Helping Patients – An Update
As you likely know, one of my priorities as your representative is advancing legislation that would help patients receive quality, affordable health care that meets that patient’s individual health care needs. Among my efforts to help patients are the Patient Choice Act (H.R. 1376), the Compassionate Freedom of Choice Act (H.R. 790), etc. More… Read more »
Robin Hood, King John, and the Magna Carta
Many people have heard Robin Hood, the fabled character of numerous ballads, tales, movies, etc. Robin Hood roamed the Sherwood Forest in Nottingham while Richard the Lionheart, or King Richard I of England, was off fighting in a foreign crusade. While Richard was gone, his mother Eleanor of Aquitaine and William Longchamp are said… Read more »
Obamacare Regulations
On Thursday June 4, my colleagues and I on the Subcommittee on Health held a hearing that examined Obamacare menu labeling requirements, which will require certain businesses such as restaurants, grocery stores, convenience stores, etc. to detail the amount of calories in the foods and beverages they sell.
Among other things, I am concerned about vague… Read more »
It’s About the Constitution
The Constitution – Still Relevant
The Senate debate on collecting all our phone data has been interesting. Hopefully the American people have a better understanding of their rights and of the importance of the Congressional power to check the Executive branch.
Government Control of Water – An Update
On May 27, the Obama Administration announced it had… Read more »
John Wilkes, Rand Paul, and Mike Lee
I noted with interest last week that Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) took to the Senate floor to talk against the Patriot Act provisions that allow the National Security Agency (NSA) to gather data on all Americans.
As you know, I feel this is a violation of the United States Constitutional provisions against unlawful search. I have spoken… Read more »
Thanking Law Enforcement
As you may know, last week was National Police Week – a time to pause, recognize the brave men and women in uniform who serve and protect our communities, and honor those who were injured or lost their lives in the line of duty. Law enforcement officers work day after day, shift after shift, often missing celebrations of events such as holidays, birthdays,… Read more »
National Day of Prayer
Thursday, May 7 was the 64th annual National Day of Prayer. I attended a prayer service that day and, as I do often, thanked God for our blessings and prayed for the future of our great nation. May God bless these United States, and may He bless each and every one of you.
Update – NSA Phone Collection Program Ruled Illegal
According to the POLITICO… Read more »
Protecting Coal Miners
The Labor Department’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) has published a proposed Black Lung Benefits Act rule which, according to a press release, would give “…coal miners greater access to their health records and [require] coal miner owners to pay all benefits due in a claim before the award can be challenged through modification.” This… Read more »
Jobs
Jobs continue to be the number one concern in our region, with many parts of our area having experienced higher than average unemployment rates for years. We often hear about businesses that are struggling or failing; however, there are real life success stories in our region of businesses that are still managing to hire and expand operations.
I had the opportunity to speak… Read more »
Death, Taxes, and Bureaucratic Overreach
Using a phrase attributed to Benjamin Franklin, “…In this world nothing can be said to be certain except death and taxes.” I would submit that in modern times, nothing is certain except death, taxes, and bureaucratic overreach.
On Thursday, April 16, oral arguments were heard in a U.S. Court of Appeals in cases challenging the Environmental… Read more »
