Midnight Regulations
In the popular fairytale of Cinderella, the Princess has a golden carriage and a fancy ball gown, only until the clock strikes midnight. After midnight, it turns back to a pumpkin and she becomes the house maiden once again.
Similarly, after presidential elections conclude, the outgoing President has a limited number of days remaining with control of agencies… Read more »
Restore the Historic Filibuster
True or False: The American government is a majority-rule Republic based on democratic principles, as stated in the Constitution and taught in school.
Maybe. Maybe not.
In the U.S. Senate, this is currently false! Due to the modern filibuster/cloture hold rules (hereinafter referred to as a filibuster), it takes a supermajority to even… Read more »
Foundations of Farming and Forestry
Recently, I highlighted ways nations build wealth – make it, mine it, or grow it. This week, I highlight the third way to build wealth.
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) lists agriculture as our Commonwealth’s largest private industry. The economic impact of agriculture and forestry is $70 billion a year… Read more »
Coal’s Death – Greatly Exaggerated
Last week, I discussed mining as one of the ways to create wealth for a nation. Creating wealth through mining is particularly true for the Ninth District. As I mentioned, the mining industry has faced challenges, and among those, the particularly burdensome regulations on the coal industry.
One third of the nation’s electricity is… Read more »
Limestone, Granite, and Coal, Oh Mine!
Last week, I highlighted manufacturing in the Ninth District, one of the ways a nation builds wealth. Mining is another way to build wealth, and across the District there are a variety of mined commodities.
There is a long history of mining in our region, which has provided employment, economic growth, and a way of life. In the Ninth… Read more »
Manufacturing Economic Growth
Friday, October 7 was National Manufacturing Day. Manufacturing is one of the ways a nation builds wealth.
This year, as part of National Manufacturing Day, I visited Celanese in Giles County and Tadano Mantis in Richlands. I was able to tour the new boiler area at Celanese, which provides power to produce cellulose acetate tow, used… Read more »
Shame on EPA Again!
Notwithstanding a lack of legal authority, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently created new rules under the Clean Air Act. These rules attempt to regulate the trailers which are usually used with tractors. This rule is a part of their new regulations on motor vehicle fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
The law grants EPA the ability to… Read more »
Big Insurance Bailout
During a recent Energy and Commerce hearing, I questioned Andy Slavitt, Acting Administrator of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), about CMS’ memo regarding Risk Corridors. The Risk Corridors in Obamacare were protections for insurance companies who lost money in the exchanges. Insurance companies who participated in the exchanges paid… Read more »
Improving Veterans’ Care and the Benefits Process
Veterans served our country, giving of themselves, to protect our freedoms and way of life. Now they deserve the highest quality of care and benefits they are due. Recently, the House, with my support, passed the VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act. If passed by the Senate and signed by the President,… Read more »
US, Superpower or Fictitious Kingdom?
On May 2, I wrote of an evolving situation in the South China Sea, where China was pursuing its objectives by building an airstrip on the Fiery Cross Reef. This reef is part of the Spratly Island chain claimed by China, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
Believing it has a historic right to dominate this region, China’s long-term strategy is to… Read more »
