The Wasteful Washington Spending Continues --- Congressman Bob Goodlatte

Congressman Bob Goodlatte’s Weekly Column: July 30, 2010

The Wasteful Washington Spending Continues

As I travel throughout the 6th Congressional District, meeting with my constituents, I consistently hear concerns about the out-of-control government spending that is going on in Washington. The majority of my constituents rightly know that in these challenging economic times it is even more important for government to control spending. However, this is a principle that has been lost on the Majority in Congress. They have increased federal spending at an unsustainable pace, spending billions of dollars on wasteful projects in failed attempts to grow our economy.

One particularly egregious waste of taxpayer dollars is right here in southwestern Virginia. Just over a year ago, it was announced that nearly $51 million of the taxpayer’s money would be spent to increase the energy efficiencies of the Richard H. Poff Federal Building in downtown Roanoke. I have received numerous inquiries from constituents concerned about the excessive price tag for the project, the cost effectiveness of this project relative to alternative construction, and the inability of local businesses to bid on the initial stages of the project. Recently the primary construction contract was issued to an out of the area company. Since that time I have aggressively sought answers from the GSA regarding the cost and scope of this wasteful and misguided project and called on General Services Administration (GSA) and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate this matter.

I am particularly concerned about the lack of a thorough cost-benefit analysis of the renovation and failure to include security improvements to the building in the project’s plans. Recently I learned that the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia, one of the largest employers in the Poff Building, had requested that GSA examine alternatives to the renovation of the Poff Building for security and efficiency reasons and was refused. Our federal district courts have many controversial criminal and civil trials and security must be a top priority.

Additionally, I have strong concerns about the significant impact of the renovation on the tenants of the Poff Building. It has come to my attention that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Roanoke Regional Office will be moved to four different locations. Not only will this be difficult for the employees of the VA Roanoke Regional Office but it will cause an increase in already lengthy delays in processing veterans’ claims and place an unnecessary burden on our area veterans when they are seeking assistance from the Department of Veterans Affairs. How can GSA spend nearly $51 million of the taxpayers’ money to renovate the Poff Federal Building and yet not address the needs of the building’s tenants? Recently Senators Warner and Webb, recognizing that this project is ill-conceived, wrote to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Administrator of GSA suggesting that the Poff building renovation be halted.

The path to our economic recovery starts with fiscal responsibility in Washington and that’s why I have strongly urged GSA to immediately halt the wasteful and misguided renovation of the Poff Federal Building. I will continue working to see that a thorough investigation into this matter is completed. We must ensure that any improvements made to the Poff Federal Building will be beneficial to the taxpayers, the federal government, and the Poff Building tenants.

To contact me about this or any other matter, please visit my website at http://www.goodlatte.house.gov/.

WC: 482

From Joe Kelliher on behalf of the Salem Republicans

This is an e-mail that I and many of you probably received from our Congressman. If you did not receive this e-mail from Congressman Bob Goodlatte, please act on it! Take advantage of Bob's Communication to you, his constituent!

If you did receive this e-mail from Bob, I encourange you to help Bob by taking the time to forward it to as many of your friends and family members that you can, so that they are aware of how to follow what our Congressman is doing!

Sincerely,


Joe Kelliher
540 761 6346
joeksalemva@comcast.net

On behalf of the Salem Republicans and Kjersten Croke, Chairman of the Salem Republicans

_________________________________________________________

Here is Bob's e-mail from today July 30, 20010:

Keep Up With What's Going on in Washington

Dear Friend:

From health care reform to tax and economic policy, what happens in Washington affects us back home in western Virginia. Today's technology allows me to connect with residents of the 6th Congressional District more than ever. I urge you to keep up with what is going on in Congress by utilizing some of these great tools:

Visit my website. My website – http://goodlatte.house.gov/ - is a great source of information and a great way to share your opinions with me. My website includes information on events, visiting our nation’s capital, my stance on issues, press releases and my weekly editorials, internship opportunities, photos, and much more. While you are there please take the time to sign-up for my e-newsletter. These regular updates contain information about the key issues facing our nation and important events happening around the Sixth District of Virginia.

Follow me on Facebook and Twitter. If you already use Facebook, be sure to sign-up to be my fan at http://www.facebook.com/BobGoodlatte. If you have Twitter, be sure to follow me at www.twitter.com/RepGoodlatte. If you currently don’t use Facebook or Twitter, you can create an account and follow me, so you can keep up with my TV interviews, my speeches on the House floor or in Committee, my events throughout the 6th Congressional District, and my votes on the legislation that is important to you.

I always look forward to hearing from you on the issues that are important to you, and urge you to use the tools listed above to continue to stay involved and communicate with me. It is so important that you stay up-to-date with what is going on in Congress.

Sincerely,

Bob Goodlatte
Member of Congress

Less than 100 Days to the Election! Morgan needs your HELP ON SATURDAY JULY 31, 2010! ... and other happenings!

Save the date for our next Committee meeting on August 10, 6 PM, at the Salem City Courthouse. We have lots of important issues to discuss including Olde Salem Days and the upcoming elections. Our guest speaker wil be Joe Kelliher of Kelliher Insurance and Benefits. He will discuss how the recently passed Health Care Reform Bill will affect you and the insurance industry.

Hosts Ben Bono and Deborah Caldwell-Bono invite you to join them for a summer BBQ & Hoedown with Morgan Griffith on Saturday, July 31, 6-8 PM. The Hoedown will be held at the Catawba Equestrian Center, 5195 Blacksburg Road - Catawba, Virginia. There will be musical entertainment, pony rides for the kids and other family activities will be provided. Tickets are $35 per person. Please RSVP by July 27 to Laura Bell (276) 870-1926 or laurakbell@comcast.net.

Also, if you have not already done so, please help Morgan defeat Rick Boucher by donating to Morgan's campaign. Go to Morgan's website and donate: http://morgangriffithforcongress.com/ .

Don't forget to mark your calendars for our Annual Olde Salem Days Breakfast on September 11, 8-9:30 AM. I'm thrilled to announce that our speakers will be Governor George Allen, Congressman Goodlatte and House Majority Leader Morgan Griffith. Tickets are $20 and you can reserve your seat now by emailing salemrepublicans@yahoo.com or by sending a check to P.O. Box 151 Salem, VA 24153.

The Roanoke County Republican Committee will host its 21st Annual Shrimpfest on Friday, August 13, 6 PM, at the Vinton Senior Center - 814 E. Washington Ave. - Vinton, VA. Tickets are $25 per person or $30 at the door ( kids 5-12, $13/ kids under 5, free). Please RSVP to Trixie Averill at 890-6519, gopgirl2@aol.com or Polly Johnson 375-6465, loquat@aol.com.

Lastly, Lieutenant Steve Turner of the Roanoke County Police Department is seeking the Republican nomination for County Sheriff. He asks that you join him for a press conference on Friday, July 30, 10 AM, at the County Courthouse in Salem.

Enforcing Our Laws to Reduce Illegal Immigration -- Congressman Bob Goodlatte

Congressman Bob Goodlatte’s Weekly Column: July 23, 2010

If you were to take a drive along Interstate 8 in Arizona, many miles north of the border, you would very likely come upon signs, placed by the U.S. government, warning travelers of possible danger including drug and human smuggling, armed criminals, and other suspicious activities. The signs, which have been placed by the Federal Bureau of Land Management throughout parts of Arizona, are evidence of the very serious and growing problem of illegal immigration. Unfortunately, the federal government has done little more to combat this problem than place these warning signs.

As a result of this escalating problem, the Arizona legislature passed, and the Governor signed into law, legislation designed to identify, prosecute and deport illegal immigrants. This new law, which is scheduled to take effect in just a few days, will ensure that the immigration policies, which some in Washington are refusing to implement, are enforced. The state of Arizona has the right to protect their citizens when the federal government fails to enforce its own laws.

The problem of illegal immigration has reached crisis proportions, not just in Arizona, but throughout our entire country. Recent estimates indicate that there are over thirteen million illegal immigrants currently living in the United States. This population grows by as many as 500,000 a year. Illegal immigration costs our taxpayers billions of dollars every year and places a significant burden on our schools, health care facilities and law enforcement to name just a few.

If we cannot control who enters our country, then we cannot control what enters our country, whether it be narcotics, counterfeit good, or the tools and weapons of terrorists and organized criminals. Securing our borders is a national security issue and should be just one step in the effort to eliminate illegal immigration. We must look at many other solutions, both at the border and throughout the entire country.

For years, weak enforcement and confusing provisions in immigration law have allowed illegal immigrants to stay in the country. Deportation cases often last for years -- even decades in some instances. The Department of Homeland Security needs to be able to act in a rapid and firm manner to find and deport illegal immigrants.

In recent years studies have shown that between forty and fifty percent of the illegal aliens in the U.S. came on legal temporary visas but never returned home when they expired. Any immigration reform efforts must ensure that we fight against illegal immigration in all its forms, by including stiff and meaningful penalties against individuals who illegally overstay the terms of their temporary visas.

America is a land of great opportunity and promise. Our nation was founded by those who sought a better life and our strength and diversity comes from our immigrant heritage. However, our nation was also founded upon a set of principles, among them the rule of law and fairness. I support a system of legal immigration for those who choose to respect our laws before they even arrive to continue to come to our nation and help strengthen it. However, we must reform our immigration system to ensure that we can control our borders, know who is in our country, and not reward those who choose to break our laws before they ever arrive. As your Congressman I remain committed to the principles of fairness and the rule of law and will continue working for serious immigration reform.

To contact me about this or any other matter, please visit my website at http://www.goodlatte.house.gov/.

WC: 583

Working For Peace in the Middle East --- Bob Goodlatte

July 16, 2010

Earlier this month I had the invaluable opportunity to travel to Israel as part of a Congressional delegation. The delegation met with a variety of Israeli and Palestinian government leaders to discuss issues related to the ongoing violence in the region and efforts to further the peace process.

Arab-Israeli conflict has marked practically every decade since the founding of Israel and numerous attempts at the peace process have failed. During my visit, which was organized by the American Israel Education Foundation, I saw firsthand the challenges that face Israel, challenges that are often shared by the United States. Protecting Israel, much like the United States, against global terrorism, is a vigilant effort. With every attack in the Middle East, it only emphasizes the fact that we need to remain vigilant in our war against global terrorism.

The delegation traveled to Jerusalem where we met with Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel. At the meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu, we discussed the future of the peace process and negotiations with the Palestinian National Authority.

Prime Minister Netanyahu has been calling for direct negotiations with the Palestinians for the past fifteen months. For peace talks to be successful all issues, including the economic and security arrangements for an independent Palestinian nation and recognition of the right of Israel to exist in peace without threat of terrorist or other attacks emanating from a new Palestine, must be decided as part of these negotiations. The delegation also met with Salam Fayyad, the Prime Minister of the Palestinian National Authority, with whom we specifically raised this issue, reminding the Prime Minister that direct negotiations are key to a real and lasting peace in the region and the future economic prosperity of the Palestinian people.

Additionally, during our meeting Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed his concerns regarding Iran and their stated goal of destroying the state of Israel. Prime Minister Netanyahu stressed the importance of expanded sanctions against Iran. An Iranian government in possession of nuclear weapons would be intolerable for most of its Middle East neighbors and the rest of the world as they are already the sponsor of most of the terrorist attacks out of Gaza and Lebanon and thus the biggest obstacle to peace in the Middle East. For this reason the Congress recently passed, with my support, and President Obama signed into law the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability and Divestment Act. This legislation significantly strengthens the sanctions against Iran in an effort to restrict their illegal nuclear activities. Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed his strong support for this legislation and spoke of the vital role it will play in promoting peace in the Middle East.

The Middle East is an area rich in a history marked by long-standing hatreds and disputed land claims. While the quest for peace is daunting, we must remain steadfast in our pursuit, for we have a vested interest in trying to stop the terrorist violence that occurs daily in Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip.

To contact me about this or any other matter, please visit my website at www.goodlatte.house.gov.

WC: 515

We Shouldn’t Bank on Bailouts

Congressman Bob Goodlatte’s Weekly Column: July 9, 2010


The free flow of money is fundamental to our capitalist system and the entrepreneurial spirit that defines America. Investors vote with their wallets and the best ideas prevail. However, this only works when the government does not inject itself into otherwise private matters.

Abuses have occurred recently in our financial industry and they must be addressed. Unfortunately the legislation which House Democrats pushed through last week will only perpetuate mistakes that have already been made. As America continues dealing with the sluggish economy and unemployment hovers around ten percent, the House passed, without my support, the so-called “Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act”, which will expand government at the expense of families and small businesses.

Specifically the legislation allows a team of federal bureaucrats to decide if a private business poses a risk to the economy. The legislation would allow the federal government to take over those private businesses and would even give the government the right to sell off the businesses' assets.

While the alleged purpose of this bill is to prevent a concentration of money and power in a small number of large corporations, the bill would have the opposite effect. Knowing that the federal government will swoop in and take over any companies that it deems "too big to fail," creditors and investors will be drawn to lend money to the largest corporations because of the implied guarantee that the federal government will step in to repay these loans. The natural flow of capital will thus be interrupted and flow to the largest corporations rather than to small businesses and entrepreneurs with good ideas, which are the true innovators and job creators of the U.S. economy.

Additionally, the legislation expands the reach of government in the marketplace by creating several new bureaucratic offices and agencies, including a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and an Office of Financial Research. These government offices will have broad authority to impose burdensome regulations on any business that lends money, extends credit, or enters into repayment plans with consumers. These new federal regulations would hit everyone from doctors and hospitals to furniture and department stores.

To address the need for reform of the financial industry, I am a strong supporter of the Consumer Protection and Regulatory Enhancement Act. Rather than guarantee future government bailouts, this legislation would force companies to bear the responsibility of their bad decisions, rather than force taxpayers to pick up the tab. It would do this by creating a new chapter of the bankruptcy code to make it more efficient and better suited for resolving these issues. This legislation would also ensure consistent enforcement, accountability and transparency by modernizing the current federal financial regulatory agencies overseeing our nation's financial institutions.

Congress should not be passing over-reaching legislation like the so-called “Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act”. Instead government must make it possible for small businesses and entrepreneurs to access capital to innovate and create the jobs that are so desperately needed today.

To contact me about this or any other matter, please visit my website at www.goodlatte.house.gov.


WC: 510

Boucher And Obama - Friends Forever