Blog Archives
Congress to Open with Reading of the Constitution
The Washington Times reports that the 112th Congress will commence with a reading of the U.S. Constitution. This is great news, as it reminds Congress of the principles of limited government.
Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) proposed the reading:
“It stems from the debate that we’ve had for the last two years about things like the exercise of authority in a whole host of different areas by the EPA, we’ve had this debate in relation to the health care bill, the cap-and-trade legislation,” said Rep. Robert W. Goodlatte, Virginia Republican, who proposed the reading. “This Congress has been very aggressive in expanding the power of the federal government, and there’s been a big backlash to that.”
This is a good move on behalf of the new majority in Congress. Hopefully, they will not stray from these principles.
Now is the Time for Real Leadership
Guest Post by Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.)
Today, the American people are facing one of the most challenging times in our nation’s history. Our economy remains sluggish, people fear losing their jobs and their homes, andmany are worried about the future their children and grandchildren will inherit. They are deeplyconcerned about the outlook for our great country and wonder if their children will grow up inthe same America they did. People are looking for real solutions to the problems we face.
While the Democrats in Congress have responded to the current economic crisis withunprecedented levels of spending, government intrusion in the private sector, and expansionof the federal government, these actions have only exacerbated the problem. These recklesspolicies have done little to create jobs, leaving our unemployment rate hovering near ten percent,but have certainly saddled our children and grandchildren with debt that is not their own.
The American people are hurting and so nothing is more important to me than ensuringthe future growth of our economy. The time is now for a renewed commitment to the people andthe fundamental principles that made our country great.
A few weeks ago House Republicans released our “Pledge to America”, which is theresult of our conversations with everyday Americans, like many of my constituents here in theSixth District of Virginia. If we in Congress work hand in hand with the American people we canchange the way business is done in Washington by enacting commonsense legislation.
In this new governing agenda, House Republicans pledge to the American people tobegin work immediately on five major policy goals and propose specific legislative initiativeswithin each broader area. These goals include: to create jobs, end economic uncertainty and make America more competitive; to stop out-of-control spending and reduce the size ofgovernment; to repeal and replace the government takeover of health care; to reform Congressand restore trust; and to keep our nation secure at home and abroad.
The American people are demanding accountability and results and that is what House Republicans are offering. I invite everyone to take the time to visit the website pledge.gop.gov. There you will have the opportunity to read the entire text of the Pledge, including our specific legislative proposals.
I am as committed as ever to the principles and priorities of accountability, limitedgovernment, low taxes, fiscal restraint, energy independence, border security, a strong nationaldefense, personal responsibility and economic prosperity and I will continue to be a leader inaddressing these important issues. We have much work to do, and I look forward to workingwith you to set America back on track toward a prosperous and free future.
Americans Are Asking “Where are the Jobs?”
Guest Post by Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.)
Just two weeks ago the Bureau of Labor Statistics released the latest unemployment numbers and once again it was more bad news. The national unemployment rate is at 9.6 percent, with 95,000 jobs lost in the month of September alone. With joblessness topping 9.5 percent for the past fourteen months in a row, it is the longest such stretch since the Great Depression. Despite this alarming announcement, the Congress continues to pursue an agenda that will further threaten the American economy. While Americans are asking “Where are the jobs?,” the Majority in Congress continues to demonstrate that they do not appreciate how private sector jobs are created.
Twenty months ago President Obama signed into law the trillion dollar “stimulus” bill on the promise that it would create jobs immediately and keep unemployment below eight percent. The “stimulus” bill has failed to create robust private sector jobs. It certainly proves that the Democrats policies of higher taxes, runaway spending, government takeovers and record debt are having a chilling effect on the nation’ s small businesses, the economic engine of our economy.
I am committed to finding real solutions to address our nation’ s unemployment crisis. The first thing we must do is remove barriers to employment including the threat of higher taxes, new government regulations and costly mandates. It is common-sense that you should not raise costs and taxes on employers at a time when unemployment is at record levels. By stopping the looming tax increases it would allow working families to keep more money in their pockets, encourage investment and provide financial relief for America’ s small businesses. It would also provide immediate certainty for American job creators so they can hire new workers with the confidence that a higher tax bill is not on the way.
In addition, we must restore confidence in America’ s economic future by restraining federal spending. This would allow banks who are financing the debt to invest in more productive activities, like small business growth to help turn our economy around. Other common-sense solutions for job-growth including reforming the unemployment system to help those out of work find jobs, increasing the education and training of our workforce, and removing unnecessary barriers to domestic energy production. Energy independence by itself could create millions of American jobs with a national goal of reaching energy independence from foreign oil.
The American people want to see an end to the economic uncertainty and a plan to create jobs. Congress must abandon its job-killing, tax-and-spend policies and instead focus on real solutions that will grow our economy, create jobs and get Americans back to work.
To contact me about this or any other matter, please visit my website at www.goodlatte.house.gov.
Rooting Out Corruption in Our Judicial System
Guest Post by Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.)
It is a rare occasion when the U.S. Congress impeaches a federal judge and removes the accused from the bench. Indeed, only 15 federal judges have been impeached by the House of Representatives in our nation’s history. However, when evidence emerges that an individual is abusing his judicial office for his own advantage, the integrity of the judicial system becomes compromised, and the Congress has the duty to investigate the matter and take the appropriate actions to end the abuse and restore confidence in the judicial system.
Earlier this week a special U.S. Senate committee began the impeachment hearing of Judge G. Thomas Porteous, Jr., of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. As the Ranking Member of the House Task Force on Judicial Impeachment I serve as one of the lead prosecutors and have been presenting the case for Judge Porteous’s removal. Our case is based on four articles of impeachment, which charge Judge Porteous with intentionally making materially false statements and representations under penalty of perjury, engaging in a corrupt kickback scheme, soliciting and accepted unlawful gifts, and intentionally misleading the Senate during his confirmation proceedings.
Specifically, the four articles of impeachment charge that while on the federal bench, Judge Porteous refused to recuse himself from a case when he had previously engaged in a corrupt kickback scheme with the attorneys representing the defense; that he later took thousands of dollars in cash from those same attorneys while the case was pending; that he took gifts from a bail bondsman in exchange for granting favorable bond rates for him and then improperly expunged the records of two of the bail bondsman’s employees, one after he was confirmed by the Senate to be a federal judge; that he lied to a bankruptcy court when he filed for bankruptcy and then violated a bankruptcy court order mandating that he not incur further debt; and that he made materially false statements to the U.S. Senate and FBI during his confirmation process.
It is not a pleasant task to impeach a federal judge, yet when a judge abuses his office, it becomes necessary to take the appropriate action in order to restore the confidence of the American people in the judicial system. The Constitution gives the House of Representatives the power and responsibility to impeach federal judges and the Senate the power to remove the accused from office after a fair and impartial hearing. These are powers that Congress utilizes only in cases involving very serious allegations of misconduct. In every step along the way from the thorough investigation by the Task Force on Judicial Impeachment to the hearings held by the House Judiciary Committee and the evidentiary hearing in the Senate, we in Congress have worked in a bipartisan fashion to uncover the truth in order to root out corruption in our judicial system.
Americans Want Commonsense Health Care Reform
Guest Post by Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.)
Over the last few weeks I conducted a series of in-person town hall meetings and telephone town hall meetings throughout the 6th Congressional District. These meetings allowed me the opportunity to speak with thousands of my constituents and answer their questions. It is clear that the recently enacted “health care reform” law continues to be of great concern to a majority of Americans.
This sweeping health care reform law, pushed by Congressional Democrats and signed into law by President Obama a few months ago, will dramatically impact every family, taxpayer and small business in America. As I have said time and time again, this monstrosity, which I voted against, amounts to a big government takeover of our health care system – one that will lead to fewer choices, higher prices and rationed care. Furthermore, the bill creates more than 150 new government agencies and programs at a cost of well over $2.5 trillion.
In addition to mandating that folks have health insurance, the government-run plan included in the law, will force millions out of the coverage they currently have. In fact, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has estimated that 8-9 million people will be dumped from their employer sponsored coverage.
To pay for this massive new government expansion, the legislation contains a total of $569 billion in devastating new tax increases imposed on individuals and small businesses. This will result in millions of lost jobs as small businesses are forced to take money from salaries to pay new taxes. In addition, the legislation would cut Medicare for our nation’s seniors by over $500 billion.
Americans are frustrated by rising health care costs, and that is why we in Congress should have had the opportunity to work in a bipartisan way to cut health insurance costs and make health care better, more available, and more affordable for all Americans.
House Republicans continue to offer solutions that will empower patients with choices, make high quality coverage more affordable, and protect and preserve the doctor-patient relationship. I strongly support a proposal that will achieve these goals. Unlike the Democrats’ plan, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office confirmed that the plan offered by House Republicans would lower premiums by up to 10 percent and reduce the deficit by $68 billion over 10 years, all without imposing tax increases on families and small businesses and while improving the quality of your health care. The Republican proposal allows for the purchase of health insurance across state lines, allows individuals and small businesses to join large pools to get more competitive rates, provides malpractice reform to cut down the high cost of defensive medicine, allows full tax deductibility of health insurance premiums, portability of health insurance, and protection against pre-existing condition exclusions.
I intend to continue working to repeal the new health care law that kills jobs, raises taxes, threatens seniors’ access to care, will cause millions of people to lose the coverage they have and like, and increases the cost of health care coverage. It must be replaced with commonsense reforms that lower health care costs and empower patients.
To contact me about this or any other matter, please visit my website at www.goodlatte.house.gov.
Massive Tax Increases Will Hit All Americans
Guest Post by Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.)
More than 7 million jobs have been lost in the last three years and over 3 million of those jobs have been lost since the President signed the so-called stimulus bill into law last year. Unfortunately, these are numbers that the American people are all too familiar with and yet the Congress continues to pursue an agenda that will further threaten American job creators. While Americans are asking “Where are the jobs?”, the Majority in Congress continues to demonstrate that they do not understand the priorities of our constituents or appreciate how private sector jobs are created.
It is clear: the policies of higher taxes, runaway spending, government takeovers and record debt which have become commonplace in Washington these days are having a chilling effect on the nation’s small businesses, the economic engine of our economy. From the so-called stimulus bill to the government takeover of our health care system and the threat of higher taxes and massive deficit spending, these policies have further hindered the creation of private sector jobs.
Unfortunately, just a little over four months from now, Democrats will impose further tax increases on American families and small businesses who are already struggling to make ends meet. According to the non-partisan Joint Committee on Taxation, unless the $3.8 trillion tax hike, which will take effect on January 1, 2011, is prevented every American income taxpayer will face higher rates. Specifically, 88 million taxpayers will pay an average of $503 in higher taxes due to the elimination of the ten percent bracket, 35 million married couples will pay an average of $595 in higher taxes due to a reinstatement of the marriage penalty, 31 million families will pay an average of $1,033 in higher taxes due to a reduction in the child tax credit, the death tax will soar to 55 percent, and 94 percent of small businesses will see their tax bills increase as well.
At the same time that millions of Americans are confronted with these oppressive tax hikes, they will also be faced with the first round of tax increases that are part of the new health care reform law. This monstrosity includes over 20 new taxes or tax increases which total $569 billion in additional taxes on individuals and employers.
As if all of this isn’t devastating enough, more than 25 million taxpayers will be ensnared by the Alternative Minimum Tax and higher taxes will be levied on investments starting January 1, 2011.
The last thing our economy needs is crushing tax increases. Instead Congress must focus on policies that allow individuals and businesses to keep more of their hard-earned tax dollars, which would encourage investment and provide financial relief for America’s small businesses. Most importantly Congress must send a clear message to our nation’s job creators that they can hire new workers with the confidence that a higher tax bill is not on the way.
I remain committed to working to stop these massive tax increases on small businesses and working families that will have a devastating impact on job creation and our struggling economy. I will continue working to enact responsible legislation which puts money back into the hands of those who can really turn our economy around – the American people and small businesses.
To contact me about this or any other matter, please visit my website at www.goodlatte.house.gov
Special House Session Reveals Another Bailout
Just what our country needed…another bailout. Thanks to the Democrats in Congress who ignored the wishes of their constituents by voting for H.R. 1568, a no-name bill that will dump borrowed dollars into the states. Tertium Quids reports that this bill was used to prevent teacher and public safety worker layoffs. Additionally, the House also voted to let the lame duck session (the session from Election Day to December) continue as planned, blocking a resolution proposed by Republicans that would eliminate this session to prevent House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s agenda from moving forward.
How did Virginia’s Congressional Delegation vote:
H.R. 1586:
Voting YEA Connolly, Nye, Perriello, Moran, Scott, Boucher
Voting NO Forbes, Goodlatte, Wolf, Cantor, Wittman
Blocking Lame Duck:
Voting for Lame Duck: Connolly, Perriello, Boucher, Moran, Scott
Voting to block Lame Duck: Nye, Forbes, Goodlatte, Wolf, Cantor, Wittman
Sounds to me that voters should remember those voting in favor of H.R. 1586 (continuing to drive America further into debt) and Lame Duck.
Reducing Government Spending is Essential to Job Creation
Guest Post by Rep. Bob Goodlatte
Folks all across our nation are worried. They worry if their job is still going to be around in six months. They worry about what will happen to their families, their children, and their homes if their employer shuts down and they find themselves out of work. Unfortunately, too many people are facing this situation today with nationwide unemployment hovering around ten percent.
The Democratic leaders in Washington promised the American people that if we passed a stimulus bill we would be able to strengthen our economy and create jobs. But in the 18 months since that monstrosity was passed by Congress, we have lost 2.6 million private sector jobs, unemployment has increased by almost two percent, and we have added trillions of dollars to our national debt. Bailouts, massive government spending, out of control deficits, federal takeovers, and more bureaucratic interference is not the solution to the difficulties we face today. As President Ronald Reagan said in his first inaugural address “government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.”
To spur economic growth, create new jobs and bring personal opportunity to every American we must strengthen our free market system, not hamper it. We must reduce government intrusion, not allow more bailouts and takeovers. We must give our nation’s entrepreneurial spirit the opportunity to thrive, not enact policies that will forever alter our ability to seek prosperity.
Out of control spending, skyrocketing deficits, and massive growth in government programs have increased economic uncertainty and prolonged our unemployment crisis. Yet, the Majority in Congress is already preparing to pass, without my support, a $26 billion bailout bill which will increase taxes on American businesses and once again expand the size and scope of the federal government. Americans need jobs, not another failed bailout. With businesses already struggling to make ends meet, further tax increases will only add to that burden. The federal government should focus on cutting spending and reducing the deficit, not finding more ways to spend taxpayer’s dollars. That’s why I have introduced legislation that would force the federal government to balance its budget.
The President and the Democratic Leadership in Congress believe their big government programs can better grow our economy and create jobs than the free market system that has made America the most prosperous nation on earth. They are also preparing massive tax increases. We simply cannot afford any more of these tax and spend job killing policies in the private sector. We must find ways to create new jobs and expand opportunities and that remains my top priority. As a member of the House Republican Economic Recovery Solutions Group, I am committed to finding real solutions to our nation’s unemployment crisis. We must remove barriers to employment including the threat of higher taxes, additional government regulations, and costly mandates.
To contact me about this or any other matter, please visit my website at www.goodlatte.house.gov.
A Fiscally Responsible Budget
Guest Post by Congressman Bob Goodlatte
This week House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer announced that, in fact, the House Democrats will not produce a federal budget resolution for fiscal year 2011. This marks the first time since the passage of the Budget Act of 1974 that the House of Representatives has failed to pass an initial budget, setting the spending priorities for the following fiscal year. What does this mean for American taxpayers? Since it is the budget at the beginning of the year that sets the limits for federal spending, Americans can expect to see even more out-of-control spending coming from Washington.
As Congress continues to spend at a near-record pace, the federal government has amassed $935 billion in deficit spending (amount that government spending exceeds the revenues coming in) in the first months of the current fiscal year with the annual deficit approaching last year’s record $1.4 trillion. These figures are staggering but with no budget resolution to force Congress to make the tough but necessary choices the spending spree will continue.
In stark contrast to the Democrats’ out-of-control government spending, I am pleased to support a fiscally responsible budget resolution which reflects Washington’s need to make tough decisions about spending priorities, cut wasteful programs, and respect taxpayers’ wallets. This alternative budget resolution, which was offered by members of the Republican Study Committee (RSC), balances the federal budget and achieves a surplus by 2019. The RSC budget proposes $6.4 trillion less debt than President Obama’s budget.
This alternative budget targets wasteful spending by requiring each committee to find savings equal to one percent of total mandatory spending under its jurisdiction. Additionally, the RSC budget resolution repeals the failed Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) which was the program designed to bailout financial institutions. By repealing the program it would save American taxpayers $36 billion. The RSC budget repeals the expensive government takeover of our health care system which recently became law and replaces it with important measures to reduce health care costs like medical liability reform and the freedom to purchase healthcare across state lines. It includes additional measures aimed at cutting unnecessary spending such as ending the taxpayer funding of presidential campaigns, reforming food stamp spending and selling a small percentage of federal assets.
As elected officials and stewards of the taxpayer’s money, we have a responsibility to put together a sustainable budget and stick to it without increasing the tax burden. I have consistently supported measures to rein in the federal budget and curb spending by voting for the tightest budgets and spending bills possible. Again this year I am a strong supporter of the RSC budget resolution which will set us on the path to balancing our federal budget and restoring fiscal responsibility to Washington.
To contact me about this or any other matter, please visit my website at www.goodlatte.house.gov.
Let Your Voice Be Heard
Guest Post by Congressman Bob Goodlatte
Today, the American people are facing one of the most challenging times in our nation’s history. Our economy remains sluggish, people fear losing their jobs and their homes, and many are worried about the future their children and grandchildren will inherit. They are deeply concerned about the outlook for our great country and wonder if their children will grow up in the same America they did. People are looking for solutions to the problems we face.
The Majority in Congress has responded to the outcry of concern by the American people by raising taxes, increasing federal spending at an unsustainable pace, allowing our national debt to spiral out of control, and passing legislation that gives the federal government more control of our daily lives. They have spent trillions on bailouts and stimulus packages to help grow our economy, but all it has done is increase our debt and the size of the federal bureaucracy while leaving our nation’s unemployment rate hovering around ten percent.
The American people have lost trust and confidence in their elected representatives and the time is now for a renewed commitment to the people. From town hall meetings in communities across the country to rallies on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, the American people have stated clearly that they oppose the policies that Congress has forced on us.
Republicans understand that the American people are demanding real solutions with real results. This week House Republicans launched a new online forum, AmericaSpeakingOut.com, where folks from all over our nation can log-on and share their thoughts and suggestions for the future of our country. AmericaSpeakingout.com is a fully interactive, one of a kind website that allows you to talk about your own ideas while also commenting on the ideas of others. This new site represents the start of a national dialogue that aims to bring the halls of Congress into American homes.
Over the coming weeks and months, we will gather the comments, suggestions and priorities submitted on the AmericaSpeakingOut.com site and build an agenda that reflects the priorities of the American people. Hundreds of thousands of Americans from all over our country have already logged on to share their thoughts since we launched the site just a few days ago. If we in Congress work hand in hand with the American people we can change the way business is done in Washington by enacting commonsense legislation.
I understand the serious problems our nation faces. Ten percent unemployment is unacceptable. A national debt spiraling out of control is unacceptable. Runaway spending and the failure to even pass a budget is unacceptable. The American people are demanding accountability and results and that is what House Republicans are offering. Please take the time to visit AmericanSpeakingOut.com and let your voice be heard.
To contact me about this or any other matter, please visit my website at www.goodlatte.house.gov.
