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    In today’s world, it is critical that citizens in the 19th District of Texas know what is going on in their federal government.

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  • A Christmas Message

    Our country is truly blessed to have such extraordinary citizens, who continuously reach out with compassion to help their fellow brothers and sisters in need during these difficult times. Dana and I have experienced such blessings, and we would like to thank you for your overwhelming support and prayers. As you know, August brought a diagnosis of prostate cancer. September brought two great things: a new grandson and healing. Dana and I want you to know how very much we appreciated every thought, note, card, and prayer and were humbled by your outpouring of support. You truly lifted us up. And today, I am blessed to be cancer-free and a cancer survivor.
    < Read more >
  • National Debt Continuing to Rise

    As the federal government continues spending at rates far greater than the revenue that is available, it will once again hit the limit on its credit card. If you reach the limit on your credit card, you have to stop spending. But the leadership in Congress doesn't seem to get it. Spending at the rates we have seen the past two years, using borrowed money, means that Congress has reached the national borrowing limit.
    < Read more >
  • Travels to Afghanistan

    I have just returned from spending two days in Afghanistan as a part of the first Congressional Delegation to visit since President Obama made his announcement regarding additional troops. The challenges in Afghanistan are immense, so it was important for me to see the situation on the ground and hear directly from our troops and commanders. The journey took me to Kabul, Khandahar, and to the Forward Operation Base Spin Boldak.
    < Read more >
  • Afghanistan Decision Approaches

    I don't believe that we should, or even can, set a fixed deadline for leaving Afghanistan at this point in time. A deadline only gives our enemies a timeline by which to wait us out and then resume terrorist activities. Our goal in Afghanistan should be clear. We can't leave until the United States defeats the Taliban, destroys Al-Qaeda, and helps establish a free Afghanistan that can govern itself.
    < Read more >
  • "Doc Fix" Fixes Very Little

    A pressing issue Congress must address before the end of the year is keeping reimbursements to doctors who take care of Medicare patients fair. Unless Congress acts, reimbursements will fall significantly, making it challenging for doctors to take on and retain Medicare patients. I believe Congress can improve physician payments and seniors' access to doctors without further increasing the already skyrocketing deficit. That's why I voted for a doctors' reimbursement plan for Medicare that is paid for.
    < Read more >
  • Reckless Decision to Prosecute 9/11 Mastermind in NYC

    By choosing to prosecute these terrorists in our domestic criminal system, President Obama has revealed that he views the terrorist attacks on New York City as a crime–not as an act of war. This decision sets a dangerous precedent on how we handle detainees. These terrorists were being properly brought to justice by military commissions, which were specifically designed to prosecute such dreadful acts. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and his cohorts deliberately and viciously attacked and killed thousands of Americans; they waged war on America and should be brought to justice in a manner befitting war criminals, not common criminals.
    < Read more >
  • People Deserve Choice

    On Saturday night, many of my colleagues and I stood with the millions of Americans who are opposed to this massive government takeover. For months, Americans have been telling Washington they want a common-sense approach to health care reform, not Speaker Nancy Pelosi's 2,032-page government takeover that increases costs, adds to our skyrocketing debt, destroys jobs with tax hikes and new mandates, and takes money out of Medicare.
    < Read more >
  • The Latest on Speaker Pelosi's Health Care Bill

    Last week, Speaker Pelosi introduced the long-awaited final draft of her health care reform bill. H.R. 3962 weighs in at 1,990 pages, which is 620 pages longer than the government takeover of health care Hillary Clinton proposed in 1993.
    < Read more >
  • Broken Promises

    This week, Speaker Pelosi and the Democrat Majority, self-described as the "most open" Congress in history, continue to write a trillion dollar government takeover of your health care behind close doors. As your Representative, I would like to be able to provide you a legislative update on the details of this health care bill, but unfortunately the Majority continues its work in secret.
    < Read more >
  • President Obama's Soaring Budget Deficit

    On Friday, the Obama Administration released new deficit numbers and they were abysmal. The deficit for Fiscal Year 2009, which ended Sept. 30, totaled $1.42 trillion. This amounts to almost $1 trillion more than the $455 federal budget deficit from Fiscal Year 2008. Additionally, in 2009 the ratio of federal deficit to Gross Domestic Product is a staggering 10%, up from 3.2% last year.
    < Read more >
  • Washington's Devastating Economic Policy

    As the unemployment rate continues to climb to almost double digits and the federal deficit balloons, Speaker Pelosi is scrambling to find new ways to increase spending and raise taxes. She is desperate to defend the trillion-dollar stimulus that isn't working. With a costly government takeover of health care and a national energy tax in the works, Speaker Pelosi and the liberal Congress show absolutely no sign of slowing down.
    < Read more >
  • Thank You For Your Continued Support

    Dana and I have been overwhelmed and deeply moved by the outpouring of prayers and support you have shown over the past week. The emails, phone calls and Facebook messages that I have received provided great strength and encouragement during this difficult time. While at the hospital and since returning home, we have read and re-read each message and have reflected upon the kindness of people in West Texas. We are so thankful to all of you.
    < Read more >
  • Washington's Out-of-Control Spending Habits

    The federal government just doesn't get it. While people around the nation are tightening their belts and cutting back on unnecessary spending, the federal government is continuing to recklessly spend your hard-earned tax dollars. When our country is on the verge of bankruptcy, I don't understand why Congress would increase our legislative branch budget, as was passed last week, when the deficit is going to hit $1.6 trillion this year and will be $1.3 trillion next year.
    < Read more >
  • President Obama Still Pushing Government-Run Health Care

    Over the weekend, we saw President Obama go on a media blitz to continue promoting a government takeover of our health care system. While President Obama's plan is on life-support, he continues to push for a government option that will increase government spending, increase our national debt, and even increase seniors Medicare prescription drug premiums.
    < Read more >
  • National Tea Party "March on Washington"

    Over the weekend, thousands of Americans descended upon Washington from across the country to tell President Obama and Speaker Pelosi they've had enough. They are fed-up with government interventions, soaring deficits, unaccountable policy czars, and astronomical debt. They understand that even though we face unprecedented times, expanding the deficit and growing the federal government are not the solutions we need to put this country back on track.
    < Read more >
  • President's Upcoming Speech on Health Care

    This week, President Obama will address a joint session of Congress on health care reform. My hope is that the President will petition the Democrat Majority to work together with Republicans to create truly bi-partisan health care reform.
    < Read more >
  • WTO's Arbitration Panel Decision

    I am pleased the World Trade Organization scaled back Brazil's $2.6 billion request for damages in an arbitration decision in Brazil's ongoing case against U.S. cotton. The WTO also denied Brazil's request to impose penalties on U.S. services exports or suspend agreements on intellectual property rights agreements, limiting Brazil to $294 million in trade sanctions against U.S. goods.
    < Read more >
  • Fighting to Ensure Fiscal Responsibility in Washington

    There is a severe spending problem in Washington. The growth in spending, deficits and debt is a result of increased government intervention in our economy and threatens our country's future.
    < Read more >
  • Six Month Anniversary of Stimulus Signing

    Today marks the six month anniversary of the "stimulus" bill being signed into law. As President Obama and liberals promote the benefits of this massive government spending, I continue to question much of the spending in this legislation and its effects on stimulating the economy.
    < Read more >
  • Leading by Example

    As you know, Representative John Fleming introduced H. Res. 615 on July 8, 2009. This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that Members who vote in favor of a government-run public health care option must forego their current private insurance plan and enroll in the public plan. I am a cosponsor of this resolution.
    < Read more >
  • Health Care Alternatives

    The people of the 19th Congressional District have two choices when it comes to health care reform. They can gain greater control over their own health care coverage, or they can give up control to Washington bureaucrats to decide their terms of coverage, benefits and care.
    < Read more >
  • Health Care Bill: Prescription for Disaster

    The people of West Texas and the Big Country understand that government-run health care is not the best solution for our country. Unfortunately, Democrat leaders and the President continue to insist Congress quickly pass this massive, complicated piece of legislation, that will lead to a government takeover of health care and force millions of Americans to give up the coverage they have, increase health care costs, and impose a crippling tax on small business job creators to pay for it, all in very short period of time.
    < Read more >
  • Health Care Update

    As you know, the health care debate continues to dominate the headlines. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office reported last week that this latest version of the House Democrats' health care plan will increase – not lower – costs for American families.
    < Read more >
  • District 19 Residents Participate in Congressional Hearings

    This week is shaping up to be another busy week on Capitol Hill. On Tuesday, we will have constituents from the 19th Congressional District testifying at both the Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy and Poultry and at the Environment Subcommittee of the House Committee on Science and Technology.
    < Read more >
  • Legislative Update

    Just two weeks ago, we saw passage in the House of a devastating national energy tax in the form of the "cap and trade" bill.
    < Read more >
  • Cap and Tax is a Bad Deal

    As I said on the House floor during the debate, this bill is not about science or sound policy, but it is really about driving up the cost of energy, sending millions of jobs overseas to countries like India and China, and placing an especially heavy burden on rural America.
    < Read more >
  • Health Care Sticker Shock

    Since last week's Roundup, the health care discussion continues in Congress, with more pieces of different plans coming forward from both Democrats and Republicans.
    < Read more >
  • Government-Run Health Care?

    Earlier today, President Obama traveled to Chicago to garner support for his health care reform efforts. While the details of his plan and various other plans continue to develop, I am concerned with the cost of many of these ideas, as well as some of the ideas for paying for these changes.
    < Read more >
  • Stimulus Failing to Stimulate

    The Obama Administration continues to be on a spending extravaganza. As proven today, the so-called stimulus is doing very little to encourage long-term job growth and create economic stability.
    < Read more >
  • Government Motors

    Earlier today, President Obama announced plans to provide another $30 billion in federal money to General Motors in addition to $20 billion received from earlier bailouts. Under this reorganization plan, the American taxpayers will hold a 60 percent ownership stake General Motors.
    < Read more >
  • Saluting Those Who Have Served on Memorial Day

    his year, as our troops continue to serve in Iraq and Afghanistan, we should all pause to honor the brave sacrifices made by America's Armed Forces.
    < Read more >
  • Meeting With Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services

    On Tuesday, I will meet with Jim Miller, Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services at USDA.
    < Read more >
  • Working to Reduce Wasteful Washington Spending

    Last Thursday, President Obama unveiled plans to trim one-half of one percent off his $3.55 trillion budget request. While I believe this was a step in the right direction, I am disappointed that more was not done.
    < Read more >
  • Supreme Court Selection

    I fundamentally believe that judges should not legislate from the bench and should apply the law without political prejudice in strict adherence to the Constitution of the United States.
    < Read more >
  • Finalizing the FY 2010 Budget

    This week, House and Senate Democrats will finalize the details for the FY 2010 budget plan. Unfortunately, the final budget is not much different than the budget that House Democrats passed without any Republican votes earlier this month.
    < Read more >
  • Cutting Government Waste

    Today, President Obama asked his Cabinet to cut $100 million in spending after months of reckless borrowing and spending. While I appreciate this sentiment, I believe if the Administration and Democrat Majority want to get serious about cutting wasteful Washington spending, it should start by taking a closer look at the projects receiving so-called stimulus dollars.
    < Read more >
  • April 15th –Tax Day

    As many of you have prepared your tax returns, I have heard and read your concerns regarding how much of your hard-earned money the government takes out of your paycheck.
    < Read more >
  • Borrows too much, spends too much, taxes too much

    The Republican Budget Alternative allows families and small businesses to keep more of what they earn, controls our national debt, ends bailouts to protect taxpayers and says spending can't keep going up when revenues are going down.
    < Read more >
  • White House's GM and Chrysler Bailout Announcement

    I am deeply concerned with President Obama's plans for General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC. I believe the time for restructuring these automotive companies came long before companies received taxpayer money to prop up failing business plans.
    < Read more >
  • Treasury Department's Plan

    I am continuing to review Secretary Geithner's plan for the Treasury Department to partner with the private sector and spend $100 billion of the remaining financial bailout funds getting problem assets off the books of financial institutions.
    < Read more >
  • Meeting with Secretary Vilsack

    Last Thursday, I had the opportunity to sit down with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. This was my first meeting with the new Secretary, and it was a good opportunity to let him know the perspective of farmers and ranchers in Texas.
    < Read more >
  • President's Stem Cell Decision

    I am disappointed in President Obama's executive order. I strongly believe the rights of the unborn need to be protected from the point of conception, which is why I cannot support the use of tax dollars to fund research that millions of Americans, including myself, believe destroys human life.
    < Read more >
  • President Obama's Budget Proposal

    The era of big government is back. With the budget deficit approaching $2 trillion, now is the time to reduce new government spending. Unfortunately, President Obama is proposing that the federal government borrow more, spend more and tax more.
    < Read more >
  • Fiscal Irresponsibility

    Two weeks ago, the House rushed through passage of a 1,073-page spending bill with a total price tag, with interest, over $1.1 trillion dollars.
    < Read more >
  • If American families are tightening their belts, their government should as well

    Last week, I voted against the so-called stimulus bill because I questioned much of the spending in this legislation.
    < Read more >
  • Senate's Trillion Dollar Spending Spree

    Over the weekend, Senate Democrats put forth a plan that will only create more wasteful government spending.
    < Read more >
  • No More Pork Barrel Spending

    I understand that families across America are facing extraordinary challenges and hardships. People are anxious about their jobs, the cost of their mortgage and putting food on the table.
    < Read more >
  • The $825 Billion Dollar Economic Stimulus Plan

    This week, Speaker Pelosi and the Democratic leaders are finalizing a plan to spend $825 billion dollars of taxpayer money on an "economic stimulus" bill that will neither create jobs nor stimulate our economy.
    < Read more >
  • 56th Presidential Inauguration

    Today I had the privilege of welcoming constituents of the 19th Congressional District to Washington, DC who are attending the Inauguration of the 44th President of the United States.
    < Read more >
  • 111th Empowerment Agenda

    Without question our nation's economy is going through a difficult period –unemployment is at a sixteen year record high of 7.2%, business investment is down, and worried families are unsure what steps to take next.
    < Read more >
  • 111th Congressional Swearing-In Ceremony

    On Tuesday, I will join my colleagues of the 111th Congress on the floor of the House of Representatives and pledge to uphold the Constitution and represent the people of Texas' 19th Congressional District for the next two years.
    < Read more >