Congressman David Rivera’s Week in Review- Week of January 17th

Washington, DC- Following their weekend retreat, House Republicans, including Congressman David Rivera (FL-25), turned their attention to repealing the health care law that passed last year:

Rivera an Enthusiastic “Yes” Vote for Repeal

On Wednesday, the House voted on a bill to repeal the job-killing health care law that was signed into law last year.  Rivera voted to repeal the measure, along with the other 241 other Republicans in the House and three Democrats who broke ranks with their party.

“The American people understand that the health care law is bad for our economy, and bad for our country,” Rivera said.  “I voted to repeal the job-killing health care law because the law only reduces the deficit through creative math, tax increases and new fees that Americans cannot afford.  We need to put a special focus on lightening the burden that this law puts on small businesses through mandates and additional reporting requirements that discourage small business owners from keeping employees or creating new jobs.”

Rivera also expressed concern about the sweeping cuts to Medicare and Medicare Advantage in the health care law. 

“The elderly residents in my district who rely on Medicare Advantage should not have their health care pulled out from under them,” he said.  “We should be protecting our seniors through true Medicare reform, and not cuts of more than $500 billion.”

From Repeal to Replace

Rivera called this week’s repeal vote the beginning of a conversation between Congress and the American people about achieving real health insurance reform in this country.  As the House turns its focus from repealing the health care law to replacing it, Rivera believes that the replacement must come in the form of common sense reforms that address what is wrong with the health insurance system in this country and prioritize lowering costs and protecting American jobs, not threatening them.

“Now we begin the process of replacing the health care law and ensuring that the American people are really engaged in the process,” Rivera said.  “In the coming weeks and months, the House will be considering bills aimed at preserving the areas of the health care law where there is consensus, such as ensuring that people with pre-existing conditions have access to coverage, and that young adults can stay on their parents’ plans up until the age of 26.      

“At the same time there will be a truly open discussion about items that were proposed, but not considered, in the lead up to signing the current law, such as letting people purchase health insurance across state lines, and allowing small businesses to pool together to make it easier and more cost effective for them and their employees to buy health insurance.”

China’s Growing Impact on Our Hemisphere

During Chinese President Hu Jintao’s visit to the United States this week, Rivera, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released a statement expressing concern about China’s growing influence and presence in the Western Hemisphere. 

“Although China is on the other side of the globe, it manages to be a menace in our hemisphere,” he said.   “As if the country’s record on human rights was not bad enough, China continuously partners and cooperates with totalitarian dictators like Hugo Chavez, and Fidel and Raul Castro who have similarly appalling track records on civil liberties. 

“Most recently there is growing concern about the connection between China, Venezuela and Iran, all three of which have begun to invest in Latin America by driving money towards Daniel Ortega’s efforts in Nicaragua and towards the Cuban dictatorship; including entering into agreements to drill for oil off the coast of Cuba. 

“China is a destabilizing force in Latin America, and that threatens American security. We have to be vigilant of China’s movements, especially in our hemisphere, while demanding that they improve on their record of human rights.”

The 38th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade

Rivera released the following statement regarding the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision:

“Jobs and the economy are the top priority of this Congress, but as we observe the 38th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, we have the opportunity to stand on the side of life.  In the House we have already begun to push back against the pro-abortion efforts of the last two years by voting to repeal the health care law. The law includes provisions to allow federal funding for elective abortions, and the President’s executive order does not provide enough of a safeguard against that. 

“Human life is a precious blessing and taxpayer dollars should not be going to fund elective abortions at home or abroad.  America is such a great country because, as a nation, we place such a great value on human life.  I am proud to stand on the side of life.” 

 Notable Meetings: Wounded Warrior Project Visit

On Wednesday members of the Florida Congressional delegation, including Rivera and Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, met with Specialist Anthony Jimenez, a serviceman from South Florida, who is being treated at Walter Reed Medical Center for injuries he received while serving in Kuwait when his HUMVEE flipped over.  Jimenez sustained three broken vertebrae during the accident. 

Following the meeting, Rivera took Jimenez and his mother on a tour of the U.S. Capitol that ended with a visit to the Speaker’s Balcony.

Photos from the visit are available at: http://rivera.house.gov/photo-gallery/wounded-warrior-project-visit

District Activities: Colombia Relief Effort Drive

Rivera spoke to the crowd at “El Festival de la Entrega” at Tropical Park in Miami on Saturday.  The event, which featured bands and other entertainment, raised funds and collected donated items for those affected by the rains and heavy flooding in Colombia.  More than 300 people have died, tens of thousands have been left homeless, and more than two million people have been affected by the floods; the worst Colombia has seen in 40 years. 

“El Festival de la Entrega” was sponsored in part by Radio Caracol 1260 AM, The Colombian Red Cross, and Family Builders USA, a 501(c)3 that provides support for families in crisis, with a special focus on immigrant families.  The event was supported by Servientrega, a Colombian cargo company, which will handle the logistics of transporting and delivering the donations.

District Activities: The City of Hialeah’s José Martí Parade

On Sunday morning, Rivera participated in the City of Hialeah’s José Martí Parade.  The annual parade celebrates the legacy of the Cuban poet and national hero who fought for Cuba’s independence. 

The event has been hosted by the City of Hialeah for more than 40 years and features more than 50 local schools and businesses. 

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