/PRNewswire/ -- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) today announced that he intends to attach a massive illegal alien amnesty provision to the Defense Authorization bill scheduled to be considered by the Senate next week. The DREAM Act would reward illegal aliens with amnesty and would allow them to benefit from taxpayer-funded college tuition and other benefits. The DREAM Act would also reverse a 1996 law that bars states from offering in-state tuition benefits to illegal aliens and would make all illegal aliens eligible for taxpayer subsidized tuition at public colleges and universities.
The DREAM Act, which was first introduced in 2000, has consistently been opposed by the American people and has lacked the political support to pass as a free-standing measure. The timing of the announcement therefore appears to be entirely the result of Sen. Reid's own re-election efforts in Nevada and his belief that passage of the DREAM Act amnesty will appeal to Hispanic voters, says the Federation for American Immigration Reform. It also comes at a time when nearly every state university system is facing severe fiscal constraints, raising tuitions, and slashing programs and admissions.
The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), which has consistently opposed the DREAM Act amnesty on its merits, responded sharply to Sen. Reid's announcement that he would use the Defense Authorization bill as a vehicle to reward illegal aliens. "At a time when our country is at war and our troops are fighting and dying in Afghanistan, the use of a bill to authorize funding for our military to benefit illegal aliens exemplifies why the American public has grown contemptuous of the way today's Washington operates," stated Dan Stein, president of FAIR.
Passage of the DREAM Act would further harm law-abiding middle class families by diverting scarce educational resources to the children of illegal aliens. "For many middle class families, the only option for ensuring their kids get the education they will need to compete in the 21st century economy are public colleges and universities. The DREAM Act would result in even more seats being filled by illegal aliens and those who are legalized by this bill.
"Middle class workers and middle class taxpayers are already bearing a $113 billion a year burden for their government's refusal to protect them against mass illegal immigration," Stein said. "Now Sen. Reid is asking them to dig even deeper into their pockets and to sacrifice their own children's educational opportunities because he believes it will help his own political prospects. It is a move that is cynical, deeply troubling and divisive."
Proponents of the DREAM Act argue that the bill is a compassionate response to the circumstances of "kids" who were brought to this country illegally by their parents. In reality, it would apply to illegal aliens up to the age of 35. The act also rewards parents who violate immigration laws by giving their children a benefit as a direct result of their illegal actions.
The DREAM Act would also encourage more illegal immigration in the future. "Approval of the DREAM Act would send a clear message to parents that violating U.S. immigration laws will result in eventual citizenship and access to expensive taxpayer financed benefits for their kids. Why wouldn't millions more people decide to break our laws?" asked Stein.
"Rewarding people who break our laws is wrong. Rewarding them at the expense of struggling American workers and students is unfair. Linking that reward to funding for the people who are defending our nation is the epitome of political cynicism," concluded Stein.
-----
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Showing posts with label bill. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bill. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Pelosi: 'We Passed Health Reform to Improve Medicare and Ensure Seniors Can Count on It Now and for Generations'
/PRNewswire/ -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Barbara Kennelly of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, and Dr. Ben Williamowsky of Silver Spring, Md., a Medicare recipient, held a news conference today to discuss benefits of and misconceptions about the Affordable Care Act and Medicare.
The participants highlighted a four-page brochure, "Medicare and the New Health Care Law, What it Means for You," which was mailed by HHS this week to seniors. It outlines the benefits for Medicare recipients in the new health insurance reform law.
Below are Speaker Pelosi's opening remarks and selected quotes from each of the other participants:
Speaker Pelosi Opening Remarks:
"Good afternoon. I know you are out there. [Laughter.] Good afternoon.
"And a good afternoon it is when we have the Secretary of Health and Human Services with us at the Capitol--Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, a champion in promoting health care for all Americans as a right, not a privilege. I am here with Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. A special guest for all of us, Dr. Ben Williamowsky, a retired dentist and local senior. Steny will introduce him, but I want to say that my father gave him his diploma from dental school in 1948. Where is he? There. We go way back. [Laughter.]
"Four decades ago, Congress created Medicare, a bedrock promise to our seniors. This year, we passed health care reform to improve Medicare, to protect seniors and people with disabilities, and to ensure that seniors can count on Medicare now and for generations to come.
"We are here to draw attention to a critical piece of mail our seniors will get this week. This four-page brochure outlines the new benefits in health reform for Medicare recipients. There it is.
"Perhaps most significantly it begins with what stays the same for Medicare. No change in guaranteed benefits and no change in eligibility. During open enrollment this fall, seniors will continue to have a choice between original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. Medicare will continue to cover health cost the way it always has for seniors. Barbara Kennelly is here, our former colleague, to attest to that.
"Members of Congress will head home to their districts this weekend for Memorial Day. One of our top jobs is to clear up confusion and correct misinformation around health reform. This brochure for seniors is a good place to start.
"We also have to make clear that Congressional Republicans calling for repeal also oppose those benefits and would return us to a system of higher drug cost, shrinking benefits, and insecurity for our seniors. In fact, they have a budget--that's the nature of their budget--that ends Medicare as we know it and turns Social Security over to the whims of Wall Street.
"Republicans in Congress chose the side of the insurance industry and its profits, over the care of what seniors need and deserve. Democrats have been on the side of America's seniors -- securing Medicare for the long-term, ensuring accountability for the insurance industry -- accountability for the insurance industry -- and giving seniors, families, and doctors greater control over their care.
"It is now my honor, as I mentioned earlier, to introduce a great woman who is with us today. And I mention that my father gave Dr. Williamowsky his diploma in 1948. I want to mention that Barbara Kennelly, former Congresswoman, now the head of the Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, and Kathleen Sebelius and I are all graduates of Trinity College in Washington, D.C. -- a women's college in Washington, D.C. And we all had fathers in politics -- the governor of Ohio, the mayor of Baltimore, and Mr. Bailey, the king of the Democratic Party in Connecticut and nationally, as a matter of fact. We had fathers who encouraged their daughters. I hope that there is a message here.
"Again, now, it's my honor to yield the floor to the distinguished Secretary of Health and Human Services. As governor -- as insurance commissioner in her home state of Kansas, as governor of the state -- she knows the ramifications and the implications of legislative language very well. As a person with a vision for health care for all Americans, she is an inspiration to all of us and a major reason why we were able to pass that important legislation. Welcome, Secretary Sebelius."
***
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius:
"There has been a lot of misinformation promoted about what the Affordable Care Act will and won't do, particularly as it regards seniors and their benefits. Unfortunately, some of that has distracted from: What are the real benefits available in the new law to seniors?"
"The Affordable Care Act will finally close the prescription drug donut hole, an issue that has been a hot topic for seniors and disabled Americans. It starts this year with seniors receiving $250 checks and will gradually, over the course of the program, close the donut hole for the 8 million seniors who end up in that category right now where they are paying 100 percent out of pocket for critical prescription drugs..."
"We want to inform America's seniors what the act actually contains, what benefits they have coming their way, how to take advantage of those benefits, and what sort of priorities they will be. And this is the beginning of what will continue to be an aggressive outreach campaign."
Majority Leader Steny Hoyer:
"Older Americans faced an enormous amount of misinformation over the course of the health care debate. It was conscious, it was intended to misinform, and it was intended for political reasons, not for policy reasons."
"But now that the health insurance reform is law, the world hasn't ended, older Americans are learning about all the benefits and policies that are working to strengthen Medicare and their peace of mind."
Dr. Ben Williamowsky:
"I am here because I support the Affordable Care Act, and I believe it is important for seniors like myself to understand how the legislation will improve Medicare in the future."
"There are a lot of reasons why I believe the Affordable Care Act will be good for Medicare. And I also believe it will be good for my family, and that's a thought I would like to leave you today. People ask me, people my friends who are one of the anti-groups, who will say: 'What is it going to do for you? Why are you so much in favor of this bill?' I said: 'Well, I will tell you two very important things it is going to do for me. Number one, it is going to allow me to live out my life.
...And the other reason I give them is this, we have a granddaughter--Minna and I, Minna is in the audience--who at the age of three had a malignant brain tumor. She was operated on. She has gone through treatments all of her life. She is now 25 and functioning fairly well, but still under the care and treatment from time to time. She is 25 years old. She has been taken care of on her parents' health insurance. Now without this bill, what was going to happen when she was 26? When they could not find a job for her that has health benefits to pay that? When she could not have it any longer under her parents' insurance? She would be cut off without insurance at the age of 26 and be faced with a terrible, terrible dilemma and challenges to her going on in her life. Now I can say that she can, with this bill, that she can get health insurance and it will not be dependent on any pre-existing conditions"
Barbara Kennelly:
"So now as President of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, I watched this bill develop -- I read about this bill, I studied this bill. Our members -- we have 4 million members and supporters. And I went around the country telling my members and mailing to my members that this is a good idea."
"Doing nothing was not an option. Because you know why? Because we could not afford Medicare. The government couldn't afford it and the people on Medicare couldn't afford it."
"Once I tell my members what's in this bill. Once I explain to them about this bill -- they are for it. And therefore I urge all former friends of mine in the Congress: Get out there and sell this bill. Because if we don't have this bill, Medicare will be broke down the line."
-----
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The participants highlighted a four-page brochure, "Medicare and the New Health Care Law, What it Means for You," which was mailed by HHS this week to seniors. It outlines the benefits for Medicare recipients in the new health insurance reform law.
Below are Speaker Pelosi's opening remarks and selected quotes from each of the other participants:
Speaker Pelosi Opening Remarks:
"Good afternoon. I know you are out there. [Laughter.] Good afternoon.
"And a good afternoon it is when we have the Secretary of Health and Human Services with us at the Capitol--Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, a champion in promoting health care for all Americans as a right, not a privilege. I am here with Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. A special guest for all of us, Dr. Ben Williamowsky, a retired dentist and local senior. Steny will introduce him, but I want to say that my father gave him his diploma from dental school in 1948. Where is he? There. We go way back. [Laughter.]
"Four decades ago, Congress created Medicare, a bedrock promise to our seniors. This year, we passed health care reform to improve Medicare, to protect seniors and people with disabilities, and to ensure that seniors can count on Medicare now and for generations to come.
"We are here to draw attention to a critical piece of mail our seniors will get this week. This four-page brochure outlines the new benefits in health reform for Medicare recipients. There it is.
"Perhaps most significantly it begins with what stays the same for Medicare. No change in guaranteed benefits and no change in eligibility. During open enrollment this fall, seniors will continue to have a choice between original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. Medicare will continue to cover health cost the way it always has for seniors. Barbara Kennelly is here, our former colleague, to attest to that.
"Members of Congress will head home to their districts this weekend for Memorial Day. One of our top jobs is to clear up confusion and correct misinformation around health reform. This brochure for seniors is a good place to start.
"We also have to make clear that Congressional Republicans calling for repeal also oppose those benefits and would return us to a system of higher drug cost, shrinking benefits, and insecurity for our seniors. In fact, they have a budget--that's the nature of their budget--that ends Medicare as we know it and turns Social Security over to the whims of Wall Street.
"Republicans in Congress chose the side of the insurance industry and its profits, over the care of what seniors need and deserve. Democrats have been on the side of America's seniors -- securing Medicare for the long-term, ensuring accountability for the insurance industry -- accountability for the insurance industry -- and giving seniors, families, and doctors greater control over their care.
"It is now my honor, as I mentioned earlier, to introduce a great woman who is with us today. And I mention that my father gave Dr. Williamowsky his diploma in 1948. I want to mention that Barbara Kennelly, former Congresswoman, now the head of the Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, and Kathleen Sebelius and I are all graduates of Trinity College in Washington, D.C. -- a women's college in Washington, D.C. And we all had fathers in politics -- the governor of Ohio, the mayor of Baltimore, and Mr. Bailey, the king of the Democratic Party in Connecticut and nationally, as a matter of fact. We had fathers who encouraged their daughters. I hope that there is a message here.
"Again, now, it's my honor to yield the floor to the distinguished Secretary of Health and Human Services. As governor -- as insurance commissioner in her home state of Kansas, as governor of the state -- she knows the ramifications and the implications of legislative language very well. As a person with a vision for health care for all Americans, she is an inspiration to all of us and a major reason why we were able to pass that important legislation. Welcome, Secretary Sebelius."
***
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius:
"There has been a lot of misinformation promoted about what the Affordable Care Act will and won't do, particularly as it regards seniors and their benefits. Unfortunately, some of that has distracted from: What are the real benefits available in the new law to seniors?"
"The Affordable Care Act will finally close the prescription drug donut hole, an issue that has been a hot topic for seniors and disabled Americans. It starts this year with seniors receiving $250 checks and will gradually, over the course of the program, close the donut hole for the 8 million seniors who end up in that category right now where they are paying 100 percent out of pocket for critical prescription drugs..."
"We want to inform America's seniors what the act actually contains, what benefits they have coming their way, how to take advantage of those benefits, and what sort of priorities they will be. And this is the beginning of what will continue to be an aggressive outreach campaign."
Majority Leader Steny Hoyer:
"Older Americans faced an enormous amount of misinformation over the course of the health care debate. It was conscious, it was intended to misinform, and it was intended for political reasons, not for policy reasons."
"But now that the health insurance reform is law, the world hasn't ended, older Americans are learning about all the benefits and policies that are working to strengthen Medicare and their peace of mind."
Dr. Ben Williamowsky:
"I am here because I support the Affordable Care Act, and I believe it is important for seniors like myself to understand how the legislation will improve Medicare in the future."
"There are a lot of reasons why I believe the Affordable Care Act will be good for Medicare. And I also believe it will be good for my family, and that's a thought I would like to leave you today. People ask me, people my friends who are one of the anti-groups, who will say: 'What is it going to do for you? Why are you so much in favor of this bill?' I said: 'Well, I will tell you two very important things it is going to do for me. Number one, it is going to allow me to live out my life.
...And the other reason I give them is this, we have a granddaughter--Minna and I, Minna is in the audience--who at the age of three had a malignant brain tumor. She was operated on. She has gone through treatments all of her life. She is now 25 and functioning fairly well, but still under the care and treatment from time to time. She is 25 years old. She has been taken care of on her parents' health insurance. Now without this bill, what was going to happen when she was 26? When they could not find a job for her that has health benefits to pay that? When she could not have it any longer under her parents' insurance? She would be cut off without insurance at the age of 26 and be faced with a terrible, terrible dilemma and challenges to her going on in her life. Now I can say that she can, with this bill, that she can get health insurance and it will not be dependent on any pre-existing conditions"
Barbara Kennelly:
"So now as President of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, I watched this bill develop -- I read about this bill, I studied this bill. Our members -- we have 4 million members and supporters. And I went around the country telling my members and mailing to my members that this is a good idea."
"Doing nothing was not an option. Because you know why? Because we could not afford Medicare. The government couldn't afford it and the people on Medicare couldn't afford it."
"Once I tell my members what's in this bill. Once I explain to them about this bill -- they are for it. And therefore I urge all former friends of mine in the Congress: Get out there and sell this bill. Because if we don't have this bill, Medicare will be broke down the line."
-----
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Friday, March 19, 2010
Libertarian Party opposes health care plan
The Libertarian Party adamantly opposes the health care bill passed on Christmas Eve by the US Senate that is currently being considered in the US House of Representatives. The Libertarian Party calls on the US House to vote down this disastrous plan, and instead to pass laws reducing federal involvement in health care.
Libertarian Party Chairman William Redpath commented, "We oppose this horrible federal government expansion into health care, just as we have consistently opposed all the increased government intrusion into health care proposed by Republicans and Democrats over the years. For example, we vocally opposed the huge Medicare expansion pushed through Congress by Republicans in 2003."
Redpath continued, "It is a virtual certainty that the cost estimates of this legislation are drastically understated. When Medicare Part A started in 1965, the projected cost for 1990 was $9 billion. It turned out to be $67 billion. Should this bill become law, when the debt of the United States government is downgraded by ratings agencies shortly thereafter, it will not be a coincidence. That will increase interest rates, and the entire economy will suffer."
The Libertarian Party Platform says the following about health care: "We favor restoring and reviving a free market health care system. We recognize the freedom of individuals to determine the level of health insurance they want, the level of health care they want, the care providers they want, the medicines and treatments they will use and all other aspects of their medical care, including end-of-life decisions."
The words "health care" and "medicine" are not found anywhere in the Constitution. Accordingly, the Libertarian Party asserts that Congress has no authority to regulate or appropriate money for health care. (The Libertarian Party has consistently argued for decades that the "general welfare" and "interstate commerce" clauses are not generic authorizations for spending and regulation.)
Redpath concluded, "This is a top-down, Washington-mandated control of health insurance and health care in this nation. It is the antithesis of consumer-driven health care, which is what will ultimately be necessary to control health care costs and to provide the best health care for the greatest number of people."
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Libertarian Party Chairman William Redpath commented, "We oppose this horrible federal government expansion into health care, just as we have consistently opposed all the increased government intrusion into health care proposed by Republicans and Democrats over the years. For example, we vocally opposed the huge Medicare expansion pushed through Congress by Republicans in 2003."
Redpath continued, "It is a virtual certainty that the cost estimates of this legislation are drastically understated. When Medicare Part A started in 1965, the projected cost for 1990 was $9 billion. It turned out to be $67 billion. Should this bill become law, when the debt of the United States government is downgraded by ratings agencies shortly thereafter, it will not be a coincidence. That will increase interest rates, and the entire economy will suffer."
The Libertarian Party Platform says the following about health care: "We favor restoring and reviving a free market health care system. We recognize the freedom of individuals to determine the level of health insurance they want, the level of health care they want, the care providers they want, the medicines and treatments they will use and all other aspects of their medical care, including end-of-life decisions."
The words "health care" and "medicine" are not found anywhere in the Constitution. Accordingly, the Libertarian Party asserts that Congress has no authority to regulate or appropriate money for health care. (The Libertarian Party has consistently argued for decades that the "general welfare" and "interstate commerce" clauses are not generic authorizations for spending and regulation.)
Redpath concluded, "This is a top-down, Washington-mandated control of health insurance and health care in this nation. It is the antithesis of consumer-driven health care, which is what will ultimately be necessary to control health care costs and to provide the best health care for the greatest number of people."
-----
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Thursday, December 10, 2009
AUL Action Urges the Defeat of Omnibus Bill Over D.C. Abortion Funding
/PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. House will vote today on H.R. 3288, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2010. While in Fiscal Years 1996-2009, Congress prohibited the use of all Congressionally appropriated funds for abortions in the District of Columbia (except in cases of rape, incest, and life of the mother), H.R. 3288 only prohibits the use of "federal" funds for abortions in D.C. (Division C, Section 814). This modification allows funds which are Congressionally appropriated for the D.C. budget to be used for elective abortions.
Americans United for Life Action President and CEO Dr. Charmaine Yoest stated, "This appropriations bill guts a longstanding prohibition on using public funds to pay for abortions in the District of Columbia. The bill also provides millions of dollars for international 'family planning' that could be directed to organizations that pay for and promote abortions. A majority of Americans do not support the use of their tax dollars to pay for abortions."
The bill also appropriates $648.5 million for international family planning funding, an increase of $103 million from Fiscal Year 2009, without the constraints of the Mexico City Policy to prevent these dollars from being provided to organizations that promote and perform abortions (Division F, Section 7060). Finally, the bill increases funding for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), which has an admittedly pro-abortion agenda, to $55 million, a $5 million increase from FY09 (Division F, Section 7078).
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Americans United for Life Action President and CEO Dr. Charmaine Yoest stated, "This appropriations bill guts a longstanding prohibition on using public funds to pay for abortions in the District of Columbia. The bill also provides millions of dollars for international 'family planning' that could be directed to organizations that pay for and promote abortions. A majority of Americans do not support the use of their tax dollars to pay for abortions."
The bill also appropriates $648.5 million for international family planning funding, an increase of $103 million from Fiscal Year 2009, without the constraints of the Mexico City Policy to prevent these dollars from being provided to organizations that promote and perform abortions (Division F, Section 7060). Finally, the bill increases funding for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), which has an admittedly pro-abortion agenda, to $55 million, a $5 million increase from FY09 (Division F, Section 7078).
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Friday, October 2, 2009
Alabama Congressman Parker Griffith Claims Loophole to Give Billions to His Top Campaign Contributors was 'Unintended’
Alabama Congressman Parker Griffith Claims Loophole to Give Billions to His Top Campaign Contributors was 'Unintended’, According to the American Small Business League
(BUSINESS WIRE)--The following is a statement by the American Small Business League:
Alabama Congressman Parker Griffith (D-AL-5) is claiming that a bill he wrote would carry the ‘unintended consequence’ of allowing the subsidiaries of some of his largest campaign contributors to receive billions of dollars in federal small business contracts.
During an interview with the Times Daily newspaper regarding H.R. 3558, the Small Business Fair Competition Act, Congressman Griffith claimed that it was not his intention to create loopholes to allow two of his largest campaign contributors, Boeing and Northrop Grumman to land billions of dollars in federal small business contracts.
In the story, American Small Business League (ASBL) President Lloyd Chapman stated, "It is simply not believable that Congressman Griffith accidentally wrote a bill that is going to allow the subsidiaries of some of his largest campaign contributors like Boeing and Northrop Grumman to get small business contracts. It is absurd." (http://www.timesdaily.com/article/20090930/ARTICLES/909305008/1011/NEWS?Title=Griffith-Bill-needs-more-work)
The ASBL was the only organization to uncover the supposed accidental loophole. Yet, as opposed to thanking the organization, Griffith accused the group of seeking notoriety.
Recent data released by the Obama Administration indicates that Fortune 500 defense contractors in Congressman Griffith's district such as Boeing, Northrop Grumman and British Aerospace (BAE) are receiving federal small business contracts. Critics of Griffith and his bill believe that he was clearly trying to create a loophole to allow Fortune 500 corporations to continue to take contracts intended for small businesses.
Since 2003, over a dozen federal investigations have found that every year billions of dollars in federal small business contracts are diverted to Fortune 500 firms with a concentration on the defense and aerospace industry.
In 2005, the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General referred to the diversion of federal small business contracts to corporate giants as, "One of the most important challenges facing the Small Business Administration and the entire Federal government today." (http://www.asbl.com/documents/05-15.pdf)
Even President Obama weighed in on the issue, when in February of 2008 he released the statement, "It is time to end the diversion of federal small business contracts to corporate giants." (http://www.barackobama.com/2008/02/26/the_american_small_business_le.php)
"Congressman Griffith's excuse that the language in H.R. 3558, that would allow large businesses to continue to receive federal small business contracts, was an accident is simply not believable," ASBL President Lloyd Chapman said. "It's ludicrous. I think Congressman Griffith is just another crooked politician and a classic example of everything the public hates about Washington. I think the American people are sick and tired of large corporations buying legislation from members of Congress, like Parker Griffith, that damage the middle class."
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(BUSINESS WIRE)--The following is a statement by the American Small Business League:
Alabama Congressman Parker Griffith (D-AL-5) is claiming that a bill he wrote would carry the ‘unintended consequence’ of allowing the subsidiaries of some of his largest campaign contributors to receive billions of dollars in federal small business contracts.
During an interview with the Times Daily newspaper regarding H.R. 3558, the Small Business Fair Competition Act, Congressman Griffith claimed that it was not his intention to create loopholes to allow two of his largest campaign contributors, Boeing and Northrop Grumman to land billions of dollars in federal small business contracts.
In the story, American Small Business League (ASBL) President Lloyd Chapman stated, "It is simply not believable that Congressman Griffith accidentally wrote a bill that is going to allow the subsidiaries of some of his largest campaign contributors like Boeing and Northrop Grumman to get small business contracts. It is absurd." (http://www.timesdaily.com/article/20090930/ARTICLES/909305008/1011/NEWS?Title=Griffith-Bill-needs-more-work)
The ASBL was the only organization to uncover the supposed accidental loophole. Yet, as opposed to thanking the organization, Griffith accused the group of seeking notoriety.
Recent data released by the Obama Administration indicates that Fortune 500 defense contractors in Congressman Griffith's district such as Boeing, Northrop Grumman and British Aerospace (BAE) are receiving federal small business contracts. Critics of Griffith and his bill believe that he was clearly trying to create a loophole to allow Fortune 500 corporations to continue to take contracts intended for small businesses.
Since 2003, over a dozen federal investigations have found that every year billions of dollars in federal small business contracts are diverted to Fortune 500 firms with a concentration on the defense and aerospace industry.
In 2005, the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General referred to the diversion of federal small business contracts to corporate giants as, "One of the most important challenges facing the Small Business Administration and the entire Federal government today." (http://www.asbl.com/documents/05-15.pdf)
Even President Obama weighed in on the issue, when in February of 2008 he released the statement, "It is time to end the diversion of federal small business contracts to corporate giants." (http://www.barackobama.com/2008/02/26/the_american_small_business_le.php)
"Congressman Griffith's excuse that the language in H.R. 3558, that would allow large businesses to continue to receive federal small business contracts, was an accident is simply not believable," ASBL President Lloyd Chapman said. "It's ludicrous. I think Congressman Griffith is just another crooked politician and a classic example of everything the public hates about Washington. I think the American people are sick and tired of large corporations buying legislation from members of Congress, like Parker Griffith, that damage the middle class."
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Thursday, September 24, 2009
Boehner: Our Petition to Force Speaker Pelosi to Allow Americans to Read the Bills is Off to a Fast Start
As of this writing, more than 170 Members of Congress have signed a petition authored by Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR) to force House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to allow a vote on a bipartisan resolution requiring a 72-hour public review period for major bills. That number includes five rank-and-file House Democrats who have opted to buck their leadership and sign onto the GOP measure. The bipartisan rebuke of Speaker Pelosi reflects rising public anger over Democratic leaders’ handling of the massive “stimulus” spending bill, the job-killing “cap & trade” national energy tax, and other giant pieces of legislation that were hidden from public view until just hours before they were brought to a final vote in the House.
As I said in my weekly press briefing this morning, the American people have never been more engaged in public policy than they are right now, and they understand what’s happening here in Washington.....http://republicanleader.house.gov/blog/?p=626
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As I said in my weekly press briefing this morning, the American people have never been more engaged in public policy than they are right now, and they understand what’s happening here in Washington.....http://republicanleader.house.gov/blog/?p=626
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Monday, August 10, 2009
Libertarians turn up August heat on health care takeover
America’s third-largest party urged its members Monday to attend public forums being held by House members over the August recess and put their signature to one simple pledge – will they promise not to vote for any health care reform legislation they haven’t personally read in full and understand?
“No responsible Congressperson would vote to drastically alter one-seventh of the American economy, whether it is health care or something else, without first reading the bill,” said William Redpath, Libertarian National Committee Chairman. “It comes down to one issue. Will you promise to be responsible and not approve something you didn’t even read?”
In a Monday e-mail, the Libertarian Party provided members and supporters with a one-page pledge form they can ask their congressman to sign. The pledge simply requests a commitment to not support any health care reform legislation he or she has not fully read in its entirety, and understands.
“If a Congressperson won’t be responsible and read the entire bill, he or she should make sure they understand in detail all of its provisions, then read something that is a lot shorter: The United States Constitution. Then, they need to ask where is the authority for any federal government involvement in medical care at all. That alone is sufficient reason to vote ‘no’ on the President’s version of health care ‘reform,’” said Redpath
Libertarians oppose the proposed “reform” of the nation’s health care system, citing its unsustainable costs and reliance on tax hikes and rationing. Libertarians instead support proposals to open up the health insurance market. More competition and choice in health insurance would drive down costs and force insurers to offer more choices in coverage.
The Libertarian Party Responsible Legislator Pledge is available to download at http://www.lp.org/files/ReadTheBillPledge.pdf.
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“No responsible Congressperson would vote to drastically alter one-seventh of the American economy, whether it is health care or something else, without first reading the bill,” said William Redpath, Libertarian National Committee Chairman. “It comes down to one issue. Will you promise to be responsible and not approve something you didn’t even read?”
In a Monday e-mail, the Libertarian Party provided members and supporters with a one-page pledge form they can ask their congressman to sign. The pledge simply requests a commitment to not support any health care reform legislation he or she has not fully read in its entirety, and understands.
“If a Congressperson won’t be responsible and read the entire bill, he or she should make sure they understand in detail all of its provisions, then read something that is a lot shorter: The United States Constitution. Then, they need to ask where is the authority for any federal government involvement in medical care at all. That alone is sufficient reason to vote ‘no’ on the President’s version of health care ‘reform,’” said Redpath
Libertarians oppose the proposed “reform” of the nation’s health care system, citing its unsustainable costs and reliance on tax hikes and rationing. Libertarians instead support proposals to open up the health insurance market. More competition and choice in health insurance would drive down costs and force insurers to offer more choices in coverage.
The Libertarian Party Responsible Legislator Pledge is available to download at http://www.lp.org/files/ReadTheBillPledge.pdf.
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Monday, June 29, 2009
American Iron and Steel Institute Says Climate Bill as Passed by House Puts Steel Industry at Competitive Disadvantage
American Iron and Steel Institute Says Climate Bill as Passed by House Puts Steel Industry at Competitive Disadvantage; Bill Must Have Important Modifications as it Heads to the Senate
/PRNewswire/ -- The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) expressed its disappointment today over the House passage of the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009.
"We believe this bill has moved at a rushed pace that has not allowed for full debate of provisions that are critical to the steel industry, which was clearly underscored by the fact that the bill passed in the House by only seven votes," said Thomas J. Gibson, AISI president and CEO. "The bill, as passed, will need important modifications as it moves through the Senate.
"We appreciate the hard work of Congressmen Doyle and Inslee and we look forward to continuing our work with them as this legislation moves through the process," said Gibson. "However, we can say - with certainty - that if this bill is enacted as it presently stands, U.S. steelmakers and our workers will be at a significant competitive disadvantage in the global marketplace. Several modifications must be made to achieve the bill's stated purpose of avoiding job loss and emission migration to overseas markets."
One area of the bill that needs to be modified, Gibson said, relates to recognizing the challenges of energy intensive industries.
"With this bill, all forms of energy - coal, natural gas, biomass and electricity - have the potential to suffer a dramatic cost increase due to fuel switching, deployment of waste gas capture/regeneration technology, carbon capture and sequestration technology, and wind, solar and other clean energy technologies. Energy intensive industries should be rebated allowances to recover consequential cost increases resulting from this legislation, and not just emissions costs," he said.
"Currently, the bill does not contain a meaningful border adjustment mechanism and has a significant lag before any assessment of comparable action by our trading partners is made," Gibson said. "The legislation would clearly be inadequate to ensure that the new costs placed on steel and other trade-sensitive manufacturers would also be borne by imports," he said. "As currently written, the border mechanism would be wholly ineffective and would simply lead to the substitution of imported products (from countries with no or far lesser environmental standards) for domestic production - undermining both the environmental objective of the bill and the competitiveness of U.S. products."
Another area of concern in the House bill, Gibson said, is the arbitrary formula used to lower the emissions allowance schedule to energy-intensive manufacturers below 15 percent after beginning in 2015. This deprives energy-intensive manufacturers of nearly one billion allowances over the life of the program, he said. Energy-intensive manufacturers should receive the same emissions allowance schedule that is applied to every other recipient of emission allowances, he noted.
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/PRNewswire/ -- The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) expressed its disappointment today over the House passage of the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009.
"We believe this bill has moved at a rushed pace that has not allowed for full debate of provisions that are critical to the steel industry, which was clearly underscored by the fact that the bill passed in the House by only seven votes," said Thomas J. Gibson, AISI president and CEO. "The bill, as passed, will need important modifications as it moves through the Senate.
"We appreciate the hard work of Congressmen Doyle and Inslee and we look forward to continuing our work with them as this legislation moves through the process," said Gibson. "However, we can say - with certainty - that if this bill is enacted as it presently stands, U.S. steelmakers and our workers will be at a significant competitive disadvantage in the global marketplace. Several modifications must be made to achieve the bill's stated purpose of avoiding job loss and emission migration to overseas markets."
One area of the bill that needs to be modified, Gibson said, relates to recognizing the challenges of energy intensive industries.
"With this bill, all forms of energy - coal, natural gas, biomass and electricity - have the potential to suffer a dramatic cost increase due to fuel switching, deployment of waste gas capture/regeneration technology, carbon capture and sequestration technology, and wind, solar and other clean energy technologies. Energy intensive industries should be rebated allowances to recover consequential cost increases resulting from this legislation, and not just emissions costs," he said.
"Currently, the bill does not contain a meaningful border adjustment mechanism and has a significant lag before any assessment of comparable action by our trading partners is made," Gibson said. "The legislation would clearly be inadequate to ensure that the new costs placed on steel and other trade-sensitive manufacturers would also be borne by imports," he said. "As currently written, the border mechanism would be wholly ineffective and would simply lead to the substitution of imported products (from countries with no or far lesser environmental standards) for domestic production - undermining both the environmental objective of the bill and the competitiveness of U.S. products."
Another area of concern in the House bill, Gibson said, is the arbitrary formula used to lower the emissions allowance schedule to energy-intensive manufacturers below 15 percent after beginning in 2015. This deprives energy-intensive manufacturers of nearly one billion allowances over the life of the program, he said. Energy-intensive manufacturers should receive the same emissions allowance schedule that is applied to every other recipient of emission allowances, he noted.
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Monday, June 22, 2009
New Federal Transportation Bill Connects Needed Reforms to Fighting Climate Change
/PRNewswire/ -- Implementing the goals and reforms of the $450 billion transportation reauthorization bill, if accompanied by real accountability and performance measures, will move America's transportation system in a direction that supports our national economic, energy, and environmental goals, according to Environmental Defense Fund.
The bill, formally called The Surface Transportation Authorization Act of 2009, was introduced today by Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman James Oberstar (D-MN), and cosponsored by the top ranking GOP member on the Committee John Mica (R-FL), Highways and Transit Subcommittee Chairman Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and the top ranking GOP member of the Subcommittee John Duncan (R-TN).
"Chairman Oberstar, Chairman DeFazio, and Ranking Members Mica and Duncan have put forward a clear vision for transportation policy that shines a spotlight on both environmental and economic sustainability," said Environmental Defense Fund's Climate and Infrastructure Policy Director Colin Peppard. "Their vision seeks to reduce the substantial greenhouse gas pollution produced by the transportation sector, supporting ongoing efforts to fight climate change by capping carbon emissions."
"However, more work needs to be done to ensure that these forward-thinking goals are fully supported by the policies, programs, and funding laid out in this critical piece of legislation," concluded Peppard. "Questions remain as to whether state and local governments will truly be held accountable for delivering better transportation, economic, and environmental performance. Environmental Defense Fund is looking forward to working with the leadership and members of the Transportation Committee to craft a bill that will yield the concrete results and performance that justify an increased investment of taxpayer dollars in our nation's transportation infrastructure."
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The bill, formally called The Surface Transportation Authorization Act of 2009, was introduced today by Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman James Oberstar (D-MN), and cosponsored by the top ranking GOP member on the Committee John Mica (R-FL), Highways and Transit Subcommittee Chairman Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and the top ranking GOP member of the Subcommittee John Duncan (R-TN).
"Chairman Oberstar, Chairman DeFazio, and Ranking Members Mica and Duncan have put forward a clear vision for transportation policy that shines a spotlight on both environmental and economic sustainability," said Environmental Defense Fund's Climate and Infrastructure Policy Director Colin Peppard. "Their vision seeks to reduce the substantial greenhouse gas pollution produced by the transportation sector, supporting ongoing efforts to fight climate change by capping carbon emissions."
"However, more work needs to be done to ensure that these forward-thinking goals are fully supported by the policies, programs, and funding laid out in this critical piece of legislation," concluded Peppard. "Questions remain as to whether state and local governments will truly be held accountable for delivering better transportation, economic, and environmental performance. Environmental Defense Fund is looking forward to working with the leadership and members of the Transportation Committee to craft a bill that will yield the concrete results and performance that justify an increased investment of taxpayer dollars in our nation's transportation infrastructure."
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Wednesday, May 6, 2009
American Association for Homecare Applauds Senate 'STOP' Act, Which Aims to Prevent Medicare Fraud and Abuse
/PRNewswire / -- The American Association for Homecare applauds Senators Mel Martinez (R-Fla.), John Cornyn (R-Tex.), and several others for introducing the "STOP" Act (S. 975) which targets Medicare waste, fraud, and abuse. The Seniors and Taxpayers Obligation Protection (STOP) Act is designed to reduce the billions of dollars lost to waste and fraud every year by creating additional prevention and detection systems for the Medicare program.
The STOP Act will give the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Social Security Administration (SSA) more tools needed to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse in the Medicare system before it starts. The bill is co-sponsored by Senators Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), and David Vitter (R-La.), Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Bob Corker (R-Tenn).
"The American Association for Homecare has been working closely with Senator Martinez and his staff over the past year to help identify the most effective and direct measures to stop waste, fraud, and abuse in the Medicare program," said American Association for Homecare President Tyler J. Wilson. "We applaud the Senators' efforts to protect patients, seniors, and taxpayers, and we appreciate the fact that provisions in this bill reflect recommendations from our Association's Medicare Anti-Fraud Legislative Action Plan. We also strongly support President Obama's goal of preventing Medicare fraud, which he has identified as a priority in his 2010 budget."
Earlier this year, the American Association for Homecare urged members of Congress to adopt the Medicare Anti-Fraud Legislative Plan. This legislative action plan outlines tough, effective steps to stop waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicare's home medical equipment (HME) sector before it starts. Among the provisions detailed in the legislative proposal are more rigorous quality standards, increased penalties for fraud, mandated site inspections for new providers, and real-time claims analysis. For more information about the Medicare Anti-Fraud Legislative Action Plan, please visit www.aahomecare.org/stopfraud.
The recently introduced STOP Act includes provisions that mirror recommendations from the American Association for Homecare Anti-Fraud Legislative Plan, such as mandates for:
- Pre-enrollment site visits and unannounced site visits for new home medical equipment providers;
- Site visits for current providers that are re-enrolling, as well as an unannounced site visit after re-enrollment;
- Real-time data analysis (like that used to identify credit card charging patterns) to identify and investigate unusual billing and ordering practices that could indicate fraud or abuse; and
- Checks to ensure that the provider is qualified and enrolled to bill the type of item or service that is on the claim for reimbursement.
As Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, Sen. Martinez will hold a hearing later today to discuss legislative solutions aimed at eliminating Medicare and Medicaid waste, fraud, and abuse. In a statement submitted to the Committee, the American Association for Homecare expressed its support for the Committee's efforts to fight waste in Medicare:
"The Association and its members want to work with Congress, the Administration, and CMS to enact these new steps to prevent criminals from abusing Medicare.... While HME fraud only constitutes a small fraction of overall Medicare fraud, we firmly believe that any abuse of the Medicare system is a disgraceful waste of taxpayers' dollars and represents theft of resources needed by patients, seniors, and individuals with disabilities."
Included in this formal statement was the AAHomecare Medicare Anti-Fraud Legislative Plan that proposes the following 13 specific recommendations to stop fraud and abuse in the homecare sector:
1. Mandate Site Inspections for All New Home Medical Equipment Providers A
July 2008 GAO report underscored the need for CMS to ensure that its
contractors are conducting effective site inspections for all new
applicants for a Medicare supplier number.
2. Require Site Inspections for All HME Provider Renewals All renewal
applications should require an in-person visit by the National Supplier
Clearinghouse (NSC), the contractor that CMS uses to ensure integrity
in the Medicare program.
3. Improve Validation of New Homecare Providers Additional validation of
new providers should be included in a comprehensive and effective
application process for obtaining a Medicare supplier number.
4. Require Two Additional Random, Unannounced Site Visits for All New
Providers Two unannounced site visits should be conducted by NSC during
the first year of operation for new HME providers.
5. Require a Six-Month Trial Period for New Providers The NSC should issue
a provisional, non-permanent supplier number to new suppliers for a
six-month trial period. After six months of demonstrated compliance,
the provider would receive a "regular" supplier number.
6. Establish an Anti-Fraud Office at Medicare CMS should establish an
office with the sole mandate of coordinating detection and deterrence
of fraud and improper payments across the Medicare and Medicaid
programs.
7. Ensure Proper Federal Funding for Fraud Prevention Increase federal
funding to ensure that NSC completes site inspection and other
anti-fraud measures.
8. Require Post-Payment Audit Reviews for All New Providers Medicare's
program safeguard contractors should conduct post-payment sample
reviews for six months worth of claims submitted to Medicare by new
providers.
9. Conduct Real-Time Claims Analysis and a Refocus on Audit Resources
Medicare must analyze billings of new and existing providers in real
time to identify aberrant billing patterns more quickly.
10. Ensure All Providers Are Qualified to Offer the Services They Bill A
cross-check system within Medicare databases should ensure that
homecare providers are qualified and accredited for the specific
equipment and services for which they are billing.
11. Establish Due Process Procedures for Suppliers CMS should develop
written due process procedures for the Medicare supplier number
process, including issuance, denial and revocation of the Medicare
supplier number. The procedures must include, for example, an
administrative appeals process and timelines.
12. Increase Penalties and Fines for Fraud Congress should establish more
severe penalties for instances of buying or stealing beneficiaries'
Medicare numbers or physicians' provider numbers that may be used to
defraud the government.
13. Establish More Rigorous Quality Standards Ensure that all accrediting
bodies are applying the same set of rigorous standards and degree of
inspection to their clients.
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The STOP Act will give the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Social Security Administration (SSA) more tools needed to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse in the Medicare system before it starts. The bill is co-sponsored by Senators Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), and David Vitter (R-La.), Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Bob Corker (R-Tenn).
"The American Association for Homecare has been working closely with Senator Martinez and his staff over the past year to help identify the most effective and direct measures to stop waste, fraud, and abuse in the Medicare program," said American Association for Homecare President Tyler J. Wilson. "We applaud the Senators' efforts to protect patients, seniors, and taxpayers, and we appreciate the fact that provisions in this bill reflect recommendations from our Association's Medicare Anti-Fraud Legislative Action Plan. We also strongly support President Obama's goal of preventing Medicare fraud, which he has identified as a priority in his 2010 budget."
Earlier this year, the American Association for Homecare urged members of Congress to adopt the Medicare Anti-Fraud Legislative Plan. This legislative action plan outlines tough, effective steps to stop waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicare's home medical equipment (HME) sector before it starts. Among the provisions detailed in the legislative proposal are more rigorous quality standards, increased penalties for fraud, mandated site inspections for new providers, and real-time claims analysis. For more information about the Medicare Anti-Fraud Legislative Action Plan, please visit www.aahomecare.org/stopfraud.
The recently introduced STOP Act includes provisions that mirror recommendations from the American Association for Homecare Anti-Fraud Legislative Plan, such as mandates for:
- Pre-enrollment site visits and unannounced site visits for new home medical equipment providers;
- Site visits for current providers that are re-enrolling, as well as an unannounced site visit after re-enrollment;
- Real-time data analysis (like that used to identify credit card charging patterns) to identify and investigate unusual billing and ordering practices that could indicate fraud or abuse; and
- Checks to ensure that the provider is qualified and enrolled to bill the type of item or service that is on the claim for reimbursement.
As Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, Sen. Martinez will hold a hearing later today to discuss legislative solutions aimed at eliminating Medicare and Medicaid waste, fraud, and abuse. In a statement submitted to the Committee, the American Association for Homecare expressed its support for the Committee's efforts to fight waste in Medicare:
"The Association and its members want to work with Congress, the Administration, and CMS to enact these new steps to prevent criminals from abusing Medicare.... While HME fraud only constitutes a small fraction of overall Medicare fraud, we firmly believe that any abuse of the Medicare system is a disgraceful waste of taxpayers' dollars and represents theft of resources needed by patients, seniors, and individuals with disabilities."
Included in this formal statement was the AAHomecare Medicare Anti-Fraud Legislative Plan that proposes the following 13 specific recommendations to stop fraud and abuse in the homecare sector:
1. Mandate Site Inspections for All New Home Medical Equipment Providers A
July 2008 GAO report underscored the need for CMS to ensure that its
contractors are conducting effective site inspections for all new
applicants for a Medicare supplier number.
2. Require Site Inspections for All HME Provider Renewals All renewal
applications should require an in-person visit by the National Supplier
Clearinghouse (NSC), the contractor that CMS uses to ensure integrity
in the Medicare program.
3. Improve Validation of New Homecare Providers Additional validation of
new providers should be included in a comprehensive and effective
application process for obtaining a Medicare supplier number.
4. Require Two Additional Random, Unannounced Site Visits for All New
Providers Two unannounced site visits should be conducted by NSC during
the first year of operation for new HME providers.
5. Require a Six-Month Trial Period for New Providers The NSC should issue
a provisional, non-permanent supplier number to new suppliers for a
six-month trial period. After six months of demonstrated compliance,
the provider would receive a "regular" supplier number.
6. Establish an Anti-Fraud Office at Medicare CMS should establish an
office with the sole mandate of coordinating detection and deterrence
of fraud and improper payments across the Medicare and Medicaid
programs.
7. Ensure Proper Federal Funding for Fraud Prevention Increase federal
funding to ensure that NSC completes site inspection and other
anti-fraud measures.
8. Require Post-Payment Audit Reviews for All New Providers Medicare's
program safeguard contractors should conduct post-payment sample
reviews for six months worth of claims submitted to Medicare by new
providers.
9. Conduct Real-Time Claims Analysis and a Refocus on Audit Resources
Medicare must analyze billings of new and existing providers in real
time to identify aberrant billing patterns more quickly.
10. Ensure All Providers Are Qualified to Offer the Services They Bill A
cross-check system within Medicare databases should ensure that
homecare providers are qualified and accredited for the specific
equipment and services for which they are billing.
11. Establish Due Process Procedures for Suppliers CMS should develop
written due process procedures for the Medicare supplier number
process, including issuance, denial and revocation of the Medicare
supplier number. The procedures must include, for example, an
administrative appeals process and timelines.
12. Increase Penalties and Fines for Fraud Congress should establish more
severe penalties for instances of buying or stealing beneficiaries'
Medicare numbers or physicians' provider numbers that may be used to
defraud the government.
13. Establish More Rigorous Quality Standards Ensure that all accrediting
bodies are applying the same set of rigorous standards and degree of
inspection to their clients.
-----
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Thursday, April 2, 2009
Bipartisan Senators Introduce 'National Energy Security Act'
PRNewswire / -- Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND), Senator George Voinovich (R-OH), and key members of the Energy Security Leadership Council (ESLC), a project of Securing America's Future Energy (SAFE), unveiled The National Energy Security Act of 2009 Wednesday. The bill presents a comprehensive plan to reduce our nation's dangerous dependence on oil, primarily through the electrification of the short-haul ground transportation fleet.
"For too long, our national security and our economy have been dependent on a global oil market that we cannot control," ESLC Co-Chairmen Frederick W. Smith, Chairman, President, and CEO of FedEx Corporation, and General P.X. Kelley (Ret.), 28th Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, said. "We can no longer remain at the mercy of terrorists, anti-American regimes, or even hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico. Today, we are offering a new way forward. This bill has the potential to finally defeat the energy policy gridlock by offering a bipartisan, achievable, comprehensive solution that will end our dangerous dependence on petroleum and leave a stronger, safer America in its place."
"America's energy security will continue to be at risk until we can move away from our dependence on foreign oil, much of which is located in dangerous regions of the world," Dorgan said. "Breaking this dependence on foreign oil requires a long-term commitment, and now is the time to make the investments that will improve our security and create jobs in the process. This legislation is a road map for our energy future. The problem with reducing our dependence on foreign sources oil is that many have seen where we want to go, but don't know how to get there. This legislation provides a road map, and will strengthen our energy security for generations to come."
"For years I have called for a Second Declaration of Independence from foreign sources of energy," Voinovich said. "Alleviating our reliance on foreign energy sources is a key to strengthening both our national and economic security. Too many of our energy resources come from politically unstable regions of the world, which often support ideologies in opposition to our own national interests. Our economic interests are then affected by this political and military unrest, causing energy costs to rise, hindering our ability to compete in the global marketplace and bringing our national security into question. It is about time we work on a bipartisan basis to solve this crisis."
In September, the ESLC - a distinguished group of business executives and national security leaders led by Smith and General Kelley - released A National Strategy for Energy Security. The National Strategy offered a comprehensive plan to reduce U.S. oil dependence, primarily through electrification of the short-haul ground transportation fleet, along with crucial measures - including expanded domestic production of oil and natural gas - to keep our nation safe and secure in the interim.
The legislation introduced today by Senators Dorgan and Voinovich largely mirrors the policies laid out in the National Strategy. The bill would:
-- Promote the development and production of an electrified
transportation fleet, creating a transportation system that will be
powered by a wide array of mostly domestic fuels instead of one solely
dependent on oil.
-- Support building the crucial infrastructure necessary to power that
fleet, including recharging stations and vital steps needed to create
a robust, reliable national grid.
-- Strengthen transmission, including giving FERC the power to site
transmission lines, to ensure that the grid is sufficiently robust to
meet the growing demand of an electrified transportation system.
-- Promote the expanded development of domestic oil and natural gas by
conducting an inventory of the most promising areas of the Outer
Continental Shelf (OCS), opening new areas of the Gulf of Mexico, and
ensuring the expeditious leasing of certain areas of the OCS for all
forms of energy, while strengthening environmental safeguards.
-- Support low-carbon electricity, including from nuclear and advanced
coal, through loan guarantees.
-----
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"For too long, our national security and our economy have been dependent on a global oil market that we cannot control," ESLC Co-Chairmen Frederick W. Smith, Chairman, President, and CEO of FedEx Corporation, and General P.X. Kelley (Ret.), 28th Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, said. "We can no longer remain at the mercy of terrorists, anti-American regimes, or even hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico. Today, we are offering a new way forward. This bill has the potential to finally defeat the energy policy gridlock by offering a bipartisan, achievable, comprehensive solution that will end our dangerous dependence on petroleum and leave a stronger, safer America in its place."
"America's energy security will continue to be at risk until we can move away from our dependence on foreign oil, much of which is located in dangerous regions of the world," Dorgan said. "Breaking this dependence on foreign oil requires a long-term commitment, and now is the time to make the investments that will improve our security and create jobs in the process. This legislation is a road map for our energy future. The problem with reducing our dependence on foreign sources oil is that many have seen where we want to go, but don't know how to get there. This legislation provides a road map, and will strengthen our energy security for generations to come."
"For years I have called for a Second Declaration of Independence from foreign sources of energy," Voinovich said. "Alleviating our reliance on foreign energy sources is a key to strengthening both our national and economic security. Too many of our energy resources come from politically unstable regions of the world, which often support ideologies in opposition to our own national interests. Our economic interests are then affected by this political and military unrest, causing energy costs to rise, hindering our ability to compete in the global marketplace and bringing our national security into question. It is about time we work on a bipartisan basis to solve this crisis."
In September, the ESLC - a distinguished group of business executives and national security leaders led by Smith and General Kelley - released A National Strategy for Energy Security. The National Strategy offered a comprehensive plan to reduce U.S. oil dependence, primarily through electrification of the short-haul ground transportation fleet, along with crucial measures - including expanded domestic production of oil and natural gas - to keep our nation safe and secure in the interim.
The legislation introduced today by Senators Dorgan and Voinovich largely mirrors the policies laid out in the National Strategy. The bill would:
-- Promote the development and production of an electrified
transportation fleet, creating a transportation system that will be
powered by a wide array of mostly domestic fuels instead of one solely
dependent on oil.
-- Support building the crucial infrastructure necessary to power that
fleet, including recharging stations and vital steps needed to create
a robust, reliable national grid.
-- Strengthen transmission, including giving FERC the power to site
transmission lines, to ensure that the grid is sufficiently robust to
meet the growing demand of an electrified transportation system.
-- Promote the expanded development of domestic oil and natural gas by
conducting an inventory of the most promising areas of the Outer
Continental Shelf (OCS), opening new areas of the Gulf of Mexico, and
ensuring the expeditious leasing of certain areas of the OCS for all
forms of energy, while strengthening environmental safeguards.
-- Support low-carbon electricity, including from nuclear and advanced
coal, through loan guarantees.
-----
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Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Pelosi Statement on House Passage of the GIVE Act
/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement after the House overwhelmingly passed a bill this afternoon to dramatically expand national service opportunities and help Americans play a role in the economic recovery. The bill, the Generations Invigoration Volunteerism and Education (GIVE) Act, passed the house by a vote of 321 to 105.
"Less than one month ago, President Obama called for legislation 'to encourage a renewed spirit of national service for this and future generations.' Today, the Congress has responded by passing the GIVE Act, launching a new era of service.
"The GIVE Act will create 175,000 new service opportunities - more than tripling the number of volunteers nationwide. And it will reward those who volunteer with real investments in their education. It also expands the diversity of our nation's volunteer corps - encouraging Americans from middle school students to retirees to give to their communities.
"This legislation is a sound investment: for every dollar spent toward service initiatives, there are four dollars of direct measurable economic returns to our communities.
"We have the power to banish some of the greatest ills affecting our nation, and create a stronger nation for all Americans. And we began today by giving the GIVE Act the strong, bipartisan vote it deserved."
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"Less than one month ago, President Obama called for legislation 'to encourage a renewed spirit of national service for this and future generations.' Today, the Congress has responded by passing the GIVE Act, launching a new era of service.
"The GIVE Act will create 175,000 new service opportunities - more than tripling the number of volunteers nationwide. And it will reward those who volunteer with real investments in their education. It also expands the diversity of our nation's volunteer corps - encouraging Americans from middle school students to retirees to give to their communities.
"This legislation is a sound investment: for every dollar spent toward service initiatives, there are four dollars of direct measurable economic returns to our communities.
"We have the power to banish some of the greatest ills affecting our nation, and create a stronger nation for all Americans. And we began today by giving the GIVE Act the strong, bipartisan vote it deserved."
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Volunteer or Else!
National Security by a Civilian Force? Volunteer America or else?
House Readies Passage of Volunteerism Bill Critics Call Pricey, Forced Service
The House of Representatives is expected to pass a measure Wednesday hailed by some as the most sweeping reform of nationally-backed volunteer programs since AmeriCorps but blasted by a few as expensive indoctrination and forced advocacy......http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/03/18/house-readies-passage-volunteerism-critics-pricey-forced-service/
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House Readies Passage of Volunteerism Bill Critics Call Pricey, Forced Service
The House of Representatives is expected to pass a measure Wednesday hailed by some as the most sweeping reform of nationally-backed volunteer programs since AmeriCorps but blasted by a few as expensive indoctrination and forced advocacy......http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/03/18/house-readies-passage-volunteerism-critics-pricey-forced-service/
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Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Democrat Leadership Is Already Facing Opposition To Card Check From Within Its Own Party, says Republican National Committee
/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following was released today by the Republican National Committee:
Yesterday, Democrats Rolled Out Their Card Check Proposal. "Democrats on Tuesday introduced controversial labor legislation making it easier for workers to organize, formally kicking off the biggest lobbying fight between business and labor in decades." (Kevin Bogardus, "Democrats Introduce Card Check, Vow To Move It," The Hill, 3/10/09)
The Bill Would Allow Workers To Bypass Secret Ballots To Form Unions. "The most contentious provision in the bill, known as 'card-check,' would allow workers to bypass secret ballot elections to form unions if a majority of them sign petition cards stating their intention to organize." (Kevin Bogardus, "Democrats Introduce Card Check, Vow To Move It," The Hill, 3/10/09)
Rank And File Senate Democrats Are Already Wavering On Card Check:
Some Key Democrats In The Senate Are Wavering On Card Check. "Key Senate Democrats are wavering in their support of legislation that would give more power to labor unions, dealing a setback to labor's top priority as businesses warn of the damage the bill would cause." (Melanie Trottman and Brody Mullins, "Labor Bill Faces Threat In Senate," The Wall Street Journal, 3/10/09)
Six Senators Who Have Previously Supported Card Check Are Now Either Opposed Or Unsure. "At least six Senators who have voted to move forward with the so-called card-check proposal ... now say they are opposed or not sure -- an indication that Senate Democratic leaders are short of the 60 votes they need for approval." (Melanie Trottman and Brody Mullins, "Labor Bill Faces Threat In Senate," The Wall Street Journal, 3/10/09)
Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) Called Card Check "Divisive And Distracting" And Said Congress Needed To Focus On "Things That Are More Important." "The legislation is divisive and distracting, said Arkansas Sen. Blanche Lincoln in an interview Monday. The Democratic lawmaker, who was previously seen as a supporter, said the Senate should focus on creating jobs and improving the U.S. economy. 'I have 90,000 Arkansans who need a job, that's my No. 1 priority,' she said. The legislation, she said, would be 'divisive and we don't need that right now. We need to focus on the things that are more important.'" (Melanie Trottman and Brody Mullins, "Labor Bill Faces Threat In Senate," The Wall Street Journal, 3/10/09)
Sens. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) And Mark Pryor (D-AR) Have "Backed Off Their Previous Support." "Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu and Arkansas Sen. Mark Pryor are among the Democratic lawmakers who have backed off their previous support." (Melanie Trottman and Brody Mullins, "Labor Bill Faces Threat In Senate," The Wall Street Journal, 3/10/09)
-- Pryor: There Are More Pressing Issues For The Senate To Address. "Like
Sen. Lincoln, Sen. Pryor said there are more pressing issues relating
to the economy that the Senate should be addressing, one of his aides
said Monday." (Melanie Trottman and Brody Mullins, "Labor Bill Faces
Threat In Senate," The Wall Street Journal, 3/10/09)
Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE): "I can't be supportive of [Card Check] as it is right now." ("Despite Introduction Of Card-Check, Senate Lacks 60 Votes," National Journal's CongressDaily, 3/10/09)
The Split Among Democrats On Card Check Shows How Difficult Other Democrat Agenda Items Like Health Care Could Become. "The splits among Democrats underscore how difficult it will be for party leaders to move their agenda through the congressional process, even with large majorities on Capitol Hill. On such issues as health care and global warming, Democratic leaders will face divisions within their own party that are expected to require some compromise to reach 60 votes." (Melanie Trottman and Brody Mullins, "Labor Bill Faces Threat In Senate," The Wall Street Journal, 3/10/09)
Billionaire Investor And Obama Economic Adviser Warren Buffet Opposes Card Check, Citing The Importance Of The Secret Ballot:
Warren Buffett: "I'm Against Card Check." Buffett: "I think the secret ballot's pretty important in the country. I'm against card check to make a perfectly flat statement." (CNBC's "Squawk Box," 3/9/09)
During The Campaign, Buffett Was One Of Obama's Economic Advisers. "Buffett is one of the names Obama includes on that list of core advisers, along with former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker, Google Chairman Eric Schmidt, former Treasury Secretaries Robert Rubin and Larry Summers, and former Labor Secretary Bob Reich." (Alex Crippen, "Warren Buffett Gets The Call As Barack Obama Gathers His Economic Advisers Today," CNBC's "Warren Buffet Watch" Blog, www.cnbc.com, 7/28/08)
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Yesterday, Democrats Rolled Out Their Card Check Proposal. "Democrats on Tuesday introduced controversial labor legislation making it easier for workers to organize, formally kicking off the biggest lobbying fight between business and labor in decades." (Kevin Bogardus, "Democrats Introduce Card Check, Vow To Move It," The Hill, 3/10/09)
The Bill Would Allow Workers To Bypass Secret Ballots To Form Unions. "The most contentious provision in the bill, known as 'card-check,' would allow workers to bypass secret ballot elections to form unions if a majority of them sign petition cards stating their intention to organize." (Kevin Bogardus, "Democrats Introduce Card Check, Vow To Move It," The Hill, 3/10/09)
Rank And File Senate Democrats Are Already Wavering On Card Check:
Some Key Democrats In The Senate Are Wavering On Card Check. "Key Senate Democrats are wavering in their support of legislation that would give more power to labor unions, dealing a setback to labor's top priority as businesses warn of the damage the bill would cause." (Melanie Trottman and Brody Mullins, "Labor Bill Faces Threat In Senate," The Wall Street Journal, 3/10/09)
Six Senators Who Have Previously Supported Card Check Are Now Either Opposed Or Unsure. "At least six Senators who have voted to move forward with the so-called card-check proposal ... now say they are opposed or not sure -- an indication that Senate Democratic leaders are short of the 60 votes they need for approval." (Melanie Trottman and Brody Mullins, "Labor Bill Faces Threat In Senate," The Wall Street Journal, 3/10/09)
Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) Called Card Check "Divisive And Distracting" And Said Congress Needed To Focus On "Things That Are More Important." "The legislation is divisive and distracting, said Arkansas Sen. Blanche Lincoln in an interview Monday. The Democratic lawmaker, who was previously seen as a supporter, said the Senate should focus on creating jobs and improving the U.S. economy. 'I have 90,000 Arkansans who need a job, that's my No. 1 priority,' she said. The legislation, she said, would be 'divisive and we don't need that right now. We need to focus on the things that are more important.'" (Melanie Trottman and Brody Mullins, "Labor Bill Faces Threat In Senate," The Wall Street Journal, 3/10/09)
Sens. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) And Mark Pryor (D-AR) Have "Backed Off Their Previous Support." "Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu and Arkansas Sen. Mark Pryor are among the Democratic lawmakers who have backed off their previous support." (Melanie Trottman and Brody Mullins, "Labor Bill Faces Threat In Senate," The Wall Street Journal, 3/10/09)
-- Pryor: There Are More Pressing Issues For The Senate To Address. "Like
Sen. Lincoln, Sen. Pryor said there are more pressing issues relating
to the economy that the Senate should be addressing, one of his aides
said Monday." (Melanie Trottman and Brody Mullins, "Labor Bill Faces
Threat In Senate," The Wall Street Journal, 3/10/09)
Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE): "I can't be supportive of [Card Check] as it is right now." ("Despite Introduction Of Card-Check, Senate Lacks 60 Votes," National Journal's CongressDaily, 3/10/09)
The Split Among Democrats On Card Check Shows How Difficult Other Democrat Agenda Items Like Health Care Could Become. "The splits among Democrats underscore how difficult it will be for party leaders to move their agenda through the congressional process, even with large majorities on Capitol Hill. On such issues as health care and global warming, Democratic leaders will face divisions within their own party that are expected to require some compromise to reach 60 votes." (Melanie Trottman and Brody Mullins, "Labor Bill Faces Threat In Senate," The Wall Street Journal, 3/10/09)
Billionaire Investor And Obama Economic Adviser Warren Buffet Opposes Card Check, Citing The Importance Of The Secret Ballot:
Warren Buffett: "I'm Against Card Check." Buffett: "I think the secret ballot's pretty important in the country. I'm against card check to make a perfectly flat statement." (CNBC's "Squawk Box," 3/9/09)
During The Campaign, Buffett Was One Of Obama's Economic Advisers. "Buffett is one of the names Obama includes on that list of core advisers, along with former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker, Google Chairman Eric Schmidt, former Treasury Secretaries Robert Rubin and Larry Summers, and former Labor Secretary Bob Reich." (Alex Crippen, "Warren Buffett Gets The Call As Barack Obama Gathers His Economic Advisers Today," CNBC's "Warren Buffet Watch" Blog, www.cnbc.com, 7/28/08)
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Tuesday, February 24, 2009
US Congress Moves Swiftly on Legislation to Stop 'Pet' Primate Trade
/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Born Free USA united with Animal Protection Institute (Born Free USA) today congratulated the US House of Representatives for its swift passage of the Captive Primate Safety Act (H.R.80) by an overwhelming vote of 323-95. The bill, sponsored by Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) and championed by Born Free USA and The Humane Society of the United States, prohibits interstate and international movement of nonhuman primates if they are to be kept as "pets".
"The primate trade involves enormous animal suffering and threats to human safety," says Adam M. Roberts, Senior Vice President of Born Free USA. "These innocent animals may be confined in small cages or have their teeth or fingernails removed. We can't allow animals to be mutilated in the name of companionship. There is simply no excuse for keeping primates as pets and the trade must stop. Wildlife belongs in the wild."
Each year, there are numerous incidents of privately-held primates harming people. Just this month, in an incident that has garnered international attention, a woman was critically mauled by a "pet" chimpanzee in Stamford, Connecticut. "Travis the chimpanzee had escaped and caused trouble in the community before," Roberts added. "Just because you put clothes on a chimpanzee doesn't make him any less wild and potentially dangerous."
Incidents involving primate escapes or injuries to humans have occurred nationwide in recent years including chimpanzees, macaques, lemurs, snow monkeys, capuchins, and baboons - baboons and macaques have even bitten children, one case involving 17 month old girl. In many cases, escaped nonhuman primates are killed. Primates also pose a disease risk including Ebola, tuberculosis, and herpes-b.
"Primates are highly social and intelligent creatures who shouldn't be shipped around the country just to languish in people's bedrooms, basements, or backyards," added Michael Markarian, Executive Vice President of HSUS.
Born Free USA and HSUS have now called on the US Senate to move the legislation expeditiously so it can be signed into law this year.
Born Free USA is a national non-profit animal advocacy organization working to conserve and protect wildlife in the US and globally. Born Free USA is also a founding member of the Captive Wild Animal Protection Coalition, www.cwapc.org. More information is available at www.bornfreeusa.org.
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"The primate trade involves enormous animal suffering and threats to human safety," says Adam M. Roberts, Senior Vice President of Born Free USA. "These innocent animals may be confined in small cages or have their teeth or fingernails removed. We can't allow animals to be mutilated in the name of companionship. There is simply no excuse for keeping primates as pets and the trade must stop. Wildlife belongs in the wild."
Each year, there are numerous incidents of privately-held primates harming people. Just this month, in an incident that has garnered international attention, a woman was critically mauled by a "pet" chimpanzee in Stamford, Connecticut. "Travis the chimpanzee had escaped and caused trouble in the community before," Roberts added. "Just because you put clothes on a chimpanzee doesn't make him any less wild and potentially dangerous."
Incidents involving primate escapes or injuries to humans have occurred nationwide in recent years including chimpanzees, macaques, lemurs, snow monkeys, capuchins, and baboons - baboons and macaques have even bitten children, one case involving 17 month old girl. In many cases, escaped nonhuman primates are killed. Primates also pose a disease risk including Ebola, tuberculosis, and herpes-b.
"Primates are highly social and intelligent creatures who shouldn't be shipped around the country just to languish in people's bedrooms, basements, or backyards," added Michael Markarian, Executive Vice President of HSUS.
Born Free USA and HSUS have now called on the US Senate to move the legislation expeditiously so it can be signed into law this year.
Born Free USA is a national non-profit animal advocacy organization working to conserve and protect wildlife in the US and globally. Born Free USA is also a founding member of the Captive Wild Animal Protection Coalition, www.cwapc.org. More information is available at www.bornfreeusa.org.
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Thursday, February 5, 2009
Americans wisely turning against stimulus plan
By Lynn Westmoreland
It seems like every other day an old friend or business partner calls to let me know that they’re declaring bankruptcy or going out of business.
We can all agree that the United States needs a federal stimulus plan to give our crippled economy a jolt. Our economy shrank 3.8 percent in the last quarter. Jobless claims have mushroomed to 626,000. Stock portfolios and retirement plans have lost 30 percent or more of their values.
But Americans have figured out that the $816 billion plan that passed the House with no Republican votes carries as much danger to the republic as it does hope. In fact, polls show support rapidly declining; today, just 37 percent of Americans favor the current stimulus legislation, down from 45 percent just two weeks ago. That’s startling, considering that Americans are increasingly nervous about huge job losses, business failures and home foreclosures.
Americans are turning against the bill because they know we can craft a much better bill that will simultaneously cost less and create more jobs.
But first, let’s discuss the price tag. The House-passed version totals $816 billion. Once you factor in the finance charges on borrowing that money, the total crests over $1 trillion.
It’s almost useless to discuss a trillion-dollar figure because it’s a number we can’t really comprehend. We’re more likely to get incensed by the government wasting $25,000 than $25,000,000,000 because one number we can understand and the other one is basically inconceivable. This is a problem.
One way to put this in perspective is comparisons. Liberals have complained for years over the cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Well, Nancy Pelosi’s stimulus bill costs more than both those wars combined. Put another way, if you spent $1 million every day since the day that Jesus was born, you would have spent less than this one piece of legislation appropriates.
Even without this new spending, the federal deficit would top $1 trillion and our debt has soared to $11 trillion. This has real-world consequences. We risk further devaluing our currency and scaring off foreign investors who have seen Uncle Sam as a “safe” place to keep their money.
The Democrats’ stimulus plan focuses more on fulfilling liberals’ pent-up wish list over the eight years than it does with creating or saving jobs. In Georgia, we desperately need transportation infrastructure but spending on those job-creating projects is only 6 percent of the bill.
Instead, the bill spends hundreds of millions and often billions on items such as facelifts for national parks, buying new cars for the federal fleet and repairing federal buildings. Those may all be great but won’t stimulate the economy. Plus, we’re setting a dangerous precedent by spending billions to bail out states’ Medicare and Medicaid shortfalls; I fear this will become a permanent expectation.
Republicans are offering an alternative plan that reduces spending, allows families and businesses to keep more of their own money and actually creates MORE jobs than the Democratic plan. The Republican plan lowers tax rates for individuals, families and small businesses; it removes taxes from unemployment income and extends that insurance for a year.
The GOP plan would pan out better for Georgia, too. The House Ways and Means Committee estimates the Republican plan would create 186,000 jobs in our state while the Democrat plan would yield only 113,000.
In a survey sent to 3rd District constituents in my e-newsletter (sign up at www.house.gov/westmoreland), respondents preferred the taxpayer-friendly Republican version by a 9-1 margin. I know my district is more conservative than most, but the rest of the United States is moving toward our position of more timely, targeted and fiscally responsible stimulus.
Lynn Westmoreland (R-Grantville) represents Georgia’s 3rd Congressional District.
It seems like every other day an old friend or business partner calls to let me know that they’re declaring bankruptcy or going out of business.
We can all agree that the United States needs a federal stimulus plan to give our crippled economy a jolt. Our economy shrank 3.8 percent in the last quarter. Jobless claims have mushroomed to 626,000. Stock portfolios and retirement plans have lost 30 percent or more of their values.
But Americans have figured out that the $816 billion plan that passed the House with no Republican votes carries as much danger to the republic as it does hope. In fact, polls show support rapidly declining; today, just 37 percent of Americans favor the current stimulus legislation, down from 45 percent just two weeks ago. That’s startling, considering that Americans are increasingly nervous about huge job losses, business failures and home foreclosures.
Americans are turning against the bill because they know we can craft a much better bill that will simultaneously cost less and create more jobs.
But first, let’s discuss the price tag. The House-passed version totals $816 billion. Once you factor in the finance charges on borrowing that money, the total crests over $1 trillion.
It’s almost useless to discuss a trillion-dollar figure because it’s a number we can’t really comprehend. We’re more likely to get incensed by the government wasting $25,000 than $25,000,000,000 because one number we can understand and the other one is basically inconceivable. This is a problem.
One way to put this in perspective is comparisons. Liberals have complained for years over the cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Well, Nancy Pelosi’s stimulus bill costs more than both those wars combined. Put another way, if you spent $1 million every day since the day that Jesus was born, you would have spent less than this one piece of legislation appropriates.
Even without this new spending, the federal deficit would top $1 trillion and our debt has soared to $11 trillion. This has real-world consequences. We risk further devaluing our currency and scaring off foreign investors who have seen Uncle Sam as a “safe” place to keep their money.
The Democrats’ stimulus plan focuses more on fulfilling liberals’ pent-up wish list over the eight years than it does with creating or saving jobs. In Georgia, we desperately need transportation infrastructure but spending on those job-creating projects is only 6 percent of the bill.
Instead, the bill spends hundreds of millions and often billions on items such as facelifts for national parks, buying new cars for the federal fleet and repairing federal buildings. Those may all be great but won’t stimulate the economy. Plus, we’re setting a dangerous precedent by spending billions to bail out states’ Medicare and Medicaid shortfalls; I fear this will become a permanent expectation.
Republicans are offering an alternative plan that reduces spending, allows families and businesses to keep more of their own money and actually creates MORE jobs than the Democratic plan. The Republican plan lowers tax rates for individuals, families and small businesses; it removes taxes from unemployment income and extends that insurance for a year.
The GOP plan would pan out better for Georgia, too. The House Ways and Means Committee estimates the Republican plan would create 186,000 jobs in our state while the Democrat plan would yield only 113,000.
In a survey sent to 3rd District constituents in my e-newsletter (sign up at www.house.gov/westmoreland), respondents preferred the taxpayer-friendly Republican version by a 9-1 margin. I know my district is more conservative than most, but the rest of the United States is moving toward our position of more timely, targeted and fiscally responsible stimulus.
Lynn Westmoreland (R-Grantville) represents Georgia’s 3rd Congressional District.
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