2013 September Newsletter
INDEX
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Rep. Hall works through weekend of September 28th to prevent government shutdown.
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BREAKING NEWS
CR Negotiations and Temporary Lapse in Appropriations
It is the duty of Congress to pass a responsible budget, and the House worked throughout the year to pass responsible appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2014. Unfortunately, the Senate failed to pass a single appropriations bill.
As the October 1 budget deadline loomed, the House acted multiple times to keep the government open on behalf of the American people.
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On September 20, the House passed H.J.Res. 59 to prevent a government shutdown, fund the government through December 15 at “sequester” levels, and to fully and permanently delay and defund “Obamacare.” The Senate sent the bill back to the House with the “Obamacare” language stripped out.
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From September 27-29, the House worked through the weekend, and passed an amendment to the CR that would delay “Obamacare” for one year and defund the law’s medical device tax that is already hurting businesses and causing job losses. The Senate chose to leave town, and on Monday again rejected any delay or reform to “Obamacare.”
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On September 30, the House made another attempt to negotiate with the Senate in an effort to keep the government open. The House passed an amendment to H.J.Res.59 that would delay “Obamacare’s” individual mandate for one year and would also require the President, Vice President, and political employees to purchase health insurance through “Obamacare” exchanges. The Senate once again rejected reasonable reforms to the President’s bad health care law – a law many Americans remain disillusioned with because it is threatening their job and health security.
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In the early hours of October 1, the House passed a rule requesting a meeting with the Senate to negotiate a solution. The Senate rejected the House’s invitation to meet.
I am disappointed the Senate did not work with the House to come up with a solution to prevent a government shutdown. Please know that while the federal government experiences a temporary lapse in appropriations, my D.C. and District offices will be kept open in support of my Constitutional responsibilities to the people of the Fourth District. Staff will be available to respond to constituent calls and requests, provide information about legislation and processes, and continue to communicate information through press releases and other social media.
In fairness to the American people who are affected by the government shutdown, including furloughed federal employees, I introduced H.R. 3234, The Pay Accountability Act. It is my hope that this bill, in addition to promoting fairness, would put pressure on the President and Members of Congress to reach a responsible budget solution on behalf of the American people.
The Pay Accountability Act prohibits the President, Vice President, and Members of Congress from being paid during any lapse in appropriations or federal government shutdowns. Salaries for the President, Vice President, and Members of Congress also would be withheld if the federal government is unable to make payments or meet obligations because the public debt limit is reached. To learn more about this bill, CLICK HERE.
In addition to The Pay Accountability Act, I also sent a letter to the Chief Administrative Officer requesting that my pay be withheld for the duration of the lapse in appropriations. To view the letter, CLICK HERE.
I hope for a speedy resolution on a responsible budget that reins in Washington’s out-of-control spending and respects taxpayer dollars. A vast majority of constituents in the 4th District oppose “Obamacare” and have encouraged me to oppose any CR or appropriations bill that will fund “Obamacare.” I will continue to listen to my constituents and vote accordingly.
ONGOING EFFORTS
Defunding “Obamacare”
There are many things wrong with “Obamacare” – it is a bad law that limits freedom of choice, increases health care costs, decreases quality of care, and hurts jobs. In September, the House continued to fight to defund this bad law in order to provide Americans personal job, financial, and health security.
In addition to efforts to delay parts of “Obamacare” during the CR debate, the House passed H.R. 2775, The No Subsidies without Verification Act. This bill saves taxpayer dollars, ensures accountability, and works to prevent fraud in America’s health care system. It does so by requiring a verification process be put in place by the Department of Health and Human Services to determine if applicants who apply for exchange subsidies under “Obamacare” are eligible for assistance. Currently, applicants are expected to use the “honor system” when disclosing household income and qualifications – no other questions will be asked. The Administration’s willful and blatant disregard of enforcing its own law could add up to $250 billion in fraudulent payments at taxpayers’ expense.
Let me be clear that I will continue to work to postpone, prevent, and repeal as much of ‘Obamacare’ as possible. Americans – not Washington – should be in charge of their own health care decisions.
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Rep. Hall visits with students at Morning Star Academy in Bonham, Texas.
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Chemical Attacks in Syria
On August 21, the Syrian government conducted a chemical weapons attack in suburban Damascus, killing at least 1,429 people, including 426 children. After the attack, President Obama stated he was considering military action in Syria for the murder of civilians using chemical weapons in violation of his August 20, 2012 “red line.”
Americans were in widespread disagreement on the subject of a military strike and the possibility of entering another war. Many Members of Congress, myself included, sent a letter on August 28 to the President urging him to seek Congressional authorization before making any military strikes, and on Saturday, August 31, the President stated he would seek a vote in Congress after a similar vote failed days earlier in the British Parliament.
A vote on military action is unlikely, however, due to a series of events in early September that led to the President postponing a U.S. military strike. On September 9, at a press event in London, Secretary of State John Kerry made an off-the-cuff rhetorical remark that a U.S. military strike against Syria could be avoided if President Bashar al-Assad turned over the entirety of Syria’s chemical weapons stockpile to the international community “without delay, and allow a full and total accounting for that. But he isn’t about to do it, and it can’t be done, obviously.”
The situation quickly spiraled out of the Administration’s control when, shortly after Kerry’s offhand comment, Russian President Vladmir Putin (who has supported Syria on this issue) encouraged Syrian President Assad to take the “deal” and hand over Syria’s chemical weapons stockpile. Assad then responded and said he was considering doing so. The following day, Syria's foreign minister accepted a Russian proposal on behalf of Syria’s government to turn over control of its chemical weapons.
The Administration was essentially forced into an about-face from its original push for military action, and on September 27 the United Nations voted on a resolution requiring Assad to give up his chemical weapons to be ultimately destroyed under international control. It is important to note, however, that this resolution is not militarily enforced should Assad fail to relinquish all chemical weapons.
While I oppose any U.S. military involvement in Syria and am thankful our troops’ safety and lives were spared, I am disappointed in the President’s lack of leadership on this issue. America’s international reputation has suffered due to his mishandling of foreign policy over the years and these events highlighted American weakness under President Obama.
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Rep. Hall tours the Red River Army Depot in Bowie County.
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Boosting America’s Economy and Promoting Job Creation though Energy Solutions
Domestic energy production is one of America’s most promising avenues for economic growth and new jobs. Greater access to energy would move our country towards energy independence, decrease our reliance on unfriendly foreign nations for resources, and mean more affordable gas prices at the pump. Unfortunately, the federal government’s over-reaching regulations are some of the biggest barriers blocking energy production and the jobs it would bring.
Republicans believe the best thing Washington can do to help job creators is to get out of their way by removing unnecessary and harmful regulations. That is why I continue to work with the Energy and Commerce Committee to maximize the opportunities energy production brings for all Americans by fighting for true all-of-the-above energy solutions.
Keystone XL Pipeline Awaits Presidential Approval – Five Years and Counting
Five years ago, on September 19, 2008, TransCanada submitted its application to build the Keystone Pipeline to the U.S. State Department. The Department estimates the project would help create roughly 20,000 new jobs, provide a minimum $7 billion boost to America’s economy, and improve our domestic energy infrastructure by bringing nearly one million barrels of Canadian crude oil to the U.S. per day when fully constructed.
The total economic benefit to the U.S. from the Keystone project is estimated to be $20 billion. And because Texas is along the pipeline, our State would be expected to receive an additional $5.2 billion in property taxes during the 60 year estimated operating life of the pipeline.
Considering the many benefits of the Keystone Pipeline – in addition to the environmental and safety reassurances the project received – there should be no further reason for the President to delay. Unfortunately, the President refuses to approve this very reasonable permit request.
The Energy and Commerce Committee continues to work to promote the pro-jobs pipeline project, and recently held a hearing to discuss its delay.
Safe, Affordable Nuclear Energy Storage at Yucca Mountain
In order to provide Americans with safe, more affordable nuclear energy, a storage facility for nuclear and high-level radioactive waste was created at Yucca Mountain. However, in 2010, the Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Repository was defunded without any scientific justification by the Obama Administration with the help of Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nevada.
Fortunately, in August 2013, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ordered the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to comply with federal law and restart its license review of the wrongfully-defunded Yucca Mountain.
The Energy and Commerce Committee’s Environment and Economy Subcommittee held a hearing to discuss the next steps involving the license process and the future of Yucca Mountain on September 10.
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Rep. Hall and staff of Mt. Vernon's Lowe's Home Improvement Hardware Store with store manager Tracey Reed (first row, far right).
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9/11 Anniversary – Twin Towers, Benghazi, and a Strong Defense
This past month, Americans across the country remembered the tragic events of September 11, 2001 and paid tribute to all the 2,977 victims who lost their lives that day – the 2,606 killed when the Twin Towers fell, the 125 at the Pentagon, and the 246 passengers and crew on the four hijacked planes.
This past month we also remembered the one-year anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack at the U.S. Embassy in Benghazi, Libya where four Americans were killed. It is imperative Congress continue its investigation of that night’s tragic events and bring those responsible to justice.
Although twelve years have passed, it is clearer than ever that the threat of terrorism remains all too real, and America must be vigilant and prepared. Ensuring the safety of all Americans is Washington’s greatest responsibility, and safety is provided through a strong national defense and by the brave efforts of our servicemen and women. In order for our troops to do their duties effectively and efficiently, they must have adequate funding. I will continue to support our troops and veterans through responsible defense budgets, while keeping in mind that the most powerful weapon we have is the power of prayer.
LOOKING AHEAD
In the coming weeks, the House will continue its efforts to engage with the Senate to discuss a long-term budget solution. With the debt ceiling also set to expire sometime around October 17, I will continue to work with my colleagues until a solution is reached.
I hope you found this newsletter helpful.
As always, I urge constituents to call my offices if they need any assistance, particularly in regards to the government shutdown. I also urge constituents to contact me and express their views so that I can best represent their priorities in Washington.
Sincerely,
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