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.”

# # # # #

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

Weekly Republican Address VIDEO TEXT PODCAST Remarks by Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (R-PA)

Weekly Republican Address VIDEO TEXT PODCAST Remarks by Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (R-PA)

WASHINGTON, DC – In this week’s Republican address, Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (R-PA) marks Labor Day by celebrating our nation of builders, and highlighting the challenges the president’s policies are creating for families and workers across the country.

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

Remarks by Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (R-PA)
Weekly Republican Address
Philadelphia, PA
August 31, 2013

Hello, I’m Mike Fitzpatrick, proudly serving Pennsylvania’s eighth congressional district.

It’s an honor to speak with you this weekend as we celebrate the spirit and ingenuity of America’s workers.

We are a nation that builds things. From skyscrapers to smartphone apps, we live in a land where anyone can create, innovate, and pursue their American Dream.

But as I’ve traveled throughout my district this summer – visiting 100 local businesses in 100 days to speak with workers and business owners – it’s easy to sense that Americans are frustrated.

Nearly five years into the Obama presidency, the workers who drive our economy see nothing but roadblocks coming out of Washington.

President Obama’s health care law comes to mind.

It’s driving up premiums, and forcing workers and their spouses out of plans that they like. Small companies say the taxes and government mandates make it more difficult for them to hire. Even doctors are warning that the law doesn’t come close to addressing the real problems in our health care system.

It simply isn’t working as promised – and the president knows it. He’s already signed seven bills repealing or defunding parts of it. And he’s been busy handing out waivers and delays.

Republicans want to protect everyone from this health care law so we can focus on step-by-step, patient-centered reforms that actually lower costs. We think it’s only fair to give all Americans the same delay the president is giving to big businesses. But the president threatened to veto a bipartisan bill that would do so – why?

President Obama’s energy policies are another concern.

Republicans have an all-of-the-above energy strategy that will help lower prices, boost manufacturing, and improve our national security. But the president is blocking efforts to create jobs and make energy more affordable. Case in point: the Keystone energy pipeline.

This month marks five years since the Keystone application was first filed. Since then, it’s passed every environmental review. Labor unions want it. It’s privately funded – no taxpayer dollars involved. And again, it has bipartisan support in Congress.

So why is the Obama administration still standing in the way of this ‘shovel-ready’ project?

Lastly, people in my district are also worried about the size and scope of the federal government. They’re worried that the threat of higher taxes and the almost-endless stream of red tape are choking the engines of our economy.

Republicans want to get spending under control and simplify the tax code – making it flatter and fairer for everyone. And we’ve passed several jobs bills to eliminate excessive regulations and bring common-sense oversight to the regulatory process.

But the president is still pushing more of the same tax hikes and ‘stimulus’-style policies that have left us with weak job growth, high prices, and stagnant paychecks. Again we have to ask: why?

If there’s one thing I’ve heard a lot of these last few weeks, it’s that people want Congress to focus on expanding opportunity instead of expanding the government.

That’s the goal of the Republican jobs plan – and you can see it at gop.gov/jobs. It’s focused on breaking down the government roadblocks that are hurting our economy, and putting Americans back in the driver’s seat.

Because we want to make sure that the workers we’re celebrating this weekend can keep doing what they do best: building. Creating. And preserving the American Dream for future generations.

Thank you for listening.

Rep. Paul Gosar: Attorney General Holder Misled Congress FULL VIDEO TEXT TRANSCRIPT

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Rep. Paul Gosar: Attorney General Holder Misled Congress FULL VIDEO TEXT TRANSCRIPT.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Congressman Paul Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) spoke on the House floor today condemning Attorney General Eric Holder’s deceptive testimony, which misled Congress and abused the American people’s trust. In a 70-page report, released Wednesday, on the Justice Department's leak investigations, the House Judiciary Committee formally accused the Attorney General of misleading Congress when he said that he knew nothing of the "potential prosecution" of the press.

This floor speech is the fourth in a series of speeches highlighting the violations of the law made by the Attorney General.

Earlier this year, Congressman Gosar re-introduced his Resolution of No Confidence (H.Res. 35), which expresses no confidence in Attorney General Holder and calls for his resignation. The resolution currently has 137 cosponsors in the House of Representatives.

FULL TEXT TRANSCRIPT:

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address Attorney General Holder misleading Congress with deceptive testimony.

If I or any other ordinary citizen did what the attorney general did, we would be thrown in jail for perjury.

In front of the House Judiciary committee, on May 15th, Holder said he knew nothing of the targeting of journalist James Rosen.

Yet, Holder himself signed the subpoena for Mr. Rosen’s records.

Does the Attorney General suffer from Sargent Schultz syndrome – where he “hears nothing, sees nothing, and knows nothing?”

How convenient for Mr. Holder? But at what cost to our Constitution?

We are a nation of laws, but the Attorney General has created an atmosphere of lawlessness in America.

No one is above the law. He must be held accountable.

As Supreme Court Justice Brandeis said, “In a government of laws, the existence of the government will be imperiled if it fails to observe the law scrupulously.... If government becomes a lawbreaker it breeds contempt for law: it invites every man to become a law unto himself. It invites anarchy.”

I ask you, has the Attorney General invited anarchy?

I will continue to make my case here in the People’s House, at the People’s Pulpit.

I will be back. ###

Contact Congressman Paul Gosar: Washington, DC 504 Cannon HOB Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-2315

Republican Leadership Press Conference 7/31/13 FULL VIDEO

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Republican Leadership Press Conference 7/31/13 FULL VIDEO - House Republicans know that in order to spur economic growth and create jobs, we need to fight back against an out-of-control federal government that's making life tougher for hardworking Americans.

That's why this week we've introduced several bills that make sure our government works for the American people, not against them.

Category: News & Politics. License: Standard YouTube License.

Rick Snyder: Government bailout is the wrong answer for Detroit

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Gov. Rick Snyder, R-Mich., said Sunday on "Face the Nation" that granting Detroit a government bailout would be the wrong way to help the bankrupt city.

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Governor authorizes Detroit bankruptcy filing, describes it as only viable option to help residents and restore city; Tough step will revive city buried in $18 billion debt and unfunded liabilities.

DETROIT - Gov. Rick Snyder today authorized Detroit's emergency manager to seek federal bankruptcy protection for the city, saying it was the only viable option to provide the 700,000 people of Detroit with the public services they need and to restore the city.

"The fiscal realities confronting Detroit have been ignored for too long. I'm making this tough decision so the people of Detroit will have the basic services they deserve and so we can start to put Detroit on a solid financial footing that will allow it to grow and prosper in the future," the governor said. "This is a difficult step, but the only viable option to address a problem that has been six decades in the making."

Snyder's decision allowed Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr to make a filing under Chapter 9 of the federal bankruptcy law. Orr filed for Chapter 9 protection today shortly after receiving authorization from the governor. Chapter 9 protects financially distressed municipalities from creditors while their debts are resolved under the direction of a bankruptcy judge.

Detroit has more than $18 billion in debt and unfunded liabilities and doesn't have the revenues to meet those obligations and provide an adequate level of services to its people, who pay the highest taxes per capita in Michigan. The city's debt level is unsustainable. Currently, 38 cents of every city dollar goes toward debt repayment, legacy costs and other obligations. By 2017 that figure is expected to reach 65 cents per dollar.

"The simple fact is Detroit is in a financial crisis. The city is insolvent and has been borrowing money to pay its bills for nearly a decade. Bankruptcy is the only feasible option to fix the city's finances and do what is right for the 700,000 people of Detroit," Snyder said.

The governor noted Orr's restructuring plan for the city calls for investing $1.25 billion over 10 years in core services, primarily police and fire protection, trash pickup and street lighting.

"Fixing the city's finances will allow for investments in key areas that will improve the quality of life for Detroiters and encourage growth and investment in the city," Snyder said.

"We want to create an environment that attracts more families, young professionals and job providers to Detroit. That will be a win for Detroit and a win for Michigan. Michigan is the comeback state and we need our state's largest city to be healthy and strong to keep the comeback going strong."

The governor and Orr will hold a news conference at 10 a.m. Friday to discuss the Chapter 9 bankruptcy filing for Detroit. The news conference will take place at the DPTV studios, which are located at 5057 Woodward Ave., Detroit 48202. The news conference also will be live streamed and may be accessed by going to: www.michigan.gov/snyder.

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Executive Office of the Governor Communications Division. P.O. Box 30013. Lansing, MI 48909 - 517-335-6397

Interest Rates Double on Student Loans Amid Democratic Infighting

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Interest rates on student loans doubled today,

“following top Senate Democrats’ rejection of a bipartisan compromise supported by the president.” We could have easily avoided this.

Back in May, the Republican-led House of Representatives passed the Smarter Solutions for Students Act – a bill based on President Obama’s own proposal and part of the Republican Plan for Economic Growth & Jobs. The House bill would have stopped an immediate rate hike and permanently fixed the program by tying rates to the market (not “the whims of Congress” which, as we can see, aren’t all that reliable). It also protects borrowers by capping rates.

Senate Democrats didn’t pass any bill at all – they left Washington and just let rates double. President Obama never really urged the leaders in his party to take action. And without the president’s involvement, “divisions within their own caucus” have prevented a long-term solution.

You see, some Democrats support a bipartisan plan like the one passed by the House. Others want another short-term fix (“let’s put this off for a year”) to “bring the issue to a head in 2014, when the party again hopes to rally younger voters to the polls in congressional elections ...” These Democrats would rather score political points than solve a problem, and students are the ones paying the price.

The uncertainty over student loans isn’t the only challenge facing young Americans under President Obama. Young and healthy “consumers could see insurance rates double or even triple” under the president’s health care law, says the Wall Street Journal. Finding work is tough too: “the unemployment rate for workers aged 20 to 24 remains stubbornly above 13 percent” and “the rate for those ages 25 to 34 is more than 7 percent,” wrote former CBO Director Douglas Holtz-Eakin in Reuters.

“This Democratic infighting is exactly why we have to take politics out of student loans and put in place a permanent solution,” said Speaker Boehner last week. Click here to learn more about the Smarter Solutions for Students Act and click here for the latest from the Education & the Workforce Committee.

Office of the Speaker H-232 The Capitol Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-0600 Fax: (202) 225-5117

President Obama's White House Says “A War on Coal is Exactly What’s Needed”

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President Obama's White House Says “A War on Coal is Exactly What’s Needed” How does the Obama administration feel about American energy and jobs? It wants to wage war on them. At least that’s what an administration advisor told the New York Times.

Hours before the president’s latest pitch for more energy taxes and regulations that will hurt our economy and drive up prices, White House climate advisor Daniel Schrag said, “a war on coal is exactly what’s needed.”

But the administration’s war on energy is actually a war on jobs, families, and manufacturing:

Coal is responsible for more than 760,000 American jobs all over the country. And exports of American coal to energy-hungry parts of the globe are rapidly increasing, which means even more jobs, opportunities, and economic growth (if the White House doesn’t get in the way).

Families pay 11 percent less for electricity in states where more than half comes from coal. Coal produces electricity for 48 states and 40 percent of all electricity in the United States.

Coal also plays an important role in American manufacturing. It is used in steel, paper, cement, plastics, and helps in everything from water purification to the production of carbon fibers used in fuel cells and electronics.

Unfortunately, excessive regulations and red tape are already shuttering coal plants and destroying jobs. In fact, 288 plants in 32 states are closing – that’s like turning off the entire electricity supply of 11 states. Millions of households already spend more than a fifth of their take-home pay on energy – prices could “necessarily skyrocket” if the president gets his way.

And the president’s war on American energy and jobs extends beyond coal. The Obama administration has blocked the popular Keystone XL energy pipeline for several years. It’s locked up 85 percent of America’s offshore energy resources. Oil and natural gas production on federal land has plummeted. And it takes 30 percent longer to get a federal permit under President Obama.

Republicans are taking a very different approach, working to expand American energy production to help grow our economy and lower prices. The House has already voted to remove legal and bureaucratic barriers delaying the Keystone project, and will vote this week to expand offshore energy production. This is all part of the Republican Plan for Economic Growth & Jobs.

Last week, Speaker Boehner called development of America’s energy resources “our new economic frontier,” noting that we have “more combined oil, coal, and natural gas resources than any other nation on Earth. We’re sitting on the gateway to prosperity.”

What do you think? Is American energy our gateway to prosperity? Or something on which federal bureaucrats should wage war? Let us know in the comments below.

#PRISM #liberty #safety

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They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. - Benjamin Franklin. Editing by sookietex. #PRISM #liberty #safety

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. #PRISM #NSA

Image "Scene at the Signing of the Constitution of the United States" by Howard Chandler Christy (1873–1952). Editing by sookietex.

Kelly Ayotte Votes to Start Debate on Bipartisan Immigration Reform Bill

Kelly Ayotte Votes to Start Debate on Bipartisan Immigration Reform Bill. Strong bipartisan vote of 84 to 15 advances important debate Jun 11, 2013.

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) voted today to start debate on the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act - bipartisan immigration reform legislation that includes provisions to secure our border, implement an employment verification system, create a tough but fair means for those who are here illegally to earn legal status, and allow high-skilled and other needed immigrants to work here legally and help grow our economy. On Sunday, Ayotte became the first Republican senator outside of the bipartisan "Gang of 8" to announce her support for the legislation - providing a key vote for the bill.

"Today's vote reflects overwhelming bipartisan support for having this urgent debate," said Senator Ayotte. "We need immigration reform that serves our country's best interests. That means stopping the dangerous flow of illegal immigrants into our country through greater border security, more effective enforcement and a vigorous employment verification program. This legislation also modernizes our legal immigration system to allow high-skilled and other needed immigrants to work here legally and help grow our economy, addressing a critical need I've heard frequently from New Hampshire's business community."

KEY COMPONENTS OF BORDER SECURITY, ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, AND IMMIGRATION MODERNIZATION ACT:

Securing the Border:

• The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must create, fund and initiate a border security and border fence plan within six months of bill's enactment.

o The Secretary would be directed to present Congress with a "Southern Border Security Strategy" and a "Southern Border Fencing Strategy" within six months of enactment, to include additional border agents and surveillance and identify where fencing, infrastructure, and technology should be deployed. $1.5 billion would be made available from the fund for constructing additional fencing and $3 billion for the security strategy.

• DHS must achieve 100 percent border awareness and at least 90 percent effectiveness in all border sectors (within five years of bill's enactment)

Stopping the Flow of Illegal Immigrants:
• Employment Verification - ‘E-Verify' - technology must be implemented. Under the bill, all employers will be required to use the E-Verify system over a five year phase-in period. Employers with more than 5,000 employees will be phased-in within two years. Employers with more than 500 employees will be phased-in within three years.

• Employers would face fines and civil penalties for violations of the E-Verify requirements, and possible criminal penalties for extensive and knowing employment of undocumented workers.

• To stop abuse of the existing visas system, DHS must implement an electronic biographic visa exit system at all international airports and seaports by the end of 2015.

• The bill would require DHS to report all visa overstays to the appropriate law enforcement, intelligence, or national security agency, and require that enforcement resources are used to locate the visa overstay and commence removal proceedings.

Earning Legal Status:

• The legislation also includes strict requirements for those illegal immigrants who have been here since before 2012.

o No undocumented immigrant is eligible to apply for temporary status until the border security and fencing plan have been submitted to Congress and the implementation of those plans is underway.

• Before any of these 11 million could earn a green card, they would go to the back of the line, not receive means-tested federal benefits and Obamacare subsidies, and they would be required to pay fines, pay taxes, and pass background checks, learn English, and secure a job.

• The minimum most immigrants would have to wait to earn a green card would be ten years - and 13 years for naturalization. And this timeline is dependent on first meeting border security and employment enforcement measures.

Boosting the U.S. Economy Through Legal Immigration Reform:

• After companies make every effort to recruit Americans to perform particular jobs and can't find any - especially those with expertise in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) - they are forced to look elsewhere.
o This legislation addresses that shortfall and will strengthen our economy.
o The bill expands the highly skilled H1-B visa program from 65,000 up to 180,000 to fill job shortages.

• The bill establishes a new guest worker visa program for lower-skilled workers that ensures the future flow of workers is manageable, traceable, and fair to American workers.

• The bill also allows current undocumented farm workers who have made a substantial prior commitment to agricultural work in the United States to obtain legal status through an Agricultural Blue Card Program.

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D.C. Office. 144 Russell Senate Office Building. Washington, D.C. 20510. Phone: 202-224-3324. Fax: 202-224-4952

Delivering the Weekly Republican Address Luke Messer FULL TEXT VIDEO 06/08/13

WASHINGTON, DC – Delivering the Weekly Republican Address, Rep. Luke Messer (R-IN) says President Obama and Senate Democrats should put politics aside and work with Republicans to prevent an immediate student loan interest rate hike on July 1st. Last week, the House of Representatives passed the Smarter Solutions for Students Act, which prevents student loan interest rates from doubling on July 1st and helps students take advantage of low interest rates whenever available. Rep. Messer is president of the Republican freshman class and a member of the House Education & the Workforce Committee.

NOTE: The Weekly Republican Address is embargoed until 6:00 a.m. ET, Saturday, June 8, 2013. The audio is accessible now, and video of the address will be available to view and download once the embargo is lifted. A full transcript follows. “Fellow Americans: I’m Congressman Luke Messer from Indiana. It is my honor to speak to you today on behalf of my Republican colleagues. “This summer, more than nine million undergraduates will take out a federal student loan. That’s nine million Americans at the start of their journey toward the American Dream.

“As a young man growing up in a small town in Indiana, I was taught: if you want a great life, get a good education. So I did—but it wasn’t easy. When it came time to go to college, I received scholarships and Pell grants. I took out loans and worked my way through school with jobs ranging from collecting garbage and waiting tables to umpiring baseball games.

“What makes this country great is that my story is not exceptional. Every year, millions of American students see their career dreams begin with the help of federal student financial aid.

“Unfortunately, in just three weeks, on July 1st, interest rates on many federal student loans are set to double, from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent. “No one wants this to happen, especially in a job market where millions of recent college grads are having a hard time finding full-time work.

“So the House of Representatives acted – not only to stop the immediate rate hike, but also to protect students over the long-term. Our proposal will reduce rates immediately for most borrowers and get Washington politicians out of the business of arbitrarily setting interest rates. “You see, in recent years, there have been times when interest rates on student loans have been higher than other loans in the marketplace. For example, you could get a used car loan cheaper than a student loan. That’s just not right.

“Taking the politics out of student loans is a common-sense fix. It’s a plan that mirrors a proposal in President Obama’s budget. As a matter of fact, one nonpartisan education expert said, and I quote, ‘the two proposals are really on the same page.’

“Unfortunately, rather than seize this common ground and move the ball forward, the president resorted to campaign-style tactics, stepped out into the Rose Garden, and denounced the plan. The President actually attacked a proposal similar to one he himself offered just weeks ago. His maneuvers are yet another example of the arrogance of power that has taken root in this administration, and it prevents us from addressing the people’s priorities.

“Making matters worse, this week Democratic leaders in the United States Senate tried to take the easy way out and maintain the status quo, which will only hurt students in the long-run. After the usual noise and bluster, they failed to pass any legislation that would help student borrowers.

“Our young people deserve better. The effective unemployment rate among young people in this country today is 16 percent. That is way too high. Too many young people have had to come home and tell their parents that they can’t find a job.

“Student loan relief is just one example of the solutions Republicans have put forward to get our economy back on track. Our plan for economic growth and jobs will make life work for families and expand opportunity for every American.

“We need to get our economy back on the right track and give our next generation their opportunity to live the American dream. Working together, we can. I hope the president and the Senate will join us to fix this problem and make life a little easier for millions of students and their families.
“Thank you for listening.”

Weekly Republican Address, House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan 02/23/13 FULL TEXT and VIDEO TRANSCRIPT

Weekly Republican Address, House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan 02/23/13 FULL TEXT and VIDEO TRANSCRIPT.

WASHINGTON, DC – In the Weekly Republican Address, House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) touts Republicans’ plan to improve the lives of American families by balancing the budget in 10 years and invites President Obama to join us in this common-sense goal. In the address, he details how Republicans’ balanced budget means more economic security for workers and parents, a more secure retirement for the elderly, and more opportunities for younger Americans. “So today we invite President Obama to do what President Clinton did,” Ryan says, and “work with Republicans in Congress to balance the budget.”

NOTE: The Weekly Republican Address is embargoed until 6:00 a.m. ET, Saturday, March 16, 2013. A full transcript follows.

“Next week, the House of Representatives will vote on a plan to improve the lives of American families by balancing the budget in ten years.

“How do we do it? Well, it’s pretty simple: We stop spending money we don’t have. Historically, we’ve paid a little less than one-fifth of our income in taxes to the federal government each year. But the government has spent more—a lot more. And the results are plain to see: Despite the President’s promise, the stimulus didn’t work. Today, 46 million people are living in poverty, the highest in a generation. One in seven workers either can’t find a job or works only part time.

“Our plan lets Washington spend only what it takes in. This is how every family tries to live, in good times and in bad. Your government should do the same.

“But the crucial question isn’t how we balance the budget. It’s why. The budget is a means to an end. We’re not balancing the budget as an accounting exercise. We’re not trying to simply make numbers add up. We’re trying to improve people’s lives.

“For Americans worried about jobs and the cost of living, our plan protects them from tax hikes and calls for Congress to fix the tax code by lowering rates and closing loopholes. We’re also going to approve the Keystone pipeline and unlock our nation’s abundant domestic-energy resources.

“For Americans trying to keep up with the cost of health care, our plan repeals the president’s health-care law and clears the way for patient-centered reforms.

“For younger workers hoping for a secure retirement, we will protect and strengthen Medicare so that it’s there for them—just like it’s there for my mom today.

“And for taxpayers fed up with the status quo, we will cut wasteful spending. We will rein in red tape, and we will give states flexibility on how to implement their federal welfare programs.

“If we take these steps, our economy will grow. Our country will regain confidence. And we will reignite the American Dream. All we need is leadership. We owe the American people a responsible, balanced budget. It’s not fair to take more from families just to spend more in Washington.

“I wish the powers-that-be in Washington agreed. President Obama and Senate Democrats say they want a “balanced approach” to our fiscal issues. But their budgets never balance—ever. Instead, they want to raise taxes to fuel more spending.

“We know where this path leads—straight into a debt crisis, and along the way, fewer jobs, fewer opportunities, and less security. What would this look like? First, lenders will demand higher interest rates. And when they do, interest rates across the country will skyrocket—on credit cards, on mortgages, on car loans. And as interest rates rise, debt payments will overwhelm all other items in the budget. The debt will overwhelm our economy. Our finances will collapse. The safety net will unravel. And the most vulnerable will suffer. You think this can’t happen here? Just look at Europe.

“We don’t accept that future—not for our children, not for our country.

“So today we invite President Obama to do what President Clinton did—to work with Republicans in Congress to balance the budget. He can join in the effort, or he can choose the status quo. But he must choose.

“The American people deserve an honest account of our challenges—and what’s needed to confront them. We have an opportunity to face them with courage and resolve—as we have always done throughout history.

“Thanks for listening."

Rand Paul CPAC 2013 FULL VIDEO and TEXT TRANSCRIPT

Rand Paul CPAC 2013 FULL VIDEO and TEXT TRANSCRIPT, CPAC 2013 - U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) Published on Mar 14, 2013. Category: Nonprofits and Activism. License: Standard YouTube License.

I have a message for the President, a message that is loud and clear, a message that doesn’t mince words.

The message for the President is that no one person gets to decide the law, no one person gets to decide your guilt or innocence.

My question to the President was about more than just killing Americans on American soil.

My question was about whether Presidential power has limits.

Lincoln put it well when he wrote, “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man, give
him power.”

President Obama who seemed, once upon a time, to respect civil liberties, has become the President who signed a law allowing for the indefinite detention of an American citizen. Indeed, a law that allows an American citizen to be sent to Guantanamo Bay without a trial. President Obama defends his signing of the bill by stating that he has no intention of detaining any American citizen without a trial.

Likewise, he defended his possible targeted Drone strikes against Americans on American soil by indicating that he has no intention of doing so.

Well, my thirteen hour filibuster was a message to the President.

Good intentions are not enough. The presidential oath of office states ‘I WILL protect, preserve, and defend the Constitution,’ NOT ‘I intend to preserve, protect, and defend the constitution.’

Mr. President, good intentions are not enough. We want to know, will you or won’t you defend the Constitution?

Eisenhower wrote,

“How far can you go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without?” If we destroy our enemy but lose what defines our freedom in the process, have we really won?

If we allow one man to charge Americans as enemy combatants and indefinitely detain or drone them, then what exactly is it our brave young men and women are fighting for?

Montesquieu wrote that there can be no liberty if you combine the Executive and the Legislative branches. Likewise, there can be no justice if you combine the Executive and Judicial branch into one.

We separated arrest and accusation from trial and verdict for a reason. When Lewis Carroll’s white queen shouts sentence first, verdict afterwards, the reader’s response is supposed to be ‘But that would be absurd!’

In our country, the police can arrest, but only your peers can convict. We prize our Bill of Rights like no other country. Our Bill of Rights is what defines us and makes us exceptional.

To those who would dismiss this debate as frivolous, I say tell that to the heroic young men and women who have sacrificed their limbs and lives, tell it to the 6,000 parents whose kids died as American soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, tell them that the Bill of Rights is no big deal. FULL TEXT TRANSCRIPT IN PDF FORMAT" VIDEO & TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Paul Addresses 40th Annual Conservative Political Action Conference

Jeff Sessions Delivers Weekly GOP Address 03/09/13 On The 1st Democrat Budget In 4 Years FULL VIDEO

3/9/13 - Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) Delivers Weekly GOP Address On The 1st Democrat Budget In 4 Years.

Published on Mar 9, 2013 - In anticipation of next week's unveiling of Senate Democrats' first budget in four years, U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) cautions that the tax gimmicks and new spending that will be included in their budget will grow the government, not our economy.

In the Weekly Republican Address, Sen. Sessions, the ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee, says, Congress has a "moral duty" to balance the federal budget and bring the deficit down to zero. "But I fear the Democrat proposal will fail this defining test and will never achieve balance," he says. "I fear it will crush American workers and our economy with trillions in new taxes, spending and debt. I fear [Senate Budget] Chairman Murray will follow the President's lead: raising taxes to enrich the bureaucracy at the expense of the people." Senate Republicans, Senator Sessions says, are ready to reform Washington's spending to grow the economy, create American jobs, and balance the federal budget.

Category: News & Politics. License: Standard YouTube License

Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Report to the Congress on the sequestration for fiscal year (FY) 2013 FULL TEXT

Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Report to the Congress on the sequestration for fiscal year (FY) 2013 FULL TEXT

The Honorable John A. Boehner Speaker ofthe House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Mr. Speaker:

Enclosed please find the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Report to the Congress on the sequestration for fiscal year (FY) 2013 required by section 251A of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as amended (the "Joint Committee sequestration"). This report provides calculations of the amounts and percentages by which various budgetary resources are required to be reduced, and a listing of the reductions required
for each non-exempt budget account.

In August 2011, as part of the Budget Control Act of 2011 (BCA), bipartisan majorities in both the House of Representatives and Senate voted for sequestration as a mechanism to compel the Congress to act on deficit reduction. The threat of destructive across-the-board cuts under the BCA was intended to drive both sides to compromise. Yet, a year and a half has passed, and the Congress still has failed to enact balanced deficit reduction legislation that avoids sequestration.

As a result of the Congress's failure to act, the law requires the President to issue a sequestration order today canceling $85 billion in budgetary resources across the Federal Government for FY 2013. Specifically, OMB calculates that, over the course ofthe fiscal year, the sequestration requires a 7.8 percent reduction in non-exempt defense discretionary funding and a 5.0 percent reduction in non-exempt nondefense discretionary funding. The sequestration also requires reductions of 2.0 percent to Medicare, 5.1 percent to other non-exempt nondefense mandatory programs, and 7.9 percent to non-exempt defense mandatory programs.

FULL TEXT in PDF FORMAT: Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Report to the Congress on the sequestration for fiscal year (FY) 2013

Weekly Republican Address 3/2/13 Cathy McMorris Rodgers Calls on President to Tackle Nation's Spending Problem VIDEO PODCAST TEXT TRANSCRIPT

WASHINGTON, DC – Delivering the Weekly Republican Address, House Republican Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) calls on President Obama to replace his sequester – which took effect because he and the Democratic-run Senate failed to pass their own bill – with better spending cuts instead of more tax hikes. She says, “Instead of campaigning for higher taxes, the president should lead an effort to begin addressing our nation’s spending problem.
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NOTE: The Weekly Republican Address is embargoed until 6:00 a.m. ET, Saturday, March 2, 2013. The audio is accessible now, and video of the address will be available to view and download once the embargo is lifted. A full transcript follows.

FULL TEXT TRANSCRIPT: DOWNLOAD MP3 for PODCAST

“Hello, I’m Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers from Washington State.

“Today I’d like to give you an update on the debate we’re having in Washington about spending. This debate is about more than just numbers and politics. It’s about the kind of future we want for our children and grandchildren. Do we want to hand them a mountain of debt and all the worries that go with it, or do we want them to inherit a vibrant economy and a future full of opportunity? This is the debate we’ve been having for quite a while, and it’s time we resolve it and get something done.

“Yesterday, across-the-board spending cuts known as ‘the sequester’ took effect because President Obama and Senate Democrats failed to act. These devastating across-the-board cuts, first proposed by the president, will affect the lives of so many hardworking Americans. Yet, this week, the president traveled 180 miles to Newport News, Virginia, instead of traveling one and a half miles to Senator Harry Reid’s office on Capitol Hill to negotiate a replacement of smarter spending cuts. The president failed to act, and his Senate never passed a bill to replace the sequester.

“In the last year, the House of Representatives has passed two proposals to replace the president’s sequester with smarter spending cuts. Our plans cut government waste and make long-term reforms that put us on a path to a balanced budget. In addition, we are looking at ways to close tax loopholes and clean up our tax code so we can lower rates and help create jobs. These ideas get government out of the way so we can bring jobs home and preserve the American Dream.

“The president wants to take a different route. He wants to continue singling Americans out for tax increases, even after he raised taxes just last month to avert the fiscal cliff. The American people know full well that if they give this White House more tax revenue, it will be spent – on new ‘stimulus’ projects and government programs. The president must stop using this debate as an excuse to raise taxes and start seizing this opportunity to cut spending.
“Because we can’t let Washington continue spending money it doesn’t have, especially when it’s taking that money straight from your wallets. The problem here isn’t a lack of taxes. This year alone, the federal government will take in more revenue than ever before. Spending is the problem, which means cutting spending is the solution. It’s that simple.

“In the House, we’ve done the work and shown that these choices can be made in a responsible, thoughtful way. So we urge President Obama and Senate Democrats to put country ahead of party and pass a responsible plan to replace his sequester. Instead of campaigning for higher taxes, the president should lead an effort to begin addressing our nation’s spending problem.

“This debate hasn’t always been easy, but making Washington confront its spending problem after decades of inaction was never going to be simple. We were elected to confront the hard truths, come together and do the right thing. That’s the American way, and that’s how we’ll achieve the kind of future our children and grandchildren deserve. All it will take is for the president and his party to get serious and lead.
“Thank you for listening.”

John A. Boehner | Speaker of the House | Ohio’s 8th Congressional District Representative Office of the Speaker Contact H-232 The Capitol Washington D.C. 20515 P: (202) 225-0600 F: (202) 225-5117

Tim Griffin: President Obama has done nothing to replace the sequester cuts he proposed back in 2011, but he has launched a coordinated political campaign in a desperate attempt to scare Americans

Bob Woodward Says President Obama Canceling Aircraft Carrier’s Deployment Is “a Kind of Madness.”

WASHINGTON – Congressman Tim Griffin (AR-02) issued the following statement regarding President Obama’s sequester scare tactics:

“President Obama has done nothing to replace the sequester cuts he proposed back in 2011—the same cuts he now claims to oppose. But he has launched a coordinated political campaign in a desperate attempt to scare Americans, belied by the fact that Washington will still spend more this year than it did last year. So far, his Administration has falsely claimed the sequester will impact an agency that doesn’t exist, wrongly said teachers will be laid off, hastily canceled the USS Harry S. Truman’s return to the Persian Gulf, and foolishly released hundreds of illegal immigrants from jail. While the President’s rhetoric is at fever-pitch, his questionable claims of catastrophe are quickly crumbling. Instead of deliberately undermining the government’s ability to provide critical services in order to score political points, President Obama should stop and consider the real people who will be forced to deal with the consequences of his irresponsible actions.”

The White House’s Questionable Claims Crumble:

1: White House Report Claims Sequestration Will Affect Federal Department That No Longer Exists. “[T]he OMB's September 2012 report says that under sequestration the National Drug Intelligence Center would lose $2 million of its $20 million budget…. [But] the National Drug Intelligence Center shuttered its doors on June 15, 2012[.]” (Reason, 2/25/13)

2: Teacher Pink Slips Claim by Duncan Not Backed by Evidence. “‘There are literally teachers now who are getting pink slips, who are getting notices that they can’t come back this fall,’ Education Secretary Arne Duncan said Sunday on CBS’s ‘Face the Nation.’ When he was pressed in a White House briefing Wednesday to come up with an example, Duncan named a single county in West Virginia and acknowledged, ‘whether it’s all sequester-related, I don’t know.’ And, as it turns out, it isn’t. Officials in Kanawha County, West Virginia say that the ‘transfer notices’ sent to at least 104 educators had more to do with a separate matter…. They don’t necessarily mean a teacher has been laid off…. [Only] about five to six teaching jobs…were likely to be cut regardless of the sequester.” (The Washington Post, 2/27/13)

3: Journalist Bob Woodward Says President Obama Canceling Aircraft Carrier’s Deployment Is “a Kind of Madness.” “The Washington Post’s Bob Woodward attacked President Barack Obama on Wednesday, saying the commander-in-chief’s decision not to deploy an aircraft carrier because of budget cuts is ‘a kind of madness.’” (Politico, 2/27/13)

4: Illegal Immigrants Released from Jail Due To Budget Cuts Yet to Occur. “The announcement that a few hundred illegal immigrants were being released was among the most significant and direct implications described so far by the Obama administration about the pending, automatic budget cuts that will take effect later this week under what is known as sequestration.” (Politico, 2/27/13)

Congressman Tim Griffin Washington, DC 1232 Longworth HOB Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-2506 Fax: (202) 225-5903 Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00AM-6:00PM Eastern Time