Jack Kingston

Jack addressed the House again today offering his amendment which would forbid the funds in the Financial Services Appropriations bill from being used to contract with companies that do not participate in the Basic Pilot program.  For the third time, the Democrat majority refused to ensure that taxpayers’ dollars are not being used to pay illegal immigrants.  For more information on the amendment, see previous posts here, here, here.

You can also check out FAIR’s action alert on the amendment here.

To view a clip of Jack’s remarks, click below.

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Jack spoke on the floor of the House today during the debate on the Financial Services Appropriations Bill.

In his remarks, Jack outlined four areas in the bill in which spending could be reduced.  They are:

1. Unnecessary increases in spending above the President’s request for the Federal Trade Commission, the Federal Elections Commission, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
2. $300 million for election assistance to states which risks federalizing state and local elections.
3. $80 million in new, unrequested subsidies
4. $3 billion for a huge new campus for the Department of Homeland Security at the old St. Elizabeth’s Hospital site in Anacostia which the then-Republican controlled Appropriations Committee rejected last year.

To view a clip of Jack’s remarks, click below:

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 As we expected, the GOP pulled out another victory with a 5-2 win over the Democrats Tuesday night in the 2007 Congressional Baseball game.  The Republican win streak has been extended to six in a row. 

Each year, we reiterate how Jack and his fellow Republicans continue to dominate due to a veteran team with exquisite coaching, great pitching, consistent hitting and flawless fielding.  This year was no exception.

The Democrats started the game off hot with an early lead, but the persistent Republicans fought back with a big rally in the third inning and brilliant pitching by Illinois Rep. John Shimkus.  Despite Jack’s nagging injury to his ribcage, he received nearly two innings of playing time at second base in the fifth and sixth innings. He took the field wearing the uniform of the Savannah Chain.

Jack helped his team to victory by aiding in two quick outs in the fifth inning due to his suave fielding skills.  The Republicans will also be the first to remark on the fact that their desire to win was multiplied when the roar of their fans dwarfed that of the Democrats.

It’s nothing new to those who know Jack’s fan base, but his fans stuck out in the crowd like a soar thumb with loud chants and elaborate signs in support of Jack and the GOP.  We can say that his year’s game was nothing less than a huge success….at least if you’re a Republican.

You can find more pictures of the game HERE.

Jack went on the floor yesterday evening to offer and defend his amendment that would require all federal contractors to verify that their employees are legal workers.  (For more information on the amendment, click here).

To see a clip of his remarks, click below.

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Jack sponsored the Motion to Recommit on HR 2771 which would have returned the bill to the Committee on Appropriations with instructions to remove $16 million in funding for the former FDA building now known as Federal Office Building 8.  Yesterday, members were denied the chance to debate the merits of the building when the Democrat-controlled House Rules Committee refused to allow Jack’s amendment during debate on the Legislative Branch Appropriations bill.  Unfortunately for the American taxpayers, the vote failed 181-217 (click here to see how members voted).

In his remarks, Jack reminds members that there has been no debate on using this building as “swing space” during renovations to the Cannon and Longworth House Office Buildings.  He also notes the more than $140 million that has already been spent by the executive branch to clean and gut out the building.  Moreover, the total cost for the House to use the space is closer to $84 million in addition to the $12 million annually that would be paid in rent.  The building also violates the “carbon neutral” goal of Speaker Pelosi.

Perhaps the $741,000,000.00 the Democrats have authorized this week alone and the $37,347,000,000.00 they have appropriated for next year just was not enough to satisfy their tax and spend addiction.

To see a clip of Jack’s remarks, click below.

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Jack addressed the House again today about the Legislative Appropriations bill to expand on the lack of transparency on the bill.  Despite campaign promises of open and honest governing, the Democrats blocked amendments that would force them to justify and defend their bill.

In his remarks, Jack discussed his proposal which would require all federal contractors to verify their employees are legal workers.  Rather than honor their promises, the Democrats refused to hold the federal contractors to the same standard federal agencies are expected to uphold.

In his remarks, Jack noted several examples of federal contractors employing illegal immigrants.  His examples include:

• December 2005: 22 illegal workers found to be working on Kirkland Air Force Base in New Mexico
• January 2007: 21 illegal workers found to be working on Fort Benning in Georgia
• March 2007: 10 illegal workers found to be working for the Golden State Fence Company.  NOTE: The company was employed to construct portions of the fence along our southern border with Mexico.

It’s important to note that these are just a few examples of when the taxpayers’ dollars are used to pay illegal immigrants.  In addition, these are only instances in which the contractor was caught.  If the Democrats had allowed Jack’s amendment to be debated and the measure had passed, every person employed by a federal contractor would be required to verify any information given them by their employees against the databases of the Social Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security.

To view a clip of Jack’s remarks, click on the image below.

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Today, Jack addressed the House about the Legislative Branch Appropriations bill (HR 2771).  As a former chairman of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee, Jack has been one of the strongest proponents of fiscal discipline in executing the duties of the first branch of government.

Yesterday, the Democrat-controlled House Rules Committee refused to allow debate on two amendments Jack offered to enhance the bill.

The first would have removed more than $16 million in funding for unnecessary office space.  With the Cannon and Longworth Buildings due for renovation, plans were made to acquire and renovate the old FDA building for use as “swing space”.  Some may remember during the anthrax scare on the Hill when the Longworth was evacuated and offices were relocated to an offsite location for which no renovation and no excessive spending was needed.  Rather than allow an open and honest debate, the Democrats rejected even allowing Jack’s amendment to be heard.

The second amendment would require all business with which the Legislative Branch does business to verify that their employees are legal workers.  The Basic Pilot Program, which the amendment required government contractors use, is a verification system put in place by the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration that allows employers to confirm the eligibility of new hires by checking the personal information they provide against Federal databases.  Government agencies are already required to participate in the program but, rather than even allow debate on whether government contractors should comply with the same standards, the Democrats on the Rules Committee shot down Jack’s amendment.

To see a clip of Jack’s remarks, click below.

Just a quick update from our earlier post.  Last night, Republicans scored a victory against the Democrats; forcing them to follow their own rules when it comes to earmarks.�

According to an ariticle in today’s Politico, General Senator Harry Reid called Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Marine General Peter Pace, “incompetent” and made other disparaging comments about the top commander in Iraq, General David Petraeus.

First, you have Senator Reid declaring that the war is lost, now he’s calling military leaders incompetent. But we forgot, he supports the troops.  Somehow, telling soldiers that the war they are fighting is lost and their leaders incompetent doesn’t seem the best way to support our men and women in Iraq.  But that’s just us.

Senator Reid also took issue with comments by General Petraeus that he sees “astonishing signs of normalcy in half, perhaps two-thirds of Baghdad.”  Part of this normalcy, according to General Petraeus, is soccer leagues, parks and markets.  Reid’s response was that the remark “gives you a feeling that he’s not in touch with what is really going on in Iraq or just trying to make the president feel good.”

Now, why is it that everytime Republicans mention good things that are happening in Iraq, the automatic response from the Democrats is “out of touch with reality” or “turning a blind eye”? 

Are there bad things happening in Iraq?  One look at the news today and that answer is yes.  But along with the bad, there are good things happening as well.  With the sacrifice our troops are making, don’t we owe it to them to highlight the good things that are being accomplished over there?  Just a little balance is all we’re asking.

But then again, maybe that’s just us.

Remember when Nancy Pelosi promised that this would be the ‘most honest, ethical and open Congress in history’?  Specifically, when Pelosi and the Democrats promised to make the process more open when it came to earmarks submitted by Members?  One look at what’s happening with this year’s spending bills makes clear that this is a promise that didn’t take long for the Democrats to break.

Last month, Appropriations Chairman David Obey announced that all earmarks in the appropriations bills would be kept secret until the House and Senate meet in conference - this fall.  Essentially, Members will not get any chance to oppose a wasteful or questionable project when the bills get their first vote this month.  Instead, they will be voting on a bill that contains a ’slush fund’ for those later earmarks. 

And as the Associated Press points out:  “What Obey is doing runs counter to new rules that Democrats promised would make such spending decisions more open.  Those rules made it clear that projects earmarked for federal dollars and their sponsors were to be made available to public scrutiny when appropriations bills are debated.”

The most open Congress in history?  I guess that depends on the meaning of ‘open.’

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It’s that time of year again as the 110th Congress gathers for its 46th Annual Roll Call Congressional Baseball game between the perpetually dominating Republicans and the up and coming Democrats. 

We will be tracking the Republicans, of course, while they prepare for the big game.  Our coverage will follow Jack and the team everywhere from workouts, practices, strategies to even live game footage!

The game is set for Monday, June 25th at RFK Stadium at 7:30 PM.  Tickets will be available the day of the game at $8 each.  All proceeds benefit the Washington Literary Council and the Boys & Girls Clubs of greater Washington, DC.

With their latest budget, Democrats seem intent on reversing our current economic trend by allowing President Bush’s tax cuts to expire, essentially imposing one of the largest tax increases in history on the American people.  Democrats continue to ignore the results of those cuts. 

With their latest budget, Democrats seem intent on reversing our current economic trend by allowing President Bush’s tax cuts to expire, essentially imposing one of the largest tax increases in history on the American people.  Democrats continue to ignore the results of those cuts. �