This Week

The House considered legislation to extend funding for the federal government through the end of September.  The bill passed by the House, which I supported, funds the government through November 18, 2011and provides $1 billion to the FEMA and the Army Corps of Engineers for disaster relief efforts in FY 2011, including offsets of $1.6 billion.

With the BWCA wildfire burning and a FEMA-assisted, active disaster in Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, and Pine counties, I could not put my district at risk by allowing FEMA funding to expire at the end of next week.  This extension responsibly off-set the disaster aid funding. 

I was not going to put politics before my constituents. 

Furthermore, with the mismanagement and coercion evident in the Solyndra case, I find it necessary to trim ineffective alternative energy programs. 

We cannot afford anymore failed green jobs programs.  The House-passed extension will fund the government at a level that was agreed upon by Republicans and Democrats through the bipartisan Budget Control Act of 2011, and also provides more money for FEMA than initially requested by the President. 

The Senate should pass this bill immediately, and the President should sign it, because any political games will delay FEMA money that suffering American families desperately need.

TSA Screening for U.S. Military Personnel

I recently sponsored H.R. 1801, the Risk-Based Security Screening for Members of The Armed Forces Act, which the House Committee on Homeland Security unanimously agreed to this week and reported to the House for Floor consideration.  

This legislation would require TSA to develop an expedited screening process for military personnel flying on civilian aircraft - it is past due for so many of our nations heroes serving our great country.  Our soldiers who are putting their lives on the line in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, and elsewhere should be afforded extra respect when returning home to their loved ones and shouldn’t be viewed as potential terrorists in our airports. 

Importantly, this bill would direct the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator to establish and implement within six months an expedited security screening process for members of the United States Armed Forces and their families who are traveling on official orders. 

The new screening process for military personnel would constitute a risk-based approach to best use limited resources to ensure the maximum security for all transportation system users.  Members of the United States Armed Forces and their families comprise a low-risk population that is ideally suited for an expedited security screening process.

EPA Regulations

Today, the House passed H.R. 2401, the Transparency in Regulatory Analysis on Impacts on the Nation (TRAIN) Act, to assess the impact of certain environmental regulations on American energy, manufacturing, and job creation.  The bill will halt the implementation of two expensive and controversial EPA programs - the Utility MACT Rule and the Clean Air Transport Rule - until their impact on the economy is fully understood.

Job creators across America are hamstrung by the reckless red tape that comes from Washington.  This bill will force the federal government to finally and thoroughly review the impact that many environmental regulations have on the ability of our private businesses and manufacturers to grow and create jobs.

Overbearing regulations not only pose a risk to the prosperity of American companies, but also the competitiveness of our nation on the global stage.  In many cases, our job creators are tied down by red tape that other countries don’t have to deal with.  With this bill, two new regulations that would otherwise kill jobs and cost up to $17.8 billion annually will be halted until further review.

Job creators are frustrated and desperately need the federal government to get out of their way in order for them to put Americans back to work.  Many environmental regulations rank among Washington’s worst economic confidence-killers by weighing down our private sector with excessive costs, needless paperwork, and grueling standards that result in less growth and fewer jobs.

BWCA Wildfire

It’s unfortunate Mother Nature has suddenly turned toward the Boundary Waters.  I’m thankful to the U.S. Forest Service for the steps it has taken to coordinate with my staff, as well as federal and local efforts to ensure public safety and private property from damage.

My office stands ready to assist the Forest Service, federal and local fire suppression teams, and the people of Northeast Minnesota affected by this fire.  I am grateful for the efforts of Governor Dayton and Senators Klobuchar and Franken this past week as we work to ensure public safety and the quickest resolution to the fire fight.

I had the opportunity to participate in a fly-over tour of the Pagami area.  I was astounded at the sheer magnitude of this fire.  I’m grateful for all the courageous men andwomen who are working around the clock to reach the quickest resolution to the BWCA disaster.

The fire’s size has not increased in the last few days.  There has been up to an inch of rain over the fire area since last Sunday, and today we entered a warming and drying period.  Good progress continues on the ground - we are at 35% containment with 877 personnel assigned to the fire.

More Jobs for Minnesota

I will examine all pro-growth proposals that mitigate excessive, job-destroying regulations that saddle small businesses and job creators.  Republicans and Democrats must find areas of agreement regarding job creation that both sides can agree.  We must set aside differences, build consensus, and produce a bill that helps job creation so that we can come together and act quickly to get the middle class back to work in this country. 

We cannot have more ‘stimulus’ style spending.  Any jobs package must provide specifics on how it will be paid for.

I am committed to taking every possible step to improve conditions for private sector job creation in the Eighth District and to get our economy back on track so that America’s workers and business owners can do what they do best: create, innovate and lead.  We must focus on removing government barriers to private-sector job creation and the pursuit of pro-growth tax relief.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, non-defense discretionary spending is up 26% since 2008.  We just averted a debt crisis - how can we be asked to spend more? One of my biggest concerns is more failed ‘stimulus’ style spending and more failed tax and spend policies.  We must cut the red tape and burdensome regulations in order to bring more jobs to Minnesota.

If the President can prove that his plan will create American jobs and prevent their outsourcing to places like China, Mexico, and India, I think the House should most definitely take the President’s proposal into serious consideration.  But we’ve heard this ‘must pass’ mantra before.  After all we went through to avert a debt crisis, are we really being asked to spend more?  I urge the President to commit to pro-jobs, pro growth policies that eliminate red tape and put Minnesotans back to work.

Mobile Offices

Each Friday, members of my staff will head out from my three district offices in North Branch, Duluth and Brainerd to hold what are known as mobile offices.  If you have a question about federal benefits or a question regarding your dealings with a federal agency, please stop by at the given locations at the times listed so you can speak with one of my staff.  The list of mobile offices for next Thursday, September 29 and Friday, September 30 can be found here.  As always, you can also reach my casework staff by phone at (651) 237-8220, or toll free at 1-888-563-7390.

It is my privilege to have provided my constituents access to mobile offices in over 100 Minnesota cities since entrusted to this office.

Commitment to Constituent Outreach

It is my duty to provide my 8^thDistrict constituents unprecedented access to their representative to Washington.  To date, this responsibility has amounted to thirteen town hall meetings, eight tele-town halls, mobile offices in over 110 different cities, numerous roundtable discussions, and three permanent district offices where we conduct office hours – anyone is able schedule an appointment.  My primary focus is to create more jobs for the 8th District; I look forward to continuing this conversation with my constituents.

Social Media

One of the best ways you can keep up to speed with what I’m doing in Congress is through social media. I encourage you to follow me on Facebook and on Twitter.

Rest assured, I will remain an independent, conservative voice in Washington; I promise to uphold the fiscally conservative principles the people of the 8^thDistrict entrusted upon me.

 

Very truly yours,

 

Chip