Congressman Bob Googlatte's Weekly Column: August 27, 2010
More than 7 million jobs have been lost in the last three years and over 3 million of those jobs have been lost since the President signed the so-called stimulus bill into law last year. Unfortunately, these are numbers that the American people are all too familiar with and yet the Congress continues to pursue an agenda that will further threaten American job creators. While Americans are asking “Where are the jobs?”, the Majority in Congress continues to demonstrate that they do not understand the priorities of our constituents or appreciate how private sector jobs are created.
It is clear: the policies of higher taxes, runaway spending, government takeovers and record debt which have become commonplace in Washington these days are having a chilling effect on the nation’s small businesses, the economic engine of our economy. From the so-called stimulus bill to the government takeover of our health care system and the threat of higher taxes and massive deficit spending, these policies have further hindered the creation of private sector jobs.
Unfortunately, just a little over four months from now, Democrats will impose further tax increases on American families and small businesses who are already struggling to make ends meet. According to the non-partisan Joint Committee on Taxation, unless the $3.8 trillion tax hike, which will take effect on January 1, 2011, is prevented every American income taxpayer will face higher rates. Specifically, 88 million taxpayers will pay an average of $503 in higher taxes due to the elimination of the ten percent bracket, 35 million married couples will pay an average of $595 in higher taxes due to a reinstatement of the marriage penalty, 31 million families will pay an average of $1,033 in higher taxes due to a reduction in the child tax credit, the death tax will soar to 55 percent, and 94 percent of small businesses will see their tax bills increase as well.
At the same time that millions of Americans are confronted with these oppressive tax hikes, they will also be faced with the first round of tax increases that are part of the new health care reform law. This monstrosity includes over 20 new taxes or tax increases which total $569 billion in additional taxes on individuals and employers.
As if all of this isn’t devastating enough, more than 25 million taxpayers will be ensnared by the Alternative Minimum Tax and higher taxes will be levied on investments starting January 1, 2011.
The last thing our economy needs is crushing tax increases. Instead Congress must focus on policies that allow individuals and businesses to keep more of their hard-earned tax dollars, which would encourage investment and provide financial relief for America’s small businesses. Most importantly Congress must send a clear message to our nation’s job creators that they can hire new workers with the confidence that a higher tax bill is not on the way.
I remain committed to working to stop these massive tax increases on small businesses and working families that will have a devastating impact on job creation and our struggling economy. I will continue working to enact responsible legislation which puts money back into the hands of those who can really turn our economy around – the American people and small businesses.
To contact me about this or any other matter, please visit my website at www.goodlatte.house.gov
Friday, August 27, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Congressman Goodlatte to hold a Town Hall meeting on Saturday, August 28
Congressman Goodlatte will be holding a Town Hall meeting on Saturday, August 28. The Town Hall will be held from 10-11:30 AM, in the auditorium at Virginia Western Community College - 3094 Colonial Ave. SW, Roanoke. Hope to see everyone there!
Also, Please plan to join us at our Olde Salem Days Breakfast on September 11, 8-9:30 AM, at the Salem Civic Center. Individual tickets are $20 and kids under 5 free. If you haven't already done so, please RSVP ASAP! Tickets are going fast! For information on our sponsorship levels or to RSVP please email Kjersten Croke at salemrepublicans@yahoo.com .
Lastly, click here to check out Morgan Griffith's new commercial. If you like this ad and want to make sure it reaches voters across the 9th District then please click here to visit Morgan's website and donate.
Thanks.
Kjersten Croke
Salem Republican Committee Chair
UPCOMING EVENTS
1) Congressman Goodlatte Town Hall - August 28 2010. 10:00 a.m. Virginia Western Community College.
2) AFP Defending the American Dream Summit - August 27 & 28. Washington DC.
3) Olde Salem Days Breakfast - September 11, 2010. 8:00 a.m. Salem Civic Center.
4) Salem Republican Committee Meeting - October 12, 2010. 6:00 p.m. Salem Courthouse.
Also, Please plan to join us at our Olde Salem Days Breakfast on September 11, 8-9:30 AM, at the Salem Civic Center. Individual tickets are $20 and kids under 5 free. If you haven't already done so, please RSVP ASAP! Tickets are going fast! For information on our sponsorship levels or to RSVP please email Kjersten Croke at salemrepublicans@yahoo.com .
Lastly, click here to check out Morgan Griffith's new commercial. If you like this ad and want to make sure it reaches voters across the 9th District then please click here to visit Morgan's website and donate.
Thanks.
Kjersten Croke
Salem Republican Committee Chair
UPCOMING EVENTS
1) Congressman Goodlatte Town Hall - August 28 2010. 10:00 a.m. Virginia Western Community College.
2) AFP Defending the American Dream Summit - August 27 & 28. Washington DC.
3) Olde Salem Days Breakfast - September 11, 2010. 8:00 a.m. Salem Civic Center.
4) Salem Republican Committee Meeting - October 12, 2010. 6:00 p.m. Salem Courthouse.
Monday, August 23, 2010
From Congressman Bob Goodlatte --- Reducing Government Spending is Essential to Job Creation
Weekly Column: August 6, 2010
Folks all across our nation are worried. They worry if their job is still going to be around in six months. They worry about what will happen to their families, their children, and their homes if their employer shuts down and they find themselves out of work. Unfortunately, too many people are facing this situation today with nationwide unemployment hovering around ten percent.
The Democratic leaders in Washington promised the American people that if we passed a stimulus bill we would be able to strengthen our economy and create jobs. But in the 18 months since that monstrosity was passed by Congress, we have lost 2.6 million private sector jobs, unemployment has increased by almost two percent, and we have added trillions of dollars to our national debt. Bailouts, massive government spending, out of control deficits, federal takeovers, and more bureaucratic interference is not the solution to the difficulties we face today. As President Ronald Reagan said in his first inaugural address “government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.”
To spur economic growth, create new jobs and bring personal opportunity to every American we must strengthen our free market system, not hamper it. We must reduce government intrusion, not allow more bailouts and takeovers. We must give our nation’s entrepreneurial spirit the opportunity to thrive, not enact policies that will forever alter our ability to seek prosperity.
Out of control spending, skyrocketing deficits, and massive growth in government programs have increased economic uncertainty and prolonged our unemployment crisis. Yet, the Majority in Congress is already preparing to pass, without my support, a $26billion bailout bill which will increase taxes on American businesses and once again expand the size and scope of the federal government. Americans need jobs, not another failed bailout. With businesses already struggling to make ends meet, further tax increases will only add to that burden. The federal government should focus on cutting spending and reducing the deficit, not finding more ways to spend taxpayer’s dollars. That’s why I have introduced legislation that would force the federal government to balance its budget.
The President and the Democratic Leadership in Congress believe their big government programs can better grow our economy and create jobs than the free market system that has made America the most prosperous nation on earth. They are also preparing massive tax increases. We simply cannot afford any more of these tax and spend job killing policies in the private sector. We must find ways to create new jobs and expand opportunities and that remains my top priority. As a member of the House Republican Economic Recovery Solutions Group, I am committed to finding real solutions to our nation’s unemployment crisis. We must remove barriers to employment including the threat of higher taxes, additional government regulations, and costly mandates.
To contact me about this or any other matter, please visit my website at www.goodlatte.house.gov.
Folks all across our nation are worried. They worry if their job is still going to be around in six months. They worry about what will happen to their families, their children, and their homes if their employer shuts down and they find themselves out of work. Unfortunately, too many people are facing this situation today with nationwide unemployment hovering around ten percent.
The Democratic leaders in Washington promised the American people that if we passed a stimulus bill we would be able to strengthen our economy and create jobs. But in the 18 months since that monstrosity was passed by Congress, we have lost 2.6 million private sector jobs, unemployment has increased by almost two percent, and we have added trillions of dollars to our national debt. Bailouts, massive government spending, out of control deficits, federal takeovers, and more bureaucratic interference is not the solution to the difficulties we face today. As President Ronald Reagan said in his first inaugural address “government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.”
To spur economic growth, create new jobs and bring personal opportunity to every American we must strengthen our free market system, not hamper it. We must reduce government intrusion, not allow more bailouts and takeovers. We must give our nation’s entrepreneurial spirit the opportunity to thrive, not enact policies that will forever alter our ability to seek prosperity.
Out of control spending, skyrocketing deficits, and massive growth in government programs have increased economic uncertainty and prolonged our unemployment crisis. Yet, the Majority in Congress is already preparing to pass, without my support, a $26billion bailout bill which will increase taxes on American businesses and once again expand the size and scope of the federal government. Americans need jobs, not another failed bailout. With businesses already struggling to make ends meet, further tax increases will only add to that burden. The federal government should focus on cutting spending and reducing the deficit, not finding more ways to spend taxpayer’s dollars. That’s why I have introduced legislation that would force the federal government to balance its budget.
The President and the Democratic Leadership in Congress believe their big government programs can better grow our economy and create jobs than the free market system that has made America the most prosperous nation on earth. They are also preparing massive tax increases. We simply cannot afford any more of these tax and spend job killing policies in the private sector. We must find ways to create new jobs and expand opportunities and that remains my top priority. As a member of the House Republican Economic Recovery Solutions Group, I am committed to finding real solutions to our nation’s unemployment crisis. We must remove barriers to employment including the threat of higher taxes, additional government regulations, and costly mandates.
To contact me about this or any other matter, please visit my website at www.goodlatte.house.gov.
From Congressman Bob Goodlatte --- Ensuring Transparency in Our Government
Weekly Column: August 13, 2010
One of the most important duties I have as a Member of Congress is to review legislation that comes before Congress and determine if it is something that the Congress should be acting upon and if it will improve the lives of the people of the 6th Congressional District, or if it will have an adverse impact on them. After carefully weighing each piece of legislation, I must go to the floor of the House of Representatives and cast a vote. Unfortunately, in recent months the Democratic leadership in Congress has decided that it is more important to ram critical pieces of their agenda through on strict party-line votes rather than allow Members of Congress enough time to appropriately review the legislation.
In February of 2009, the Majority in Congress revealed the text of the nearly $1 trillion “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act” – the so-called stimulus bill-- just ten hours before Congress began to debate and vote on it. With just a few hours to read the legislation, no one had enough time to read it and in fact language was inserted into the bill that protected the bonuses of top business executives, even as their companies took hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars to avoid bankruptcy. This was how AIG was able to distribute $165 million in taxpayer funded bonuses to their executives.
Then again early this spring the House Rules Committee approved a three hundred page amendment at the last minute and included it in the disastrous Cap and Trade legislation. Just hours later, the Democratic Leadership rammed this controversial legislation through the Congress by just seven votes. Given the significant impact this legislation will have on our lives, many Members of Congress wanted to amend the bill, but their amendments were not allowed to be debated and voted on and the legislation passed before we had a chance to review the 1,200 page legislation, including the 300 pages of secret changes.
While this disturbing trend has reached new heights in recent months, it is unfortunately not unique to the current House Leadership. Both parties have abused this process and it must stop. For this reason, I am a strong supporter of bipartisan legislation which would strengthen House Rules and ensure that Congress has ample time to read legislation before a vote. This legislation, which has the support of 217 Members of Congress, requires all major bills to be posted online publicly for at least 72 hours before they are brought to the House floor for a vote. This would give Members of Congress and the American people time to review the legislation before it comes up for a vote.
Refusing to allow Members of Congress the chance to review legislation before it’s voted on seriously jeopardizes the integrity of the democratic process. Unfortunately, those who stand to lose the most from a secretive, dubious process are the American people. Our constituents demand accountability and they should be able to examine any legislation that has the potential to significantly impact their lives. I will continue to work to ensure that debate in Congress is transparent and open to help build the trust so vital in a democracy.
To contact me about this or any other matter, please visit my website at www.goodlatte.house.gov.
Word Count: 529
One of the most important duties I have as a Member of Congress is to review legislation that comes before Congress and determine if it is something that the Congress should be acting upon and if it will improve the lives of the people of the 6th Congressional District, or if it will have an adverse impact on them. After carefully weighing each piece of legislation, I must go to the floor of the House of Representatives and cast a vote. Unfortunately, in recent months the Democratic leadership in Congress has decided that it is more important to ram critical pieces of their agenda through on strict party-line votes rather than allow Members of Congress enough time to appropriately review the legislation.
In February of 2009, the Majority in Congress revealed the text of the nearly $1 trillion “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act” – the so-called stimulus bill-- just ten hours before Congress began to debate and vote on it. With just a few hours to read the legislation, no one had enough time to read it and in fact language was inserted into the bill that protected the bonuses of top business executives, even as their companies took hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars to avoid bankruptcy. This was how AIG was able to distribute $165 million in taxpayer funded bonuses to their executives.
Then again early this spring the House Rules Committee approved a three hundred page amendment at the last minute and included it in the disastrous Cap and Trade legislation. Just hours later, the Democratic Leadership rammed this controversial legislation through the Congress by just seven votes. Given the significant impact this legislation will have on our lives, many Members of Congress wanted to amend the bill, but their amendments were not allowed to be debated and voted on and the legislation passed before we had a chance to review the 1,200 page legislation, including the 300 pages of secret changes.
While this disturbing trend has reached new heights in recent months, it is unfortunately not unique to the current House Leadership. Both parties have abused this process and it must stop. For this reason, I am a strong supporter of bipartisan legislation which would strengthen House Rules and ensure that Congress has ample time to read legislation before a vote. This legislation, which has the support of 217 Members of Congress, requires all major bills to be posted online publicly for at least 72 hours before they are brought to the House floor for a vote. This would give Members of Congress and the American people time to review the legislation before it comes up for a vote.
Refusing to allow Members of Congress the chance to review legislation before it’s voted on seriously jeopardizes the integrity of the democratic process. Unfortunately, those who stand to lose the most from a secretive, dubious process are the American people. Our constituents demand accountability and they should be able to examine any legislation that has the potential to significantly impact their lives. I will continue to work to ensure that debate in Congress is transparent and open to help build the trust so vital in a democracy.
To contact me about this or any other matter, please visit my website at www.goodlatte.house.gov.
Word Count: 529
From Congressman Bob Goodlatte --- We Must Stop the Spending Spree
Weekly Column: August 20, 2010
Today, the American people are facing one of the most challenging times in our nation’s history. Our economy remains sluggish, people fear losing their jobs and their homes, and many are worried about the future their children and grandchildren will inherit. They are deeply concerned about the outlook for our nation and wonder if their children will grow up in the same America they did. People are looking for solutions to the problems we face.
The Majority in Congress has responded to the outcry of concern by the American people by raising taxes, increasing federal spending at an unsustainable pace, allowing our national debt to spiral out of control, and passing legislation that gives the federal government more control of our daily lives. They have spent trillions on bailouts and stimulus packages to help grow our economy, but all it has done is increase our debt and the size of the federal bureaucracy while leaving our nation’s unemployment rate hovering around ten percent.
The American people have lost trust and confidence in many of their elected representatives. They are fed up with Congress’ irresponsible spending spree, the culture of waste in Washington and government bailouts that force hard-working taxpayers to subsidize the reckless behavior of others. Today, Washington spends $7 million every minute of every hour of every day and to finance this spending addiction the government must borrow 42 cents of every dollar spent. This has resulted in our national deficit exceeding $13 trillion which is $42,000 for every man, woman and child in America.
It is time Congress takes control of spending instead of letting it control the Congress. Immediate action must be taken to cut federal spending. Specifically, Congress should cancel the unspent “stimulus” funds which would save up to $266 billion. Additionally, Congress should cap discretionary spending. Since 2008, non-defense discretionary spending has increased by 24% and if you include the so-called stimulus money, spending has increased by 84%. Reducing spending from current levels and imposing a cap on future growth would generate savings for the taxpayer in excess of $340 billion.
Furthermore, I have introduced bipartisan legislation which forces Congress to enact fiscally responsible spending measures and reduce the deficit by requiring that total spending for any fiscal year not exceed total receipts. By requiring the federal government to balance the budget it ensures that Congress and the President are held accountable to the American taxpayers.
I understand the serious problems our nation faces. Ten percent unemployment is unacceptable. A national debt spiraling out of control is unacceptable. Runaway spending is unacceptable. The American people are demanding accountability and results. I will continue working hard to bring fiscal responsibility back to Washington by tightening the budget, eliminating wasteful spending, and enacting real, cost-effective solutions to turn our economy around.
To contact me about this or any other matter, please visit my website at www.goodlatte.house.gov.
WC: 479
Today, the American people are facing one of the most challenging times in our nation’s history. Our economy remains sluggish, people fear losing their jobs and their homes, and many are worried about the future their children and grandchildren will inherit. They are deeply concerned about the outlook for our nation and wonder if their children will grow up in the same America they did. People are looking for solutions to the problems we face.
The Majority in Congress has responded to the outcry of concern by the American people by raising taxes, increasing federal spending at an unsustainable pace, allowing our national debt to spiral out of control, and passing legislation that gives the federal government more control of our daily lives. They have spent trillions on bailouts and stimulus packages to help grow our economy, but all it has done is increase our debt and the size of the federal bureaucracy while leaving our nation’s unemployment rate hovering around ten percent.
The American people have lost trust and confidence in many of their elected representatives. They are fed up with Congress’ irresponsible spending spree, the culture of waste in Washington and government bailouts that force hard-working taxpayers to subsidize the reckless behavior of others. Today, Washington spends $7 million every minute of every hour of every day and to finance this spending addiction the government must borrow 42 cents of every dollar spent. This has resulted in our national deficit exceeding $13 trillion which is $42,000 for every man, woman and child in America.
It is time Congress takes control of spending instead of letting it control the Congress. Immediate action must be taken to cut federal spending. Specifically, Congress should cancel the unspent “stimulus” funds which would save up to $266 billion. Additionally, Congress should cap discretionary spending. Since 2008, non-defense discretionary spending has increased by 24% and if you include the so-called stimulus money, spending has increased by 84%. Reducing spending from current levels and imposing a cap on future growth would generate savings for the taxpayer in excess of $340 billion.
Furthermore, I have introduced bipartisan legislation which forces Congress to enact fiscally responsible spending measures and reduce the deficit by requiring that total spending for any fiscal year not exceed total receipts. By requiring the federal government to balance the budget it ensures that Congress and the President are held accountable to the American taxpayers.
I understand the serious problems our nation faces. Ten percent unemployment is unacceptable. A national debt spiraling out of control is unacceptable. Runaway spending is unacceptable. The American people are demanding accountability and results. I will continue working hard to bring fiscal responsibility back to Washington by tightening the budget, eliminating wasteful spending, and enacting real, cost-effective solutions to turn our economy around.
To contact me about this or any other matter, please visit my website at www.goodlatte.house.gov.
WC: 479
Cong Bob Goodlatte will host an Agriculture Conference at the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton TOMORROW!
News From
Congressman Bob Goodlatte
Serving Virginia’s Sixth District
Phone: 202-225-5431 Fax: 202-225-9681
Date: August 23, 2010 Contact: Kathryn Rexrode
REMINDER
COMMUNITY EVENT AND MEDIA NOTICE Goodlatte to Host Agriculture Conference at
Frontier Culture Museum
WHEN: Tuesday, August 24th from 10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
WHERE: Dairy Barn
Frontier Culture Museum
Staunton, Virginia
WHAT: The Agriculture Conference will cover issues of concern to Virginia farmers and those interested in farm policy. Guest speakers will cover topics including livestock and poultry health, conservation and rural development programs, farm lending and trade.
Speakers include Todd Haymore, Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, Dallas Tonsager, USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development and Dave White, Chief of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Congressman Bob Goodlatte
Serving Virginia’s Sixth District
Phone: 202-225-5431 Fax: 202-225-9681
Date: August 23, 2010 Contact: Kathryn Rexrode
REMINDER
COMMUNITY EVENT AND MEDIA NOTICE Goodlatte to Host Agriculture Conference at
Frontier Culture Museum
WHEN: Tuesday, August 24th from 10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
WHERE: Dairy Barn
Frontier Culture Museum
Staunton, Virginia
WHAT: The Agriculture Conference will cover issues of concern to Virginia farmers and those interested in farm policy. Guest speakers will cover topics including livestock and poultry health, conservation and rural development programs, farm lending and trade.
Speakers include Todd Haymore, Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, Dallas Tonsager, USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development and Dave White, Chief of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.
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