-- Randy’s Roundup --

A Weekly Newsletter from Congressman Randy Neugebauer

September 12, 2011

Commemorating the Tenth Anniversary of the 9/11 Attacks

Yesterday, I attended various events commemorating the tenth anniversary of 9/11. I was honored to be among first responders, military men and women, and their families on such an historic day. During all three events, we paid homage to those we lost, the families they left behind, and the bravery of the first responders who tirelessly put the lives of others before their own. We were ruthlessly attacked on September 11, 2001 by terrorists who weren’t just attacking our buildings, but attacking the very spirit of our great country. We were reminded of a valuable lesson on September 11th, that freedom is never free.

Last Friday, the House passed, by unanimous consent, H.Res. 391, a resolution marking the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001. The House renewed its solemn vow to “never forget” what happened on September 11, 2001.

I want to remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice that day, and thank those who fight every day for the security of Americans at home and abroad. Words cannot express how much their service is appreciated.  They are inspiring, humbling and make me proud to be an American.

President Obama’s American Jobs Act

Last Wednesday, President Obama spoke to a Joint Session of Congress to lay out his vision for a new jobs plan for our country. The President asked Congress to support his American Jobs Act, a proposal that is estimated to include nearly $450 billion more federal government spending and more debt. Clearly, President Obama still hasn’t gotten the message that Americans simply do not want more spending. A second “stimulus” plan is not the solution the people of West Texas and the Big Country are looking for, and I will not support a bill that drives up federal deficits and does nothing to offer long-term certainty in the economy. Giving economic freedom and confidence back to job creators is the only way to get America back on track and provide a more stable economic situation for future generations.

Texas Wildfires Continue

Saturday, President Obama declared that a major disaster exists in the State of Texas and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by the latest round of wildfires that began on August 30, 2011. I’m pleased the President signed this declaration that will offer warranted federal assistance to Texans who have lost so much from the drought and the resulting wildfires.  This declaration will bring assistance to some affected areas immediately while FEMA continues to survey other parts of the state that may also qualify for assistance. Farmers and ranchers all over Texas are struggling to raise crops and livestock this year, which will have a massive effect not only on their livelihoods, but the entire economy of Texas.  I pray that rain will return to Texas soon and put an end to this historic drought.

“Raising Taxes to Pay for Public Insurance is a Drag on the Economy”

In a recent New England Journal of Medicine study, two Harvard professors explain “raising taxes to pay for public insurance exerts a structural drag on the economy even if the revenue is spent on care…Deficit spending on health care also carries an economic cost:  taxes are required to pay back any borrowed money (with interest), and rising debt-to-GDP ratios may have calamitous effects on the country’s future ability to borrow. Moreover, increased spending on health care is not necessarily good for the economy even if it increases health care employment: spending on low-value health care diverts resources from other uses that could do more to boost the GDP and create jobs.”

This is further proof that the new health care law, commonly known as ObamaCare, needs to be repealed and replaced with real reform that provides more affordable solutions to improve health care access and costs without diminishing the quality of care.  I will continue to work toward repeal and will support all legislation that will abolish this job-killing law.

Question of the Week

“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?”

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 agree that our nation’s debt crisis is a national security threat for the United States?”

Yes – 94%
No – 4%
Undecided – 1%

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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.