are all led by Republican governors. "When we reduce government, balance budgets, and keep taxes as low as possible, states respond in a positive way," Sandoval says. "When tough times force tough choices, we act decisively and move forward."

Category: News & Politics. License: Standard YouTube License

Hello, my name is Brian Sandoval and I have the honor of serving as Governor of the Great State of Nevada. When I first came to office, our country was in the depths of the great recession. And, no state had been hit harder than Nevada. At our peak, Nevada’s unemployment rate was almost 15 percent, and we led the nation in foreclosures and bankruptcies. Jobs disappeared almost overnight, leaving behind steel skeletons of half-built buildings to memorialize the day the economy froze and the work stopped.

But, despite those dark days, I knew that a brighter future was just around the corner.

Nevadans and all Americans are resilient. Overcoming adversity is a part of our national heritage.

Mere survival, though, was not enough. We needed decisive action and a significant course correction to meet the challenges that lay ahead.

Upon taking office, I ordered an immediate freeze to all state regulations until they could be reviewed.

Because our state’s budget situation was so dire, we reduced spending by more than $500 million, eliminated approximately 600 positions across state government, and merged or eliminated more than a dozen state agencies.

Unlike Washington, we had to balance our state budget as Nevada could not borrow its way out of problems.

While working to balance the budget, we began putting in motion our plans to help create jobs and get Nevadans working again.

Economic opportunity has been and continues to be the foundation of this country and is the source of the American Dream.

And I sensed that the future of the American Dream was at risk.

Like then-Governor Ronald Reagan stated in 1964, I believed that we faced a ‘Time for Choosing.’

So, we chose a simple approach to state government: it should be a protector of rights and a partner in prosperity.

To that end, I fought against excessive tax increases, and instead was able to expand tax exemptions for businesses, and extend tax abatements to encourage businesses to grow.

When it comes to growing jobs, it is my responsibility to leave no stone unturned when it comes to getting Nevada working again.

Can you just imagine what our economy would look like today if Washington would just take that approach?

Like Washington, Nevada has a politically divided government, but that hasn’t stopped our efforts to grow Nevada’s economy.

Good executives, like all good leaders, must expect opposition when making decisions or when making or enforcing the law.

But executives must engage those that disagree with them.

They must listen to all ideas, persuade when possible, and respectfully and firmly disagree when necessary.

And despite having a politically divided government, in the last two years, Nevada has been able to accomplish much. We have strengthened employment, our economy, and education in our state.

In large part because we sit down, put partisanship aside, talk through our disagreements, and find common ground.

Now while I will be the first to say there is still work to be done, Nevada has now experienced 31 straight months of economic growth, we have had the second strongest decline in unemployment in the country, and we continue to add much needed jobs.

The list of companies wishing to relocate to Nevada once fit on an index card; now it is long and diverse.

When it came to our schools, we eliminated teacher tenure to improve education for our children, and are now focusing on ensuring that our kids read and write at grade level, which benefits everyone.

Fortunately, good policy, true principles, and effective leadership work whenever they are tried.

When we reduce government, balance budgets, and keep taxes as low as possible, states respond in a positive way.

When tough times force tough choices, we act decisively and move forward.

It’s no accident that the fastest growing states with the best economies are all led by Republican governors.

These states differ geographically, economically, and even politically.

But our ideas have and continue to work.

Our founding fathers got it right. Free enterprise and limited government have made, and will continue to make, this country great.

Despite all we have endured, I could not be more proud and optimistic about the greatest nation on earth.

I am confident that our core convictions provide the surest path to an America where economic opportunity still abounds, hard work still rewards, and dreams are still realized.

We just need Washington to pause, reflect, and see what is possible in our great nation.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today.

God bless the Great State of Nevada and God bless the United States of America.

CBO: Spending Is Still Out of Control

WASHINGTON—Earlier today, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released its annual Long-Term Budget Outlook, and it’s a pointed reminder that government spending is still out of control.

In response, House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan said:

“CBO has posed an important question: Are we going to get control of the debt before it reaches a breaking point? The President and Congressional Democrats want to wish the problem away. But that’s simply irresponsible.

“The report reiterates the obvious: Government spending, especially on health care, is driving our debt. And Obamacare will not solve the problem. The law was a costly mistake. So we should replace it with real, bipartisan reforms.

“In the weeks ahead, I hope we work together to heed CBO’s warning. We must provide relief to the families we serve. We should start by delaying Obamacare and paying down the debt to help grow the economy.”

Key points from CBO’s Long-Term Budget Outlook:

A Large Debt Hurts Jobs — Debt held by the public is projected to grow rapidly as a share of the economy in the years ahead from 73 percent today to 100 percent in 2038. CBO warns that “the high and rising amount of [projected] debt . . . would have significant negative consequences for both the economy and the federal budget.”

Spending Drives the Debt — CBO projects that government spending will increase as a share of the economy from 20.8 percent today to 26.2 percent by 2038—a nearly 26 percent increase. The aging of the baby-boom generation, rising health-care costs, and Obamacare are “expected to steadily boost the government’s spending.”

Obamacare Won’t Help — The report warns that the President’s health-care law won’t stop the explosion in health-care costs. Mandatory spending on health care will increase by 74 percent from 4.6 percent of GDP today to 8.0 percent of GDP over the next 25 years. Over the next decade, Obamacare expansions will account for over half the growth in government spending on health care.

Higher Taxes Will Cost Jobs — CBO warns that if we raise taxes, as the President and his party’s leaders insist, our economy will hit the brakes. The report says higher tax rates “would discourage people from working and saving, further reducing output and income.”

Entitlement Reform Still Necessary — Entitlement programs—namely Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid—and interest payments are driving our debt. CBO projects that government spending in these areas will consume 100 percent of total revenues by 2043.

Congressional Budget Office (CBO) The 2013 Long-Term Budget Outlook Full text in PDF format

Washington, Sep 17 | Will Allison (202-226-6100) | Committee on the Budget: U.S. House of Representatives. 207 Cannon House Office Building. Washington, DC 20515. Phone: (202) 226-7270 Email: budget.republicans@mail.house.gov

Jay Leno on President Obama's Syria Policy, Joe Biden and John Kerry VIDEO

Jay Leno on President Obama's Syria Policy, Joe Biden and John Kerry VIDEO

Diane Black Weekly Republican Address VIDEO TEXT PODCAST

WASHINGTON, DC – In this week’s Republican address, Rep. Diane Black (R-TN) calls on the Democratic-run Senate to pass the No Subsidies Without Verification Act, which prevents fraud and abuse in the president’s health care law and is just the latest in a string of bipartisan efforts to protect taxpayers from this costly and unpopular law. Similar legislation has passed the Senate Appropriations Committee, and all that is needed now to send legislation to President Obama’s desk is a vote by the full Senate. As Rep. Black notes, the president has already signed into law seven bills repealing, defunding or dismantling parts of his health care law.

The full audio of the address is here Download for Podcast.

Remarks by Rep. Diane Black (R-TN) Weekly Republican Address Washington, DC. September 14, 2013. A full text transcript of the address follows:

Hi, I’m Diane Black, and I represent Tennessee’s Sixth Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. What an honor it is to be speaking with you.

Protecting taxpayer dollars is one of Washington’s most important responsibilities. Your money should be spent wisely or not at all. And everything we do to stop waste and fix broken government removes obstacles to creating jobs and building a stronger economy. This week, the House took on a hot spot for fraud and abuse in the president’s health care law by passing a bill I authored called the No Subsidies Without Verification Act. This legislation stops the government from issuing health care subsidies until it has a system in place to prevent fraud. It’s that simple. Now, you’d be right to ask, why isn’t this the case already? Well, in an attempt to prop up its struggling health care law, the Obama administration decided they’d hand out subsidies without verifying who’s eligible. They just want to rely on the honor system. You heard that right: instead of exercising common sense and accountability, the Administration is willing to just give away your tax dollars – no questions asked.

Not only is that unfair to hardworking taxpayers like you, it opens the door a mile wide to fraud and abuse. According to one independent estimate, some 250 billion dollars in bad payments could be doled out over the next decade.

This is nonsense. And members of both parties agree. Democrats on the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee have also come out for requiring verification. Now we need the full Democratic-led Senate to act.

This is just the latest in a string of bipartisan efforts to repeal and protect Americans from the president’s health care law. The House has also acted in bipartisan fashion to give individuals and families the same delay from the law’s mandates that big businesses have received. The president himself has signed seven bills that dismantle parts of the law.

It’s important work, and like many of you, this issue affects me personally. I’ve been a registered nurse for more than 40 years now, and I can tell you the things patients and their families count on – their doctors, their plans, the cost of their care – all of this comes under siege in the president’s health care law. It won’t just fail to keep its promises; it will make things much worse. You don’t have to take my word for it: every day we’re seeing new reports of higher costs, less access, and fewer jobs.

Together, we can stop this ‘train wreck’ and put the focus back on patient-centered solutions. Together, we can build a stronger economy that rewards hard work and people who do the right thing.

Again, it has been my honor to address you on behalf of my colleagues. Thank you for listening.

Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp Statement on Passage of No Subsidies Without Verification Act

Washington, DC - Today, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI) released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 2775, No Subsidies Without Verification Act. The legislation would prohibit federal subsidies for the ObamaCare Exchange from being provided until the independent HHS Inspector General verifies applicants are eligible for the taxpayer-funded subsidies.

“I commend Ways and Means Member Diane Black for her hard work to hold the Administration accountable and prevent hundreds of billions of dollars in fraud. We must protect taxpayer dollars to ensure that only those who are entitled to subsidies receive them, and this legislation corrects a serious error on the Administration’s part. Relying on a self-attestation system only encourages more waste, fraud and abuse. This is commonsense legislation, and I urge the Senate to take up this legislation and protect taxpayer dollars.”

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Michelle Dimarob, or Sarah Swinehart (202) 226-4774 Ways and Means Committee Office 1101 Longworth HOB, Washington, D.C. 20515 Phone (202) 225-3625 Fax (202) 225-2610.

Senator John Barrasso Weekly Republican Address VIDEO TEXT PODCAST

Senator John Barrasso Weekly Republican Address VIDEO TEXT PODCAST

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming says that many families are going to have “sticker shock” when they see what they’ll have to pay for health insurance under government insurance exchanges that go into effect in less than a month as part of Obamacare. In the Weekly Republican Address, Sen. Barrasso, a practicing physician for 25 years before coming to Congress, notes that the President refuses to acknowledge that Obamacare “fails to solve the number one concern of Americans when it comes to health care – which is cost.”

The full audio of the address is here Download for Podcast.

A full text transcript of the address follows:

“Hi. I’m Dr. John Barrasso, United States Senator for Wyoming.

“As a doctor who took care of patients for 25 years, I saw the problems with America’s health care system every day.

“There’s no question we needed real reform – reform so that people could get the care they needed, at lower cost.

“Americans now know that’s not what President Obama’s health care law delivered.

“What we got is higher taxes and bigger government, without the lower costs or quality care.

“The so-called Affordable Care Act is hurting middle class families – their wages, their jobs, and their health care.

“On October first -- less than a month from today -- America will hit the deadline on one of the most critical and controversial parts of the Obama health care law.

“That’s when the government insurance exchanges go into effect.

“Whether the exchanges are ready or not, millions of families will have to start arranging to buy their Washington-mandated health insurance.

“Many families are going to have real sticker shock when they see their new insurance rates – even families who get government subsidies.

“President Obama promised that his health care plan would reduce annual insurance premiums by $2,500 a family by the end of his first term.

“That has not happened.

“According to the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation, the average family premium for people getting insurance at work is nearly $3,000 higher than it was when the President took office.

“And because of the many new government regulations in the law, many part-time workers are having their hours cut back, and their pay reduced.

“In my home state of Wyoming, several county school districts are reportedly looking at actually cutting back the hours of hundreds of part-time workers because of the extra cost of paying for health insurance.

“This includes substitute teachers, bus drivers, coaches, cafeteria workers and custodians.

“In Virginia, thousands of state employees have had their workweeks capped at 29 hours because of how the law was written.

“Even some of President Obama’s biggest supporters have been warning about the damage that his health care law is doing to hardworking American taxpayers.

“The leaders of the Teamsters and other major labor unions have said that the health care law will -- quote – ‘destroy the foundation of the 40-hour workweek that is the backbone of the American middle class.’

“And even though the President promised that if you liked what you had, you could keep it, for many families that’s just not true.

“Workers are losing coverage for their spouses, while paying higher premiums and deductibles.

“Well, that means even more money out of pocket.

“Despite the higher cost to consumers and to workers, many people will still not get the quality health care the President promised them.

“That’s because all of his talk about coverage doesn’t mean that people will actually get better care.

“America is facing a looming shortage of doctors, nurses, and physicians’ assistants.

“The health care law provides for thousands of new IRS personnel to enforce the law, but it fails to deal in any meaningful way with the shortage of people to take care of you.

“The President had grand intentions when he set out to reform health care in this country -- but he made things worse.

“The health care law has proven to be unpopular, unworkable, and unaffordable.

“As a result, people are confused, disappointed, and angry.

“The law is increasing costs and killing jobs and it’s no surprise that employers wanted relief.

“But shouldn’t families get the same relief?

“Families will now have to prove to the IRS that they have Washington-approved and government-mandated insurance.

“It seems the only folks who still support the law, are the ones that don’t have to live under its mandates, or made special Washington deals to avoid it.

“The American people need health care reform, but it must be the right kind of reform.

“Reform that lowers patient costs, improves health, and protects the vulnerable.

“This means access to more affordable care, and protecting quality care for older Americans.

“And let me tell you – my wife is a breast cancer survivor, so I know how important it is to make sure that we help those with pre-existing conditions.

“Republicans have voted to repeal the health care law and to start over – start over with ways to truly help people afford the care that they need.

“The President refuses to acknowledge that his law fails to solve the number one concern of Americans when it comes to health care – which is cost.

“Instead, the White House and its outside political arm have promised to spend millions of dollars in advertising to promote the law.

“They’re working with celebrities and sports teams, to try to convince healthy young people to buy expensive insurance, so other people can pay less.

“Even former President Bill Clinton was deployed by the White House this week in an attempt to explain away the pain middle class families are feeling.

“Americans want real solutions to bring down the cost of health care — not more press releases and propaganda.

“We know what the law does -- and in just a few weeks, we know it’s going to start hitting middle class Americans even harder.

“The American people have a choice.

“We can embrace the status quo of Obamacare for four more years.

“Or we can repeal the law, and quickly move to help people get the care they need, from a doctor they choose, at lower cost.

“That’s what Republicans are fighting for.

“It’s time for Democrats to join us.

“Thanks for listening.”

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Obamacare Empowers Bureaucracy, Senator Ted Cruz

Obamacare Fact of the Day #24 Obamacare Empowers Bureaucracy

WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) today released the twenty-fourth in a series of facts about Obamacare:

According to the Congressional Research Service, Obamacare creates an “unknowable” number of new boards, commissions and other bureaucracies. Estimates range from dozens to hundreds.

Full Report in PDF format New Entities Created Pursuant to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

Contact: press@cruz.senate.gov / (202) 228-7561 Thursday, September 5, 2013 For Media Inquiries select the link or call (202) 228-7561