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The Constitution of the United States is brilliant in its simplicity. In fact, you can read the entire document in less than half an hour. Why is it so brilliant? Because it places control of the government in the hands of the governed, and it makes America a beacon of freedom and liberty around the world. It is, after all, the foundation upon which American Exceptionalism is built. At its core, the Constitution guarantees certain basic human rights to Americans that our Founding Fathers believed were essential to a democratic government and a free people. Among those rights is the right to religious freedom.
It is this most basic right of religious freedom that is being challenged by President Obama’s Department of Health and Human Services.....
Click here to read more of my latest op-ed.
Field Hearing in Steubenville
On Monday, February 27, I hosted a field hearing of the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources at Eastern Gateway Community College in Steubenville. Click on the video above to watch a news report about the hearing.
I was pleased to host a field hearing at Eastern Gateway Community College in Steubenville yesterday regarding the opportunities the Utica and Marcellus shale are bringing to Eastern and Southeastern Ohio. I was joined by my colleagues, Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Chairman Doug Lamborn of Colorado and Glenn Thompson of Pennsylvania. We have an opportunity to be at the hub of an economic boom unlike anything that we've ever seen before in our region, and I am glad that these opportunities were highlighted during the hearing.
Along with Rep. Lamborn and Rep. Thompson, I heard from 11 witnesses during three rounds of testimony. The hearing highlighted hydraulic fracking’s significant contribution to the production of natural gas, and its enormous job creation and revenue creating potential. The Obama Administration is preparing to add significant red tape and delays to the process of harnessing U.S. Shale gas resources, and this will negatively impact job creation and domestic energy production. The hydraulic fracturing procedure has been effectively and safely regulated by states for over 60 years, and is responsible for 30 percent of our domestic oil and natural gas production today.
I want to extend my sincere thanks to all those who showed up and participated and to Representatives Lamborn and Thompson for taking the time to come to Steubenville and hear first-hand how shale has the potential to positively transform Eastern and Southeastern Ohio.
"Pass A Budget Now Act"
MSNBC commentators discussed my latest piece of legislation, the "Pass A Budget Now Act" on February 15. Click the image to watch or visit my YouTube page.
I introduced the “Pass a Budget Now Act” – legislation that blocks members of Congress from being paid their salary for every day after April 15, 2012 that their respective chamber doesn’t pass a budget. For example, if the Senate doesn’t pass a budget by April 15, this legislation would require Senators to 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.
Enough is enough. It’s time to stop business as usual in Washington, and the "Pass a Budget Now Act" takes us one step closer to holding the federal government accountable. As a 26 year Air Force Veteran, I know that if Harry Reid and Senate Democrats were in the military they would be charged, court martialed, and convicted for dereliction of duty for failing to pass a budget in over 1,000 days. This straight forward, common sense legislation will hold Congress’ feet to the fire to follow the law and pass a budget. Hard-working taxpayers in Eastern and Southeastern Ohio deserve nothing less.
Standing Up For Coal Jobs
MSNBC On February 15, I questioned Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar regarding an environmental review that initially found a proposed rule would cost thousands of coal jobs - before contractors were allegedly pressured to change the numbers. Click the image to watch or visit my YouTube page.
On February 15, I questioned Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar regarding the Obama Administration's insistence on rewriting the Stream Buffer Zone Rule. Experts contracted to analyze the impact of the rule initially found that it would cost up to 27,000 direct and indirect jobs. The contractors claimed they were pressured by the Obama Administration to keep the findings to themselves and then "take a new look" at the study in order to show less of an impact on jobs. They would not, and I am determined to get to the bottom of this.
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 Southeastern 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.
Veterans Update
I want to let you know about a new piece of legislation that I recently introduced. The "Improving Contracting for Veteran Owned Small Businesses Act" aims to create more jobs for Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs).
This important piece of legislation clarifies that the VA may use previously authorized special contracting tools intended to make it easier for the VA to contract with SDVOSBs for FSS (Federal Supply Schedule) purchases. This clarification gives the VA an additional way to increase the percentage of their contracts that are with SDVOSBs, and also provides more contracting opportunities for these veteran owned businesses in Eastern and Southeastern Ohio and across the country.
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 through 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, or Ironton district offices.
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 am pleased to announce 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 Services - Help With Federal Agencies
One of the most important things I do as your U.S. Representative is help people with federal problems, including those who are having issues with the VA. Although I cannot override the decisions made by a federal agency, I can often intervene on a person's behalf to answer questions, find solutions, or just cut through the red tape. In order to help you, I need a completed privacy authorization form to comply with the provisions of the Privacy Act. Please download this printable version of the privacy authorization form and then fax or mail it back to my office to the address or fax number on the form.
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. Our schedule has been slightly revised for 2012; here is where we will be next:
Thursday, March 1, 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
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
9:00 - 10:30 am Pomeroy Public Library, 216 West Main Street, Pomeroy
Check out the full schedule of my district wide Open Door meetings by clicking here.
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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