It's Your Money, Not Washington's
Tax Day has come and gone without much acknowledgement from this White House or the mainstream media about the growing burden that hardworking families and businesses are enduring these days. Despite many Americans struggling to make ends meet, President Obama has proposed a budget that will take $1.5 trillion more out of our wallets than last year. When is enough, enough?
Click on the image above to visit my official YouTube page and watch my Tax Day message
Since President Obama took office, the national debt has ballooned going from about $10 trillion to more than $15 trillion. Each American’s share of the debt has increased to $50,000. The path that the President’s policies have put us on is not sustainable, and burying our children and grandchildren under this type of crushing debt is immoral.
For too long Presidents and members of Congress, of both political parties, have spent tax dollars like drunken sailors showing a complete lack of respect to those footing the bill – hardworking American taxpayers. Whether it’s the federal tax burden or the cost of complying with federal mandates like President Obama’s health care law or the rising cost of so many consumer products, like food, as a result of high prices at the pump, the American people are overtaxed and undervalued by a federal government that too often takes them for granted.
Just recently, we saw a disgusting display of behavior by federal employees at a conference in Las Vegas that racked up a tab of nearly $1 million of your dollars. This lavish spending included a clown, a mind reader and a $31,208 reception. Ironically, the now resigned General Services Administration (GSA) Administrator missed the big party due to a scheduled meeting with Solyndra, the same Solyndra that received a $535 million loan guarantee from the President just before it filed for bankruptcy. These are just two examples of your tax dollars at work.....
To read my latest op-ed in full, click here.
Fighting to Preserve & Protect Medicare
Bill Johnson appeared on "Fox & Friends" to discuss his "Pass a Budget Now Act." Click the picture above to watch the video.
A recent Medicare & Social Security Trustees Report shows that if no action is taken to save these vital programs, Medicare will be bankrupt in 2024 and Social Security will be bankrupt in 2033 – three years earlier than estimated just last year.
There’s no question that these vital programs need to be saved and preserved which is why I voted for and supported a budget that guarantees the promise of Medicare and Social Security for everyone. This budget also starts the process of balancing our budget and getting our fiscal house in order. I promised not to cut Medicare for today's seniors, and I stand by that. The only person cutting Medicare is President Obama, who took $500 billion out of the program in order to get his health care takeover passed.
When it comes to the federal budget, its time for Washington to stop the tricks, stop the accounting gimmicks, and stop making empty promises. You have the right to expect an effective, efficient federal government that lives within its means just like you have to. I recognize that the time is now to deal with America's fiscal realities and get the government's balance sheet in order.
That's why I recently introduced the “Pass a Budget Now Act” – legislation that blocks members of Congress from being paid their salary for each day after April 15 every year that their respective chamber doesn’t pass a budget. The Republican led House has passed a budget in 2011 and 2012, but the Senate has not passed a budget in nearly three years. It's time to force them to do their job. The Pass a Budget Now Act says if the Senate doesn’t pass a budget by April 15, then Senators would not get paid for every day that a budget is not passed in the Senate. The same provision would apply to the House. Furthermore, any forfeited pay would go directly to paying down the $15 trillion debt. As I write this, it has been well over 1,050 days since the Senate Democrats passed a budget.
Working to Repeal the Federal Health Care Takeover
Bill Johnson visited small businesses up and down the Ohio River to hear firsthand how President Obama's takeover of health care is hurting job creation and business expansion.
On a recent swing across Eastern and Southeastern Ohio, I visited with small business owners to hear firsthand about how President Obama's takeover of health care is hurting their bottom line.
I heard from job creators that some of the requirements in President Obama’s takeover of health care have the potential to put their companies out of business. It is very troubling to hear stories like these. Slowly but surely, we are learning what Nancy Pelosi meant when she said "We have to pass the bill so you can find out what is in it."
And we are finding out what many of us already suspected. President Obama’s takeover of health care kills jobs and threatens the existence of many small businesses. President Obama promised us that his government takeover of health care would create jobs, lower costs, and allow you to keep your own doctor. So far, none of these promises have been kept.
Two articles about these stops I made can be read here and here.
Rest assured, I'm going to continue to stand with my colleagues to repeal and replace President Obama’s takeover of health care with common sense, patient-centered solutions.
In fact, I recently voted to protect doctors and patients by voting to repeal the Independent Patient Advisory Board (IPAB), which is a board of 15 unelected and unaccountable government bureaucrats that will have the power to make health care decisions for you. That is wrong - doctors and patients should decide what is best, NOT the government.
The House Republican plan of repeal and replace delivers you healthcare on your terms - tailored to you - forcing insurance companies and health plans to compete and to offer higher quality at a lower cost.
Protecting Coal Jobs
Bill Johnson was featured on a Fox News segment on March 28 about President Obama's War on Coal. Click on the picture above to watch the segment.
As I mentioned in a previous eNewsletter, with just ONE proposed rewrite of ONE coal rule – the Stream Buffer Zone Rule – the Obama Administration is putting tens of thousands of direct and indirect coal jobs at risk. Right here in Ohio, over 100 jobs will be lost with the closure of the Muskingum River Power Plant – directly related to increased regulation from the Obama Administration. It’s a shame that President Obama’s actions don’t match his words when it comes to meeting America's energy needs and creating jobs. He would rather waste hard-earned taxpayer dollars in the Solyndra debacle, reject job-creating projects like the Keystone XL Pipeline, and deliberately push job-killing rules on the coal industry to promote his liberal left environmental agenda. With 14 million Americans unemployed, President Obama should stop the speeches and work with House Republicans to create jobs.
President Obama has told Americans that he wants to create jobs and grow this economy through increased energy development - but at the same time he advances his war on the coal industry and the jobs that go with it. There’s no question that President Obama’s activist EPA must be stopped.
This topic and my legislation was also featured the evening of March 28 on the Fox News program "Special Report."
Around Eastern & Southeastern Ohio
Bill Johnson toured the Pregnancy Help Center in Boardman in March
In March I visited the Pregnancy Health Center in Boardman. It was so inspiring and moving to visit with many of the center’s board members. I am very excited about the work they are doing. It is unconscionable that the Obama Administration is trying to force organizations to choose between violating the law and standing firm on their religious convictions. This further underscores the need for President Obama’s takeover of health care to be repealed FULLY. I will always fight for Constitutionally guaranteed religious freedoms and for pro-life causes. These issues are discussed in this video from my visit to the Pregnancy Help Center.
Bill Johnson spoke to students at Dawson-Bryant High School in Coal Grove on March 14
I recently visited Dawson-Bryant High School in Coal Grove and spoke to students in three government classes about my duties as a U.S. Representative and provided insight into my day-to-day activities. The students asked very insightful questions which reflected well on their teachers. It was uplifting to see so many young people with a knowledge and interest in their country and government.
Bill Johnson visited the Beaver Creek Candle Company in Lisbon on April 9
On April 9, I toured and met with employees and clients at the Beaver Creek Candle Company in Lisbon. The Beaver Creek Candle Company, run by the Columbiana County Board of Developmental Disabilities, is a unique organization that creates products that are handcrafted by courageous people with developmental disabilities. The energy and enthusiasm of both the employees and clients were on full display. They take pride in their work, and find great satisfaction in seeing others enjoy their efforts and finished products. It was a very inspiring visit.
2012 Congressional Art Competition
I am proud to announce the 2012 Congressional Art Competition, “An Artistic Discovery.” Initiated in 1982 by the House of Representatives, the Congressional Art Competition has become an annual event that allows students from all over the country to showcase their artistic abilities. All high school students residing in Eastern and Southeastern Ohio are eligible to enter by contacting my office. This is a great opportunity for students to represent their school to both our local region as well a national audience, and I encourage teachers and principals to bring this competition to the attention of their students.
The overall contest winner will have their artwork displayed for one year inside the United States Capitol. In addition, the artwork of four runners-up will be displayed in my Washington D.C. or Marietta, Salem, and Ironton district offices. To see last year's winners, visit the 2011 Art Contest photo gallery on my website.
The deadline to submit artwork for this year's contest is fast approaching - Thursday, May 3. For more information, including full guidelines and submission information, please visit the 2012 Congressional Art Competition page on my website.
2012 Eastern Ohio Job Fair
I want to remind you that I will be hosting the 2012 Eastern Ohio Job Fair on May 7 in East Liverpool. Admission to the job fair is free with no pre-registration. It is open to everyone, especially veterans, who are looking for employment.
I've set up a page on my website which will be updated frequently with the latest job fair news and a list of employers who will be there looking to hire.
WHEN:
Monday, May 7, 2012
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
WHERE:
East Liverpool Motor Lodge
http://www.elmotorlodge.com/
2340 Dresden Ave.
East Liverpool, Ohio 43920
Constituent Open Door Hours
Each month, my district offices hold Open Door hours at various locations and times throughout Eastern and Southeastern Ohio. We invite constituents to attend these Open Doors to learn more about how we can be an advocate for you to federal agencies. Here is where we will be next:
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
9:00 - 10:30 am Pomeroy Public Library, 216 West Main Street, Pomeroy
Thursday, May 10, 2012
10:00 - 11:30 am Steubenville-Schiappa Public Library, 4141 Mall Drive, Steubenville
12:30 - 2:00 pm St. Clair Township Administration Building, 15442 Pugh Road, Calcutta
3 - 4 pm Boardman Township Government Center, 8299 Market Street, Boardman
(NOTE: In May only, the Steubenville, St. Clair Twp. and Boardman stops have been moved to the 2nd Thursday from the 1st Thursday. Times and locations remain the same.)
To keep up on the latest news, you can follow me on both Facebook and Twitter, which I update on a frequent basis.
It is my privilege to represent you in the United States House of Representatives. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I may be of service or if you have any questions or concerns.
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