Defining the Priorities

by Congressman Randy Forbes on Wednesday, November 24, 2010 at 11:01am

Last week, I wrote a column on the importance of the open exchange of ideas and the importance of collectively determining a priority list for Congress as we head into a new year and a new Congress. I asked for feedback from you – what do you want to add to Congress’ priority list? What are your top priorities for the new Congress and what specific ideas do you want to see implemented? 

 

I received an overwhelming response to the column, with individuals from across the Fourth Congressional District sharing their thoughts and ideas with me. I have spent the past few days reading over those responses that have come into my office through email, as comments to my blog, and as posts on Facebook.

 

Many of the ideas are bold solutions, and there were several common ideas that individuals believed must be on Congress’ priority list. I want to share with you some of those ideas that I received, share my thoughts and plans on the ideas, and ask for your input as we continue this dialogue.

 

Get Spending Under Control. John from Chesterfield suggested “that the number one priority should be implementing the Deficit Reduction Plan… is essential that we act immediately, with courage” and Fikisha said on my blog that we must “Get the deficit down....spend my money like it is your own.

 

I agree that we must make it our chief priority to get federal spending under control. National debt undermines the ability of our nation to act in our own interest, and we need mechanisms in place to force Congress to enact fiscally responsible spending measures. Some pieces of legislation that I support to get spending under control are: 

  • cutting spending by 40% over five years. I introduced this bill to cut federal discretionary spending by 10 % each year for the next five years. Read more here.  
  • balancing the federal budget. I have cosponsored H. J.Res.1, which would create a constitutional amendment to require a balanced budget each year. Read more here. 

What do you think of these ideas? Do you have other ideas that you think would work better? Share them with me now.

 

Reduce the Size and Scope of the Federal Government. Joe from Chester said we should “reduce governmental imposed regulations on industry and reduce the impact various agencies can have on private citizens and industry. Absolutely minimize the number and impact Presidential Czars have on this country and provide Congressional oversight on their activities.

 

I believe Americans have a natural skepticism for any government official that has the ability to exercise great power or authority – especially if unchecked.  In its day, czarist Russia had just 18 czars in 300 years.  In the first seven months of its term, the Administration nearly doubled that number.  The “czar” mentality represents a frustration Americans have with the growing, unchecked reach of the federal government into their daily lives. There are several steps we could take to begin to reduce the size and scope of the federal government, including: 

  • eliminating taxpayer funding for “czars” who hold senior policy-making decisions and are appointed without the consent of the Senate. I have cosponsored a bill to do just that. Read more here.  
  • prohibiting the expansion of agencies like the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). I have cosponsored a bill that would prohibit the largest expansion of the IRS since World War II. Read more here. 

What do you think of these ideas? Do you have other ideas that you think would work better? Share them with me now.

 

Begin Working Towards Energy Independence. Debra from Smithfield pointed out that we should make energy independence a priority because “energy independence equals American prosperity.

 

I could not agree more. Achieving energy independence would help create lasting economic security for our nation and its families, and secure our global competitiveness for years to come. Taking aggressive steps towards achieving energy independence must be a priority for our nation if we want to remain competitive for years to come.

 

However, any energy plan should be rooted in innovation, not taxation. I introduced a bill, the New Manhattan Project for Energy Independence, which is a bold, lasting solution that will change the trajectory of our nation. The project calls on the United States to reach 50% energy independence in 10 years and 100% in 20 years. Read more here.

 

What do you think of this plan? Do you have other ideas that you think would work better? Share them with me now.

 

Create Accountability in Congress. Rodney from Suffolk pointed out “How about Congressmen picking up the tab for their medical, contribute to their retirement, pay social security taxes and agree to a pay freeze. Yes you and the rest of the elected elite should LEAD the way.

 

I believe that Congressman should lead the way, which is why I have: 

  • voted against Member pay raises and cosponsored a bill to prevent automatic pay raises for Members of Congress. Read more here. 
  • cosponsored a bill to require all legislative branch employees receive their healthcare coverage through new exchanges. Read more here. 
  • introduced a bill to tie Members’ of Congress salaries to federal spending. The more they spend, the less they make. Read more here.

What do you think of these ideas? Do you have other ideas that you think would work better? Share them with me now.

 

Prevent Partisanship from Trumping Progress.  Richard from Carrollton urged “Don’t let partisan ideals get in the way of progress. It is time to work together to fix this country.”

 

I believe we need an open marketplace of ideas to truly address the challenges our nation faces today. We have to take the hatred and rhetoric off the shelf, and we must exchange them for rational and reasonable discussions. One of the ways we can do this is by creating minimum time periods for bills to be posted to the internet so that members and the public can read the bills and voice their support or opposition.

 

I have cosponsored a bill that would prevent any House rule from waiving the “3-day rule” where bills are required to be made available for at least three days before a vote. The bill also requires that legislation be made available to the general public on the Internet. Read more here.

 

What do you think of this legislation? Do you have other ideas that you think would work better? Share them with me now.

 

If you have other ideas or you did not get a chance to share your priorities with me, email me here or post your responses on my blog.

· Comment · Share
    • Carl M. Dozier Freeze and then reduce spending, fix the Tax code, place a limit to new laws and regulations, do away with the Departments of Education and Energy and limit the pay of buearcrats.
      November 24 at 11:24am · 1 personLoading... ·
    • Brian C. Ragland Randy – Your priority list is a good one however; I didn't see anything about our problem with illegal aliens or our border security (especially our southern border). These are problems I want Congress to address.
      November 24 at 11:25am · 1 personLoading... ·
    • Andrew J. Billups Balance the budget, reduce the size of government, and put us on a glide slope for paying off the debt. Our children deserve it.
      November 24 at 12:08pm · 1 personLoading... ·
    • John Concannon
      Cut federal discretionary spending - what is your definition of discretionary spending?

      Balancing the federal budget - how long has it been since the U.S. had a balanced budget? The congress, not just the house, will have to get on board. Ca...n you say compromise?

      Taxpayer funding for “czars” - when did these "czars" come into being, and where do they get their funding?

      Prohibiting the expansion of agencies - does that include the DOD?

      NEW Manhattan Project for Energy Independence - introduced nearly two years ago and has only 4 co-sponsors, that says something.

      Voted against Member pay raises - would you share your pay stubs for the last four years with your constituents? Have you returned COLAs to the Government?

      From "My Fair Lady," "Words! Words! I'm so sick of words! I get words all day through; First from him, now from you! Is that all you blighters can do?"

      We are watching to see action. You've got two years.
      See More
      November 24 at 1:43pm · 1 personLoading... ·
    • Anna M. Beasley
      ‎@ Brian, I didn't realize we had a problem with North Carolina. That is the southern border of the 4th district... Last time I checked there was nothing illegal about them coming to Virginia or any other state in the union. Unless you're... saying you have a bigger problem with Mexicans coming in from Texas than Canadians coming in through New York. Wouldn't have something to do with French vs, Spanish? Or is it the color of their skin that is the real issue? If it's about jobs, why not ask why there are so many girls from Ukraine, and Poland, and Russia, nice white girls, waiting tables in restaurants in Virginia Beach on work visas when our unemployment rate is near double digits, even though that's not in our district.
      ---------------------------------------------------------
      Randy, I have to ask if you support renewing the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy, and if so how you can justify a cut in revenue of $700 billion when trying to bring our deficit under control. The people that brought our economy to it's knees are certainly in the top 3% that would be benefiting from these tax cuts. Why should we reward them with a bailout at our expense and tax cuts too when the rest of us are struggling to make ends meet? How many of your constituents are in that nationwide top 3%?

      Also, I saw nothing to address the new search and seizure policies the TSA has unveiled that tread awfully close to violating the 4 amendment. If what they are doing would be considered unreasonable under the constitution at a routine traffic stop, why are Americans traveling by air who are not breaking any laws being subjected to more rigorous searches than those traveling our highways who are pulled over for actually committing a crime on the road?

      Is the text of HJ res 1 available for viewing? There was no link embedded in this post. Does this address supplemental funding bills as well?

      On the issue of partisanship, will this extend to your staffers? The last time I spoke with one of them their answer for my inquiry was passing the partisan buck and blaming my dissatisfaction with your job performance on the other team and even going so far as saying in so many words the Secretary of Defense was a party traitor only interested in keeping his job under the administration headed by the other team. This is hardly indicative of leadership not tolerating partisanship and embracing the spirit of cooperation and compromise across party lines to work toward what is best for the country. How can we, your constituents, be assured that your pledge above isn't just a lot of hot air?
      See More
      November 24 at 2:43pm ·
    • Mark Burns Getting rid of Obamacare shoulld be at the top of the list in Congress.
      November 24 at 4:33pm ·
    • John Concannon
      According to the Library of Congress it is not H.Res.1. Instead it is H.J.Res.1 (come on staff - get your stuff together)

      Here is a link to the bill's summary:

      http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/D?d111%3A1%3A.%2Ftemp%2F%7EbdBRTH:@@@L&summ2...=m&|/home/LegislativeData.php|

      AND here is a link to the text:

      http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111%3AH.J.RES.1:
      See More
      November 24 at 6:14pm ·
    • John Concannon My bad - I offer apologies to staff. I misread the posting and got some exercise by jumping to conclusions. And I will admit my mistake. Oops!
      November 24 at 6:46pm ·
    • Stephen Thorburn
      Open Letter To Congress

      When you take office as a public servant you swear an oath before God and man. This oath you take is a sacred trust. It is your word and your honor spoken in public for all to bear witness. Your adherence to your oath... is the measure of your integrity.

      Your solemn oath of office is to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America against all enemies foreign and domestic. God has surely taken note of your oath and will judge you according to the integrity of your soul.

      As a natural born citizen of this great nation that I love, I request that you honor your word by protecting and defending Article 2 Section 1 of the Constitution you swore before God that you would defend. The aforementioned article has come under attack from within. And as a result, the freedoms to which your oath applied are all at risk of disappearing, including the very Constitution you swore to protect.

      Millions of brave Americans gave their lives for the freedoms that our Constitutional rule of law has provided and has sustained us through the years as the greatest nation the world has ever seen. They also swore the same oath and their honor and integrity are intact without question. Let not their sacrifices be for naught.

      Our brave men and women of the Armed Forces today go into harms way without the assurance that the orders coming down the unified chain of command are legal and lawful because there are lingering questions as to the eligibility of the Commander In Chief to issue them. One brave soldier, Lt. Col. Terry Lakin, has tried to get an answer through normal military channels without success. He finally made the distasteful choice to invite his own court martial in order to get an answer to the question to finally put an end to the doubts and concerns of his fellow soldiers in arms. In this action he is doing exactly as he was trained to do.

      Lt. Col. Terry Lakin is an 18 year highly decorated Bronze Star recipient who served tours in Bosnia and Afghanistan. He has the support of three Generals, Army Major General (Ret) Jerry Curry, U.S. Army Major General (Ret) Paul E. Valalley and Air Force Lieutenant General (Ret) Thomas McInerney. General McInerney has submitted to the court an affidavit of support for discovery and a full hearing. In spite of the plea from Three Star Lt. General McInverney, Lakin is being denied due process by Judge Lind who has ruled that Lakin cannot defend himself in any way whatsoever because she will not "embarrass the President" to show his vital records, and prove his eligibility under Article 2 Section 1. As a result of that ruling Lt. Col. Terry Lakin faces years at hard labor because he might expose high treason against the people of the United States of America and the Constitution you swore to protect and defend.

      If ever there was a time for you to honor your oath with right action it is now. And there is an easy answer for your personal concerns about your oath and your integrity. If Obama is truly eligible to hold office and can prove it, your honor and integrity are intact, because you have done your duty to your word and your honor while performing a service to end the lingering doubts as to the lawfulness of orders coming down the unified chain of command. If on the other hand, Obama cannot produce proof of eligibility, then you have exposed and rescued the nation from acts of high treason, and your honor and your integrity will be intact. Either way you come out of it a hero and with your integrity intact. I ask you to be reminded of the courage and bravery of the millions who died to protect and defend our Constitution, and in that, find within yourself the courage to act with the same bravery and conviction of those who paved the way for the very freedoms you enjoy today.

      Remember, if due process can be denied Lt. Col Terry Lakin, it can be denied you also.

      Sincerely,

      A Natural Born Citizen of the United States of America
      See More
      November 28 at 9:26am ·
    • John Concannon ‎@ Anna - Did you know that at a swearing in that a person could affirm, rather than swear. And there is room for non-believers to uphold and defend the U.S. Constitution?

      i think the birthers (not the Birchers) are back.
      November 29 at 4:31pm ·
    • Anna M. Beasley
      Yes, John, I am very aware. You also don't have to say "under God" in the pledge either. I believe you are referring to Mr. Thorburn, not me.

      As far as Mr. Thorburn's pleas on the behalf of an Army doctor that refuses to deploy until he ...sees his Commander in Chief's birth certificate, I have heard nothing more ridiculous in my life. It's not a soldier's place to refuse legal orders from a superior. This man signed on to do a job and now is refusing to do that job because he doesn't like his boss? I've heard a lot of a lot of tricks members of the military have pulled to avoid deployment, but this takes the cake. Not even the Left is defending Private Bradley Manning, so why is the Right defending someone just as "traitorous" in Lt. Col Terry Lakin?See More
      November 29 at 5:44pm ·
    • Gary Zaetz
      Congressman Forbes, as you are well aware, a vitally important responsibility of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) is control of the budget of the Defense Department's Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC), tasked with recovering ...the remains of our missing servicemen and women from World War II to the present. Our nation's efforts to recover our war dead are seriously threatened by the freeze on non-war discretionary defense spending recommended by the Rivlin-Domenici debt reduction commission. It is shameful that today, 65 years after the end of World War II, there are 74,000 American servicemen and servicewomen still missing from that conflict. A major reason for this failure is the fact that JPAC is severely underfunded. If JPAC is to meet the target of 200 MIA recoveries annually by 2015, as mandated by the 2010 National Defense Authorization Act, the Defense Department needs, at a minimum, to triple the amount of funds it requests annually from Congress for field investigation teams, and Congress must appropriate these funds, even if DoD fails to request them. Our commitment of 'no man left behind' is too important for the Defense Department to continue to treat JPAC like a neglected stepchild. As a member of the HASC, please support this badly needed increase in funding for the recovery of the remains of our heroic missing servicemen. They and their families deserve no less. JPAC must be exempted from any Defense Department budget freeze.
      Gary Zaetz, nephew of US Army Air Force 1st Lt. Irwin Zaetz, missing in action since January 25, 1944
      See More
      December 7 at 5:02pm ·