(WASHINGTON, DC) - The constitutional right of Americans to bear arms in national parks, forests, and wildlife refuges was restored today in a major victory for conservatives against the anti-gun lobby. The House approved the Coburn Amendment to credit card reform legislation by a landslide 279-147 margin. All Republicans save 2 voted for the bill; the majority of Democrats voted against it.

 

Washington, DC - Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) today called for restored funding for the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP), which helps state and local governments offset the costs associated with incarcerating criminal illegal aliens. In a letter sent to House appropriators, Bono Mack and several of her colleagues expressed their deep concern about the elimination of SCAAP in the President's Fiscal Year 2010 budget request.

 

In 1924, the first Chrysler automobile hit the road. This sleek six cylinder car led to the Chrysler Corporation's formation a year later. In the 84 years that followed, Chrysler developed into a classic example of America's boundless opportunities.

 

This small company rose to become one of the most important businesses and largest employers in America. At one time, Chrysler was the second largest auto manufacturer in the United States.

Chrysler was influential in the development and growth of vehicles familiar to all of us, including the minivan and the Dodge and Jeep brands. Through good times and bad, millions of Americans purchased Chrysler cars and trucks for their families.

 

WASHINGTON, DC- With Memorial Day approaching, Congressman Henry E. Brown Jr. (R-SC), Ranking Republican on the Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Health, made the following statement on the importance of honoring our nation's bravest and his continued efforts to support them in Washington:

 

"As a constant supporter of Veterans all across the nation, my advocacy for them only increases as we approach this Memorial Day holiday weekend. As we take the time to be with family, friends and loved ones, let us all be mindful of the men and women of our country that have made the supreme sacrifice in service to our nation and it's military.

 

Rep. Mary Bono Mack had to do what no mother ever wants to do. She kicked her son out of her house.

 

Bono Mack's teenage son Chesare had just gotten out of the Betty Ford Center for treatment for an addiction to prescription painkillers. He relapsed shortly thereafter.

 

"That was the time I had to let him hit bottom," the California Republican said in an interview in her Capitol Hill office. "That was when I had to kick him out of the house and say, ‘You know, it's time for you to go.' "

 

Bono Mack's story has a positive ending - Chesare returned to a rehabilitation program and has been sober since August 2007.

 

Washington, May 20 - U.S Congressman Pat Tiberi (R-OH) issued the following statement after President Barack Obama announced plans for new national mileage and emission standards for cars and trucks:

 

Washington DC - Today, Congressman Devin Nunes (R-CA) announced the introduction of The Patient's Choice Act - a bill he has co-authored with Paul Ryan (R-WI) in the House, as well as Tom Coburn (R-OK) and Richard Burr (R-NC) in the Senate.

 

The Patient's Choice Act is the first bicameral Republican proposal that achieves universal healthcare while preserving the right of Americans to choose their doctors. The bill also permanently solves the budget challenges associated with Medicaid and brings quality and choice to low-income Americans for the first time.

 

EAST TEXAS - Dozens of employers are seeking to fill more than 1,000 positions that East Texas job seekers will have the opportunity to apply for at Congressman Louie Gohmert's upcoming East Texas Job Fairs. These numbers are expected to grow as more businesses and entities continue to sign up for the events that will be held in Lufkin and Longview during the month of June. Hiring employers still have time to register their business or entity for the free job fairs, and job seekers with a range of background and experiences are encouraged to attend.

 

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman David Dreier (R-San Dimas, CA) voted this week to protect consumer deposits at banks and credit unions, ensure the availability of credit to families and small businesses, help homeowners avoid foreclosure, and crack down on mortgage fraud and abuse. Today, Dreier supported S. 896, the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act, which the House approved by a vote of 367 - 54 with one member voting present. On May 18, Dreier voted in favor of S. 386, the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act, which the House passed by a vote of 338 - 52.

 

House Chamber, Washington, D.C. May 19, 2009. Mr. Speaker: I rise today with the sad duty of recognizing the death in combat of Army Specialist Jeremiah P. McCleery, age 24, of Portola, California.

 

Mr. Speaker, if you read the observations of his friends you very quickly realize that this was not only an irreplaceable loss to his family and a monumental loss to his community - but also a terrible loss to our country.

 

Miah, as he was known, was simply a good kid. He made friends easily, had a great sense of humor, and he had wanted to join the Army since he was four years old.

Washington, May 19 - "I thank my colleagues for their hard work on producing this important piece of legislation, and I look forward to watching the President sign this bill," Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO) said. "Reforming the system we use to buy major weapon systems is not only good for taxpayers, it's good for the security of our nation."

 

WASHINGTON - Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) delivered the following remarks on the floor of the House of Representatives today underlining the dangers of a national energy tax on American families and businesses.

 

"Mr. Speaker, it is troubling that with so many other strategies to move our country to a cleaner energy future, there are still some advocating that we impose a national energy tax. This tax will attack the budgets of American families costing an extra $3,000 each year, and it will drive businesses and the jobs they create overseas. The Administration and Democrat Congress, who claim to be opposed to the off-shoring of American jobs, are encouraging companies to leave America.

 

Lawmaker Supports the Medical Rights Act Protecting Patients

 

WASHINGTON - At a Capitol Hill news conference on Tuesday, Rep. Leonard Lance (NJ-07) announced he was cosponsoring important health care reform legislation that would prevent the federal government from taking control over health care decisions doctors make for their patients.

 

Specifically, the Medical Rights Act, which is co-authored by Reps. Mark Kirk (IL) and Charlie Dent (PA), would guarantee that private health care cannot be denied by government restrictions. The legislation bans government interference into the doctor-patient relationship by protecting the rights of Americans to receive the care they need, when they need it.

 

U.S. Rep. Mark Souder announced today that he will be introducing a "No Fly" Act, legislation he authored to ensure that any detainees released from Guantanamo Bay (GITMO) into the United States will not be allowed to travel on commercial airlines.

 

Souder's "No Fly" Act would require the Transportation Security Administration to place all GITMO detainees on the "no fly" list ensuring that these suspected terrorists are not granted domestic air travel privileges. Souder plans to introduce the bill in Congress today.

Washington, DC - Congressman Jeff Fortenberry today commented on President Obama's plan to significantly increase corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards by 2016. The President's proposal would require automakers meet a new fuel efficiency standard of 35.5 miles per gallon for cars and light trucks by 2016.

 

Fortenberry released the following statement following the President's announcement:

 

Congressman Steve King today made the following statement regarding House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's accusation that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) lied to her.

 

"During the last session of Congress, Speaker Pelosi led Democrats in 44 different votes to unfund, underfund, undercut or undermine our troops in Iraq. Now she is accusing the CIA of lying.

 

WASHINGTON, DC-Today Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) announced that Monica Aranegui will serve as District Representative in Collier County. Aranegui joins Karen Harmon, Congressional Aide, in Diaz-Balart's Golden Gate office.

 

"For many years, Monica has been involved with our office through her community activism in Golden Gate, Miami-Dade, and other areas of District 25," said Diaz-Balart. "Monica knows and understands the needs of our community and is dedicating to serving others. I welcome her to our office and look forward to her working with our team to continue serving the residents of Southwest Florida."

 

House Energy and Commerce Committee mark-up began Monday, scheduled to last through Thursday

 

Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-Texas), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, released the following statement today, as the Committee began to mark up HR 2454, the Democrats' cap and trade bill:

 

"This bill - in its current form, in its draft form, or in any form - may do more harm to our economy than any bill that will come before Congress this year, and perhaps any other bill in my lifetime. That is because the proposal to cap carbon and trade carbon credits hurts American economic growth without providing enough benefits for the expense.

Congressman Chaffetz joined other members of Congress in signing a letter urging President Obama to reconsider the plan to eliminate more than 3,000 Chrysler and General Motors automotive dealerships, and put over 150,000 employees out of work.

 

 http://chaffetz.house.gov/letter%20to%20president.pdf

Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-05) is again taking action to protect school children from easy access to drugs that can induce chemical abortions. Congressman Lamborn has reintroduced H.R. 2458, the Schoolchildren's Protection Act. The bill has 40 original co-sponsors.

 

"The so-called morning after pill can induce abortion, if conception has taken place, and has no place in our public school health clinics. This bill would prohibit federal funds from going to any school that distributes or provides emergency contraception or a prescription for such contraception.