Need To Know
Mar 16, 2011
Need To Know - Continuing Cuts
Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.J.Res. 48, the “Additional Continuing Appropriations Amendments, 2011.” I supported this legislation, which funds the federal government through April 8, 2011 and avoids a shutdown. This legislation maintains the pro-rated level of spending reductions – $2 billion per week – which keeps the government on pace to roll back spending to Fiscal Year 2008’s pre-stimulus, pre-bailout levels.
Mar 10, 2011
Need To Know - Preserve The Reserves
The White House continues to hint at tapping into the Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR) to ease the rise in gas prices. While the escalating price of oil creates hardship and threatens economic recovery, there can be no denial that the President’s energy policies are short-sighted and restrict the advancement of domestic oil production.
Feb 24, 2011
Need To Know - Reduce. Shrink. Reform.
Last week, after 90 hours of debate, I voted in support of H.R. 1, the “Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011.” I believe that Congress must act immediately to reduce federal spending, shrink the size of the federal government and reform the budget process to focus on long-term challenges.
Feb 17, 2011
Need To Know - Stimulus (Or Not)
Today marks the two year anniversary of the President’s so-called “stimulus” becoming law. During the divisive debate on this proposal, the White House promised lawmakers that the unemployment rate would not reach 8 percent if this plan were to be enacted. Now, forty-eight months later, Mississippians are facing 10 percent unemployment and, to boot, America has lost 2.5 million jobs.
Feb 15, 2011
Need To Know - Assistance? No Thanks.
I recently introduced a bill to eliminate the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) saving taxpayers approximately $14 million dollars a year.
Feb 11, 2011
Need To Know - Team Player
Yesterday, I introduced the “TEAM Act” which provides three separate legislative responses to better align existing federal programs providing publicly-funded systems and supports to focus on one uniform goal – ensuring that every youth with a significant disability has the opportunity, encouragement and support to become gainfully employed in an integrated setting, pursue a post-secondary education, and contribute to and engage in meaningful ways in typical community settings once they leave high school.
Feb 9, 2011
Need To Know - House Keeping
The U.S. House of Representatives will debate a resolution tomorrow directing ten House committees to inventory and review federal agency regulations that may hamper job creation and economic growth. Each year, over 60 federal agencies pass down thousands of new rules affecting every corner of our nation’s economy.
Jan 25, 2011
Need To Know - Back To The Future
With our nation’s future in mind, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution today that would cut non-security discretionary spending back to Fiscal Year 2008 levels for the final seven months of FY 2011. The Democratic-led 111th Congress failed to produce a FY 2011 budget leaving the new GOP Majority responsible for capping this year’s expenditures. Consequently, the House rules for the 112th Congress granted Budget Chairman Paul Ryan of Wisconsin the authority to set these levels.
Jan 19, 2011
Need To Know - "Politics Above Economics"
The so-called “Affordable Care Act” is nothing short of politics above economics. As a newly named Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, I delivered the following speech today on the House floor in support of legislation to repeal this carelessly crafted health care law. Republicans will work to replace this law with reforms focusing on decreasing costs and protecting middle-class jobs.
