Congressman David Rivera’s Week in Review: Week of June 25th

Miami, Fla.- Congressman David Rivera (FL-25) was in Washington, DC last week.

Congressman Rivera: Time to Fully Repeal the Job-Killing, Tax-Hiking Health Care Law

Congressman Rivera released the following statement on Thursday regarding the ruling by the United States Supreme Court on the Affordable Care Act.

“The Supreme Court’s decision today underscores a track record of broken promises by President Obama. When the President was campaigning for office four years ago he promised not to raise taxes on America’s working families. A year later he insisted that the individual mandate in his job-killing health care law was not a tax. Today’s ruling proves otherwise.

“The job-killing health care law places a heavy burden on job creators and American families. The law imposes new taxes on the American people, wildly grows federal spending and impedes hiring— things we can ill-afford as our national debt nears $16 trillion and the unemployment rate has been at eight percent or more for 40 consecutive months. This irresponsible bill imposes onerous costs and regulations on small businesses, guts benefits for seniors and the disabled and leaves future generations holding the bag.

“It is in the best interest of our nation’s economy to repeal the job-killing health care law and replace it with common sense reforms that address what is wrong with the health insurance system in America. We must pass legislation that lower costs and protect American jobs, not threaten them. We must move toward a system that welcomes patient choice and flexibility, instead of more government involvement, by ensuring Americans the ability to make medical decisions without bureaucratic interference.

“It is time to fully repeal the job-killing, tax-hiking health care law and to implement lasting health care reform that gets Washington out of the way and gives Americans control over their medical decisions.”

Congressman Rivera: Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act Accomplishes Important Objectives in Responsible Way

Congressman Rivera released the following statement after the House approved the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act Friday.

“The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act was approved with an overwhelming bipartisan majority in the House of Representatives today because it accomplishes important objectives in a responsible way.  This legislative package keeps interest rates on student loans low for another year and reauthorizes the National Flood Insurance Program—giving peace of mind to many of my constituents.  The bill also implements enhancements and consolidation measures to streamline our nation’s transportation programs and give state and local governments more control over their funds.  Most importantly, the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act is fully paid for and does not raise taxes on the American people.”

Rep. Rivera: SCOTUS Decision Regarding University Travel Ban to Terrorist States a Victory for FL Taxpayers

Congressman Rivera released the following statement on Monday regarding the United States Supreme Court’s decision to not hear an appeal regarding the Travel to Terrorist States Act, which prohibits private colleges and universities from using state funds, and public colleges and universities from using any funds to plan, organize or implement travel to countries designated as State Sponsors of Terrorism by the U.S. State Department.

Currently, Cuba, Iran, Sudan and Syria are designated as State Sponsors of Terrorism.  Congressman Rivera sponsored the Travel to Terrorist States Act in the Florida House of Representatives in 2006.

“Today’s Supreme Court decision is a victory for Florida taxpayers.  The Travel to Terrorist States Act was passed unanimously by the Florida legislature and upheld by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.  By denying another appeal on this case, the Supreme Court sends a clear message that the Florida legislature, the people’s elected representatives, has the right to decide how the state’s taxpayer dollars are spent and how they should not be spent.  Floridians do not want their money or publicly-funded resources to be utilized for travel to terrorist nations, or to enrich terrorist regimes.”

Notable Meeting: FIU President Rosenberg, DC Summer Interns

Congressman Rivera joined his colleagues Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Congressman Mario Diaz Balart and Congresswoman Frederica Wilson for a meeting on Wednesday with Florida International University President Mark Rosenberg and FIU students. The students are interning on Capitol Hill this summer on Capitol Hill, at federal agencies, with non-profit organizations and in the private sector.  These Worlds Ahead students are forming new professional relationships and expanding FIU’s profile in our nation’s capital. 

Notable Meetings: University of Florida Student Government Leaders

Congressman Rivera met with University of Florida Student Government leaders on Wednesday, including Student Body President TJ Villamil, Student Body Vice President Sabine Justilien, Student Body Treasurer Juan Rodriguez, Student Senate President Aundre Price, Student Senate President Pro-Tempore Logan Harrison, Student Senate Budget and Appropriations Chair Christina Bonarrigo and Director of External Affairs Billy Vranish.  The Gator student leaders were in Washington as part of an annual trip to meet with members of Florida’s Congressional delegation. 

Congressman Rivera and the UF group spoke about higher education issues, including student loans interest rates. 

Notable Meetings: Miami-Dade County Agriculture

Congressman Rivera met with Miami-Dade County Deputy Mayor Chip Iglesias and Miami-Dade County Agricultural Manager Charles LaPradd, as well as avocado growers from Miami-Dade County.  The Congressman spoke with the growers and county representatives about the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, which is important to avocado growers in South Florida.  The APHIS is charged with protecting and promoting the health and value of American agriculture and natural resources. 

Notable Meetings: Florida Cable Telecommunications Association

Congressman Rivera met with representatives from the Florida Cable Telecommunications Association who were in Washington for the National Cable and Telecommunications Association key contact conference.  The NCTA was founded in 1952 and is the principal trade association of the cable industry in the United States.  The organization represents cable operations serving more than 90 percent of the nation’s cable television households.  The FCTA represents cable companies in Florida that serve more than five million customer homes bringing 24 hour programming as well as data and internet access through cable connections. 

Notable Votes: H.R. 4251- Securing Maritime Activities Through Risk-Based Targeting for Port Security Act

Congressman Rivera voted in favor of H.R. 4251, the Securing Maritime Activities Through Risk-Based Targeting for Port Security Act.  The bill seeks to authorize, enhance, and reform certain port security programs through increased efficiency and risk-based coordination within the Department of Homeland Security. 

Notable Votes: H.R. 4005- Gauging American Port Security (GAPS) Act

Congressman Rivera voted in favor of H.R. 4005, the Gauging American Port Security (GAPS) Act.  The GAPS Act directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a study of gaps in U.S. port security and to submit a classified report to Congress that includes a prioritization of such gaps and a plan for addressing them. 

Congressman Rivera has also taken votes to support legislation to create jobs and improve the economy, including:

H.R. 872: Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act

H.R. 910: Energy Tax Prevention Act

H.J.Res. 37: Disapproval of FCC’s Net Neutrality Regulations

H.R. 2018: Clean Water Cooperative Federalism Act

H.R. 1315: Consumer Financial Protection and Soundness Improvement Act

H.R. 2587: Protecting Jobs From Government Interference Act

H.R. 2401: Transparency in Regulatory Analysis of Impacts on the Nation Act

H.R. 2681: Cement Sector Regulatory Relief Act

H.R. 2250: EPA Regulatory Relief Act

H.R. 2273: Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act

H.R. 3094: Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act

H.R. 527: Regulatory Flexibility Improvement Act

H.R. 3010: Regulatory Accountability Act

H.R. 1904: Southeast Arizona Resource Utilization & Conservation Act

H.R. 1070: Small Company Capital Formation Act

H.R. 1965: Small Banks’ Access to Capital Act

H.R. 2930: Entrepreneur Access to Capital Act

H.R. 2940: Access to Capital for Job Creators Act

H.R. 3012: Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act

H.R. 1230: Restarting American Offshore Leasing Now Act

H.R. 1229: Putting the Gulf of Mexico Back to Work Act

H.R. 1231: Reversing President Obama’s Offshore Moratorium Act

H.R. 2021: Jobs and Energy Permitting Act

H.R. 1938: North American-Made Energy Security Act

H.Con.Res. 34: Budget for Fiscal Year 2012

H. Res. 516: Importance of Passing A Fiscal Year 2013 Federal Budget

H.R. 1173: Fiscal Responsibility and Retirement Security Act of 2011

H.R. 3567: Welfare Integrity Now for Children and Families Act

H.R. 3582: Pro-Growth Budgeting Act of 2011

H.R. 10: Regulations From the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2011

H.R. 3578: Baseline Reform Act of 2011

H.R. 3606: Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act

H.R. 436: Health Care Cost Reduction Act of 2012

For more information on these job creating measures and the House Republican Plan for America’s Job Creators, visit www.jobs.gop.gov.