Points of View

Solutions are grown from the ground up — whether it’s affordable college, enhanced cybersecurity, or a strong economy — and House Republicans understand that. This week, Members wrote and spoke about the need for solutions that center around the people and places we represent, not Washington, D.C. Watch and read below!

Rep. Diane Black (R-TN)
“Rep. Black Discusses 529 Plans On FBN”
Fox Business News, The Willis Report

“I cannot believe the President would even think about taking away a provision that helps middle-class families send their children to school, to college. What we did was modernize this provision which has been there for quite some time.”

Rep. Robert Pittenger (R-NC)
“Congressman Pittenger Live From Jerusalem”
Fox News, On The Record With Greta Van Susteren

“The real issue is Iran with nuclear arms, and we can’t get our eyes off that. I think the American people will appreciate what the Prime Minister will have to say, and that’s why I’m so glad that he’s coming to the Congress — to speak to the Congress, and frankly, to speak to the American people.”

Rep. Will Hurd (R-TX)
“Rep. Will Hurd Discusses Cybersecurity On Bloomberg TV”
Bloomberg TV, In The Loop With Betty Liu

“President Obama is going to announce the creation of a new center, and it’s going to be additional bureaucracy. I think the way we should fix this problem is strengthening the existing elements that are responsible for cybersecurity… But I think there’s some opportunities for us to work together.”

House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT)
“America’s Arctic Blink”
Washington Times

“The United States is at a critical juncture. In less than a decade, our country has gone from energy dependence to energy abundance. Through homegrown innovation, we have fostered technologies like hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling that have driven a global energy revolution — fueling our nation’s surge forward in 2014 to overtake both Saudi Arabia and Russia as the world’s largest oil and natural gas liquids producer.

“The often-overlooked side of this amazing energy comeback story is that America’s energy boom has occurred mainly on private and state lands that are outside direct federal control. That’s because the federal government, under direction from the Obama administration, has imposed layer upon layer of burdensome regulations on permitting and production.
“Beyond our shores, U.S. allies applaud our energy success — and hope to one day see American energy reach global markets in greater quantities.

“The United States must open up energy exports to our allies in Europe — allies who are begging for our resources so they, too, can be weaned off hostile dictatorships. This would make for a stronger America and a safer world.”

House Committee on the Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA)
“Ensuring Trust In Internet Governance”
Circle ID

“This week in Singapore, important decisions are being made about the future of the Internet at the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) 52 conference. At stake are fundamental questions: Should the American people surrender stewardship over core technical functions that have preserved the open and neutral operation of the Internet since its inception?

“Our committees have been conducting oversight of ICANN and we will continue to closely examine the processes of the United States government and ICANN as these transition discussions continue.

“The U.S. has served as a critical and responsible backstop against censorship and threats to openness and free speech on the Internet. As a result, the Internet has thrived. We must ensure that these principles remain intact for all Internet users across the globe. The future of the Internet as a medium for free speech, the flow of ideas and global commerce is at stake, and must be protected.”

Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)
“Tom Wheeler’s About-Face”
The Hill

“Last week, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler announced his proposal to regulate the Internet as a public utility under Title II of the Communications Act of 1934. Wheeler’s approach marks an abrupt departure from his previous position. An aide to Wheeler reassured us that ‘it’s not important where he was. It’s important where he is now.’ I disagree.

“Why has an individual who referred to a court ruling for Internet regulation as a ‘blueprint’ and an ‘invitation he intended to accept’ done an about-face? What has happened between now and then? These are fair questions for the head of an independent agency.

“The FCC collected almost 4 million public comments over the course of several months. Unfortunately, this open process was meaningless if the opinions used to craft net neutrality rules were secretly gathered behind closed doors in a White House echo chamber. These allegations raise a question of great public importance about whether Wheeler was pressured by the administration to implement Title II regulations.

“The American people need to be reassured that Wheeler arrived at his proposal independently. The Internet cannot remain free and open if the rules that govern it were derived from a tainted process.”

Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI)
“Jump Starting Opportunity For The Middle Class”
Hillsdale Daily News

“Michigan families work hard to get ahead, but for far too many, a chance at the American Dream is slipping out of reach.

“A top-down, government-centered approach hasn’t worked for the last six years. That’s why the new Congress has been working on grassroots-up solutions to build a healthy economy. Unfortunately, so far, we’ve lacked a willing partner in the White House.

“Michiganders I talk to are hard-working, creative, and determined. They just want a fair shot to pursue their dreams. Policies put forward in Washington should help them climb up, not fall down, as they work to achieve them.”

Rep. Randy Weber (R-TX)
“Congress, Administration Must Act To Focus Resources On NASA’s Core Mission”
Galveston County Daily News

“For decades, NASA has played an important role in encouraging young Americans to pursue careers in math, science, technology and engineering. It has always been on the cutting edge of attracting new ideas, new talent and new businesses, and has helped facilitate the ability of America to achieve the ultimate high ground in any military conflict.

“Congress directed that NASA develop space technology that will bring us back to the moon and beyond, and much of this work is centered in the Houston region. Unfortunately, the President’s 2016 budget would cut this important NASA objective by 12 percent.

“NASA is critical to our nation and our community, and so are the brave and innovative men and women who work there. They deserve a clear mission and road map from the Administration and Congress. As a member of the Science, Space and Technology Committee, I will work with my colleagues on a long-term vision for the space agency that restores space exploration and technology development as its core long-term mission. Only with this clear vision can NASA remain the world’s premier space exploration agency.”