Blog
Standing With Israel
Today marks the 64th anniversary of Israel’s independence. With a growing Iranian nuclear threat, unrest in the Middle East, and a President unwilling to step forward and stand alongside Israel, it has never been more important for us to stand firm in our support of our ally.
And as our own national security interests intersect with Israel’s in many areas, we have no choice but to stick together. I have cosponsored both the Iran Threat Reduction Act and the Iran, North Korea, and Syria Nonproliferation Reform and Modernization Act to strengthen economic sanctions against these rogue nations, and to show our support for our Israeli friends.
I will continue working to protect America in an increasingly dangerous world, and we are serious when it comes to protecting ourselves and our allies.
Tim
This Week in Washington
This week the House will be voting on multiple bills regarding cyber security, as well as legislation increasing credit availability for small businesses.
The Small Business Credit Availability Act (HR 3336), introduced by Representative Vicki Hartzler (R-MO), will tackle some of the overreaching regulations put in place by Dodd-Frank.
Chairman Darrell Issa’s (R-CA) Digital Accountability and Transparency Act (HR 2146) and Federal Information Security Amendments Act (HR 4257) will start off “Cyber Week.”
Additionally, measures introduced by two of my colleagues from Texas, Congressman Michael McCaul’s Cybersecurity Enhancement Act (HR 2096) and Chairman Ralph Hall’s Advancing America’s Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Act (HR 3834), will also be up for a vote this week.
Finishing “Cyber Week” will be the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act, introduced by Chairman Mike Rogers (R-MI).
Tim
Quick Links
Small Business Credit Availability Act
Digital Accountability and Transparency Act
Federal Information Security Amendments Act
Cybersecurity Enhancement Act
Advancing America’s Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Act
Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act
Each week the House is in session, Congressman Scott blogs about the House floor schedule. You can also view what legislation will be on the House floor on the Majority Leader’s website.
Fighting the Pork
When I came to Washington, I promised to fight against earmarks and help stop the runaway spending that has overtaken Washington. One of the first official actions I took was to support a ban on earmarks in the House, and I have consistently voted against legislation containing earmarks here in Washington.
Earlier this week, Heritage Action for America took notice on their list of lawmakers who have recently reaffirmed their stance against the practice of earmarking. I also recently talked with the Washington Times about earmarks and how important it is we not return to that culture.
We must fight for a better future for our children and grandchildren, and restoring fiscal sanity is a huge part of that. I will stay strong in my stance against pork barrel spending, and keep up the fight to get our spending under control.
Tim
This Week in Washington
This week the House will take up the Small Business Tax Cut Act (HR 9), introduced by Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA). This bill will extend a 20 percent tax cut to American small businesses, which breaks down to more than 77,000 South Carolina businesses that employ more than 750,000 people.
We will also vote on the Sportsman’s Heritage Act (HR 4089) by Chairman Jeff Miller (R-FL). This legislation brings together four separate bills (HR 991, HR 1558, HR 2834 and H.R. 3440) promoting our nation’s hunting traditions.
Finally, today we are voting on a resolution honoring Lena Horne, which I was proud to work alongside my colleague Congressman Alcee Hastings (D-FL) to bring to the floor.
Tim
Quick Links
Small Business Tax Cut Act (HR 9)
Sportsman’s Heritage Act (HR 4089)
Resolution Honoring Lena Horne (HR 1815)
Each week the House is in session, Congressman Scott blogs about the House floor schedule. You can also view what legislation will be on the House floor on the Majority Leader’s website.
Some Tax Facts
As we approach Tax Day next week, I have been sharing some interesting facts about taxes on my Facebook and Twitter. In case you missed them, here’s what we’ve posted thus far.
1. The US now has the highest corporate tax rate in the world - the opposite of competitive. Need tax reform for jobs and for American families
2. 13 days till Tax Day. Are you one of the 3/5 of Americans who think we're overtaxed?
3. Our tax code is so dense, the IRS has more than 100,000 employees. South Carolina only has 2 CITIES bigger than that.
4. Americans spend 8 BILLION hours a year doing their taxes. Simpler tax code = less time wasted.
5. There are more than 1,100 forms and instructional booklets from the IRS to determine one’s tax liability. #LetsSimplify
6. Americans pay $35 billion out of pocket for assistance in filing their taxes. #LetsSimplify
7. In the past ten years, there have been 4,428 changes to the tax code. There are only 3,653 days in 10 years. #LetsSimplify
8. Tax Day is next week - did u know the instruction booklet for the most-commonly used individual form (1040) is 189 pages long? #LetsSimplify
I’ll keep fighting for real tax reform in Washington. Americans deserve a simpler, better system.
Tim
Happy Easter
Happy Easter to everyone in the First District! This is certainly a very important holiday weekend for many of us, and I hope you have a safe time with family and friends. The lessons of Easter weekend are very relevant today, from sacrifice and sadness to hope and a new beginning.
So good luck to all the kids on their Easter egg hunts, the parents and grandparents with cooking a world-class ham, and I thank you once again for the opportunity to serve.
Tim
Mixed Messages
This week has seen two very interesting comments made by the President and Vice President.
First, President Obama called the House Republican budget “radical.” Meanwhile, the President’s budgets have garnered ZERO votes the past two years in Congress. While the House continues to work for solutions to our nation’s biggest issues – debt, spending and jobs – the President continues pushing policies of overspending, overtaxing and overreaching regulations.
Yesterday, Vice President Biden told a Virginia TV station that our nation’s energy policy is “the best its ever been.” Apparently $4 gas, the Keystone Pipeline debacle, Solyndra and the EPA’s overregulation are good enough for him. My colleagues and I in the House have pushed for a comprehensive energy plan moving forward – truly an “all of the above” set of solutions.
Tim
Supreme Court Health Care Case, Day Three
Yesterday wrapped up the oral arguments on the health care package, with the court having two separate sessions. The first session focused on whether the bill could be split in pieces if certain sections were deemed unconstitutional, or if the entire bill would be struck down as one. The second session focused on the constitutionality of the Medicaid expansions called for by the bill.
I also stopped by the court yesterday, you can view some of the pictures here and a short video here.
National Journal - Supreme Court Winds Up Health Care Oral Arguments
Wall Street Journal - Health Case Ripples Outward
Supreme Court Health Care Case, Day Two
Day two of the health care hearings saw the court hear arguments regarding the health care law’s individual mandate. As you know, I am strongly opposed to such a mandate and hope it is declared unconstitutional.
Here’s some of the news coverage regarding yesterday’s hearing:
Politico - Conservative justices skeptical of individual mandate
Washington Times - Supreme Court justices challenge health insurance mandate
Supreme Court Health Care Case, Day 1
Throughout the hearings this week and next week, I’ll be sharing some informational links from different media venues to help keep you up to date on what’s happening with the case.
The opening day of proceedings dealt with whether the individual mandate created by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is a tax.
Washington Post - TownHall.com
