-- Randy’s Roundup --

A Weekly Newsletter from Congressman Randy Neugebauer

September 19, 2011

President Obama’s New Deficit Reduction Plan is Nothing New

Today, President Obama announced his $3 trillion proposal to cut the nation’s deficit.  He will send his recommendations to the Congressional Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, commonly known as the “Super Committee”, which is charged with finding a plan to reduce the deficit by $1.5 trillion before the end of this year. The President’s plan is expected to include $1.5 trillion in higher taxes over the next ten years, as well as other cuts in mandatory spending. Neither the President’s deficit-reduction plan nor his jobs bill have been introduced as legislation in the House of Representatives yet.

Unfortunately, President Obama’s view of the deficit, government spending and taxes is fundamentally flawed. For our economy and businesses to grow, America’s businesses need certainty, not higher taxes. We need to find long-term solutions that will not only reduce the deficit, but will reduce the burden of taxes on hard-working Americans. The federal government does not have a revenue problem, it has a spending problem; taking more money from American families will not solve our problems until we stop out-of-control government spending in Washington.

Sustainable Development

Over the last several years, the term ‘sustainable development’ has been increasingly tied to policy discussions. Democrats in Congress have been pushing new laws and regulations in efforts to reduce greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide. Some believe the American way of life and resulting carbon dioxide emissions is causing unstoppable climate change, and can only be mitigated if we immediately adopt policies that will reduce our carbon dioxide output. In the 111th Congress, Democrats forced a bill through the House of Representatives that was referred to as ‘Cap and Trade.’ I voted against this bill because I thought many of its regulations and policies would have been detrimental to our economy, and this Administration continues to use the EPA to push policies that would damage our economy.

There are many research efforts that aim to find new forms of energy or ways to reduce our country’s energy consumption overall. Energy comes at a cost, and the less energy a business consumes, the less cost it has. As a small business owner, I made market-driven decisions based on the cost of energy. My decisions often limited energy usage, but were not the result of a mandate forced on me by government-driven, bureaucratic energy-rationing. As our nation competes in a global economy, it is important for America to continue pursuing innovative ideas that allow us to do more with fewer resources. However, I will continue to vote against senseless ‘sustainable development’ initiatives or mandates in Congress that put American jobs at risk and prevent small businesses from making the most economical decisions.

Constitution Day

Saturday, September 17th, was Constitution Day. On this day, I contemplated the changes our country has been through since the Constitution was adopted in 1787, and what our Founding Fathers intended. The Constitution is not a guideline that we only abide by when it is convenient. It is a living document relevant to our lives today. If Americans don’t look to the Constitution for guidance, its significance would be lost and our nation will suffer. As a United States Congressman, I am bound by oath to support the Constitution, and I will continue to look to it, and to God, for direction.

Hispanic Heritage Month

From September 15th to October 15th, the United States celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month to recognize the contributions of Hispanic and Latin Americans to the United States and celebrate Hispanic cultural heritage and Hispanic culture. The United States has always been a “melting pot” for different cultures, languages and histories. One of the reasons our country is so great is because it provides an opportunity for immigrants to work hard and become successful to benefit their families, their communities and our country as a whole.

Texans are especially aware of Hispanic and Latin American influence and culture in our country. This month, I hope you’ll join me in celebrating the diverse perspective Hispanic culture brings to our state and our country.

Question of the Week

“The Palestinian Authority plans to propose a resolution at the United Nations on September 23rd that would recognize an independent Palestinian state. Would you support this resolution, which would effectively change the course of Middle East peace negotiations?”

Please visit my website to submit your answer to this week's question.

Thank you for your continuing responses to our "Question of the Week." Here are the results from last week's question:

"Do you have confidence in the new deficit-cutting super committee, which has been tasked to write legislation that will reduce the deficit by $1.5 trillion over the next decade before the end of this year?”

Yes – 2%
No – 95%
Undecided – 2%

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As always, when events unfold in Washington, I will be sure to update you. Please forward the Roundup to anyone who might enjoy hearing updates from DC, and sign up for mobile updates by texting RANDY to GOPGOV (467468). In the meantime, do not hesitate to visit my website, call my office toll free district wide at (888) 763-1611 or call my Washington, DC office at 202-225-4005.