Home Page Archive

Terry Comments on Roy Smith

 September 27, 2010

Congressman Lee Terry issued the following statement on businessman Roy Smith:

"Roy is a lifelong friend and mentor. His dedication to community service, race relations and literacy left a lasting impact on our city. He was near and dear to my heart and will be greatly missed."  

Terry Named 'Guardian of Small Business'

WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 23, 2010 – The National Federation of Independent Business, the nation’s leading small business association <http://www.nfib.com/> , today named U.S. Rep. Lee Terry (NE-02) a Guardian of Small Business for his outstanding voting record on behalf of America’s small business owners in the 111th Congress.
 
NFIB President and CEO Dan Danner praised Rep. Terry for “standing up for small business.”
 
In presenting the group’s coveted Guardian of Small Business award, Danner said:
 
“Small business owners pay close attention to how their lawmakers vote on the issues affecting their businesses. The Guardian award is a symbol of sincere appreciation from the small business community for votes that supported their ability to own, operate and grow their businesses.
 
“Small business owners are also known to show their gratitude or disappointment at the ballot box. This November, NFIB members will know that Rep. Terry’s voting record is one of a true small business champion.”
 
In all, NFIB will present Guardian awards to 202 representatives who voted favorably on key small business issues at least 70 percent of the time during the 111th Congress.
 
EDITOR'S NOTE: To view “How Congress Voted,” which has the key small business votes and voting percentages for each lawmaker, go to http://www.NFIB.com/hcv <http://www.nfib.com/hcv>

Terry Receives Tax Fighter Award

September 21, 2010

The National Tax Limitation Committee (NTLC) has honored Congressional Representative Lee Terry with its 111th Congress "Tax Fighter Award." NTLC President Lewis K. Uhler presented the award to Lee Terryin Washington, saying "Lee Terry’s votes on tax and spending issues in the 111th Congress earned an ‘A’ grade and the Tax Fighter Award.

"Lee Terry has led the battle on behalf of taxpayers to stop the passage of ObamaCare and cap-and-trade legislation, to make the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts permanent, to eliminate the death tax, to kill the Alternative Minimum Tax, to provide incentives for private savings, investment and job creation and to control the growth of federal spending.

"Lee Terry has been a major asset to taxpayers across America during his congressional service, having earned the Tax fighter Award consistently in every session of Congress. Lee Terry has had the courage to challenge the orthodoxy of Washington sp ending and earmarks," concluded Uhler.

Background information: Since 1975 the National Tax Limitation Committee, a 501(c)(4) grass roots taxpayer activist organization, has worked to limit taxes and spending and to reduce the size and scope of government at all levels. NTLC has led the national movement for constitutional tax and spending limits at the stat and federal levels. NTLC publishes a congressional scorecard at the conclusion of each Congress, as it has for more than a quarter-century.

Terry 9/11 Statement

September 10, 2010

“Nine years ago our country was rocked by an unimaginable act of terrorism.  The senseless tragedy that took the lives of thousands of innocent people will forever live in our memories.  We should continue to pray for the victims and their families, but know that terrorism will never defeat our great country.  Following the days after 9-11 the bravery and sacrifice shown by our first responders was amazing.  As we recognize ‘Patriot Day’, I encourage Nebraskans to spend a portion of their day giving back to their community and giving thanks to those who fight for our freedom every day.”

Terry Jobs Report Statement

September 3, 2010

 WASHINGTON- Congressman Lee Terry issued the following statement after the Department of Labor announced the unemployment rate rose to 9.6 percent:

"For the past 16 months American workers have suffered through an unemployment rate above 9 percent. Today’s disappointing numbers confirm that the economy has not improved. I’ve talked to many business owners who are not hiring because they’re concerned about the anti-business policies being implemented by the Administration and how the trillion-dollar stimulus missed the mark. We must change the culture in Washington to cut spending, lower taxes and offer incentives to businesses to help them grow and expand. These common sense principles will help put our country back on the road to recovery." 

New Credit Card Rules

August 30, 2010

New rules went into effect Sunday, August 22nd as part of the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act.  The Federal Reserve lays out all the provisions in this bill, you can learn more about the new rules here.

How to Put the Brakes on the New Health Care Bill

August 24, 2010

Over the past several months I have been asked many times how the new health care law can be repealed or significantly changed.  The short answer is the only way major changes can be made is if the House and Senate agree with approval of the President.  I have signed on to H.R. 4972, a bill that would repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.  While I do believe an outright appeal of the new law would be difficult, especially with Nancy Pelosi running the show, there are many other things that can be done to dismantle this misguided piece of legislation.  An article in today's Wall Street Journal lists six ways this legislation could be stopped.  Read the article here.

Terry Named 'Taxpayer Hero'

August 11, 2010

WASHINGTON- Congressman Lee Terry has been named ‘Taxpayer Hero’ by the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW) for the first session of the 111th Congress. Congressman Terry received a score of 80 percent in CCAGW’s 2009 Congressional Ratings.

"Uncontrolled spending in Washington has ballooned our national debt to a crisis level," said Congressman Lee Terry. "Fiscal discipline is not possible with the current spending frenzy going on by the Leadership in Congress right now. I am proud to be a consistent voice for less spending and keeping taxes low."

Congressmen Terry Votes 'NO' to State Bailout Bill

August 10, 2010

Today Congressman Lee Terry voted against H.R. 1586, the State Bailout Bill.

"Nebraska's school budgets are already set for this year, and we have been assured by our local school officials there will be no layoffs this year," said Congressman Lee Terry.  "There is also a question about whether these funds could be used next year.  This is a bailout bill pure and simple.  I strongly support education and teachers, but a large percentage of these taxpayer dollars are going to states that chose not to balance their budgets.  Very little of this money will trickle down to Nebraska, a state that has managed its money well.  This is federal spending that is going straight to the national deficit to the tune of $12.6 billion dollars.  We cannot continue to spend our way to better economic times."

Congressmen Terry Stands with Veterans and our Military

July 28, 2010

Today Congressman Lee Terry spoke on the House floor in support of H.R. 5822, which provides funding for military construction and funding for Veterans Affairs.  Included in this legislation are two items Congressman Terry has played a key role in for years.  This bill includes money for design of a replacement Omaha VA hospital and funds for advance planning and land acquisition for a new national veteran's cemetery to be located in the Omaha metro area.  Congressman Terry has worked diligently for years to make these two projects a reality.

Congressmen Terry and Boucher Introduce Universal Service Reform Bill

July 23, 2010

I wanted to share this article with you from Communications Daily about an important bill that myself and Congressman Rick Boucher (D-VA) have introduced. This bipartisan legislation is a comprehensive approach that will ensure high-speed broadband service is available to many more customers in Nebraska and across the nation, especially in rural areas.  This legislation is supported by many telecom companies. As stated in the article, my legislation will "rein in the size of the Universal Service Fund and spur broadband deployment."   

Boucher, Terry Introduce Long-Awaited USF Revamp Bill

Wireline telcos of all sizes plus the cable industry backed comprehensive Universal Service Fund legislation introduced Thursday by Chairman Rick Boucher, D-Va., of the House Communications Subcommittee and Rep. Lee Terry, R-Neb. The sponsors are upbeat about winning FCC support and getting the long-gestating bill through Congress, they told reporters Thursday. The measure will rein in the size of the fund and spur broadband deployment, they said. The legislation will make USF "durable and sustainable in the long term,” said Boucher. Boucher said the USF bill is now on his “front burner,” and he hopes to pass it this year. “We have the month of September and we will make the best of it.” He and Terry have coordinated “very closely” with Commerce Chairman Henry Waxman, D-Calif., and Ranking Member Joe Barton, R-Texas, and some of their ideas were incorporated into the bill, Boucher said. Waxman and Barton haven't endorsed the legislation, and they may suggest minor changes, Boucher said, but he expects their “full assistance and cooperation." Another hearing may not be needed, but it could happen if other committee members want, Boucher said. The path through the Senate is less clear, Boucher said. But if the House passes the bill with bipartisan backing and broad support from industry, the Senate may be encouraged to take it up, he said. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., has shown interest in USF, but chose not to draft his own bill, Boucher said. There have been “quiet suggestions to us,” however, that the Senate may be receptive if the House passes a “very good bill,” he said. Rockefeller didn't comment. Boucher said he supports the FCC moving forward on the USF items it can handle, but legislation is needed to do some “basic things” like expanding the USF contribution base. The FCC and Congress are “in a collaborative process,” he added. There are “significant limitations” on what the FCC has power to do, he said. The FCC has long told the lawmakers it would like Congress to lead on revamping USF, said Terry. The bill is backed by NCTA and major telephone associations, including USTelecom, the Independent Telephone & Telecommunications Alliance, the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association, the Western Telecommunications Alliance, and the Organization for the Promotion and Advancement of Small Telecommunications Companies. It's also supported by AT&T, Verizon, Qwest, CenturyLink, Frontier, Vonage, and the American Public Communications Council. Missing from the endorsement list are rural wireless companies that receive support as competitive eligible telecommunications carriers. That's not a surprise, because the bill envisions competitive auctions to limit support to two wireless companies, said Boucher's legislative counsel, Amy Levine. But Boucher and Terry are open to discussing the issue with them, she said. The “principal” wireless providers, AT&T and Verizon, are represented among supporters, noted Boucher. The bill is based on a discussion draft circulated late last fall, said Boucher. Changes reflect a hearing held then and “deep consultation” afterward with the USF interests and with members of the subcommittee, he said. The bill is a “major departure” from the way USF is structured and run now, he said. Terry emphasized that the bill has bipartisan support. It took six years and was written by “two people that care" about ensuring "everyone in America is connected into the 21st century telecommunications world,” the Republican said. One of the biggest changes since fall is that the bill would reduce or deny support to ireline incumbents in areas where at least 75 percent of households can receive voice and broadband from a competitive provider that doesn't get USF support. An incumbent that has its support reduced could show the FCC how much per-line support it needs to maintain affordable service in non-competitive areas. The legislation also would tell the commission to create a USF cost model that includes broadband in figuring support levels. And the bill would direct the FCC to set up competitive bidding among wireless carriers for USF support. No more than two wireless CETCs could get support in any area under the bill. The bill would allow carriers to use USF support for broadband. Carriers receiving support would within five years of the law's effective date have to provide broadband throughout their service areas. If they didn't, they would lose support. In places where it's not practical to have terrestrial services, recipients would be expected to resell satellite-based broadband services. To pay for broadband support, the bill would expand the USF contribution base by requiring all broadband providers to pay in. The bill would also take intrastate revenue into the contribution calculation. Currently the calculation is based only on interstate and international revenue. The bill would direct the FCC to prevent “any unreasonable increases” in the contribution factor, Boucher said. And it would improve auditing of the fund, including auditors' knowledge of telecom issues, he said. The bill doesn't specify a minimum speed for universal broadband. Instead it would direct the FCC to come up with a benchmark based on technology and affordability that would increase over time, said Boucher. The bill originally specified a figure, but the sponsors decided that the appropriate speed was increasing too fast to dictate in the law. The bill also tackles phantom traffic and a “distasteful practice called traffic pumping,” said Boucher. The originator of telephone traffic would have to identify itself, and all intermediate carriers would have to pass the information on to the terminating carrier. That will ensure the terminating carrier knows who to charge for the call, he said. The legislation would tackle “traffic pumping” by disallowing financial alliances between carriers and recipients of the traffic, which are commonly free conference call providers. Terry and Boucher “stuck to our principles and our core values on this,” and it was “difficult, time consuming to keep everyone on board here,” said Terry. The toughest hurdle was getting incumbents to agree to the provision denying support to incumbents in areas with competition, said Boucher. The bill didn't include language by Rep. Doris Matsui, D-Calif., that would have provided USF Lifeline funds to connect low-income people for broadband. Boucher likes the Matsui measure and has talked to her about setting up a “demonstration program,” he said. The subcommittee chairman expects Matsui to offer an amendment at markup, and Boucher plans to work with her and accept it, he said. However, Terry said Republicans may have concerns. Matsui said Thursday she believes “addressing this nation’s digital divide is a critical component to reform of the Universal Service Fund, and I look forward to continuing to work with Chairmen Waxman and Boucher to ensure that broadband adoption policies are included as part of a final Universal Service Reform package that benefits all Americans.” The bill also didn't include an E-Rate update sought by Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass. “I appreciate Chairman Boucher’s willingness to work with me on my E-Rate 2.0 bill in the context of his USF legislation,” said Markey. “We both determined that the decision to include my E-Rate 2.0 legislation would be best addressed at a later point in the legislative process.” EchoStar added its name to supporters. "We are encouraged by the technology-neutral approach and explicit reference to satellite broadband in this bill," the company said. Free Conferencing Corp blasted the proposed ban of revenue-sharing agreements between telcos and free conference call companies. "This action would eliminate choice for consumers, such as the choice to pay for and make conference calls without paying a large premium," said CEO Dave Erickson. "If this legislation passes, the large IXCs will once again have the market power to charge consumers 34 cents or more per minute (or whatever number they choose) for conferencing services in addition to the cost of the telephone plan that the consumer will be required to pay for." — Adam Bender  

Request for Hearing with Donald Berwick

July 22, 2010

I signed onto a letter requesting a hearing with the new Chief of Medicare and Medicaid, Donald Berwick.  Click here to read the letter to Chairman Waxman.

Pipeline project gets boost (By Kevin Cole/Omaha World-Herald)

July 19, 2010

A proposed pipeline to send ethanol from the Midwest to markets in the East may receive a boost when the U.S. Department of Energy on Monday releases the findings of a feasibility study.

The study found that a dedicated ethanol pipeline would be feasible under certain conditions, particularly if U.S. markets were opened to fuel blends containing more than 10 percent ethanol or if use of E85 — a motor fuel with up to 85 percent ethanol — were expanded.

Rep. Lee Terry, R-Neb., said the report is good news for the project. Terry and Rep. Leonard Boswell, D-Iowa, recently introduced a bill that would provide federal loan guarantees for the $3.5 billion, 1,800-mile pipeline.

Terry cited lower fuel costs as a reason that U.S. policy is advancing to the higher use of ethanol, with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency signaling interest in mandating fuel blends of at least 15 percent ethanol.

Terry said the findings should help lead to a vote before year’s end.  Read the entire article here.

FEMA Notification of a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of Nebraska

July 15, 2010 

Federal Disaster Declaration Fact Sheet

This afternoon, July 15, 2010, President Obama issued a major disaster declaration for the State of Nebraska, triggering the release of Federal funds to help communities recover from the Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes beginning on June 1, 2010, and continuing. Details of the disaster declaration and assistance programs are as follows:

Declaration Number: FEMA-1924-DR
Incident: Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes
Incident Period: June 1, 2010, and continuing

Federal Coordinating Officer: Stephen R. Thompson
National FCO Program

Public Assistance: PUBLIC ASSISTANCE: (Assistance to State and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities):

Designated Counties: Antelope, Arthur, Blaine, Boone, Boyd, Brown, Burt, Cass, Chase, Cherry, Cheyenne, Colfax, Cuming, Custer, Dodge, Douglas, Frontier, Garden, Garfield, Greeley, Harlan, Hayes, Holt, Howard, Keya Paha, Knox, Lincoln, Logan, Loup, Madison, McPherson, Morrill, Nance, Nemaha, Nuckolls, Otoe, Perkins, Phelps, Pierce, Platte, Richardson, Rock, Sarpy, Saunders, Sherman, Sioux, Stanton, Thomas, Valley, Washington, Wayne, Webster, and Wheeler Counties.

Hazard Mitigation: HAZARD MITIGATION GRANT PROGRAM: (Assistance to State and local governments and certain private non-profit organizations for actions taken to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural hazards):

Designated Counties: All counties in the State of Nebraska are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

OTHER: Additional designations may be made at a later date after further evaluation.

Terry Supports Blowout Prevention Legislation

July 15, 2010

WASHINGTON- Congressman Lee Terry voted in favor of legislation today in the Energy and Commerce Committee that would require oil and gas companies to demonstrate their ability to prevent and contain leaks prior to receiving a federal permit.  Applicants would have to prove that their well design is safe, that they have an oil spill response plan and that they have the capability to begin drilling relief wells expeditiously, all while having redundant, working blow out preventers.  

“This is a fair, common sense bill that will prevent future spills,” said Congressman Lee Terry.  “This legislation is a step in the right direction to improving safety procedures when drilling.  Our country desperately needs to end our dependence on foreign oil and in doing so we must continue to tap into our own resources in a way that is safe for drilling companies and the environment.”

H.R. 5626, The Blowout Prevention Act of 2010 as reported by the Energy and Commerce Committee, also requires blowout preventer readiness to be independently certified by a third-party. The federal government will have the right to inspect the rigs for compliance and the owner must have the rigs inspected and certified every six months. These certifications and recertifications will be made available to the public.  The legislation also requires the well operator to maintain a team of experienced and highly qualified engineers and other appropriate experts to advise the operator on the safety of decisions made during drilling of the well. 

Prepared Floor remarks about clarifications and extensions under Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program.

July 14, 2010

I am glad that we are passing these corrections. It is especially important that our veterans’ access to care is not impeded or delayed, and these other corrections will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of some of the programs our citizens depend on the most.

Yet it is obvious why these technical corrections are necessary in the first place: this is what happens when the Majority works in secret to craft legislation that they will then muscle to passage without honest debate. We shouldn’t be surprised that after drastically altering the American health care system so quickly and secretively that they are still cleaning up the countless mistakes made in their rush to claim a big victory for President Obama.

Technical errors, however, are hardly the biggest problems facing this country’s health care system. Far worse are the looming ill effects of the Democratic Majority’s basic policy mistakes. They know the problems – who doesn’t? – yet they refuse exercise the fundamental responsibility of the House of Representatives to conduct oversight hearings on the disastrous health care law that they muscled through this very body a few months ago.

Just for the record, let’s consider some of the worst problems:
• The law will cut $575 billion out of Medicare.
• It will cut $145 billion from the popular Medicare Advantage program, a move that will reduce enrollment in the program by 50%.
• It will raise spending nearly 90% in the Medicaid welfare program, squeezing state taxpayers and crippling their state budgets.
• Despite the laughable claims that the bill would lower health costs and deficits, the Chief Actuary of Medicare has since concluded that spending won’t go down, it will go up.
• And, remember the President’s silly promise that if you like your coverage you can keep it? Well his Administration now admits that over half of all employees will lose their current coverage during the next three years, including nearly two-thirds of small business employees.

It’s even making the recession worse right now because employers are hesitant to expand, invest and hire new workers because they still do not know the full costs of the Majority’s health care law.

Now the Democrats at every level are in hiding mode. Even the President decided he could not afford a new public debate on the health care law with the individual he has chosen to implement it. Rather than risk putting Dr. Donald Berwick in front of Congress to answer for the effects of the health care law—and his own frightening statements expressing a love for British nationalized health care and his willingness to ration care—the President chose to put Dr. Berwick in charge without a hearing. I ask the Majority: if this law is as popular as you say, why are you afraid to let your nominee talk about it?

This is probably the last we will hear from the Democrats on health care until after November—they know they passed a terrible bill, and now they want to hide from it. We know why. The American people know why. I can only hope that you chose to conduct the oversight of the new health care law, and fix its disastrous effects before it is too late.

Resources for Small Businesses on the Health Care Law

July 9, 2010

Click to view the presentations from today's town halls for small business owners on the new health care law:

Congressman Lee Terry

Doug Loon

For more detailed information please visit the U.S. Chamber website at www.uschamber.com

Click here to view today's town hall meeting at Bellevue University.  Note: Silverlight download may be required to view this webcast.  Please visit http://www.silverlight.net/getstarted/ to download Silverlight.              

Obama's CEO Problem--and ours (from the Washington Post)

July 6, 2010

The American economy is sputtering and we are running out of options. Interest rates can't go any lower. Another burst of government spending--whether good or bad idea--looks politically impossible. Can anything protect us from the dangers of stagnation or double dip?  Read the entire article here.

Terry's Floor Speech on the Financial Reform Bill

June 30, 2010

Midlands Voices: Let's include uncertainties in global-warming lessons

June 30, 2010

Dr. Jack Kasher who is a professor emeritus of physics at the University of Nebraska at Omaha wrote an article in today's Omaha World Herald about the uncertainties of global warming.  Read his article here.

Terry Calls for Federal Investigation Into Allegations of EPA Destroying Records

June 24, 2010

Congressman Terry has asked U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to investigate the Environmental Protection Agency destroying public records that had been requested by Union Pacific Railroad about lead contamination.  Since coming to Congress one of my priorities has been to make sure that the needs of children who may have been or still exposed to lead residue are addressed. To now find out that the EPA has been engaged in the destruction of records that could injure children in our community is really upsetting.   We should not tolerate this type of behavior when the health and well being of our children is concerned.

Honoring Father Boes

June 23, 2010

Congressman Terry spoke on the House floor today to honor National Executive Director of Boys Town, Father Boes.

Health Law Could Ban Low-Cost Plans  (from Politico)

June 8, 2010

A recent news article indicates that the new health care law could cause more than 1 million people to lose their health insurance coverage.  Read the story here.

Critics Question Health Care Study (from the New York Times)

June 3, 2010

In selling the health care overhaul to Congress, the Obama administration cited a once obscure research group at Dartmouth College to claim that it could not only cut billions in wasteful health care spending but make people healthier by doing so.

Wasteful spending — perhaps $700 billion a year — “does nothing to improve patient health but subjects you and me to tests and procedures that aren’t   necessary   and are potentially harmful,” the president’s budget director, Peter Orszag, wrote in a blog post characteristic of the administration’s argument.

Mr. Orszag even displayed maps produced by Dartmouth researchers that appeared to show where the waste in the system could be found. Beige meant hospitals and regions that offered good, efficient care; chocolate meant bad and inefficient.

The maps made reform seem relatively easy to many in Congress, some of whom demanded the administration simply trim the money Medicare pays to hospitals and doctors in the brown zones. The administration promised to seriously consider doing just that.

But while the research compiled in the Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care has been widely interpreted as showing the country’s best and worst care, the Dartmouth researchers themselves acknowledged in interviews that in fact it mainly shows the varying costs of care in the government’s Medicare program. Measures of the quality of care are not part of the formula.

For all anyone knows, patients could be dying in far greater numbers in hospitals in the beige regions than hospitals in the brown ones, and Dartmouth’s maps would not pick up that difference. As any shopper knows, cheaper does not always mean better.Even Dartmouth’s claims about which hospitals and regions are cheapest may be suspect.

The principal argument behind Dartmouth’s research is that doctors in the Upper Midwest offer consistently better and cheaper care than their counterparts in the South and in big cities, and if Southern and urban doctors would be less greedy and act more like ones in Minnesota, the country would be both healthier and wealthier. 

Read the entire article here.

Public Pulse--Energy Accomplishments Vast

June 3, 2010

In a recent public pulse letter Jane DeLuca of La Vista, NE accused me of failing to make our country more energy independent.  Nothing could be farther from the truth.  I have fought for energy independence for years. I am a cosponsor of legislation (H.R. 2227), which is a bipartisan bill that will diversify our sources of energy and reduce our reliance on foreign oil. Currently I am a co-sponsor of 5 bills that will put our nation on a path to energy independence. If Speaker Nancy Pelosi is serious about energy independence she would bring these bills to the floor for a vote.

In my time in Congress I authored legislation that will dramatically increase fuel efficiency in cars, which is now law. Because of my dedication towards energy issues not one federal building from now will be constructed without considering geothermal energy. Four of my provisions dealing with streamlining liquefied natural gas are now law of the land. Because of my legislation, which is now law, every federal agency must have E-85 gasoline for federally owned fleets promoting “Nebraska’s own renewable energy potential.” I have also been instrumental in helping local businesses develop hydrogen fuel cells as a source of energy and thanks to my support, Creighton and OPPD are creating a new solar array program to make our country more energy independent. My record on energy issues is rock solid.