E-Newsletter

Playing politics with Social Security is unacceptable. Last week President Obama stated that he cannot guarantee Social Security checks will go out after August 2 if a debt limit deal is not reached. I am disappointed by these comments from the President. According to the AARP, Social Security is the principle source of income for nearly two-thirds of older American households receiving benefits.Many folks in the 9th District have worked hard and paid into this system their entire lives. Along with Medicare and Medicaid, Social Security represents a commitment that the government made to current seniors. Read more »

The federal government is in a money crunch. No secret there; it’s on TV, in the newspaper, and broadcast over the radio. However, you don’t often hear of long term solutions and systemic changes to the way Washington spends your taxpayer dollars. The national debt is pushing the set limit and there is real concern about the future of our nation. People always ask me what we can do to prevent the government from spending money we do not have. One thing we need to do is to pass a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution that would force the federal government to live within its means. Read more »

In a press conference last week, President Obama challenged Republicans to “take on their sacred cows” when it comes to cutting the deficit. What “sacred cows” are the Democrats giving up? Read more »

It’s about jobs. Jobs are the number one issue in the 9th District, and the number one issue nationwide. This past week, I introduced H.R. 2250, the EPA Regulatory Relief Act of 2011. In March, the EPA finalized a series of rules, commonly known as the Boiler MACT rules, which raised serious concerns within a number of industries due to the high costs and a short compliance time. Read more »

Regarding regulations, a little less talk and a lot more action; that’s what Washington needs. In the House, we are working on legislation that would create more of a balance in the regulatory process. Read more »

More regulations = Lost jobs and high costs. This is what I have been talking and writing about. As you know, due to proposed EPA regulations, American Electric Power (AEP) announced last week that five of their coal-fired power plants are slated to close by December 2014 along with production cuts at six others. The Glen Lyn Plant in Giles County is one of those scheduled to close. In Russell County, two of the three generators at the Clinch River Plant will be shut down as well. Read more »

This week, the U.S. House of Representatives spoke loud and clear; a straight $2.4 trillion increase on our national debt limit is a non-starter. Why? Because simply using the national credit card is the same old irresponsible practice that got us in this mess in the first place. I voted against the increase because, as I have said before, absent significant cuts and a systemic change in the way Washington spends, I will not support an increase. Read more »

We have reached the $14.3 trillion debt limit. Now, as a people, we have a critical decision. To raise or not to raise the debt limit? That is the question. Some say there are harsh consequences if we do not raise the debt limit, but I am constantly reminded that there are harsh consequences if we do. Read more »

The appeal process is underway. With the urging of the Virginia Congressional Delegation, Governor McDonnell submitted an appeal of FEMA’s decision to deny federal disaster assistance for the tornadoes that struck in April. He has our full support. Read more »

Weeks after the devastating tornadoes in Southwest Virginia, we are still waiting for federal disaster assistance. The denial of the initial FEMA request was very disappointing. Anyone who has seen the destruction knows that this is the kind of disaster that should qualify for federal assistanc Read more »