The Week Just Past: A Very "Telling" Week

Keystone Pipeline: Toward North American Energy Independence

Preparing for the worst with North Korea

Pushing the Feds to Speed Sandy Recovery

Applying for Obamacare will not be not easy

Rodney Opens Outreach Office in Wayne

2013 Congressional Art Competition

“None other than Vice President Joe Biden once said ‘Don't tell me what you value, show me your budget, and I'll tell you what you value.’  In this context, it was a very "telling" week.

“For the first time in nearly four years, the Senate Democratic Majority produced a budget proposal this week.  And true to the axiom, it tells much about their attitude about fiscal responsibility – their budget does not ever balance, raises taxes by nearly a trillion dollars, and mandates another $100 billion in additional economic ‘stimulus’ funding.

“President Obama, who is six weeks late in presenting his own annual budget, immediately endorsed the Senate product! 

“But that should not surprise anyone, especially after the President consented to a much-ballyhooed interview with ABC News.  He told George Stephanopoulos that he won’t balance his budget ‘just for the sake of balance.’ And to provide confirmation, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said President Obama’s budget – when he finally unveils it - will not balance.

“But even more telling than that, the President does not even believe the United States has a debt crisis.  He told Stephanopoulos ‘we don’t have an immediate crisis in terms of debt. In fact, for the next ten years, it’s gonna be in a sustainable place.’

“Well, that would be news to most Americans, who do not have the luxury of spending more than they earn. There’s no doubt that it’s time for government to tighten its belt – just like New Jersey families.  We need common-sense spending controls. No more accounting gimmicks.  No more budget tricks.

“At a time when our economy continues to limp along and every American’s share of our national debt exceeds $52,000, Washington owes the people a responsible, balanced budget.  Instead of spending money we don’t have to expand government, we need a budget that focuses on growing the economy and improving the lives of American families. A balanced budget means more economic security for workers and parents, a more secure retirement for the elderly and more opportunities for younger workers.

“The President visited Congressional Republicans on Capitol Hill this week, continuing what the media has dubbed his ‘charm offensive.’  Of course, we appreciate his out-stretched hand.  However, beyond these gestures, we’re really looking for his leadership.”

Rodney Frelinghuysen

Recommended Reading: Dana Milbank, writing in the Tuesday Washington Post, “Putting ‘offense’ in Obama’s ‘charm offensive.’”

Keystone Pipeline: Toward North American Energy Independence

At a press conference this week, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi questioned the value of building the Keystone Pipeline – doubting how many jobs it would actually create and how much growth it would provide to the U.S. economy.  She went on to say, “Why can't we just have a discussion on the facts?"

Well, here are some quick facts for the Minority Leader to answer her questions and put her mind at ease.

• The Keystone Pipeline would create 20,000 jobs
• TransCanada estimates that it would spend $7 billion in the United States to build the Pipeline
• The Pipeline would generate more than $20 billion in new spending for the U.S. economy
• The Pipeline will have limited adverse envrionmental impacts
• The longer we wait to approve the Pipeline, the more of an opportunity China has to out-compete the U.S. and gain access to Canada's oil supply
• Multiple Labor Unions have endorsed the project

Recommended Reading:  Neil Irwin, writing in the Washington Post, notes that two federal housing finance agencies are still on the federal “dime.”  Read “Why has Congress left housing to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac?” here.

Pushing the Feds to Speed Sandy Recovery

Rodney was at the forefront of Congressional oversight hearings on the federal government’s response to Hurricane Sandy this week.  He chaired a hearing as his Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee reviewed the work done in the Northeast by the Army Corps of Engineers.  He also participated in a Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee which heard from Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Craig Fugate on the status of FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund (DRF).

Some good news was delivered by Administrator Fugate who confirmed that the DRF is adequately funded through the summer and the “sequester” across-the-board budget cuts will not reduce benefits for residents or businesses damaged by Sandy.  He told Congress he expects to have $2.5 billion unspent in the disaster fund at the end of this fiscal year on September 30. 

At his own hearing, Chairman Frelinghuysen pressed the Army Corps for quicker action and less bureaucratic delay.  “Congressional intent was – and remains – that the Corps move forward with improvements as quickly as possible,” he said. “Unfortunately, the Corps’ recent (interim) report casts doubt on whether the Administration feels the same sense of urgency.   

“The report calls for more studies, on many projects already studied, and for the consideration of new policies that appear to be of the Office of Management and Budget’s making rather than the Corps. Bluntly, we need less examination and additional reviews, and more action restoring our coastlines and communities before the summer is upon us.” 

For more information on Rodney’s hearings on the federal response to Hurricane Sandy, read Herb Jackson’s story in Thursday’s The Record, “Sandy relief won't be cut by sequester, FEMA chief says.”

Several of Rodney’s colleagues from New Jersey and New York testified before the Subcommittee.  Read the comments of the Dean of the New Jersey Congressional delegation, Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-4), here.

Recommended Reading: David Ignatius, writing in the Thursday Washington Post, “Preparing for the worst with North Korea.”

Applying for Obamacare will not be not easy

Amid multiple reports that the cost of the President’s new health care system is rising for both Americans seeking coverage and the U.S. taxpayer comes word that applying for benefits under the program could be a real challenge.  Read Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar’s Associated Press story here.

Recommended Reading: Janet Adamy, writing in the Friday Wall Street Journal, “Employers Blast Fees From New Health Law.”

Rodney Opens Outreach Office in Wayne

This week, Rodney announced the opening an “Outreach Office” in the eastern portion of the newly-drawn 11^th Congressional District.  His Congressional Constituent Service Staff will hold office hours each Wednesday:

9 AM to 4 PM

Wayne Township Municipal Complex

475 Valley Road

“As your Representative in Washington, I can be a direct point of contact with the federal government, its departments, agencies, and Congress and am always glad to help when residents are encountering difficulties with federal agencies,” he said.  “I will be maintaining my primary Constituent Service office in Morristown (973-984-0711), but to best serve residents, I am establishing walk-in Outreach Offices. Experienced staff will be on hand to listen and help.”

“I am grateful to Mayor Chris Vergano for his assistance in allowing me to establish this enhanced service for Wayne residents and those of neighboring towns.”

“I have an excellent staff and all of us are here to serve our residents.  I take ‘casework’ – resolving people’s problems with federal agencies – very seriously and work hard to get them the answers they deserve.  Additionally, we assist constituents with their plans to visit Washington, D.C.”

For the last election, a bipartisan Congressional Redistricting Commission drew new boundaries of the 11^th District, adding 14 new towns in Passaic, Essex and Sussex counties. 

Recommended Reading: Thursday’s editorial in the Washington Post, “Reopen the White House doors to tourists.”

2013 Congressional Art Competition

Each spring, Members of the House conduct a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation and in each Congressional district.  The 2013 Congressional Art Competition has arrived for students of our 11th Congressional District! 

Rodney is inviting all interested participants to visit the official website for a detailed description of the competition rules and policies:http://house.gov/content/educate/art_competition/.

How to Enter the 2013 Art Competition:

1.   Review the 2013 Art Competition Guidelines for Students and Teachers.  

2.   Complete the 2013 Student Information/Release Form.

3.   Follow the Art Submission Checklist.

4.   Submit your entry by the deadline of April 1.

Please contact Rodney’s Morristown Office at 973-984-0711 with your questions regarding the 2013 Congressional Art Competition. 

The annual Congressional Art Competition has been promoting America’s young artists for over 30 years.