Frankly Speaking
The Myth of Government Created Wealth
Feb 10, 2009Last week, the House of Representatives passed the “Pelosi Pork Package,” a massive spending bill disguised as a stimulus plan. I joined every one of my Republican colleagues and 11 of my Democrat colleagues and voted against this obscene bill, standing up for the American taxpayer and our future generations.
Filed under: EconomyDTV Delay Costs Taxpayers Millions, Is Unnecessary
Feb 4, 2009Today, the House of Representatives passed S.328 the DTV Delay Bill by a vote of 264-158.
Filed under: GeneralLucas Sends Letter to Pelosi, Boehner Requesting Unnecessary Spending in Stimulus Be Removed
Jan 28, 2009Today, I joined my fellow Financial Services Committee members in a letter to Speaker Pelosi and Leader Boehner to request that some of the unnecessary and duplicative spending programs relating to housing be removed from the economic stimulus package.
Filed under: Financial Services CommitteePresident Obama's Visit to Capitol Hill
Jan 27, 2009Today, President Obama visited Capitol Hill to attend the House Republican Conference meeting and discuss the upcoming economic stimulus package proposed by Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats. I appreciate the President’s willingness to reach across party lines in an effort to create an atmosphere of bipartisanship and I call upon him to urge Speaker Pelosi and the Democrat majority to follow in his footsteps and advocate an open forum for policy discussions in the future.
Filed under: GeneralNational Security Requires Solid Planning
Jan 27, 2009Last week, President Obama issued an executive order closing the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, which houses thousands of suspected terrorists and enemy combatants. I was shocked by this announcement, but even more concerned by the fact that the President had no plans as to what would happen next.
Filed under: Homeland Security and DefenseMy Vote on the Reauthorization of SCHIP
Jan 14, 2009Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 2, the reauthorization of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, or SCHIP. This is a federally funded program that provides health care to children. While I believe that this is a good program and I support initiatives to bring health care to children who need it, I could not support this reauthorization.
Filed under: Health CareWelcome to the 111th Congress
Jan 13, 2009I would like to welcome all of you to the 111th Congress. Thanks to the great people of the Third Congressional District of Oklahoma, this will mark my ninth term as a member of the United States House of Representatives. I will maintain my position on the House Committee on Financial Services and the House Committee on Science and Technology. In addition, I have been selected to serve as the Ranking Member, or Republican leader, of the House Committee on Agriculture.
Filed under: GeneralA Look Ahead
Dec 18, 2008I was disappointed by Senator John McCain’s defeat in his race for the presidency last month. He is a true American hero who has served his country with honor and valor and I proudly supported his campaign. Our country would have greatly benefited from his leadership and experience. I salute his hard fought campaign and thank him for his service to this country.
Filed under: GeneralA Bailout on the Bailout
Dec 5, 2008This October, Congress passed a $700 billion Bailout Bill, aimed at stabilizing our rocky financial and housing markets who have been hit hardest by the recent troubles. Specifically, the bill laid out a plan to establish a company that would purchase mortgages that were considered “toxic.” The goal was to unclog the market of these mortgages, which would hopefully return liquidity the markets and restore confidence in our economy. Although this was a tough decision for me, I voted against the Bailout Bill both times it came before the House of Representatives.
Filed under: EconomyWashington D.C. Internship Opportunities
Nov 26, 2008I would like to encourage all college-aged students in the Third Congressional District to apply for a Spring internship in my Washington D.C. congressional office.
Filed under: Constituent Services