Fiscal Cliff Urges Change in How Congress Does Business

Congressman André Carson (IN-7)

There has been significant discussion recently about our nation’s “fiscal cliff,” an impending January 1^st deadline which triggers $500 billion in tax increases and across-the-board cuts to domestic and military spending.  We must not cross this deadline.  The consequences of going over the fiscal cliff would be disastrous for working families, leading to an increase in unemployment and a likely descent back into economic recession.

According to reports by the Tax Foundation, the average Hoosier family would see an annual tax increase of $3,653 – or 5.27% of their income – if Congress fails to act.  The Tax Foundation also notes that low- and middle-income families will be hit the hardest due in part to mandatory cuts to programs like Pell Grants, public safety, job training, and hunger prevention.

In August of 2011, I opposed the Budget Control Act, which brought about the automatic tax increases and spending cuts we now face.  While across-the-board cuts seem like an easy solution to our financial woes—resulting in every interest taking a similar hit—it lacks the precision needed to protect our economic recovery and strengthen the middle class.  We need thorough analysis of our priorities.  Should we cut subsidies for oil companies making record profits? Definitely.  Food for starving children? Absolutely not. 

This is why Democrats and Republicans must work together to tackle our debt and deficit and find a balanced solution that cuts domestic and defense spending in a measured way.  We need to protect working families from preventable tax increases and cuts to programs they rely on, while eliminating initiatives we can do without or that no longer belong in our federal budget. Frankly, the fiscal deadlines, and their quickly approaching consequences, provide us a unique opportunity to change the broken dynamics in Washington, not perpetuate them.

As we address defense spending, we should look to Indianapolis.  We need smart investments, like the LiftFan System being produced locally by Rolls-Royce, which will provide more versatility to our modern aircraft.  With these sorts of investments, we can spend less while maintaining force strength and protecting hundreds of thousands of good paying defense industry jobs, including thousands locally.

We should also look to other industries where we can achieve the same result by spending less—most significantly in health care.  We should protect and strengthen the new health care law, which is streamlining our health care system and eliminating waste.  According to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), this is set to reduce our deficit by $1 trillion in the coming decades—all by expanding care for the American public, not cutting it.

Eliminating tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires alone could avoid both the defense and domestic sequestration cuts next year, saving another $1 trillion over a decade.  If Republicans insist the wealthy need these cuts to create jobs, we should make them contingent on job creation, not just being wealthy.

Of course, no spending cut or change to our tax code will fix our fiscal situation as quickly as putting Americans back to work.  In fact, the CBO estimated it could reduce the annual deficit by one third.  

As we work towards a solution, difficult sacrifice and compromise will be required from all sides.  We cannot have a robust debate about the multitude of challenges we face if either side takes potential solutions off the table.

By recognizing our shared priorities, we can pass a long-term deficit reduction plan that includes comprehensive tax reform and that is balanced, fair, and makes clear to the world that the United States is serious about reducing its debt. I am ready to support a bipartisan, comprehensive deficit reduction proposal that combines spending cuts and increases revenue. Hoosiers are demanding we get the job done, and I’m working every day to make it happen.

Congressman Carson Joins Effort to Force Vote on Middle Income Tax Cuts

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman André Carson is taking action to force an up-or-down vote on legislation that extends tax cuts for 98 percent of all Americans and 97 percent of small businesses.  Carson joined his colleagues in signing a discharge petition, led by Rep. Tim Walz (D-MN), to bring up H.R. 15: The Middle Class Tax Cut Act.  This legislation would provide every American with a tax cut on income up to $250,000, while allowing taxes on income over $250,000 to return to Clinton-era rates.  If House Republicans prevent action on this measure, middle-class families could see their income taxes go up by an average of $2,200.  According to a report by the Tax Foundation, Hoosier families would see an even greater increase of over $3,600.

“It is time to take action to extend tax relief for 98 percent of Americans,” declared Congressman Carson. "Today, House Democrats are taking a bold step to force Speaker Boehner to immediately schedule a vote on the Senate-passed bill which does just that.  The President has said he would sign it immediately.”

Democrats are launching this discharge petition to force action on the widely-supported legislation, because Republican Leadership has refused to move ahead -- holding middle class tax cuts hostage to tax breaks for the wealthy.  It has been 132 days since the Senate passed this bill (July 25), and only 28 days remain until middle class taxes will go up.  A discharge petition requires the House to consider the legislation once a majority of Congress (218 members) have signed it.  This process was successful in forcing action on campaign finance and enacting disabled veterans benefits in 2001 and 2003. 

“Congressional Republicans must end the uncertainty and stop withholding middle income tax cuts for the 2.4 million Hoosier families affected.  Our constituents should not have to pay this high price for partisan gridlock.” 

November 29, 2012

Rep. Carson: United Nations Vote a Step Toward Two-State Solution

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman André Carson released this evening the following statement regarding the United Nations’ vote to recognize Palestine as a “non-member observer state”:

 For generations, the Middle East has been torn apart by conflict and violence.  While militaries and extremists have waged war and stalled efforts for peace, innocent people have suffered.  Today’s vote in the United Nations regarding a Palestinian state is a step toward a two-state solution that has been pursued for decades by millions of Palestinians and Israelis.  While the process by which this UN decision was reached may be questioned, we cannot lose sight of the end goal--two states living in peace, acceptance and security. This should be our focus as deliberations and diplomacy continue.

Carson Community Health Fair Provides Free Health Screenings and Flu Shots

September 25, 2012

Congressman Carson Seeks to Expand Year-round Access to Healthy Food for Low-Income Families

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman André Carson this week proposed the creation of a new grant program aimed at improving access to locally grown fruit and vegetables for low-income families.

The Preserving Healthy Food for the Hungry Act provides federal funding to eligible small farms, cooperatives and urban gardens that wish to utilize state-of-the-art freezing technologies to preserve their harvest. By encouraging the year-round consumption of locally grown fruits and vegetables, this common-sense, deficit-neutral legislation builds upon the critical efforts of food banks and food pantries to improve low-income families’ access to affordable, nutritious food. 

This legislation also draws upon the expertise and resources of land grant institutions like Purdue University to provide access to “quick” and “flash freeze” equipment and technical assistance for eligible producers. This initiative builds upon these institutions’ ongoing efforts to promote healthy eating habits, sustainability and the development of urban gardens in underserved neighborhoods.

“All over our city, families face food deserts, areas that lack convenient access to supermarkets or grocery stores,” said Congressman Carson.  “Consequently, families find themselves relying instead on convenient stores and fast food restaurants for snacks and meals.”

Studies have shown that diets high in calories, sodium and saturated fats increase the incidence of diabetes and obesity, which drive up the cost of health care and lower life expectancy. The Preserving Healthy Food for the Hungry Act will empower more communities to support local farms, coops and urban gardens and encourage Indianapolis residents to begin growing their own produce.Congressman Carson went on to say, “Many Members of Congress talk about the need for low-income families to pull themselves up by their bootstraps and focus on self-improvement. This legislation does just that. The Preserving Healthy Food for the Hungry Act is a common-sense initiative that empowers underserved communities, improves nutrition, benefits local producers, and it does not add one penny to the deficit.”

HONORING THE LIFE OF REV. BONIFACE HARDIN

On March 24, 2012, Reverend Boniface Hardin, one of the luminaries of the civil rights movement from the 7^th District of Indiana, passed away. His commitment to education, compassion, and brotherly love left an indelible mark on the City of Indianapolis. It is with a heavy heart and profound sense of sadness that I express my condolences to the family and friends of Father Hardin. I want my constituents to know and those that knew Father Hardin that my thoughts and prayers are with you. 

Rev. Hardin became a Benedictine monk in 1953 at the young age of twenty, was ordained a Roman Catholic priest in 1959, and received a master of divinity degree in 1960. While serving as an associate pastor at the Holy Angels Catholic Church in Indianapolis, he soon became a vocal advocate for racial and socio-economic equality during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. 

His spiritual commitment and dedication to self-improvement led to the foundation of the Martin Center in 1969 and later the Indianapolis Sickle Cell Center in 1977.  Under his leadership, the Martin Center College became Martin University, a fully accredited institution offering undergraduate and graduate degrees to low-income and minority adult learners.

Rev. Hardin was designated a “Living Legend” in 2002 by the Indiana Historical Society.  The City of Indianapolis is lucky to have had such a caring, giving person in our midst. 

Congratulating the Indiana Blood Center on its 60^th Anniversary

On its sixtieth anniversary, I am proud to honor an organization that has helped save hundreds of thousands of lives through volunteer blood donations and blood component distribution to more than 60 hospitals across the state.

Indiana Blood Center was founded in 1952 and is headquartered in my district in Indianapolis.  This esteemed non-profit community service organization delivers more than 700 components of blood each day and provides other vital assistance to modern medicine through specialized blood typing for organ transplants, viral marker testing, transfusion recipients, and the National Marrow Donor Program.  The Center also serves as a vital link in the state’s life science and healthcare infrastructure in the areas of prostate cancer treatment, pharmaceutical research, stem cell and bone marrow donation.  It is the largest independent blood center in the state and ranks among the top 20 nationally.  Indiana Blood Center is a member of America’s Blood Centers, North America’s largest network of community-based, independent and non-profit blood centers – which, coincidentally, is celebrating its 50^th anniversary this year.

Every two seconds, someone, somewhere will need a transfusion and one out of every seven patients entering a hospital will need blood.  Indiana Blood Center depends on the good people of Indiana and the nearly 4,000 organizations that host blood drives annually to meet the constant demand to serve the citizens of Indiana.  I would like to recognize this valuable contribution to our community and congratulate Indiana Blood Center for its 60 years of faithful and dedicated stewardship of Indiana’s blood supply. 

STATEMENT FOR THE RECORD

RECOGNIZING GILBERT HOLMES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ACLU OF INDIANA, FOR A LIFE OF PUBLIC SERVICE

On the occasion of his retirement, I would like to congratulate Gilbert Holmes for a lifetime of trailblazing leadership and devoted public service. 

From humble roots growing up in Sparta, Illinois, Gil ascended to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army, where he served valiantly for twenty years, including in Vietnam and as aide-de-camp to Major General Frederic Davison.

Upon leaving the service, Gil applied his organizational acumen with venerable Hoosier organizations, including the Indianapolis Museum of Art, Methodist Hospital, and Lincoln National Corporation.

From 1989 to 1996, Gil rendered distinguished public service as Commissioner of the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles, and later, as President and CEO of IndyGo.

Gil’s career culminated in his selection as executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana, where he served ably for three years as both steward and advocate.

Gil has spent his life combating prejudice, proving skeptics wrong, and empowering those with whom he works to achieve great things. On March 31, 2012, Gil will retire, leaving behind a legacy of lives bettered by his mentorship and leadership. On behalf of the 7^th Congressional District of Indiana, I wish him well in his retirement and extend to him our gratitude for his commitment to the advancement of civil rights for all and to his fellow Hoosiers.

STATEMENT HONORING THE LIFE OF CONGRESSMAN DONALD PAYNE

From my first days in Congress, I always considered Donald Payne to be a mentor and friend.

He took me and others under his wing and showed us what it means to truly be a Member of Congress—not just a politician.

He showed me, like he showed so many in this Chamber, how much more we accomplish through humility and cooperation than through bravado and partisanship. 

He was brilliant and put thought into every word that he said—and because of that, Madam Speaker, his words carried weight on both sides of the aisle and in both chambers.

Most recently, I was privileged to serve under his leadership on the board of the Congressional Black Caucus. 

I was able to see up close how he brought together the diverse personalities and opinions of our caucus to achieve a greater purpose.

Donald Payne made our caucus strong and united and while we will attempt to fill the gap he leaves behind, I know we will never have another leader like him.

Madame Speaker, learning to serve in the House is truly an honor—but it is also a challenge.  As a young member, I am continuing to grow and find my place amongst my distinguished colleagues.

But I feel just a little more confident because I had a mentor and a role model in Donald Payne.

And as long as I am given the privilege to serve in this House, I look forward to carrying the legacy that he started—to fight for the underprivileged, to bring attention to critical issues that don’t make the front page.

I want to extend my deepest sympathies to his family and to his staff, who know, like I do, how great a Member and how great a man he truly was. 

I’m reminded of a passage of a conversation that Jesus had with his disciples in the Book of Matthew, and they were dealing with this notion of leadership.  

And Jesus said very succinctly and very clearly and very wisely, and prophetically to them, when he said: ‘‘He who wishes to be chief among you shall first be your servant.’’

Let us remember and honor Donald Payne, a true public servant.

Mr. Speaker,

In 2010, the Affordable Care Act delivered a $250 check to seniors in my District who were struggling to cover the gap between the cost of their prescription drugs and their Medicare coverage.

In 2011, these same seniors benefitted from an average savings of $648 on their medications.  For my Republican colleagues who say health reform is hurting Medicare beneficiaries, I ask them to imagine spending 2 and 3 times that amount on prescription drugs per month.  For most seniors, $648 is significant savings—and it is just the beginning.

The Affordable Care Act will provide more efficient care by bundling Medicare services, investing in our health care workforce, and focusing on quality.  Replacing Medicare with vouchers would erase the progress we’ve already made toward prescription drug coverage and lead to fewer choices for beneficiaries.

I encourage my colleagues to work with me on solutions that guarantee continued access to health care for our seniors.

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