Content by Congressman Jeb Hensarling
Posted at 3:36pm on Feb. 4, 2008 Republicans Gearing Up for Earmark Showdown With Democrats
By Congressman Jeb Hensarling
Two weeks ago, the Republican Conference – under the leadership of Congressman John Boehner – adopted several self-imposed guidelines to begin reforming the broken down earmark process. Though I believe that as Republicans we need to go even further by adopting a full year long earmarking moratorium while significantly changing the earmarking system as we know it today, our House Republican leaders deserve credit for making earmark reform a top priority.
Conservatives consistently make the case that the earmarking process has too often lent itself to the triumph of seniority over merit, secrecy over transparency, and the special interest over the national interest. And though I am disappointed by the refusal of Democrats to work with Republicans to fix the broken earmark system, I can’t say that I am shocked by it. Are you?
When it comes to earmarks, Democrats seem to be eating their pork from two different troughs. They failed to live up to a promise to cut the number of taxpayer funded earmarks in half. Democrats broke another promise to bring greater transparency to the process and instead attempted to keep earmarks hidden from the view of the taxpayers who pay for them. Not to be outdone by her caucus, Speaker Pelosi tells reporters that she’d personally get rid of all earmarks while remaining one of the largest earmarkers in the House – and that is saying something.
People see earmarks as the poster children of fiscal irresponsibility, the kissing cousin to unethical behavior, and an all too frequent enabler of unlawful acts. Worse, the emerging pattern of campaign donations coming in one door and taxpayer funded earmarks going out of the other is nothing short of corrupt.
Despite their abysmal approval ratings, it is clear that Democrats are satisfied with business as usual in Washington. At a time when families across America are tightening their belts, it is an utter embarrassment for some in Congress to continue to waste taxpayer money on monuments to themselves, lobster institutes, and hippie museums. On behalf of each of you, your families, and taxpayers across the country, we pledge to use every method at our disposal to bring the broken earmark process to an immediate halt.
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Posted at 1:13pm on Dec. 17, 2007 Massive Spending Bill Bad for Taxpayers
By Congressman Jeb Hensarling
Late last night, Democrats released a massive 3,565-page FY 2008 Omnibus Appropriations bill (which means that 11 spending bills have been combined to form one massive bill) that is expected to be voted on later today. This means that members will not even have the ability to read the bill before knowing what they are voting on. This is hardly the way to do business if spending accountability is a priority.
After spending all night trying to review this enormous bill, I can say that this legislation is a bad for deal for American taxpayers, American families and the fiscal future of our children. Unfortunately, Democrats squandered an opportunity to work together on a clean bill that is free of wasteful earmarks and budget gimmicks.
Just three years ago, then Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi called the refusal to allow Members three days to read legislation before voting on it ‘martial law.’ Abandoning her word, Speaker Pelosi is now engaging in ‘martial law’ herself by trying to forcing this bill through Congress before anyone knows exactly what is in it. What could they be hiding?
Earmarks? Check.
Please read on...
Posted in Congress | Democrats | Earmarks | funding | omnibus bills — Comments (5) / Email this page » / Read More »
Posted at 3:52pm on Nov. 6, 2007 THE OPPOSITE OF TRANSPARENT: Taxpayers being “Daschled” by Democrat Spending bill
By Congressman Jeb Hensarling
Later tonight, Speaker Pelosi and the rest of the Democrat Leadership will bring an 853-page Labor-HHS/ Military-Veterans Conference Report to the floor of the House. This bill will include secret earmarks that were inserted after both the House and Senate voted on the different spending bills included in this larger Conference Report.
What does that mean? It means that these earmarks were not able to be seen by most of the members of the House and Senate. Along those same lines, Speaker Pelosi, Majority Whip Steny Hoyer, and Democrat Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel brought this 853 page bill to the floor without allowing Members of Congress even a single day to read it.
Read on . . .
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Posted at 11:35am on Oct. 25, 2007 Are You Ready to Help Fight the Democrats’ “Mother of All Tax Hikes?
By Congressman Jeb Hensarling
This morning, as Ways and Means Chairman Charlie Rangel and House Democrats introduce the "Mother of all tax hikes," – which will increase taxes on hard working Americans by over $1.3 trillion –Congressman Paul Ryan, Congressman Michele Bachmann (R-MN), and Congressman John Campbell (R-CA) and I (the authors of the RSC's Taxpayer Choice Act), wrote an op/ed for the New York Post on our bill that would repeal the AMT while offering taxpayers the opportunity to become part of a 21st Century tax system that is fair, simple, efficient and, above all, accountable.
Congressman Rangel is right about one thing - the current tax system screams out for reform. The problem is that he and other Democrats in the House want to reform it to help Washington instead of the American taxpayer. Contrary to Democrats’ wishes, you don’t help taxpayers by raising their taxes. The debate over repeal of the AMT is going to center around one key question – who is going to get the $841 billion that Americans will be forced to pay if it remains untouched. Democrats believe the government is entitled to it, we believe the American people deserve to keep their own money.
Republicans disagree with the premise that taxpayers must be forced to pay to repeal a bad policy. We disagree with Democrats in the House who want to pick and choose certain groups of taxpayers to be penalized for Washington’s mistake. That is why the Republican Study Committee has introduced the Taxpayer Choice Act, which will fully repeal the AMT while providing taxpayers the choice and opportunity to become part of a 21st Century tax system that is fair, simple, efficient and, above all, accountable.
This is Nancy Pelosi’s Washington – increasing funding to expand failing Washington bureaucracies on your dime. The American people don't really care how the Congressional Budget Office may choose to score the these different bills, or how the Joint Tax Committee may choose to score it. And I know that people are tired of Washington budget gimmicks. That is why we remain focused on how the American people will score it, and if their paycheck has the same purchasing power next year that it had this year and yet the tax bite is more, that is a tax increase.
Democrats will use a lot of rhetoric about their forthcoming AMT bill, one thing is clear – they will punish one group of people through a massive tax increase. No matter how you choose to look at it, robbing Peter to pay Paul is still a huge tax increase on the American people. Instead of Congress picking and choosing the winners and losers in the tax code, we’d like to let individual taxpayers decide what is best in their interests, and what is right for them. It will be interesting to see how the members of the Blue Dog Coalition will react to such a massive tax increase. It seems to me that if their bark is as big as their bite, Mr. Rangel, Speaker Pelosi and Democrat leaders might need to hire a dog catcher. Perhaps Red State readers might call up Blue Dog Coalition member offices to find out just where they stand.
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Posted at 11:04am on Sep. 10, 2007 MoveOn's Attack is Disgraceful
By Congressman Jeb Hensarling
Today, General Petraeus will deliver a progress report on the troop increases in Iraq to Congress. And, just as we thought, the Washington spin machine has gone into overdrive trying to frame the latest “reality” coming out of Iraq. But today we saw a real low point in the spin effort.
On a day when partisanship should be put on hold to the extent possible, the leftist group MoveOn, whom I know y’all have dealt with before, bought a full page ad in the New York Times that disgracefully attacks a decorated four-star commanding general and questions his commitment to his country. Though I won’t repeat the despicable charges and slander contained in the ad, I encourage you to see it for yourselves.
Clearly, MoveOn has the freedom to opine as they wish, but that freedom that does not preclude elected Democrat members of Congress from pushing back against such slanderous charges, no matter their personal opinion on the ongoing military efforts in Iraq. In fact, it is their obligation to do so.
The men and women serving our nation deserve our full respect and gratitude, regardless of one’s political ideology. And Despite tens of millions of dollars having been spent on advertising and targeted campaigns by liberal groups like MoveOn, the incessant cries to precipitously retreat and withdraw from Iraq are now being overshadowed by reports showing some positive results and undeniable progress – at least for those that are willing to see them.
Though we live in a tumultuous world in which opinions are bound to differ, there is a right way and a wrong way to conduct oneself and there is a difference between class and classless. And this ad is not just wrong, it is classless. While no one would argue that the nature of our political system allows time for Democrats to be Democrats and Republicans to be Republicans, today should not be one of those times. Today, Americans from across the political spectrum must come together as we decide the next steps for our nation and our military effort.
Earlier this morning, I urged Majority Leader Reid, Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Hoyer, the Democrat leadership and ALL Democrat Members of Congress to reject this disgraceful ad and listen to General Petraeus before participating in the political spin that all too often corrupts reality. And in order for them to move in that direction, all of you – the grassroots, the netroots – are going to have to make your feelings known. If you are as outraged by this disgraceful ad as I am, I urge all of you to call the Democrat leaders, call your Congressman, write letters to your local newspapers and make your feelings known. General Petraeus has, at minimum, earned that respect.
In addition, this post is also cross-posted on the Republican Study Committee Blog. I encourage you to visit and contribute your own commentary and opinion today. Make sure that your voice is heard.
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Posted at 12:41pm on Jul. 18, 2007 Congress Wants To Fund Hollywood Liberals With Your Money
By Congressman Jeb Hensarling
Today, as the House of Representatives will continue debate on the fiscally irresponsible Democrat Labor/HHS Appropriations Bill (H.R. 3043), which will spend $152 billion in 2008 – $10.6 billion more than what the President requested, $7 billion more than current levels, and $2.3 billion more than the Senate bill.
Tucked away in that bill is an earmark inserted by California Representative Diane Watson, which would direct $300,000 to West Los Angeles College. According to the certification letter provided by Rep. Watson’s office, the funds would “establish a first-of-its-kind entertainment industry craft and technician college job training program to respond to the film and television industry’s immediate need for new, trained employees.” That’s right, Democrats are looking to create a job training program for the Los Angeles entertainment industry.
One might think that with entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare teetering on the brink of bankruptcy, Democrats might at least put up the appearance of fiscal responsibility. Instead, they are bringing the term ‘Hollywood liberal’ to a whole new level.
Americans know this is government waste in the worst possible form – hard working American families don’t send their money to Washington for liberals to establish government programs for students to work on Hollywood movie sets. This is pure common-sense, which is why I will offer an amendment to prohibit funds from being used on this wasteful earmark.
In honor of the Democrat Leadership’s desire to earmark taxpayer dollars to help their Hollywood friends find movie set help, the RSC has helped them compile a top 10 list of Democrat must-see movie rentals this summer:
2) Easy Money
7) Mo’ Money
9) Free Money
10) The Money Pit
What movies would you add?
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Posted at 12:30pm on Jun. 15, 2007 A Big Victory for Conservatives and the House GOP
By Congressman Jeb Hensarling
This week, RSC members led the charge on the floor to hold Democrats accountable for their actions. And I have to say, I am sincerely proud of our effort, and proud of all the members who helped in this effort. From John Campbell, to Marsha Blackburn, Tom Price, Patrick McHenry, John Carter, Virginia Foxx, John Shadegg, Michelle Bachmann, Doug Lamborn, and Mary Fallin, our folks were warriors in this effort. Working together on a united front with our Republican Leadership - including Leader Boehner, Republican Whip Roy Blunt, Conference Chairman Adam Putnam, Chief Deputy Whip Eric Cantor (and of course Judge Carter - his energy was inspiring) House Republicans were victorious in our effort to protect taxpayers from an onslaught of secret Democrat spending hidden in earmark slush funds. This is a victory for those who seek greater transparency and accountability in government, and a victory for all American taxpayers.
It became clear soon into our effort that Democrats had a choice - they could have spent hour after hour defending their slush fund for earmarks, or they could reverse their position and allow earmarks and their sponsor to be identified in spending bills. From the start, I believe that the Democrats knew that they had an indefensible position - that taxpayers should blindly fund Members' pet projects without allowing them to be debated or questioned. There just is no defense for government to secretly spend the taxpayer dollar on members' pet projects. It took Democrats just about three days to cave into the Republican effort to pull back the curtain and allow earmarks to be seen by taxpayers, journalists and other Members of Congress in the light of day.
I am sure that this must be a sad day in the Speaker's office, but it's a great day for taxpayers. Yesterday, along with Republican Whip Roy Blunt, I participated in a conference call with bloggers, and I was thrilled to get a chance to talk to the real warriors - the grassroots leaders of our effort. We will need your help to continue to spread the message. From our end, our commitment to you is that House conservatives will remain united in our effort to protect American taxpayers and continue to serve as a watchdog over the secretive Democrats and their free spending ways. We've only just begun. My friends, I'll leave you with a popular song choice this week.
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Posted at 12:57pm on May 10, 2007 It's Time For Democrats to Fund Our Troops
By Congressman Jeb Hensarling
As you know, Democrats will again bring two bills to the House floor that have no chance of becoming law. I know it, you know it, they know it, our Military knows it, and sadly, our enemies know it.
In one instance, Democrats would immediately withdraw from Iraq (H.R. 2237) and in the other would limit funding for American troops and reveal a two-month surrender date to America’s enemies (H.R. 2206).
Just when you start to think the Democrats can't shock you any more, the manage to top themselves. Democrat leaders in the House have now wasted months on surrender bills that not only will be vetoed, but in the words of Senator Reid, won’t even be passed by the Democrat -controlled Senate.
Though the Pentagon requested funding for American troops 94 days ago, Democrats continue to withhold needed resources from our troops in order to score cheap political points. Secretary Gates has now noted that the Democrat two-month funding bill would force a shutdown of "significant" parts of the Department of Defense because they’d be unable to pay salaries.
Enough is enough.
Read on . . .
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Posted at 10:31am on May 3, 2007 The Veto Pen is Out and Ready - Hate Crimes Legislation Constitutionally Suspect
By Congressman Jeb Hensarling
Friends, today the House of Representatives will debate the "Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act," (H.R. 1592). Yesterday, former RSC Chairmen John Shadegg, Sue Myrick, and Mike Pence joined me in sending a letter on behalf of the 100+ House conservatives in the RSC to President Bush requesting that he veto the bill AND include a veto threat in the Statement of Administration Policy.
This morning, the White House agreed with our letter, and agreed the bill is unnecessary and constitutionally suspect, and noted that the "President's senior advisors would recommend he veto the bill."
The text of the letter is below.
Read on . . .
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Posted at 5:29pm on May 1, 2007 The Democrats' Reality Crisis
By Congressman Jeb Hensarling
They say that you can have your own opinion, but you can’t have your own facts. Yet, Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and the Democrat caucus are really trying to test the validity of that claim.
Speaker Pelosi has said that she feels “sad” that the President says al-Qaeda is operating in Iraq. Just last week, Steny Hoyer said “The Administration and Congressional Republicans now disingenuously claim that the fight in Iraq is primarily against al-Qaeda,” before back peddling in front of another audience. Senator Harry Reid has said (what hasn’t Harry Reid said?), “We have to change course [away from Iraq] and turn our attention back to the war on al-Qaeda and their allies.” And John Murtha has said, “We cannot win this… al-Qaeda is a small part of this.” The current issue of the New Republic takes a deeper look into their troubling words.
People across America should call their offices and ask whether they actually believe the claims they are making – because if they claim that they do - one of two things must be true. They are either intentionally misleading Americans about the reality in Iraq for political gain or they haven’t a clue about what is actually going on the ground in Iraq.
Read on.