On the 105th day since the President signed the bloated, trillion-dollar "stimulus" spending bill into law, the Administration is continuing to do whatever it can to sell this widely-panned legislation. Today's chief salesman? Vice President Biden. Unfortunately for the Administration, the Vice President veered wildly off script in a roundtable in New York, admitting that "people are being scammed already."

 

That's hardly the reassurance the American people were looking for - and that hardly meets the Administration's promise that the bill would "...contain an unprecedented level of transparency and accountability." But that's not the only claim that's failed to stack up, of course. Don't forget about these:

 

Bill is an economic declaration of war By Mike Pence After weeks of political horse-trading over the hot issue of climate-change legislation, a "compromise" is now making its way through the U.S. Congress. All the window dressing that this so-called compromise has prompted does not change the fact that it amounts to an economic declaration of war on the heartland of America, and it must be opposed.

 

Hoosiers should be wary. If Washington's national energy tax becomes law, it will have a devastating impact on the price at the pump and utility bills across the nation, and in the state of Indiana especially.

 

WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Lamar Smith issued the following statement responding to President Obama's comments today regarding the Administration's plan to close Guantanamo Bay.

 

"Once again, the President's speech was heavy on rhetoric and out of touch with reality. Just one day after the FBI Director said suspected terrorists on U.S. soil pose a threat to Americans, four would-be terrorists were arrested in NYC, and a report found that 74 previously released terrorists have returned to the battlefield, President Obama is still calling for Guantanamo Bay to be closed!

 

President Obama came to office boldly promising "a new era of openness in our country." Less than twenty-four hours after taking the oath of office, the new president declared that "transparency and the rule of law will be the touchstones of this presidency." In one of his first executive orders he wrote that, "democracy requires accountability, and accountability requires transparency." Boldly beginning another memorandum to his executive department and agency heads, he stated, "My Administration is committed to creating an unprecedented level of openness in Government."

 

 

Lawmaker Applauds State Department's Decision to Establish Passport Issuance Agency in the Region; Currently Only 14 Such Offices in the United States

 

ROCHESTER - Congressman Chris Lee (NY-26) held a press conference this afternoon at the Monroe County Clerk's Office to announce that the State Department is taking steps to open a permanent passport issuance agency in Western New York.

 

Lawmaker Discusses Commitment to Protecting Retiree Benefits, Outlines Recent Actions to Save Auto Manufacturing Jobs; Visit to Plant Is His Third in Last Nine Months

 

LOCKPORT - Congressman Chris Lee (NY-26) toured the Delphi Thermal Systems plant in Lockport today prior to holding meetings with employees and UAW officials. This is the lawmaker's third visit to the Delphi plant in the last nine months.

 

At a media availability outside the facilities, the lawmaker discussed a letter (.pdf, .doc formats)he sent late last week to the Obama administration's auto task force expressing support for an agreement under which GM would assume Delphi's pension obligations.

 

SAN DIMAS, CA - Congressman David Dreier (R-San Dimas) will be presenting awards to the winner and participants of his 2009 Youth Volunteer Award Program on Wednesday, May 27th at 8:00 PM at the Arcadia Community Center, 365 West Campus Drive, Arcadia.

 

Sixty-three high school students from throughout the San Gabriel Valley and Inland Empire participated in this year's program. In addition to the winner and runners-up, each of the participants will be recognized for their service to their community.

 

Diaz-Balart to Host Hurricane Preparedness Roundtable at Emergency Operations Center

 

MIAMI-Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart will host a Hurricane Preparedness Roundtable with local mayors and public officials to discuss and coordinate hurricane relief efforts between local municipalities, Miami-Dade County and the State of Florida. The event will take place at the Miami-Dade County Emergency Operations Center in Doral on Wednesday, May 27th. There will be a media availability immediately following the roundtable discussion at 11:45 a.m.

 

"With hurricane season upon us, it is important that we take the necessary steps as a community to prepare our families and our homes.

 

(Washington, D.C.) Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers will spend Congress' May district work period meeting with and honoring Eastern Washington veterans, military members and their families.

 

"We must remember and honor our fallen soldiers and pray for those who are serving-not just on Memorial Day, but year round," McMorris Rodgers said. "I look forward to hearing the concerns of Eastern Washington veterans as well as connect them with the many services and benefits available to them."

 

McMorris Rodgers will attend these veteran and military-related events during the next week:

 

Monday, May 25, 2009

Washington, D.C. - Alaskan Congressman Don Young issued the following statement today in honor of Memorial Day:

 

"This country is home to millions of courageous men and women who have served their country with honor and bravery, and Alaska is where many of them call home. Our state is home to over one hundred thousand veterans and members of the military and we are blessed to have them.

 

"America has been blessed with citizens that when called upon, were able to do extraordinary things. Every veteran who answered their country's call is responsible for ensuring that our freedoms, our ideals and our way of life have endured; none more so than those who gave their lives.

 

Washington, May 25 - "While many Americans recognize Memorial Day as the official start of summer, it is important that we pause and reflect on the sacrifices of the hundreds of thousands of men and women who have fallen in service to our nation. Through their dedication to country, they have upheld our values of liberty, justice and self-determination. Today I proudly join my fellow Americans in honoring these brave individuals who have voluntarily given their lives for the sake of freedom. We must also remember the families of our Armed Forces, who know personally the sacrifices made in service to our great nation. As Americans, we are called to do our part to uphold the ideals for which these individuals have given so much.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Jerry Moran this week introduced the Veterans Second Amendment Protection Act, H.R. 2547, to prevent veterans from being unfairly denied their right to purchase firearms. The legislation, sponsored by Moran along with Congressman Ciro Rodriquez (TX), would reform the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) process that arbitrarily strips the Second Amendment rights of veterans and their families who receive assistance managing their financial affairs.

 

Today, to mark the 100th day since the passage of the "stimulus" bill, the Administration will release a report entitled "100 Days, 100 Projects," that will spotlight progress being made. However, as the "Morning Joe" crew reminded us, that's 100 days, just 100 projects, nearly $1 trillion spent and more than 1 million jobs lost since the "stimulus" passed. Just some numbers worth considering for the day ahead. As for today's schedule, the House is not in session. Now on to the news...

 

GITMO TROUBLES: Pentagon Releases Report Confirming That 14 Percent Of Detainees Return To Terrorist Activities...

 

Dear Friend,

 

Welcome to "This Week in Congress." Memorial Day is a time to pay a special tribute to the brave military men and women who died while serving and fighting for our country. I was in Seneca this Memorial Day weekend speaking at the dedication of the Nemaha County Veterans Memorial Park. I hope all Kansans enjoyed this special holiday and took time to thank a veteran for their service. I also hope you find this newsletter useful.

 

Introducing Veterans Second Amendment Protection Act

 

Over the weekend, families across the 19th Congressional District gathered to celebrate the beginning of summer. And while we enjoyed the weekend celebration with friends and loved ones, we must also recall the real reason we mark the fourth Monday in May. This year, as our troops continue to serve in Iraq and Afghanistan, we should all pause to honor the brave sacrifices made by America's Armed Forces. The freedoms we cherish today are a result of the courageous acts of countless Americans who answered their nation's call to serve the cause of liberty.

 

We all remember, although most would like to forget, the high price of gasoline this time just a year ago. AAA reports that this time last year the average price of a gallon of gasoline in Texas was $3.75. Today that price is $2.33. As Texans, we are used to wide open spaces and driving long distances to get our kids to school or drive to work or the grocery store, so we understand how rising energy costs can affect our daily lives.

 

In just 4 months, Congress and the Administration have spent $4.95 trillion of your money, which amounts to roughly $34 million per minute.

 

This concerns me greatly for two reasons:

 

1. This unprecedented spending spree saddles our children and grandchildren with trillions in debt they cannot afford and will ultimately harm their standard of living; and

2. We have no way of knowing if the taxpayers' money is being spent wisely.

 

A symptom of Washington's wasteful ways is the explosion of earmarks in recent years. In 1996, there were 3,055 earmarks. Last year, there were 11,914 earmarks costing $28.9 billion. Worse, in March, the President signed a single bill containing 9,287 earmarks at a cost of nearly $13 billion.

Dear Friends,

 

I appreciate the opportunity to provide you with an occasional update on my efforts in Washington. As your Representative, it is important to me that you are aware of what is happening and how it affects you.

 

Memorial Day

"...aside from a few Members of Congress choosing to go against the will of their constituents, a bipartisan majority agrees that terrorists should not be brought to America's shores."

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. - House Republican Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA) issued the following statement after the President delivered a speech on Guantanamo Bay Prison, that the White House pre-billed as not providing details:

 

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Congressman Mike Pence issued the following statement calling for a vote on the "Broadcaster Freedom Act," which would permanently ban the so-called "Fairness Doctrine:"

 

"The American people cherish freedom-because it is the very blood-bought heritage of our nation. This is why President Ronald Reagan repealed the so-called ‘Fairness Doctrine' in 1987 that actually regulated the content of radio for more than four decades, and this is why we introduced the ‘Broadcaster Freedom Act,' which would permanently ban this form of government censorship.

 

"Defending the freedoms enshrined in the Constitution is not a partisan issue, but the principal duty of every Member of Congress.