With the new year underway, America faces many challenges. Our economy remains weak with high unemployment, heavy tax burdens, and a federal government that continues to spend itself further and further into debt. I will work to advance the common-sense solutions our Nation needs to get America back on track.

AMERICA'S ECONOMY, NATIONAL DEBT

Washington continues to spend and borrow money it doesn't have, and America's national debt now exceeds $16.4 trillion. We are seeing the effects of the federal government's out-of-control spending and high debt in our country's weak economy: 7.8% unemployment rate, 63.6% labor force participation rate, and high tax rates.

America's debt is a result of excessive spending and budget mismanagement.  The solution lies in responsible, meaningful spending cuts and a balanced budget. That is why, last week, the House passed H.R. 325, No Budget, No Pay Act of 2013, the first step in a series of votes toward producing a balanced budget. The bill requires both the House and Senate to each pass a budget by April 15th. If either Chamber fails to do so, Members of that Chamber will have their pay withheld until a budget is passed. The idea is simple - Members only get paid if they do their job.

Senate Democrats have failed to pass a budget for nearly four years, neglecting their responsibility to the American people. The No Budget, No Pay Act forces Senate Democrats to finally pass a budget and work with House Republicans to reduce the debt. The bill also temporarily suspends the debt ceiling for four months, giving the House and Senate time to draft and pass a budget. Speaker Boehner and House Leaders plan to pass a budget that balances over ten years - a serious effort to accomplish what every responsible American family must do every year.

In addition to the No Budget, No Pay Act, other steps I am taking to boost the economy and address the national debt crisis include working toward tax reform and passing a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution.  I am a longtime supporter of a Fair Tax and recently co-sponsored H.R. 25, The Fair Tax Act that repeals the Sixteenth Amendment and replaces the current income tax with a single, national consumption tax. I am also, again, co-sponsoring legislation supporting a Balanced Budget Amendment. American families and 49 states balance their budgets every year, and the federal government should do the same.

If we do not reduce the debt, we will burden future generations with limited economic growth, reduced opportunity, and a stagnant - if not lower - standard of living. These are harsh realities that must be met directly and seriously.

PROTECTING 2ND AMENDMENT

Any act of violence against our fellow man leaves me with a heavy heart, and I remain deeply grieved about the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut where 20 children and six adults were killed. The families and friends impacted by the events that day are continually lifted up in my prayers.

In response to the Sandy Hook shooting, President Obama recently delivered his response to Vice President Biden's working group recommendations regarding gun control. These recommendations include a more aggressive ban on assault-weapons and a 10-round limit on ammunition clips, as well as 23 executive actions regarding mental health and school safety.

While I abhor acts of violence, we must remember that it is the people intent on taking violent measures against others that is the problem, and we must address the root of that violent behavior. Rather than creating additional regulations for law-abiding, peaceful citizens, we should focus our energy on enforcing existing regulations and addressing the need to reform mental health processes so future tragedies may be prevented.

Violence must be addressed, but not at the expense of fundamental rights under the Constitution. I believe in fully upholding the Constitution and am a strong supporter of the 2nd Amendment. It is every American's right to possess firearms, and I will oppose any legislation that infringes on this right.

REINS ACT

Over the years, Congress has delegated increasing amounts of regulatory authority to federal agencies. Consequently, details in legislation have been left to the judgment of agencies that are not held accountable by the American people. This has resulted in a rapid increase in federal regulations that are harming our economy. A study by the Small Business Administration found that in 2008 annual costs of federal regulations in the U.S. increased to more than $1.75 trillion - an amount that exceeded all corporate pretax profits ($1.46 trillion) that same year.

Recently, House Republicans reintroduced and I co-sponsored The Regulations from the Executive In Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act. The bill would require any rule or regulation written by a federal agency with an economic impact of $100 million or more to be given an up-or-down vote in Congress before it takes effect. It is an important step toward holding federal agencies accountable and reining in regulations that are putting heavy and unnecessary burdens on America's economy.  

ZEBRA MUSSEL BILL

On December 19th, the House unanimously passed a Senate package of bills that included H.R. 6007, the North Texas Zebra Mussel Barrier Act of 2012.  The House previously voted to pass the legislation on September 10th, and the Senate passed the bill as part of a comprehensive package, S. 3687. 

Due to a change in the Texas/Oklahoma boundary that would have triggered a violation of the Lacey Act, an act of Congress was necessary. Our local officials and water resources experts brought this issue to my attention, and I introduced H.R. 6007 along with my colleagues Sam Johnson and Pete Sessions. This legislation permits the North Texas Municipal Water District to resume pumping water from Lake Texoma to the Wylie, Texas Water Treatment Plant, where the water can be cleaned of zebra mussels. 

Some 1.5 million users are served by this water district and will benefit from this water resource, and I am pleased this legislation passed with overwhelming bipartisan support. It is a testament to the merit of this bill and the work of the local water folks to make the case for this common-sense solution.

JUDGE PAUL BROWN COURTHOUSE

On December 19th, the House unanimously approved H.R. 6633, a bill I introduced to designate the United States courthouse located at 101 East Pecan Street in Sherman, Texas as the “Paul Brown United States Courthouse.”  Judge Brown, who passed away on November 26, 2012, had a distinguished service as Federal judge for 21 years. He was highly regarded, well-respected, and was a role model for many in his community. Because the 112th Congress recessed before this bill could be considered in the Senate,  I have once again introduced this legislation and will work for passage in the House and Senate in the coming weeks.

COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES

Energy and Commerce

As a member of both the Environment and Economy Subcommittee and the Health Subcommittee, I will have the opportunity to work directly on important legislation to expand our Nation's energy resources, rein in the over-reaching regulations of the Environmental Protection Agency, and work to prevent implementation of "Obamacare" health policies that will lead to higher costs and more government intrusion into healthcare decisions.

Science, Space, and Technology

After serving as Chairman of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee the past two years, I am pleased to continue serving on the Committee as Chairman Emeritus.  I will continue to support basic science and technology research, along with a robust space exploration program, to help ensure that America retains our competitive leadership in the world.  In addition, I will continue to promote across-the-board energy solutions and insist that the EPA base any proposed regulations on transparent, peer-reviewed, and sound science.  Now more than ever, it is crucial that Congress advance good policies that will foster innovation, job creation, and economic growth so that our Nation remains competitive and prosperous.

 

            I look forward to working with constituents and local officials to address your views and needs.  I will continue to focus my efforts to boost America's economy through responsible spending cuts and debt reduction. Your concerns remain my first priority.

                                                                        Sincerely,

                                                     

If you would like to forward this e-newsletter to a friend, please use our "Tell A Friend" function at the bottom of the page. Encourage your friends and neighbors of the 4th Congressional District of Texas to sign up and start receiving Congressman Hall's E-Newsletter.

Double-click here to add your own content to this area or hover your mouse cursor to see more options.