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A heritage to be proud of
Posted by Randy | October 30, 2014
Agriculture is Virginia’s number one industry, and the Fourth District is part of the reason why.  Our region is steeped in a rich agricultural heritage and is home to multi-generation farmers who care for acres of cotton, soybeans, peanuts, wheat, corn, and other crops.  Our farmers provide important agricultural resources to the nation and the world.  

I will continue to stand up for our nation’s farmers and remain committed to supporting our nation’s agricultural producers and this rich history.
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The EPA's new regulations (and how I'm fighting to stop them)
Posted by Randy | June 26, 2014
This week, the Supreme Court ruled to limit the Administration’s regulations on greenhouse gas emissions from cars, which opponents said would cost billions to implement and cut thousands of jobs. However, the EPA’s new regulations on greenhouse gas emissions from power plants still need to be addressed as well.

Background: On June 2nd, the EPA released its proposed rule cutting emissions from existing power plants. In January of this year, the EPA issued a proposed rule setting carbon emission standards for newly established natural gas and coal-fired power plants. Concerns have been raised that the new performance standards, which mandate the use of carbon capture technology which has yet to be successfully employed in commercial energy production, set an impractical benchmark, and will end up eliminating jobs and stunting economic growth. Last week, nine governors wrote to the President asking him to withdraw the proposed rule, saying it would cost millions of jobs and billions of dollars.

Action: I am co-sponsoring the Protection and Accountability Regulatory Act, H.R. 4813. This bill does two important things:

·         Nullifies these EPA rules on emissions from power plants.
·         Prohibits the EPA from issuing anything similar unless specifically authorized to do so by Congress.

I also cosponsored the REINS Act (H.R. 367), which requires Congressional approval for regulations that cost over $100 million. It’s just common sense that we ought to have more than unelected bureaucrats writing rules that the businesses in our communities have to follow.
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Costs of New EPA Rule Could Top $50 Billion a Year
Posted by Randy | June 02, 2014
$586 billion.  That is the amount by which consumers’ disposable income could decrease, as a result of the estimated $289 billion more in electricity costs incurred if the Environmental Protection Agency’s planned regulations at the center of the President’s climate change initiative are enacted, according to a new study released by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for 21st Century Energy. The Obama administration’s proposal to impose new limits on greenhouse gas emissions from power plants could exceed $50 billion in annual costs through 2030. 

“Our analysis shows that Americans will pay significantly more for electricity,” the Institute for 21st Century Energy’s page reads, “see slower economic growth and fewer jobs, and have less disposable income. Potential EPA regulations would result in a very slight reduction in carbon emissions, which would be overwhelmed by global increases.” The study goes on to report that as many as 224,000 jobs would be eliminated annually through 2030 under the proposal.

Bottom line: ineffectively attempting to conserve our environment, at the expense of our economy and American families, is unacceptable. Bypassing the democratic process and Congress, who serves to represent the voice of the American people, to do so, is simply inexcusable.

This session, I cosponsored the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act (H.R. 367), which requires that Congress take an up-or-down vote on every new, major rule issued by a federal agency before it can be enforced on businesses and the American people.  I also supported the ALERRT Act (H.R. 2804), which put measures in place to eliminate excess regulations, and requires more transparency from federal agencies.
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Question of the week: What is your view on new EPA regulations?
Posted by Randy | May 22, 2014
In recent years, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed and finalized numerous rules on air and water pollution, solid waste disposal, stormwater regulation, drinking water standards, cleanup of contamination, and the regulation of chemicals.  On June 2, the EPA is scheduled to publicly release their proposed rule reducing carbon emissions, as part of a larger effort by the Administration to address issues of global warming, climate change, and the rising sea level. Some see this as a move to shift the power industry away from coal towards gas, solar, and wind.

Supporters believe that EPA needs to take strong regulatory action to protect the environment, that it is moving in the right direction, and in some cases, believe the regulatory actions should be even stronger.  Some believe that EPA needs to bypass Congress in order to accomplish their goals.

Others believe the Agency is acting beyond the scope of its authority, issuing regulations that are detrimental to small businesses and local communities. Opponents believe the EPA has gone too far, that the new regulations will increase costs for consumers in areas like stormwater fees and power bills, and that proposed regulations should be subject to the checks and balances in government and receive congressional approval before they are implemented.

Question of the week:  What is your view on new EPA regulations? (multi-answer)

( ) They are improving environmental quality.
( ) They are burdening small businesses and hurting the economy.
( ) They need to be stronger and will not hurt the economy.
( ) They reflect laws passed by Congress.
( ) They are an example of government and executive overreach.
( ) I don’t know. 
( ) Other.


Take the Poll here.

Find the results of last week’s InstaPoll here.
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Visiting Wakefield
Posted by Randy | February 28, 2012

After a full week in Chesterfield County, I had the opportunity to visit with Fourth District residents in Wakefield, Virginia. At a meeting with my Farmers Advisory Board at the Virginia Diner, we discussed the overreach of new EPA air quality regulations and how to create a stable supply of workers for the agriculture industry in the long term and short term, among other key issues impacting farmers (read about my work on agriculture issues here).

Additionally, I had the opportunity to hear directly from Fourth District constituents at a small town-hall meeting at the Town Office in Wakefield.

If you haven’t already, take a moment to share with me what’s on your mind.

 
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Hurricane Awareness Week: Are You Prepared?
Posted by Randy | May 25, 2011

Hurricane Awareness Week (May 22-28) comes at a time when the United States has encountered some of the most deadly and destructive weather conditions in the past month: devastating flooding in the Deep South, deadly tornados in the Southeastern region, and strong winds and hail in the Midwest.

Hurricanes develop when pre-existing weather conditions, such as warm tropical oceans, moisture and relatively light winds, persist long enough and combine to produce violent winds, towering waves, torrential rains and floods.

Many of us remember the destruction that Hurricanes Floyd and Isabel left in the Fourth District, and we understand that it is essential to be well-informed when preparing for hurricanes. The following are hurricane safety tips from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA):

·         Make a family disaster plan that includes out-of-town contacts and locations to reunite if you become separated.  Be sure everyone knows home, work and cell phone numbers, and how to call 9-1-1.
·         If time permits, prepare your home before the storm by covering windows with steel or wooden storm shutters.
·         Make sure every family member wears or carries identification.
·         Turn your refrigerator and freezer to the maximum settings and keep them closed in case of power outages.
·         Be sure to have at least 3 days worth of food, water and medicine.
·         Turn off propane tanks.  Shut off other utilities if emergency officials advise you to do so.
·         Constantly listen to the radio or television for instructions to evacuate the area.

Do you know other ways we can keep ourselves and our families safe during hurricane season?  Weigh in to share additional hurricane safety tips.
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What I’m Reading – July 14, 2010
Posted by Randy | July 14, 2010

Wall Street Journal Editorial: Who Pays for ObamaCare?
An April analysis by Patrick Fleenor and Gerald Prante of the Tax Foundation reveals how right they are. ObamaCare's new "health-care funding plan" will shift some $104 billion in 2016 to Americans in the bottom half of the income distribution from those in the top half. The wealth transfer will be even larger in future years. While every income group sees a direct or indirect tax increase, everyone below the 50th income percentile comes out a net beneficiary.

AP: Judge permits US trial of 1st Guantanamo detainee
The first Guantanamo Bay detainee to be prosecuted in a civilian court was cleared for trial Tuesday by a judge who said a lengthy interrogation and detention were not grounds for dismissal because they served compelling national security interests. Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani was interrogated for two years by the CIA for important intelligence information, U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan wrote in a decision that rejected defense requests to toss out the indictment on the grounds that Ghailani was denied a speedy trial.

Washington Times: Salazar puts new ban on deep-water oil drilling
Saying oil companies still are at risk of another catastrophic spill, the Obama administration announced a new moratorium Monday on drilling in the outer continental shelf, three weeks after a judge rejected the first ban.

The Hill: President's recess appointment has reignited the debate over healthcare
President Barack Obama's recess appointment of Donald Berwick to lead Medicare was intended to avoid another high-profile congressional fight over healthcare reform. Instead, it’s renewed — at least temporarily — the well-worn partisan debate over the government's role in medicine.

American Chronicle: Navy Shipbuilding: Numbers Just Don't Add Up
If you looked at the U.S. Navy's recently released annual report for its longterm goals for ship construction and how its aligns with its fleet size requirements, you are probably scratching your head. Why? Well, put simply, the Report to Congress on Annual Long-Range Plan for Construction of Naval Vessels for FY 2011 outlines a larger required fleet size - 323 ships - as opposed to 313 in the three previous years annual reports, but reduces the number of ships that it will be purchasing over the next 30 years. The numbers just don't add up.

Washington Post: Federal Reserve weighs steps to offset slowdown in economic recovery
Federal Reserve officials, increasingly concerned over signs the economic recovery is faltering, are considering new steps to bolster growth.
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