Rokita Report 11-20-12: Russia Trade Bill Helps Hoosier Economy

Rep. Todd Rokita

Nov 21, 2012

Dear Friend,

Thank you for the opportunity to update you on the work of the 112th Congress. I trust this finds you and your family well.

For daily updates, please take a moment to "Like" my Facebook page by clicking here: .

Every year, Thanksgiving provides us with an opportunity to step back and express our gratitude for all the many blessings we enjoy. I am especially thankful this year for my wife Kathy and our boys, Teddy and Ryan, who bring me so much joy. I am also thankful to serve the people of Indiana in Congress – it is a tremendous honor and a great privilege. I hope that this week, as you gather with your loved ones, you’ll take a few moments to give thanks for our freedom and for the many other blessings we enjoy as Hoosiers and as Americans.

Last Week (Nov. 11 - Nov. 17)

Last week, Congress was back in session. The House considered legislation to streamline claims processing for federal contractors, and to establish Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) with Russia and Moldova. Read below to find out how the PNTR bill, which I cosponsored, would directly benefit Hoosier workers and job creators.

For a full list of all legislation considered this week, you can review the Majority Leader’s Weekly Schedule.

Key Votes on the House Floor Last Week:
Russia and Moldova Jackson-Vanik Repeal Act (H.R. 6156)

This bill, which I cosponsored, would establish Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) with Russia and Moldova. Indiana employers of all types have strongly supported this effort – including the American Farm Bureau Federation, National Pork Producers Council, Eli Lilly and Company, Caterpillar, Inc., General Motors Company, and Zimmer, Inc.

The bill will increase opportunities for American goods and services in the Russian marketplace, and will finally allow American workers to compete on a level playing field with other workers in the world market. In addition to opening Russia up to American-made goods, this agreement would finally require Russia to agree to and comply with international trade rules. Now, it’s time for the Senate to act on this bipartisan jobs bill. Click here for more information on this important bill.

Passed with bipartisan support: 365-43. I voted Yea.

Streamlining Claims Processing for Federal Contractor Employees Act (H.R. 6371)
This bill would reduce bureaucracy and ensure workers receive their compensation in a more timely manner by moving responsibility for wage claims adjustments from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to the Department of Labor.

Passed with bipartisan support: 361-3. I voted Yea.

Constituent Work Period Highlights

Over the past several weeks, I enjoyed many opportunities to meet with Hoosiers all across the district. Some of the highlights included:

• Joining Gov. Mitch Daniels and other state and local officials at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Lafayette-to-Delphi segment of the Hoosier Heartland Highway, and helping lead the ceremonial caravan in my 1973 Corvette:

• Hosting members of the Montgomery County business community at a business roundtable in Crawfordsville, where we discussed the drivers of our debt, the tax hike looming at the end of this year, and ways to reform our tax code:

• Visiting with Rotary Clubs in Danville, Brownsburg and Plainfield to talk with them about spending and debt, and to challenge them to get out of their comfort zones and talk boldly with their friends, neighbors, and fellow citizens about the future of this republic:

• Speaking to management and human resources employees at Meritor’s North American Site Management and Human Resources Management Summit about labor and workforce issues:

• Speaking with the Indiana Automotive Council, a collaboration between industry, government and higher education that exists to grow and promote Indiana’s automotive industry, about the looming “fiscal cliff” and the need for comprehensive tax reform:

• And of course, taking Teddy and Ryan trick-or-treating, dressed in their cow costumes:

In Case You Missed It

WBAA – Congressman Todd Rokita on fiscal cliff

Fox59 - As clock ticks down, Hoosier pleads for life of Afghan man who helped U.S. forces

IndyStar – Rokita Op-Ed: The real facts about debt, entitlements

Rokita Readings
A clickable offering of books and articles that I've read recently and highly recommend, as we strive together to "Keep the Republic."

In a recent column titled, “It’s the Welfare State, Stupid,” columnist Robert Samuelson highlights the key questions I’ve been asking during my first two years in Congress as I’ve helped lead a national “family conversation” on debt and entitlement reform.

Samuelson summarizes a recent study showing that wealth redistribution in the form of entitlement payments now amount to nearly 20 percent of the U.S. economy. Samuelson also correctly notes that bringing the budget into long-term balance can’t be achieved by higher taxes on the rich or even by cutting spending. “It requires controlling the welfare state,” he says.

He also lists some of the main questions we must ask about the purpose of entitlement programs: “Who deserves support? How much? How long? How much compassion can society afford?” Citing the example of a well-off elderly couple that likely receives tens of thousands of dollars in annual Social Security payments, he shows that Social Security has strayed far from its original purpose and makes a good case for means-testing, so that benefits could be reserved for those who truly need them.

Finally he highlights the dangers posed by the unchecked growth of the welfare state, including undermining work incentives and devaluing the ethic of “earned success.” Samuelson asks all the right questions about debt and entitlements, and I commend his column to you.

Thank you for your continued interest in Congress and for supporting my efforts in Washington. Take care.

Sincerely,