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Monday Morning Memo
Click on any underlined Monday Morning Memo to listen to a weekly podcast from Congressman Kevin Brady. Click on the links to view reports and news articles he refers to.
11/5/12 -- In this week’s Monday Morning Memo, Congressman Kevin Brady explains how the October jobs report officially puts the Obama Recovery in last place as the majority of small businesses say they are hiring; how the IRS will soon be collecting your personal health information to make sure you bought a health plan that’s ObamaCare approved; and how the original Buffett Rule – aka the alternative minimum tax or AMT – is about to hit 30 million American families when it designed to make 155 pay their ‘fair share.’
Congressman Brady says the House is determined to get answers from the White House on what happened on September the 11th in Benghazi, Libya when our ambassador and three other Americans were killed.
10/29/12 -- In this week’s Monday Morning Memo, Congressman Kevin Brady tells us about a new Joint Economic Committee staff report that shows that had President Obamaled merely an average economic recovery-- rather than the weakest recovery since WWII-- this year's federal budget deficit would be cut by more than half. And, if his policies had achieved a Reagan-style recovery, the deficit would be two-thirds smaller. Congressman Bradyalso addresses how the U.S. could soon be paying more for interest on our debt than on national security as the national debt amount for each American family soars over $47,000 and a key welfare report is missing in action in the Obama White House.
Finally, while he’s pleased that five years of stalling on a US sales agreement with Panama is over, Congressman Brady says Americans – especially the families of the four Americans killed in Libya on September the 11th – deserve real answers on what happened and why the White House responded as they did.
10/22/12 -- In this week’s Monday Morning Memo, Congressman Kevin Brady shares his concerns about the 33 percent increase in welfare spending under President Obama’s administrationand what former Texas Senator Phil Gramm had to say about the sharp increase in welfare spending. As weekly jobless claims return to their sad normal after a problem with California’s under reported claims was resolved, Congressman Brady says too much of our precious tax dollars have been wasted on green energy failures like Solyndra and A123.
Finally, President Obama has not kept his promise to make college more affordable as student debt rates hit dangerous levels nor his promise not to raise taxes on the Middle Class which is about to be hit with 12 ObamaCare taxes, the January tax cliff and what’s being dubbed a “silent exodus”of doctors who would rather see fewer patients or retire than deal with more government interference in patient care.
10/15/12 -- In this week’s Monday Morning Memo, Congressman Kevin Brady – a leader in the push to get Washington’s red tape under control – calls attention to key reports on federal regulations missing in action in the Obama Administration. He also explains how our trade deficit and corporate tax rate are hurting American workers even as America’s top earners pay more of the income tax burden than their counterparts in European socialist countries.
Finally, he corrects Vice President Biden’s debate whopper on Medicare Advantage, shares his disdain for VA spending on conferences and his support for a Willis family angered by how the White House handled their Marine Corporal son’s death.
10/8/12 - In this week’s Monday Morning Memo, Congressman Kevin Brady breaks down the new jobs numbers and makes it clear he doesn’t support tapping the Strategic Petroleum Reserve as California gas prices set new records. As he pushes for answers on Libya, Congressman Brady battles to stop the tax hikes coming on New Year’s Day and deal with America’s dangerous debt. Finally, he reacts to the indictments of 91 people accused of Medicare Fraud and reminds young people in the 8th Congressional District that the deadline for applications for military academy nominations is fast approaching
10/1/12 -- In this week’s Monday Morning Memo, Congressman Kevin Brady, the top Republican on the Joint Economic Committee says the economy is the top issue this fall as small business owners & manufacturers say they are worse off than 3 years ago and CEO’s predict gloomy economic numbers for the 3rd quarter.
As working families pay more for health care, red tape makes ObamaCare’s small Business tax credit elusive and marriage could be on the docket as the Supreme Court begins a new term on Monday. Finally, the congressman calls attention to new information on how incomes are growing in Republican red states while blue states have had a tougher time in this weak economy and how 79 percent of Americans in a new poll want everyone to pay at least something in incometaxes.
9/24/12 - In this week’s Monday Morning Memo, Congressman Kevin Brady discusses how the House voted to save welfare work requirements and affordable American coal, while passing a new kind of Buffett Rule to allow Americans of all income levels -- including Warren Buffett -- to voluntarily pay more on their taxes. He also takes a hard look at a new CBO report that shows 6 million Americans, mostly middle class, will be ensnared by the ObamaCare Individual Mandate tax. Finally, he takes on the Department of Justice’s Inspector General report on Fast and Furious and a recent report from the Competitive Enterprise Institute that shows new government red tape is pushing the impact of government on small business to $1.8 trillion a year and still rising.
9/17/12 - In this week’s Monday Morning Memo, Congressman Kevin Brady discusses Libya and the anti-American protests at U.S. embassies, the House’s actions to prevent a political government shutdown, fact checks the administration’s efforts to guy welfare work requirements and explains why the fed’s latest stimulus actions are an admission that the President’s policies have failed to get the economy moving.
He also shares new information from small business owners about how ObamaCare will cut their profits in half and how a new study shows health care costs continuing to rise despite the President’s promises that his plan would cut American families health premiums by $2500 a year. Finally, he gives a sneak preview of a rare joint House-Senate hearing this week on taxing investment income many retirees live on.
9/10/12 -- In this week’s Monday Morning Memo, Congressman Kevin Brady breaks down the dismal August jobs report, how the US is now a food stamp nation and the White House’s gutting of welfare work requirements. The Congressman also sets the record straight after a week of Medicare misinformation and what the looming defense cuts mean to our forces. Finally, he shares his disgust at a Massachusetts federal court ruling that an inmate serving life in prison is entitled to a sex change operation at taxpayer expense.
9/3/12 -- In this Labor Day Monday Morning Memo, Congressman Kevin Brady shows how this Labor Day isn't much of a celebration day for millions of out of work Americans. He also explains weak new economic numbers and why Politifact called out Obama's team for falsely claiming the Obama recovery was better than President Reagan's. He also looks at new manufacturing surveys on how red tape is hurting production and why small businesses aren't investing or hiring. Finally, he remains convinced that Texas' Voter ID law is Constitutional and he looks forward to Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott taking this case before the U.S. Supreme Court.
8/27/12 -- In this week’s Monday Morning Memo, Congressman Kevin Brady shares what small business owners and workers across southeast Texas are telling him as the federal debt barrels towards a previously unthinkable $16 trillion. As Texas moves to stop taxpayer funding to abortion providers, the Congressman says the White House is trying to undo key elements of bipartisan welfare reform. Finally, he shares his worries about the weak job market, especially for recent college graduates.
8/20/12 -- In this week’s Monday Morning Memo, Congressman Kevin Brady shares details of his busy district work week ahead and how the House has voted to cut trillions and to get Washington off the back of those who create jobs along Main Street. He also discusses voter registration scandals and abuses in the summer lunch program.
8/13/12 -- In this week's Monday Morning Memo, Congressman Kevin Brady breaks down his busy August schedule in District 8, including meetings with local doctors and hospitals on ObamaCare, IRS tax number fraud, a new chart showing 100 million Americans on welfare and how ObamaCare will force families to pay more for pizza.
8/6/12 -- In this week's Monday Morning Memo, Congressman Kevin Brady says Obama Recovery is still dead last as jobless rate inches up to 8.3%. He also shares good news about House votes to Stop the Tax Hike on Jan. 1 and reform the tax code. Finally he lays out the cases as to why the House Ways & Means Committee is demanding answers on IRS ID Theft, why the scandal-ridden GSA is under the House microscope and why Congress shouldn’t step in as cities in California declare bankruptcy.
7/30/12 -- In this week’s Monday Morning Memo, Congressman Kevin Brady says Stop the Tax Hike is a rallying cry on Capitol Hill and across America as a $4 trillion tax hike looms for all Americans on January 1.
As the House prepares to take action to stop the tax hike and move forward with fundamental tax reform, the House has already moved to stop the Red Tape choking small business, to replace the President’s failed drilling plan and will soon take up Congressman Brady’s bill to open up more customers for American businesses through increased trade with Russia. Texas already leads the nation in selling to Russia which will soon be joining the World Trade Organization.
Congressman Brady shares the good news on how his bill to permanently bury the Death Tax now has enough co-sponsors in the House for passage and new information showing how this tax fails on every front. And finally, did you know 33 Texans are going for the gold in London?
7/23/12 -- In this week’s Monday Morning Memo, Congressman Kevin Brady looks ahead to a busy week on Capitol Hill focused on eliminating government red tape and moving forward with legislation granting permanent normal trade relations with Russia. Texas is the top US state exporting to Russia and the top state for foreign trade zones.
Congressman Brady continues to fight the President’s plan to raise taxes on small businesses, a move that a new study says will cost 57,000 Texas jobs. This past week, Congress reaffirmed America’s longstanding bond with Israel and the House voted for funding for our troops and our troops’ right to know about coming mandatory military budget cuts. Finally, the President’s economic recovery is not the only ‘dead last’ item on his record, this White House’s drilling lease plan is also dead last – even worse than when the program began under President Carter.
7/16/12 -- In this week’s Monday Morning Memo, Congressman Kevin Brady previews the week ahead. He also weighs in on ObamaCare repeal, veterans cost of living increases, a Medicare Advantage Bonus Scheme that now has the GAO’s attention, looming automatic defense cuts, a controversial UN Small Arms Treaty, why Texas is #1 for Business and why Monday, July 17th is the first day Americans work for themselves in 2012 and not for the cost of government or regulations.
7/9/12 -- In this week’s Monday Morning Memo, Congressman Kevin Brady shares new JEC data that shows how the Obama Recovery is dead last in both job creation and economic growth. Ahead of the July 11 House vote to repeal ObamaCare, he also shares how his town hall meetings were packed with people who want this terrible legislation repealed and are concerned with the Obama Administration’s failed ‘green energy’ spending.
Finally, he takes on how partisan the Justice Department has become in their fight to stop Texas’ Voter ID law and how the IRS is targeting conservative groups, including Tea Parties.
7/2/12 -- In this week’s Monday Morning Memo, Congressman Kevin Brady says the Supreme Court was not the final word on ObamaCare, which is packed with 21 new taxes, more than half of which hit middle class families. He also shares why he voted to hold the Attorney General in Contempt of Congress, a new GAO report on tax cheats getting stimulus-funded mortgage assistance and what he learned at a subcommittee hearing on Social Security’s financial health.
Last, and most important, Congressman Brady invites residents of the 8th Congressional district to join him in Huntsville Monday evening at 6 and in The Woodlands the following evening for town hall meetings.
6/25/12 -- In this week’s Monday Morning Memo, all eyes – including Congressman Kevin Brady’s = are on the Supreme Court this week as the clock ticks towards a ruling on ObamaCare and a House vote on Contempt of Congress charges against Attorney General Eric Holder. Meanwhile, the House has voted for more energy production and jobs while the Senate sits on a House bill to prevent student loan rates from doubling on July 1st.
In the House Ways & Means Committee, two subcommittees are coming together to review how government welfare programs and margin tax rates are keeping Americans from seeing the value of working, Congressman Brady weighs in on how transportation dollars should be spent and warms up for the 51st Congressional Baseball Game for Charity where the Congressman will be donning his old high school uniform as a tribute to his coach.
6/18/12 -- In this week’s Monday Morning Memo, Congressman Kevin Brady, whose chart was seen around the world, awaits the Supreme Court’s decision on ObamaCare which has sent health care costs rising and is being investigated as too secretive.
The Congressman also addresses Wednesday’s schedule contempt vote in the House Oversight Committee over the Fast and Furious gun walking scandal and why small business optimism is falling.
6/11/12 -- In this week’s Monday Morning Memo, Congressman Kevin Brady takes on the Federal Reserve Chairman, the ‘disastrous’ CBO Debt Report, the 27th ObamaCare repeal bill to pass the House and Homeland Security priorities.
As the White House is forced to admit to things they classify as green jobs, Congressman Brady says they should be listening to prominent Democrats who say now it not the time to raise taxes. Finally, he discusses Senator Tom Coburn’s new report Money for Nothing that shows how tens of billions of federal funds go unspent.
6/4/12 -- In this week’s Monday Morning Memo, Congressman Kevin Brady explains why May’s jobs numbers are ‘grim’ and previews what’s ahead this week when Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke testifies before the Joint Economic Committee. As the House Ways & Means Committee moves more ObamaCare repeal bills that he is co-sponsoring, Congressman Brady discusses the progress in that arena as well as the progress the House overall is making in passing responsible appropriations bills to fund our intelligence and base operations as well as our veterans programs. In addition to providing insight into a bill he’s co-sponsoring with GOP Conference Chairman Jeb Hensarling and Budget Chairman Paul Ryan to force the White House to stop ignoring looming automatic defense cuts, the Congressman also takes on a particularly ‘abhorrent’ form of abortion.
Finally, he celebrates the 8 young men and women from the 8th District who have received appointments to the Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy and West Point.
5/30/12 -- In this week's Monday Morning Memo, Congressman Kevin Brady honors those who paid freedom's steepest price -- heroes we should all honor Memorial Day and every day. The Congressman also looks at upcoming votes on reforming the FDA, ending an ObamaCare tax that will harm medical innovation and hurt jobs and extending the National Flood Insurance Program. He also shares his thoughts on the Catholic Church lawsuits over ObamaCare's attacks on religious freedom, the latest Congressional Budget Office report that warns of recession just as states are raising income tax rates. Finally, he explains why the White House's attacks on free enterprise are backfiring.
5/21/12 -- In this week's Monday Morning Memo, Congressman Kevin Brady shares his thoughts on the House's efforts to stop the President's drastic military cuts, how more bank regulations aren't the solution to the JP Morgan situation, why he opposes the state bailouts and how Colombia is now open for business.
5/7/12 -- In this week's Monday Morning Memo, Congressman Kevin Brady previews the week ahead in Washington, including key votes and hearings, shares his disappointment with the April jobless numbers, especially how the workforce is at its smallest level since 1981 and there are fewer Americans working today than when President Obama took office. Congressman Brady also shares his frustrations with Attorney General Eric Holder over repeated delays in providing Congress information on the failed Fast & Furious gun-running scheme, ObamaCare’sincentives for businesses to stop offering health care coverage, the bizarre use of an ObamaCare slush fund and stopping illegal immigrants from getting child tax credit refund checks.
4/30/12 -- In this week’s Monday Morning Memo, Congressman Kevin Brady joins his delegation colleagues in calling for the ouster of an EPA administrator who said he wanted to ‘crucify’ energy companies. The congressman also expresses his disappointment with 1Q economic growth numbers and the administration’s handling of energy issues, unemployment reforms and the jobs situation for younger Americans. He also discusses the problem the CISPA cyber-security bill is designed to solve and how the House took action to keep student loan rates from doubling in July.
4/16/12 -- In this week’s Monday Morning Memo, Congressman Kevin Brady says the Buffett Rule -- or as he likes to call it the Obama rule -- will only pay for 10 hours of government spending, while average Americans spend 12 hours filing out their complicated tax forms. On Tax Day Tuesday, both the House Ways and Means Committee and the Joint Economic Committee will hold tax hearings. As small business optimism falls again, Congressman Brady calls on the President to show economic leadership as the US debt surpasses the entire Eurozone by trillions and the GSA scandal grows.
4/9/12 -- In this week’s Monday Morning Memo, Congressman Kevin Brady calls the new jobs numbers disappointing, takes on the President’s jobs gap and how he is turning the White House into a Glass House to throw stones from. The Congressman also calls the President’s Supreme Court attack strategy ‘south side Chicago trash talk’ and his green energy policy a strike out following the latest taxpayer-supported solar scandal. Finally, he reminds us that April 11th is Texas Tax Freedom Day and why now is not the time for the return of earmarks in Congress.
4/2/12 -- In this week's Monday Morning Memo, the two week Easter district work period begins.As the Supreme Court weighs whether ObamaCare is constitutional, Congressman Kevin Brady is concerned about the mandates in the law and the fact that the U.S. just went from first to worst when it comes to business tax rates. In addition to setting the record straight on the budget process in the House, the Congressman says concerns about the IRS beefing up to enforce ObamaCare are very real and so are concerns about the EPA's attempts to enforce Cap & Trade through the backdoor while the President 'claims' to embrace an "all of the above" energy strategy. Alarmed at the President's recent ‘hot mic’ remarks to the Russian President, Brady says there is no 'flexibility' when it comes to our security. Finally, he shares his concerns about minors trying to avoid state parental notification laws and what the House is doing about the problem.
3/26/12 -- In this week's Monday Morning Memo, Congressman Kevin Brady discusses his hopes for this week's Supreme Court hearing on ObamaCare which just turned two and has seen 26 repeal votes in the House including last week's vote to repeal the ObamaCare rationing board known as IPAB. This week is budget week in the House which will also take up a small business tax cut from the Pledge for America. Finally, the Congressman has a few choice words about the President's energy tour and a ridiculous proposed Senate hearing on bounties in football.
03/19/12 -- In this week's Monday Morning Memo, Congressman Kevin Brady weighs in on the Voter ID controversy that has the U.S. Attorney General squaring off against Texas, the latest skyrocketing ObamaCare cost estimates, rising gas prices, the President's broken promises on deficit reduction and GITMO, why we must get serious about inflation and why 80% of Americans don't feel better off today than 4 years ago.
03/12/12 -- In this week’s Monday Morning Memo, Congressman Kevin Brady shares details on how his Sound Dollar Act will help the economy as the jobless rate stalls out at 8.3%. Brady, the Chairman of the Ways & Means Trade subcommittee, also talks about the overwhelming passage of his bill to make China play by the rules and the new GOP JOBS Act. Finally, he discusses what the House is doing to repeal ObamaCare’s rationing board and get answers on its rising costs and gives his take on the President’s fundraising juggernaut which passed through Houston on Friday.
03/05/12 -- In this week’s Monday Morning Memo, Congressman Kevin Brady previews his Sound Dollar Act, takes on the President’s push to raise energy taxes and Congressional Democrats efforts for a release from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. He also shares his thoughts on ObamaCare’s upcoming date with the Supreme Court and his recent run-in with HHS Secretary Sebelius. Finally, he shares his thoughts on redistricting, China’s trade practices and looks at a new poll that shows two-thirds of Americans want Washington to cut spending.
02/27/12 -- In this week’s Monday Morning Memo, Congressman Kevin Brady shares his thoughts on rising gas prices and energy policy, why the President’s long awaited business tax plan is ‘disappointing’, a new Gallup poll that finds one in five Americans unable to find a fulltime job, why small businesses have had enough, and why it’s time to sell off some excess federal property.
And in these stressful economic times, the National Science Foundation -- which is funded with your tax dollars -- is awarding a $705,000 grant to researchers studying whether stressed out birds make good parents to their chicks. Congressman Brady says they really stepped in some ‘bird product’ with this one.
02/20/12 - In this week’s Monday Morning Memo, Congressman Kevin Brady gives a preview of the busy district work week ahead, looks back on the payroll tax fight and shares how House Republicans are moving energy policy forward and fighting for religious freedom with colleagues across the aisle and across the Capitol.
From his post as the top Republican on the Joint House-Senate Economic Committee, he also weighs in on the nearly 11 million jobs gap between President Reagan’s economic recovery and President Obama’s.
02/13/12 - In this week's Monday Morning Memo, Congressman Kevin Brady, the only Texan on the House-Senate conference committee negotiating a year-long payroll tax and unemployment insurance plan, calls the Congressional Democrat’s first offer puzzling. Although he doesn’t trade stock, he shares his reasoning for voting in favor of the House’s strengthened STOCK Act and applauds Time Magazine for letting America know about the crazy federal program that provides free cell phones – a wasteful program his Sunset Caucus seeks to end.
The Congressman also shares his thoughts on how President retreated from his administration’s order that the Catholic Church pay for birth control in their health plans in the same week the Wall Street Journal called out the President over his version of fairness and the Heritage Foundation unveiled how Americans are more dependent on government than ever in our nation’s history. Finally, he points out another embarrassing stimulus story that is making the rounds in Washington – the story of Los Angeles Stimulu-yacht.
02/06/12 - In this week's Monday Morning Memo, Congressman Kevin Brady, the top Republican on the Joint Economic Committee, weighs in on the latest unemployment numbers and why he, as the only Texas on the ‘payroll tax’ conference committee, is fighting for unemployment reforms.
The Congressman shares how he voted to keep a pay freeze in place for members of Congress and other federal employees, to cut committee spending on Capitol Hill and to reform welfare so benefits can’t be accessed in liquor stores, strip clubs and gambling establishments.
Finally, he calls out the Obama Administration for a report that ‘claims’ Medicare patients will pay less for their healthcare in ten years than they do now due to ObamaCare, which the House voted last week to repeal another provision from.
01/30/12 - In this week’s Monday Morning Memo, Congressman Kevin Brady previews a meeting Monday with local doctors who are frustrated with Washington over the need for a real solution to how they get reimbursed for treating seniors, the disabled and military families.
Congressman Brady also takes a closer look at the 1.7% economy, the President's record on job creation and the President’s 21 new taxes – not a one of which has helped the nation’s staggering debt.
Finally, the Congressman previews new U.S. House efforts to increase American energy production and shares some news about which billionaire – who received a 'shout out' during the State of the Union -- stands to profit from the political denial of the Keystone XL pipeline.
01/23/12 - In this week’s Monday Morning Memo, Congressman Kevin Brady shares his expectations for the President’s State of the Union Address on Tuesday and the President’s upcoming budget proposal.
The Congressman also shares what the President’s home state, Illinois now has in common with Greece and how Illinois, which can’t pay its bills, has proven that raising taxes doesn’t fix a budgetary crisis.
Finally, he takes the President to task for turning down shovel ready energy jobs as gas prices are rising and expected to hit a new record by Memorial Day.
01/16/12 - In this week’s Monday Morning Memo, Congressman Kevin Brady calls on the President to approve the Keystone Pipeline and stop slow walking permits in the Gulf, because Americans can’t wait for these good paying jobs. He also calls out the administration for penalizing companies because manufacturers can’t make enough of a certain biofuel the government is requiring.
While lamenting America’s continued fall down the list of the top nations for Economic Freedom, the top Republican on the Joint Economic Committee, also calls on the President to work with Congress since it was just last year the President himself said America couldn’t be competitive if it is “weighed down by crippling budget deficits, ineffective programs that waste tax dollars and a government that is not accountable to the American people.”
As for the President’s Friday request to create a new Mega Agency, Brady offers a better idea to streamline government – a Sunset Act. Finally, with over 46 million Americans now receive food stamps -- 68 percent more than under either Presidents Bill Clinton or George W. Bush – Brady says it’s time to act on jobs bills and projects like the Keystone pipeline.
01/09/12 - In this week’s Monday Morning Memo, Congressman Kevin Brady analyzes the December jobs numbers and explains why the real unemployment rate is much higher and explains what this means for businesses who pay unemployment insurance taxes. The Congressman also shares his concerns over employers drop health care coverage and doctors leaving medicine over ObamaCare. Meanwhile, the President is proposing a pay increase for federal workers as Washington, DC’s population rises as people flock to the Capitol for taxpayer-subsidized jobs.
01/02/12 - In this week’s Monday Morning Memo, we start off the New Year with American businesses sitting on trillions that could be invested in new jobs if the business climate wasn’t paralyzed by political uncertainty, the costs of ObamaCare and America’s outdated tax code. Congressman Kevin Brady also addresses how government bureaucrats need to spend less on travel, quack medicine spending at the National Institutes of Health and how the Air Force is grounding officers close to retirement.
Finally, he shares his thoughts on silly new state laws for 2012 and why Americans in a recent poll were more likely to support those with free market solutions that Occupy Wall Street protests against income inequality.
Archive:
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MMM 7-2-12 ( 07/02/12 06:21 AM PST )
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MMM 06-04-12 ( 06/03/12 07:38 AM PST )
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KB MMM 05-07-12 ( 05/06/12 03:19 PM PST )
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03-05-2012 ( 03/02/12 01:02 PM PST )