Congressman
Henry E. Brown, Jr.

Brown Ranked #1 in SC Delegation on Animal Protection Issues During the 110th Congress

Posted by: Brown Staff (March 31, 2009, 12:34 PM)

Congressman Brown, the Ranking Republican on the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries, Oceans and Wildlife, ranked #1 in the South Carolina delegation on Animal Protection Issues during the 110th Congress.

View the Congressman's score and the entire 110th Congress Humane Score Card to see how other members ranked.

Posted in Environment and Wildlife | View Full Posting

Brown Lauds Essential Unanimously Passed Veterans Legislation

Posted by: Brown Staff (March 31, 2009, 11:17 AM)

As the Ranking Republican Member of the Veterans Affairs’ Subcommittee on Health, I was extremely pleased that the House unanimously approved, by voice vote yesterday, H.R. 1377, legislation that would allow veterans to seek emergency care at the closest provider without fear of facing large out-of-pocket expenses.

Additionally, the House unanimously passed H.R. 1171, The Homeless Veterans Reintegration Reauthorization Act of 2009, legislation that extends the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP), a program that provides grants to local homeless veteran’s service organizations for job training, through 2014. An attached amendment would extend the HVRP’s services to homeless female veterans and homeless veterans with children. Also agreed upon unanimously by the House was H.R. 1513, The Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act, legislation that increases rates of disability, dependency and indemnity compensation for wartime disabilities, benefits, clothing allowance, and surviving spouses and children.

Read Congressman Brown's original statement from committee on H.R. 1377.

Posted in Veterans | View Full Posting

Comments on the President’s Budget from First District Residents and other South Carolinians:

Posted by: Brown Staff (March 31, 2009, 10:13 AM)

Susan from Little River writes:
I think a lot could be done with the resources the government already has on its payroll.

Anthony from Charleston writes:
This guy is a pure socialist; we need to block any and all efforts to his idea of socialism. His whole party thinks government is the answer to our current problems. I myself have served this country for over 30 years so we the people can have a free and democratic form of government. I support your efforts and the Republican Party in not standing by and letting our nation fall into a socialist state. Remember we the people run the government; the government need not rule us.

Linda from Townsend writes:
I think my grandchildren will be paying for this.

Marjorie writes:
It’s CRAP!

George from Little River writes:
Rep. Brown, it’s hard for me to comprehend the size of this proposed budget. There is so much pork and waste in it that it would choke a horse and then some. When do we ever see a savings for the tax payers? When does the government reduce their operating budget...I see a great deal of overhead and little progress. When do we evaluate their purpose and is it worthwhile to continue to fund them… We need to reduce and eliminate all the pork projects from the budget.

Russ writes:
Porculus!!

Karen from Pawley’s Island writes:
The President does not understand what he is doing to the Americans who work and have worked to get ahead!! He is punishing anyone with a business or anyone who makes more than $250,000! You cannot tax your way out of this. I was just recently laid off due to the President’s proposals. Increasing entitlements to those that have been on the dole for years is not the answer! … We are taxing our children and our grandchildren to death… By electing Obama-others feel the government will buy their groceries, pay their taxes, buy their house, put gas in their tank and give them spending money! This is incredible-we need oversight on the spending bill and the Budget. Obama is pushing this agenda down our throat.

Glen writes:
The President’s budget is very bad for our country, everything he has done takes us further away from capitalism.

Richard writes:
I am concerned about the budget…The economy needs tax relief. I am ready to give the feds less control.

Marsha writes:
I am definitely against the proposed budget. It will help to destroy America.

William from Summerville writes:
The Budget is not good; spending money to get out of debt is not the answer. The government needs to do less and let the people take care of people we have far too much government spending as it is and this will only help to bring down what has made the USA a great nation.

Stan writes:
The budget is a joke. Why and 8% increase and why 9000 earmark pork projects?

Janet from Mt. Pleasant writes:
This is a disaster. What is happening to our country and what can we do to stop it?

Wendy from Moncks Corner writes:
I think that President Obama’s budget is going to do more harm than good.

Johnny from Goose Creek writes:
Dear Congressman, I hope you stand firm against this President’s agenda, or we will most likely end us as a Third World Society. The Democratic Party has gone completely insane with these Socialist spending policies. I believe our very Liberty and Freedom are at stake. I am a history buff and we are headed in the wrong direction.

Frances writes:
The budget is way over the top. You guys need to shut him down, keep up the good fight!

Rosemary writes:
This is very bad for our country.

Gail writes:
Obscenely irresponsible and socialist in nature.

Stan writes:
I do not believe in entitlements at any time, but with the economy where it is today, they definitely must be eliminated. The non-defense spending should be reduced at least in half. Now is not the time to raise taxes.

Kenneth from Aynor writes:
I feel that both the budget and the stimulus package are more about welfare than progress. Too many of Obama’s proposals wreak of socialism. It is very unnerving to think about the direction we are headed as a nation. The stimulus pack and bailout programs are nothing more than blank welfare checks.

Michael from Goose Creek writes:
It’s back to tax and spend, which has never worked. It is a killer to small business. The private sector will suffer, job loss will continue, it’s an awful budget, and Obama's plan is socialism and will further deteriorate America.

Gretchen from Summerville writes:
The budget is out of control…just like everything else in Washington.

Craig from Summerville writes:
Disaster for the people who have followed the rules.

William from Hilton Head writes:
My family and employer have had to tighten our financial belt, so should our federal government regarding entitlements spending and earmarks.

Bill Bleakley writes:      
Again'st! Please support the Govenors stance on stimulus.

Harry Dawson writes: 
I think it is the height of stupidity and arrogance...The people who are in charge have no clue as to what they are doing...The change that is happening shouldnt happen to a third world country....Unless Republicans unite and take back control of the Congress, this is only a sample of the woes yet to befall America...Stand tall and defend us against these attackers of freedom and the free enterprise system...

Unanimous writes:  
It is outrageous. My Grandchildren will be paying for it for many years. That is if it hasn't seriously eroded our currency before then.

James Kirk writes:    
OVER the MAX.
   
Donald Goldsmith writes:     
Stinks like every thing he proposes

Dennis Space writes:     
We are very selfish as we continue to spend and pass these massive debts on to future generations. we would not do this to our family why do we let our government do it for us? we definitely have our values confused, especially the party and administration proposing this latest budget.

Posted in Economy, Taxes | View Full Posting

Important DTV Update!

Posted by: Brown Staff (March 26, 2009, 09:55 AM)

The Department of Commerce is pleased to inform you that the TV Converter Box Coupon Program has  eliminated its waiting list and is now processing coupons on a "current" basis, and is now accepting requests for replacement coupons (online, by phone and mail/fax).

"This is very good news for Americans who were unable to redeem their coupons before they expired," Acting NTIA Administrator Anna Gomez said. "With the backlog of applications now eliminated, consumers can apply for coupons and get assistance right away, allowing them to continue to receive important local television news and emergency information by purchasing a converter box at a reduced cost."

Additional information on the Coupon Program is available at www.dtv2009.gov and https://www.dtv2009.gov/CouponProgramUpdate.aspx .

Posted in Technology | View Full Posting

Brown Continues to Stand Against Overeaching Democrat Spending

Posted by: Brown Staff (March 25, 2009, 02:01 PM)

Today, the House passed the Omnibus Lands Package, yet another far reaching Democrat bill, created by stacking more than 170 separate bills together into one 1,200 page, 10 billion dollar piece of legislation.

While the bill contained some worthwhile provisions, piling so many separate pieces of legislation into one bill, 100 of which have never been voted on in the House, unnecessarily creates extremely expensive and convoluted legislation.

One would think that recent experiences with TARP and the stimulus would have taught Congress that forcing such convoluted pieces of legislation through, without the necessary deliberations and revisions, may have large and negative consequences.

Democrats have passed up yet another opportunity to create effective legislation that could uphold our priorities and desires as Americans. My Republican colleagues and I continue to voice the opinion of the American people and look forward to sensible, straight forward legislation in the future.

Posted in Economy, Energy, Environment and Wildlife | View Full Posting

Brown Marks the 188th Anniversary of Greek Independence Day

Posted by: Brown Staff (March 25, 2009, 11:09 AM)

As a proud member of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, I am pleased to announce my support and cosponsorship of legislation marking today as the 188th anniversary of Greek Independence Day.

Greek culture is prominent throughout South Carolina's First District as the Orthodox Churches of both Charleston and Myrtle Beach play a strong role in their respective communities.

I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of Greece, the values of democracy and freedom that we both share and their role as a constant ally and friend to the US.

I congratulate Greece on this day and look forward to encouraging our mutually beneficial Greek American friendship in the future.

Posted in Values | View Full Posting

POLL: Dems Push Secret Ballot Destruction Scheme while Few Americans Support Unionizing

Posted by: Brown Staff (March 17, 2009, 09:50 AM)

Posted in Labor | View Full Posting

WHAT EVERY STATE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE PRESIDENT’S BUDGET

Posted by: Brown Staff (March 16, 2009, 05:38 PM)

From the Office of the Republican Leader, John Boehner

Get a state by state analysis on the following aspect of President Obama's Budget:

•  Job-Killing Tax Increases
•  Health Care Cuts
• Record Borrowing

Posted in Economy, Taxes | View Full Posting

Policy Watch: Holding Democrat's Accountable

Posted by: Brown Staff (March 13, 2009, 09:29 AM)

As the Congressional leadership continues to force their huge spending packages through Congress, my Republican colleagues and I are working to show the American people the repercussions of the Democrat's actions. Check out these graphs on continued Republican efforts to hold Democrats accountable.

Posted in Economy | View Full Posting

Implications and American Opinion of the Employee Free Choice Act

Posted by: Brown Staff (March 11, 2009, 10:25 AM)

At a time when our nation’s viability in the world market must be strengthened and Congress should be focusing on legislation that will grow, not stunt, the economy, passage of the Democrat's so called Employee Free Choice Act, better know as card check, would be without the support of the American people and would have the following effects on our job market:

• At least 7.1 million Americans will eventually be forced into unions, further devastating labor markets and reducing corporate competiveness.
• As many as 765,000 potential jobs in the economy will be cut within two years.
• In addition, a recent survey shows that 88% of Americans want private ballots to remain, just that, PRIVATE.

Posted in Labor | View Full Posting

BROWN WORKS TO PROTECT WORKER FREE CHOICE

Posted by: Brown Staff (March 11, 2009, 09:35 AM)

As an original cosponsor and staunch supporter of worker freedoms, I am proud to support The Secret Ballot Protection Act. This legislation would guarantee workers the right to a secret ballot election conducted by the National Labor Relations Board and prohibit unions from coercively subjecting employees into a card check campaign,as proposed by the Democrat's misnamed Employee Free Choice Act.

By replacing the secret ballot system with card-checks and pressuring workers to sign cards in the open rather than voting secretly in booths, this so called Employee Free Choice Act, better known as card check, would strip workers of their fundamental rights and freedoms and leave them more vulnerable to pressure than ever before.

Read more on my support of the Secret Ballot Protection Act.

Posted in Labor | View Full Posting

Brown Cautions Against Controversial Stem Cell Policy

Posted by: Brown Staff (March 09, 2009, 04:59 PM)

Today, President Obama signed an executive order overturning restrictions on taxpayer-funded embryonic stem-cell research. As a winner of the Family Research Council’s 'True Blue' Award for consistent support of families, I am strongly against this legislation as it diverts scarce federal resources away from innovative and proven adult stem cell research and forces taxpayers to subsidize research that will destroy human embryos.
Learn more about my work for and commitment to our nation's families.

Posted in Health Care | View Full Posting

Breaking Down the Tax Increases in the FY10 Budget

Posted by: Brown Staff (March 06, 2009, 02:00 PM)

The President's Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Proposal includes some $1.4 billion in tax increases - tax increases that will hit every single family in the country at a time when our economy is in the middle of a painful recession.  The Republican Staff of the Budget Committee broke down the tax increases in this handy chart:

You can read the Budget Committee's full analysis of the President's Budget Proposal here.

Posted in Economy, Taxes | View Full Posting

The Return of Tax and Spend Big Government

Posted by: Henry E. Brown (March 06, 2009, 01:36 PM)

At a time when the American people are hurting and calling on Congress and the White House to take action to get this economy moving, higher taxes and massive increases in federal spending are not the cures for what ails this economy.  Unfortunately, the President's Fiscal Year 2010 Budget offers us just that - even though the American people know we cannot tax, spend, and bail our way back into economic growth.

The President's budget will raise taxes on almost every American during a time when we all are feeling the impact of this recession.  While small businesses are the engine of our nation's economy, this Budget will directly target them with tax increases.  Given continued slump in the job market, we should providing incentives for small business to grow - not throwing a tax increase at them.  

While families are struggling to make ends meet, the President's budget calls for increasing utility rates on every single household in America. While charities such as higher education, health research foundations, and religious organizations are struggling under reduced support and higher demand for their services, the President's budget calls for cutting the tax deduction on donations to these important parts of our community.  While middle class families saving for retirement have seen their 401(k) significantly reduced by the challenges facing the stock market, the President's budget means a tax increase for them as well. 

I am proud to stand on the side of American people and of the First District in support of a responsible budget that  helps get our economy back on track without piling more debt on future generations and increasing taxes on American families and small businesses.  With family budgets tightening, nest eggs shrinking, and job security weakening for far too many across the country, the last thing Congress should be considering is a budget that combines a trillion-dollar tax hike with a historic increase in government spending.  

Posted in Economy, Taxes | View Full Posting

BROWN PRAISES LEGISLATION TO BLOCK SHARK FINNING

Posted by: Brown Staff (March 05, 2009, 11:23 AM)

I am proud to announce that, this week, my colleagues and I approved legislation by voice vote that will protect sharks from the cruel practice of shark finning.

As the leading Republican on the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife, I was proud to work with Subcommittee Chairwoman Madeleine Bordallo on H.R. 81, the Shark Conservation Act, legislation that will expand current prohibitions on this practice and improve shark conservation by closing several loopholes that allow for the legal transshipment of shark fins without the corresponding carcasses.

In addition to my efforts on this legislation, during the 110th Congress, I was proud to have the highest rating by the Humane Society of any member in the South Carolina delegation. Learn more about my work on important animal and wildlife protection issues.

Posted in Environment and Wildlife | View Full Posting

Poll Finds 72 Percent of South Carolinians in Favor of Offshore Oil and Gas Resources

Posted by: Brown Staff (March 05, 2009, 10:12 AM)

Posted in Energy | View Full Posting

Brown Leads Effort to Preserve South Carolina's Civil War Battlefields

Posted by: Brown Staff (March 04, 2009, 04:18 PM)

As a original cosponsor of the Civil War Battlefield Preservation Act of 2009 and a member of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands, I applaud my colleagues in the House for passing legislation Tuesday that will encourage the private sector to preserve, conserve and enhance nationally significant Civil War battlefields.

Bringing new life to the Civil War Battlefield Preservation Program could not come at a better time.  In just three years, America will commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War.  I know that in my District the planning has already started and many residents of coastal South Carolina are planning to observe this important date from where the first shots of the Civil War were fired. This swift passage of the Civil War Battle Field Preservation Act will help in the preparation, preservation and conservation of many of these hallowed sites in time for this important milestone.

Read more of my press release on the passage of the Civil War Battlefield Preservation Act of 2009 and my previous efforts to protect South Carolina’s Civil War Battlefields.

Posted in Tourism | View Full Posting