U.S. Congressman John Boozman 3rd District of Arkansas
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on
November 10, 2010
On November 10, 1775, the Continental Congress approved a resolution officially forming the Continental Marines, and thus gave birth to the United States Marine Corps (USMC). These Marines were conceived to join the fight for independence both at sea and on shore, and the USMC has been protecting liberty and freedom around the globe ever since. Today we recognize the contribution of the USMC in operations all over the world from some of the most heroic battles such as Iwo Jima, Inchon Landing, and Fallujah. Our Marines hold themselves to the highest moral and ethical standards and define themselves by their honor, courage, and commitment. The core values that define the USMC have guided and will continue to guide Marines in their service to our country. While 2010 marks the end of USMC combat operations in Iraq, many Marines continue to serve in harm’s way in Afghanistan. We are grateful for, respect, and honor the sacrifices made by our Marines to defend and foster ideals of freedom and to keep us safe here at home. As of today, the USMC has served our nation for 235 years. Many of our Marines have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation and its ideals. Today we wish the USMC and all of our Marines a happy birthday and we remember and honor the sacrifices they have made. We keep all of our Marines who are in harm’s way, and their families, in our thoughts and prayers.
Posted by
Sara Lasure
on
October 13, 2010
I’m pleased to see the Obama administration moving in the direction of putting hardworking Americans back to work by lifting the drilling moratorium. This was prematurely imposed on deep-water offshore oil drilling in July and made in opposition to the recommendations of the White House’s own panel of experts after the BP oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico. The decision resulted in thousands of Americans losing their job in an already strained economic climate. Reversing the decision does not excuse the Administration’s decision in imposing the moratorium that put the livelihood of so many Americans in jeopardy, but lifting the moratorium and resuming drilling operations will mean many of these Americans can go back to work. Unfortunately, President Obama, Speaker Pelosi and Senator Reid unfairly targeted our energy producers with job-killing policies, after the BP oil leak. In July, I opposed legislation that unfairly imposes burdensome regulations on businesses with proven track records like Arkansas’ oil producers. I feel strongly that we need to use the vast oil and gas reserves we have in this country to ensure consistent gas prices and lessen our dependence on foreign, unfriendly countries who currently supply the majority of our energy needs. The best way to accomplish this is by using the natural resources our nation is blessed with, in environmentally sound ways. Exploration of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) helps put our country on the path to energy independence, this is why early last year I joined 69 of my colleagues in sending a letter to President Obama and Secretary Salazar at the Department of the Interior urging the OCS be allowed to remain open for oil and gas exploration. The more I visit with Arkansas businesses and families the more apparent it becomes that we need an ‘all-of-the-above’ strategy, which includes more of everything: more renewable sources of energy, such as hydropower, wind, and solar, more nuclear, more conservation, and more environmentally-responsible development of America’s energy resources. I have supported this legislation in the past and will continue to do so.
Posted by
Sara Lasure
on
October 08, 2010
When President Obama signed legislation overhauling our health care system, states and organizations were quick to challenge the mandates of the law. I encouraged Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel to join the lawsuit because I am concerned the law is an overreach of government and unconstitutional. In recent months we’ve seen the first rulings by federal judges. Just yesterday, a federal judge in Michigan upheld a key provision of the health care law- the individual mandate that requires us all to buy health insurance or face a penalty. While this ruling is disappointing there are more than 15 other lawsuits challenging some aspect of the law that have moved forward. In August, a federal judge refused to dismiss a Virginia lawsuit that challenges the constitutionality of the federal health-care law. This is a good sign. We aren’t waiting for the courts to rule on the constitutionality of the law, rather we are working to repeal this flawed legislation in order to provide solutions that will contain costs and offer Americans quality, affordable health care. That’s why I’ve signed The Club for Growth’s Repeal It! pledge and signed on as a cosponsor of H.R. 4903 and H.R. 4972, legislation that would repeal the law. Efforts are underway not only to repeal, but also to defund this law. Congress holds the ‘power of the purse’ so it can cut off taxpayer dollars to agencies that will issue regulations and oversee the program. I remain committed to fighting for affordable and effective health care reform and will continue to offer solutions for real health reform through free market principles.
Posted by
Sara Lasure
on
October 04, 2010
Our Founders made it clear that faith is important in our nation. You can see God’s influence in all aspects of our government and we’re working to continue that precedent. That’s why I’m happy to report that a federal judge recently dismissed a lawsuit to our national motto “In God We Trust” and the Pledge of Allegiance at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center (CVC). My colleagues and I have been dedicated to defending America’s religious traditions for years and this is an important victory in maintaining God in our nation. On July 31, 2008 I joined with more than 100 of my colleagues in sending a letter to the Architect of the Capital expressing our concerns that the CVC lacked little if any references to God, which would represent an incomplete record of our nation’s history. The phrase was added one year later and it is important that this reference will be allowed to remain in the CVC for all Americans to enjoy and observe. I am also a proud cosponsor of H.Con.Res.274, a resolution reaffirming "In God We Trust" as the official motto of the United States and supporting and encouraging the public display of the national motto in all public buildings, public schools, and other government institutions. I am committed to causes to maintaining our nation’s spiritual history. As a member of the Congressional Prayer Caucus I will continue to preserve our religious history and stand up for our religious heritage.
Posted by
Boozman Press Office
on
September 30, 2010
More seniors are losing the health plan they have and like because of Obamacare. This is just another example of broken promises from President Obama. Remember when President Obama said, "If you like your health care plan, you can keep your health care plan"? Well, seniors in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine covered by the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care are finding out that isn’t the case.
The New England health care provider announced Tuesday it will drop its Medicare Advantage health and prescription drug plan for seniors because of changes made to the program to comply with ObamaCare. "We became concerned by the long-term viability of Medicare Advantage programs We know that cuts in Medicare are being used to fund national health care reform," a company executive said about the decision. As the Boston Globe reported this means 22,000 seniors will lose their Medicare plan at the end of this year. There is more bad news. According to an announcement made last week by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), next year 1.2 million seniors will be forced out of the Medicare Advantage (MA) or Medicare prescription drug plan (Part D) they are currently enrolled in. Thousands of seniors who are being forced out of their current plan will no longer have the option of enrolling in an MA plan and will be forced into the government-run Medicare program whether they like it or not. The more we learn about ObamaCare the more obvious it is that this was not the health care reform that will contain costs and provide more Americans quality, affordable health care. Today the Wall Street Journal reported that strict requirements of ObamaCare could leave 30,000 McDonald’s employees without a health insurance plan. Company officials are asking for a waiver from the obligation that it must spend "at least 80% to 85% of its premium revenue on medical care." If McDonald’s drops their employee’s health insurance plan, think of how many other businesses will follow. The law is full of unintended consequences and I’m committed to working to defund and repeal this legislation to provide Americans health care reform that allows us the freedom to chose our health care providers and doesn’t come at a cost to businesses.
Posted by
Congressman John Boozman
on
September 16, 2010
Since seizing control of the Legislative and Executive Branches of government President Obama, Speaker Pelosi, and Majority Leader Reid have obviously identified their favorite vehicle for controversial social legislation the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
The NDAA is the legislation passed every year by Congress that authorizes spending for our military. Apparently the temptation of using this legislation to carry controversial social issues legislation through the legislative process on the backs of our troops is too much for Speaker Pelosi and Senator Reid to resist. Over the past two years we have seen multiple controversial bills attached to the NDAA in order to make it difficult to vote against radical policies. After all, a vote against the NDAA can easily be distorted as a vote against the troops. During consideration of the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2010, Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Reid allowed a controversial "Hate Crimes" provision to be included in the NDAA. This "Hate Crimes" provision creates a special class of protection for certain citizens and punishes people based on their perceived motivations rather than their acts. Many Americans and Members of Congress, including myself, have serious concerns about how this law may affect Americans’ freedom of speech. Despite these concerns, the provision was included in the NDAA for FY 2011 and signed into law by President Obama. In March of 2010, Secretary of Defense Gates commissioned a study to evaluate the possible effects of repealing the Department of Defense (DoD) policy of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (DADT), the policy that prohibits gays from serving openly in the military. That study to assess the impact that a repeal of DADT may have on readiness and morale, also gathers the opinions of our service members and their families and is scheduled to be completed by December 1, 2010. During the most recent consideration of the NDAA for FY 2011, Speaker Pelosi and her Congressional allies attached a provision that would repeal the policy of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, before the voices of our service members and their families could be heard. While I oppose the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, the effects of such an action on our Forces’ readiness and morale are completely unknown at this time and present a reckless liability in the midst of ongoing military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Secretary Gates said in a letter to the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee that the repeal of the policy prior to the Pentagon’s completion of the review "would send a very damaging message to our men and women in uniform that in essence their views, concerns, and perspectives do not matter on an issue with such a direct impact and consequence for them and their families," an opinion that is shared and has been expressed by all of the Service Chiefs. To make matters worse, Majority Leader Reid recently announced that he intends to attach the DREAM Act to the FY 2011 NDAA. The DREAM Act seeks to provide illegal immigrants with eligibility for in-state college tuition, as well as set them on a path to citizenship if they attend college. Many Americans, including myself, consider this a form of amnesty and strongly oppose this provision. Our troops deserve clean bills to provide them with the resources they need to accomplish the mission they have been given, and President Obama, Speaker Pelosi, and majority Leader Reid ought to give the troops what they deserve. A defense bill is not the appropriate vehicle for anything other than the essential tools to help our armed forces. This sets a dangerous precedent and is an unacceptable and blatant disregard for the safety of our armed forces and our national security.
Posted by
Boozman Press Office
on
September 09, 2010
On Monday President Obama announced a plan to spend $50 billion in transportation infrastructure and reauthorize the surface transportation programs. "Obama plans to spend $50 billion for transit," The Washington Times, 9/07/10.
The proposal calls for rebuilding 150,000 miles of roads, building and maintaining 4,000 miles of railway and improving airports by fixing and building 150 miles of runways and installing an air navigation system known as NexGen to reduce travel time and delays. I have been an advocate for transportation and infrastructure funds as a means to create jobs for hardworking Americans while also creating long-term economic prosperity. In anticipation of a Highway Bill, congressional committees held hearings last year, at which time I testified about the importance of I-49. Unfortunately, this investment and other road and infrastructure projects have not been a priority for the Democratic leadership during this Congress. Now with only four weeks left in the legislative calendar and unemployment rates near 10 percent, President Obama proposes what my colleagues and I called for 18 months ago, transportation and infrastructure spending. However, the president’s plan lacks details as to where the $50 billion to fund his idea comes from or how it would specifically benefit Arkansas. I’m concerned that under this proposal funding will be diverted from rural areas to urban cities, ignoring the transportation and infrastructure needs of Arkansas. While I am sure cities like Chicago can always use extra funds for their public transit programs, President Obama should consider the positive economic impact of completing major projects like I-49, which affect the entire country.
Posted by
Boozman Press Office
on
July 30, 2010
On July 30, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the bill that would provide Americans with Medicare, a social insurance program that provides health insurance coverage to people 65 years and older and to citizens with other special cases. The law went into effect the following year, and it has continued to be in place since 1966. Medicare has been an important policy for Americans for the past forty-five years, and it is my hope that Medicare will continue to help Americans and Arkansans for years to come. Today, let us celebrate the anniversary of Medicare and learn more about the ways we can keep our system working efficiently so that future generations may enjoy the benefits it provides.
As you may know, Medicare is paid by the government as well as partially financed by payroll taxes. It provides different ways to choose your coverage to best fit your health needs. At this point in time, Medicare consists of four different parts: A, B, C, and D. Each part provides specific coverage for people who are eligible to receive these benefits. Part A consists of hospital insurance and helps cover inpatient care and assisted living health care. Part B consists of medical insurance and goes toward outpatient services, doctor visits, and some preventive services. Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage Plans, provide a means of obtaining Medicare privately through contracted companies. Medicare Advantage Plans often provide benefits Part A and B do not cover, including prescription drug coverage in some cases. Part D is similar to C in that it is run by private companies contracted with Medicare that helps cover the cost of prescription drugs. Each of these parts contributes financial assistance to those eligible, and alleviates much of the burden of paying for health care. While Medicare assists in many ways, there are some out-of-pocket costs associated with the program, such as co-pays, premiums, and deductibles. Fortunately, these costs are much less painful than the full cost of attention at an uninsured rate for American seniors needing medical care. Medicare has been an important institution in our nation’s health care system for the past forty-five years. I believe it is a system is beneficial, but it does need reforming because more than 10 percent of the program is waste and fraud. On this anniversary of Medicare’s appearance into our nation’s policy on health care, let us appreciate its existence and continue to work as advocates toward a better system. For my part, I will continue to speak out against the changes Medicare will undergo as a result of ObamaCare as well as continue to seek more efficient and fiscally responsible ways to improve Medicare and a reformed health care system for our country.
Posted by
Boozman Press Office
on
July 26, 2010
This act is very important for the American people, as it allows opportunities that may not have been present in the past for those with special circumstances or hardships. Through this act, individuals with disabilities are now able to have a higher standard of living, have access to better benefits, and are able to accomplish goals simply because they were given the chance. Our nation is founded on the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The Americans with Disabilities Act enables citizens of the
Posted by
Boozman Press Office
on
July 23, 2010
After reading this article in the Associated Press, I see even more potential problems and upcoming issues within the newly imposed healthcare reform law for Arkansans. According to this article, Arkansas Surgeon General, Dr. Joe Thompson, voices concerns I share with him over the resulting implications of health care reform in our state.
Although many more uninsured Americans will receive coverage, new issues will arise causing fewer Americans to receive healthcare, thus entering into a vicious cycle for Arkansans. One of the major points Dr. Thompson makes is the inevitable shortage of physicians throughout the state. Today, medical care providers are already in high demand and a shortage already exists. Read this article by the Association of American Medical Colleges to learn more about expected physician shortages and the impact of universal health care. With the addition of almost 500,000 uninsured Arkansans into health coverage of some sort, the demand for services will increase and an even greater shortage of medical care providers and space in our health facilities. This means that while more Arkansans will have financial medical coverage, they will be unable to access the physicians and services they need. In rural areas, it will be even more difficult to obtain care as physician shortages are already high there. This is not good for our farmers or anyone else who does not have quick and easy access to city medical facilities. For big city folks, this may seem less concerning; however, with current physician shortages in urban areas and an increase of out-of-town patients, folks in the most metropolitan areas of Another issue that worries me is where the funding will come in |