Lynn Westmoreland Named to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Speaker-Elect John Boehner last week announced Congressman Lynn Westmoreland (GA-03) will be one of the new members selected to serve on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence in the 112th Congress. The House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence is charged with oversight of the United States Intelligence Community, including the Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency.

“There is nothing I take more seriously that ensuring our nation’s security at home and around the world,” stated Westmoreland. “One of our greatest assets in the war against terrorism is our intelligence community, and as a member of the Select Intelligence Committee, I will be committed to ensuring they have the resources they need to carry out their important mission. I am honored to be named to this important committee and look forward to serving on it in the 112th Congress.”

Members of the Select Intelligence Committee are selected by the Speaker of the House. Upon naming Congressman Westmoreland as one of the six new members to the influential committee, Speaker-Designate John Boehner (OH-08) congratulated him on his new assignment.

“The members of the House Intelligence Committee are charged with one of the most significant responsibilities of Congress – keeping the American people safe by ensuring our nation’s intelligence community has the resources and authorities it needs to succeed and conducting effective oversight of the Administration,” stated Speaker-Designate Boehner. “Republicans have made a Pledge to America to keep our nation secure at home and abroad, and I am confident that the experience and expertise that Congressman Westmoreland will bring to this post will enhance the effectiveness of the Committee. I look forward to working with him.”

The 112th Congress will be sworn-in on January 5th. Westmoreland is currently the only Georgian serving on the committee.

TEXT CREDIT: Congressman Lynn A. Westmoreland WASHINGTON, DC OFFICE 2433 Rayburn House Office Bldg Washington, DC 20515 Phone (202) 225-5901 Fax (202) 225-2515

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Congressman Jeff Flake H.R.5536 -- Debt Buy-Down Act FULL TEXT

Congressman Flake: So Just How Broke Are We? Mesa, Arizona, Dec 20 - Republican Congressman Jeff Flake, who represents Arizona’s Sixth District, today illustrated the size and scope of the growing national debt. Last week, an Abu Dhabi hotel debuted its opulent 43-foot tree worth $11 million. Approximately 130 ornaments made of various precious stones adorn the tree.

The U.S. is so broke that our massive almost-$14 trillion debt is equal to approximately 1.27 million jewel-decked trees like the one in Abu Dhabi.

“We ought to deck the halls of Congress with some fiscal restraint,” said Flake.

Along with Senator McCain, Congressman Flake introduced the Debt Buy-Down Act, which allows taxpayers to designate up to 10 percent of their federal income tax liability to reduce the national debt. The bill then requires Congress to reduce federal spending by that amount.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow individuals to designate that up to 10 percent of their income tax liability be used to reduce the national debt, and to require spending reductions equal to the amounts so designated.

DOCUMENTS in PDF FORMAT:

• The Debt Buy-Down Act of 2010 (H.R. 5536/S. 3496) Section by Section
• H.R.5536 -- Debt Buy-Down Act FULL TEXT