Below are just some of the issues that I am working for on behalf of Central Texans.  To view video of additional floor speeches, committee hearing statements and questions, and district events that I have attended, please visit my YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/doggett.

Combating Tax Loopholes that Ship U.S. Jobs and Tax Dollars Offshore
I have been a strong advocate for closing tax loopholes that allow large corporations to avoid paying their fair share.  In particular, the use of international tax games by multinational corporations is widespread and drains untold billions out of the Treasury.  I recently introduced my latest legislation designed to combat these abuses.  The International Tax Competitiveness Act would stop companies from avoiding taxes on intellectual property developed in the U.S. and then transferred offshore. You can watch a recent ABC News report describing this outrageous abuse by clicking here. The bill would also prevent corporations that are run from the U.S. from avoiding U.S. taxes simply by filing a piece of paper in a tax haven and claiming to be foreign. An egregious example of a corporation that has dodged its U.S. tax liability by moving offshore is Transocean, the owner of the rig that exploded in the BP oil spill. Click here to read an article about Transocean’s move first to the Cayman Islands then to Switzerland. 

Doggett: Remove Seniors' Social Security Numbers from Medicare Cards to Prevent Identity Theft
44 million Americans are carrying in their wallet or purse something that makes them more vulnerable to identity theft: their Medicare card. Apart from the Social Security card itself, the Medicare card is the most frequently issued government document containing a person's Social Security number and displaying such information on Medicare cards unnecessarily places millions of individuals at-risk for identity theft. Since 2008, as part of a bipartisan effort, I have called on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to take steps that private companies and other government agencies have already taken to protect the identities of seniors by removing the display of Social Security numbers on Medicare cards. I introduced legislation in the 110th Congress, which was passed by the House of Representatives with broad support, that called on the agency to take action. And, on behalf of seniors and people with disabilities, I am renewing my efforts in the 111th to once and for all ensure that seniors have the same protection that those with private insurance do. To see video of my questioning of a representative from CMS on this issue, please click here.

Congressman Doggett Works to Protect Social Security
I have consistently fought against misguided and risky privatization schemes that would divert substantial payroll taxes to Wall Street management fees and replace the safety net of Social Security with the insecurity of the market. Recent events demonstrate that we cannot subject retirees’ security to such a roller coaster ride. We need to strengthen and improve retirement security, not promote insecurity. Social Security, one of the most successful programs ever created, has administrative costs of less than 1%. In comparison, administrative costs on private accounts would cost at least 10 times as much and could consume more than one-third of the final account balance. In seven decades, Social Security has never been a day late or a dollar short. 

 Targeting Hidden Spending Through the Tax Code
Like a traditional, direct expenditure, a tax expenditure removes money from the U.S. Treasury, but it does so indirectly by creating an exception to regular tax laws such as through a preference, credit, or deduction.  Some groups that cannot justify Congress spending money directly are using the Tax Code to get these special benefits so they don’t have to pay taxes on the same basis as the rest of us.  I have been trying to put a stop to the unchecked growth of these tax breaks and to slow our growing National debt.  I am concerned about spending—whether through the Appropriations Act or the Tax Code. We need to examine closely both types of expenditures to ensure that each is effective, efficient and truly necessary. As a small step in this regard, I authored a provision in recent legislation extending expiring tax provisions that requires an evaluation of these provisions before we are called on to extend them again next year.  I have also been urging the Administration to take action to create a process to systematically evaluate tax expenditures in the same way it does direct expenditures. By clicking here, you can view my recent exchange with an Office of Management and Budget official at a recent House Budget Committee review of an Administration deficit reduction proposal. 

Ensuring Seniors and Veterans Can Continue to See their Doctors
I continue to work toward a longer-term correction of the long-broken payment formula for Medicare and Tricare doctors, ensuring fairer payments for physicians and helping to make certain that their patients enjoy access to the doctor of their choice. The current Medicare/Tricare formula was enacted in 1997, not as part of health reform as many would lead people to believe. Last year, I supported permanent reform of the payment formula. I also joined with my colleagues to urge Majority Leader Reid and Minority Leader McConnell to take action to finally approve a permanent solution to this annual problem in the Senate.

Congress Passes Doggett Proposal for New $14 billion More Education Tax Credit
The Recovery Act included my proposal for a new higher education tax credit of up to $2,500 of the cost of tuition and related expenses paid during the taxable year. Forty percent of the tax credit – up to $1000 – would be refundable—this means that families that need help the most will benefit from this tax credit. It is estimated that it will provide $14 billion in tax relief over two years for those seeking more education after high school.

Public Interest Stakeholders Need a Greater Voice in Trade Policy
I remain concerned that the Obama Administration has not taken steps necessary to ensure that labor, environment, and public health groups are well represented on our Industry Trade Advisory Committees (ITACs).  Trade Advisory Committees are designed to provide public and private sector input in developing U.S. trade policy and in trade negotiations.  By clicking here, you can see the letter I and some of my House colleagues recently sent to the Administration, urging it to expand ITAC membership to include more of these important stakeholders.

Preventing Identify Theft
Economic security also means protecting Americans from those that would seek to take advantage of them.  44 million Americans are carrying in their wallet or purse something that makes them more vulnerable to identity theft: their Medicare card. Apart from the Social Security card itself, the Medicare card is the most frequently issued government document containing a person's Social Security number and displaying such information on Medicare cards unnecessarily places millions of individuals at-risk for identity theft. As part of a bipartisan effort, I have called on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to take steps that private companies and other government agencies have already taken to protect the identities of seniors by removing the display of Social Security numbers on Medicare cards.  To prevent Medicare fraud I am a sponsor of Rep. Ron Klein's bill that would increase criminal penalties for both felony and misdemeanor Medicare fraud and voted to pass the “Strengthening Medicare Anti-Fraud Measures” Act that would enhance Medicare’s ability to keep criminals and corporations convicted of fraud out of the Medicare program.

Congress Passes Historic Student Loan Reforms
With my support, Congress passed the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act, which eliminates the unnecessary middleman-role of private financial institutions in the federal student loan system. By cutting red tape, and lending directly to students, the federal government will have nearly $68 billion dollars more over the next decade for our students and more resources left over to reduce the national debt. The legislation represents the largest single investment ever in higher education, with $40 billion more put into Pell Grants by raising the maximum amount to nearly $6000. To see a video of my press conference talking about these important reforms with student body presidents from St. Edward’s University, Huston-Tillotson University, the University of Texas at Austin, and Austin Community College, please click here.  Or, to see my speech on the floor of the House of Representatives on the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act, please click here.

Congressman Doggett Defends Funding for Teach for America
As a member of the Congressional Public Service Caucus, I have consistently supported funding for public service programs like Teach for America. Earlier this year, when Secretary of Education Arne Duncan came before the House Budget Committee to discuss the President’s budget proposal cutting this program, I urged him to maintain funding for Teach for America. You can view of a video of me discussing this issue with the Secretary by clicking here.

Congressman Doggett testifies on the Smuggled Tobacco Prevention Act
On May 27 of this year, I testified before the Ways and Means Committee on my legislation, the Smuggled Tobacco Prevention (STOP) Act, which I recently re-introduced this Congress. By giving our law enforcement the tools they need to crack down on the illicit tobacco trade, the STOP Act will combat tobacco-related death and disease, reduce funding for organized crime and terrorist organizations that threaten our national security, and raise government revenue without raising taxes. This is why it has the support of over twenty organizations including the Federation of Tax Administrators, American Medical Association, and Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. Click here to view my testimony.

Congressman Doggett Urges Financial Protections for Consumers
With my strong support, the House approved legislation to create the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a powerful consumer advocate to ensure American families can finally have the information they need to make informed financial decisions.  The bureau will crack down on industry practices that are only designed to increase profits at the expense of consumers, suffering with high and hidden fees and small tricks.  With too much already done to protect the interests on Wall Street, it’s about time we offer meaningful protection to Central Texans against financial abuse.  In my speech on the floor of the House of Representatives, I expressed my strong support for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, as envisioned by former U.T. Law Professor Elizabeth Warren, who now serves as chair of the Congressional Oversight Panel. Click here for a video of my remarks on the House floor.

Strong Opposition to Bank Bailouts
I strongly oppose bank bailouts.  Not only did I twice vote against the so-called “bank bailout,” which provided the Treasury Secretary with $700 billion to buy bad mortgages and other troubled assets owned by financial institutions, I also voted twice against releasing another $350 billion to bail out the big banks.  I am deeply concerned about the distribution of Wall Street bailout funds, and the troubling developments since my vote against the initial bailout only increase my concerns about accountability.  I warned Congress about the problem of executive pay before the initial bailout was approved.  In September 2008, I said the bailout bill was “fueled by fear and hinges on haste.  So much is missing. There is no meaningful limitation on outrageous executive pay.”  I also urged Treasury Secretary Geithner not to extend the TARP bailout program that was slated to expire at the end of last year. Click here to view the video of my questioning of Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke.

Congressman Doggett works for Fair Elections
The disastrous Citizens United v. FEC Supreme Court decision at the end of January makes the need for campaign finance reform and government accountability more urgent than before. This ruling will kick open the door to even worse corporate influence in our democratic process.  In the aftermath of the ruling, I served on a special Democratic Caucus Task Force that examined any and all avenues for ways to limit the damage this Court decision has done.  In response, the House voted on the Disclose Act, that requires stricter disclosure requirements on such political activity.  I spoke in support of the bill, stating “This is a vote for a fully informed, fully empowered American people. We want to keep America the best democracy, not the best democracy money can buy. This bill stops a tobacco company from masquerading as a phony ‘healthcare coalition’; a Wall Street bank from promoting another bailout as a ‘consumer alliance’; and a polluter claiming it is ‘citizens for clean air and clean beaches’ while attacking those seeking to hold it accountable.” To listen to my full remarks, please click here.

Accelerating the Clean Energy Economy
As the disaster in the Gulf of Mexico so tragically shows, we need a more comprehensive energy policy that encourages much greater reliance on renewable energy and energy efficiency. With my support, Congress has secured expanded tax incentives for renewable power and provided tax incentives for renewable power and provided resources to help finance renewable energy facilities.  Our economic recovery depends on creating a robust green collar economy, such as we encouraged in the stimulus.  Texas already ranks first in the nation for installed wind capacity and solar resource capacity and is well positioned to reap the benefits of the clean energy technology.  Click here to watch a video of my remarks about boondoggle subsidies for dirty fuels at a Ways and Means hearing.

House Passes Congressman Doggett's Wounded Veteran Job Security Act
On June 8, the House passed my Wounded Veteran Job Security Act to ensure no wounded veteran ever has to make the decision between getting well and getting paid. The bill amends existing law to establish the right of veterans who receive treatment for illness, injuries, and disabilities incurred in, or aggravated by, uniformed service to the United States to be retained by their employers. This bill is important to our commitment to our nation's veterans because battlefield injuries often don't end on the battlefield, and neither should our commitment to wounded warriors. The legislation is supported by many organizations, including the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Fleet Reserve Association, and Disabled American Veterans. Click here for video of my remarks on the House Floor about the Wounded Veteran Job Security Act.

House Passes Congressman Doggett’s Silver Alert Bill
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed my bill, the National Silver Alert Act (H.R. 6064), to help law enforcement quickly locate missing seniors. Silver Alert is a public notification system similar to Amber Alert that is triggered by the report of a missing senior with Alzheimer's or other mental impairments. Our seniors, who have worked a lifetime and raised a family, need our special help when they can no longer help themselves. Click here for video of my remarks on the House floor about Silver Alert.

Fighting Crime: National Night Out
Every August, I participate in National Night Out activities throughout Central Texas. Click here for my op-ed, “Local Citizens and Local Law Enforcement Fighting Crime Together.”