Westmoreland RSS Articles

Bring sunshine to House proceedings

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland today endorsed a transparency initiative, calling on Speaker Nancy Pelosi to reform the House procedures to prevent future secret negotiations such have occurred with the closed-door health care talks.

The House GOP congressional transparency initiative includes “read the bill” reform that would ensure all bills are posted online at least 72 hours before coming to a vote, a ban on “phantom amendments” being added to bills in secret after they pass committee, a resolution requiring the upcoming House-Senate health care negotiations to be open to the public, and other critical reforms.

“The secretive health care negotiations, which will directly affect the lives of each and every person in this country and take over 17 percent of our economy, outraged many Americans and opened their eyes to the hypocrisy of congressional leadership when it comes to open, honest and ethical government,” Westmoreland said. “The internet gives U.S. citizens the opportunity to follow and take part in their government in a way that was never before possible. We need to change the way we do business so that Americans have a chance to know how we conduct THEIR business.”

Westmoreland has called for the adoption of the following reforms:

House GOP Transparency Initiative

READ THE BILL

Put all bills online for at least 72 hours before they come to a vote.

(H. Res. 554, Reps. John Culberson, R-TX & Brian Baird, D-WA; Discharge Petition by Rep. Greg Walden, R-OR)

BAN “PHANTOM AMENDMENTS”

Require committees to post bill text online within 24 hours of adoption.

(H. Res. 835, Rep. Lynn Jenkins, R-KS)

SHOW THE VOTES

Post Members’ committee votes online within 48 hours.

(H. Res. 874, Rep. Dave Reichert, R-WA)

OPEN HEALTH CARE NEGOTIATIONS TO THE PUBLIC

Prevent secret deals behind closed doors and ensure a full and open debate.

(H. Res. 847, Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-FL)

BRING SUNLIGHT TO THE RULES COMMITTEE

Allow cameras in the secretive Rules Committee, which decides which bills come to a vote.

(H. Res. 869, Rep. Charlie Dent, R-PA)

Fill out your census form. It's important.

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

By Lynn Westmoreland

It will only take 10 minutes, and it’ll benefit our state for 10 full years.

It’s time for the 2010 U.S. Census, and a form will be coming to your family soon.

Fill it out. It’s important.

I chair the House Republican’s Census Task Force, a group I founded this year to keep an eye on the Census Bureau and the Obama administration as they undertake this huge and crucial government function.

The group’s work has already paid dividends. Even before news shows aired tape of ACORN workers giving advice on tax evasion and child prostitution, the Census Task Force was fighting to keep the group from partnering with the Census Bureau. We won that battle – the Census Bureau director has barred ACORN -- and we’ll continue to keep an eye on outside groups that partner with the government to aid the count.

Most important, the task force successfully pushed the administration to forswear “sampling,” which uses mathematical formulas to estimate how many people live in a certain area in lieu of an actual head count.

The person-by-person count is essential to this once-a-decade process because that’s what the Constitution calls for, it’s what federal law requires, and it’s the best way to keep the administration from distorting the count for partisan gain.

That’s where you come in. If every American fulfills his or her duty to stand up and be counted, we’ll save the federal government millions, perhaps hundreds of millions, of dollars. When people don’t send in their forms, the government has to hire legions of counters and partner with outside groups to go find them. This is where dubious “guess work” can come into play.

In addition to doing a favor to yourself as a federal taxpayer, you’re also assisting Georgia.

The census determines how many seats each state gets in the House of Representatives. Right now, Georgia has 13 members, but because of the significant growth we’ve experienced over the past decade, we’re in line to gain a 14^th seat.

Beyond adding to our state’s clout in Washington, the population numbers affect your family directly. The federal government uses funding formulas based on census figures. That’s about $400 billion a year divided up to all the various departments, and it’s vital to a fast-growing state such as Georgia. We must receive our fair share of those dollars for schools, veterans, health care programs, transportation, etc.

It is on transportation, particularly in metro Atlanta, where Georgia really deserves a larger slice of the pie. The metro Atlanta economic engine is the horse that pulls the cart in our state and, oh by the way, it also fills federal coffers with tax dollars. But as we all know, our jammed traffic threatens to choke our growth – as well as wasting time and gas, polluting the air and stoking our tempers.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that filling out your census form will shorten your commute or single-handedly solve any one of Georgia’s challenges. But in order to have a successful effort overall, we can’t have any missing links in the chain. We need neighborhood leaders to push census response, and we need our Georgia mayors to communicate with the Census Bureau so that residents of new housing developments – which might not be on the radar of the federal government – get counted too.

Take a few minutes to fill out your form, and you’ll perform an act of good citizenship for your nation and your state. You matter, so make sure you count.

No vote on government takeover of health care

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland tonight voted against the House Democratic health care legislation.

“Americans wanted change, but this is not the change they wanted,” Westmoreland said. “The people in my district overwhelmingly oppose this government takeover of health care. They want targeted changes that will bring down health care costs, protect people with pre-existing conditions and keep families from going bankrupt due to illness. We can do those things without a government takeover of health care. We can do those things without mandates, fines and higher taxes.

“This bill is not only something we don’t want, but it’s also something we simply can’t afford. This bill will cost more than $1 trillion at a time when our last deficit was $1.4 trillion and our national debt has reached $12 trillion. This bill will raise taxes on small business people and it will tax jobs at a time when unemployment is at 10.2 percent.

“History shows that when government steps into the health care system, costs explode. Actual costs far outpace original projections. We can’t pay for our current obligations. The money’s not there. This bill piles on another $1 trillion that we don’t have. The Wall Street Journal called this ‘The Worst Bill Ever.’ I agree.”

Obama policies fail to stop job losses

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

The Obama administration announced this morning that the nation lost another 190,000 jobs last month, pushing the unemployment rate to 10.2 percent – the highest level since 1983.

“The Obama administration’s economic policies aren’t working, perhaps because the Democratic power structure has kept its focus on job-killing legislation such as cap-and-trade and a government takeover of health care,” U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland said Friday. “Businesses are facing a brutal economic climate, for sure, but they aren’t going to take risks or hire new workers with the possibility of all these new taxes and mandates hanging over their heads.”

Since the administration passed its stimulus package in February, the United States has lost 3 million more jobs. Georgia alone has lost more than 130,000 jobs.

“On Saturday, the Democratic House is scheduled to make the problem even worse,” Westmoreland continued. “According to a methodology set up by the president’s own senior economic advisers, this health care plan will lead to the loss of 5.5 million more American jobs over the next 10 years.

“Health care coverage is of vital interest to the American people, and we have some serious work to do on that topic, but Washington should focus on job creation first in this economic climate. I think that’s what this week’s elections show: Voters are highly concerned about the state of the economy, and members of Congress need to understand that or they are going to face a very angry electorate next year.”

GOP health care plan lowers cost of insurance

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

As thousands gathered today in Washington to express their opposition to the Democrats’ government takeover of health care, the Republicans produced further evidence that they have found a better, more affordable way to bring down the cost of health care for American families.

Last night, the Congressional Budget Office confirmed that the Republican health care alternative would reduce health insurance premiums by up to 10 percent and cut the federal deficit by $68 billion over 10 years, without raising taxes on families and small businesses.

“We all want to protect access to health insurance and bring down the soaring costs, but we must do it in a way that’s affordable, sustainable and let’s people keep their current coverage if they want it,” Westmoreland said. “The Republican plan makes targeted reforms – such as assuring access to coverage for people with pre-existing conditions – without implementing an entire government takeover of the health care system.

“The Democratic bill that the Congress is scheduled to vote on Saturday, in contrast, will cost more than $1.3 trillion over the life of the bill. It’ll expand entitlement spending, it’ll raise taxes on small business payrolls and on medical devices, it’ll cost jobs by mandating coverage that some businesses can’t afford, it’ll put government in between the doctor and the patient, and it’ll cut Medicare funding. By expanding Medicaid eligibility, the legislation also puts new burdens on states that already are struggling to pay their bills. The states share the cost of the Medicaid program, and this could cost Georgia $2 billion to $4 billion over the next 10 years. That’s a huge share of our state budget, and it’s a cost we simply can’t bear.

“But, luckily, there is a better way. Republicans are providing that alternative, although the Democrats continue to insist we’re not offering ideas. We are. They just don’t want Americans to know it.”

Opponents of government takeover will have voices heard

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Democrats unveiled their final 2,000-page health care plan (HR 3962) after weeks of Democrat-only, closed-door negotiations.

“Apparently, because this is health care legislation, the House Democrats thought doctor-patient confidentiality rules should apply to their secret negotiations,” U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland said. “The voices of those opposed to a government takeover of health care have been shut out of this debate. We got a taste of how strongly people feel on this issue during the August town halls, and I think those voices that Pelosi ignored will be heard loudly in the coming days.”

Westmoreland took issue with House Majority Leader’s Steny Hoyer’s assertion that the legislation meets an “urgent” need.

“Republicans and Democrats agree that we have too many uninsured Americans and too many family tragedies related to health care costs,” Westmoreland said. “But let’s be clear: This legislation won’t meet those needs urgently. In fact, benefits don’t take affect for three more years. The only thing that the Democrats think is ‘urgent’ enough to enact immediately are the tax hikes and mandates that will kill off even more jobs in this ailing economy.”

Westmoreland cites several tenets of the bill as problematic:

· $500 billion in cuts to Medicare, which Westmoreland sees as either ‘phantom cuts’ that will never take place or catastrophic for seniors’ health care coverage.

· Bill contains the word “shall” 3,425 times – that’s a lot of government mandates.

· Expanding eligibility for Medicaid, which will hike costs for budget-strapped state governments.

· Tax hikes on small business owners, whom we’re relying on to create new jobs in this economy.

· Mandates on business to provide coverage to all employees or face penalties, creating a “tax on jobs” that will lead to fewer jobs.

· A government-run ‘public option’ that will eventually crowd out private plans, causing many Americans to lose their current coverage.

· The legislation’s financing will cost much more than advertised, placing yet another burden on our national debt. The legislation comes in below $1 trillion over 10 years only because 1) Democrats moved the cost of paying Medicare fees to doctors (more than $200 billion) into another bill and 2) they count 10 years of revenues but only seven years of expenses.

Westmoreland points out that, contrary to Democratic claims that the Republicans are simply the “Party of No,” the GOP has offered an alternative called the Empowering Patients First Act. This legislation, HR 3400, would 1) make access to coverage affordable for all Americans; 2) make coverage truly owned and controlled by the patient; 3) improve the healthcare delivery structure; and 4) rein in out-of-control costs, including through robust liability reform.

Health bills deadly for Georgia small businesses

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

As federal reports out today show Georgia and the rest of the nation continuing to add to the unemployment rolls, congressional Democrats are forging ahead with health care proposals that will put small businesses on life support and hemorrhage more jobs.

“I hear each week from small business owners in Georgia’s 3^rd District who are cutting back, trying to make ends meet, struggling to make payroll,” Westmoreland said. “They tell me in no uncertain terms: Adding on new health care taxes and mandates will leave us with no choice but to slash the number of employees we have. That scenario should scare congressmen even if our economy is at full employment, but it should serve as a huge flashing red light at a time when unemployment is at a 26-year high.”

The bills under consideration would impose a $208 billion tax on small businesses that cannot afford to provide health plans for their workers. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office asserts this mandate “could reduce the hiring of low-wage workers.”

Westmoreland calls the mandate “a tax on jobs.”

In addition, the primary House bill, HR 3200, would impose more than $500 billion in other taxes, including a surtax that will fall disproportionately on small business owners.

“There are many Georgians who are rightly leery of a government takeover of our health care system – 17 percent of the biggest economy in the world – and I’m one of those Georgians who has a problem with the idea,” Westmoreland said. “Regardless, I acknowledge that Americans can have legitimate differences of opinion on whether the so-called ‘public option’ is the right way for us to go. But we should all agree that our national focus right now should be on reviving our economy and creating jobs. As we’ve experienced in this painful recession, good-paying jobs are no longer a given. We have to create the right climate for small businesses to expand – or at this place and time just get back on their feet. Taxing small businesses for providing jobs takes us in the wrong direction.”

Westmoreland points out that Georgia has lost 131,900 jobs since the stimulus bill passed in February and its unemployment rate now tops 10 percent.

Group hails Lynn as 'Taxpayer Hero'

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste named U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland as a "Taxpayer Hero" for his high score -- 88 percent -- in the group's 2008 congressional ratings.

The average for the entire House was 35 percent, and the average for the Senate was 38 percent; that makes Westmoreland's score that much more impressive. Since 1989, CCAGW has tracked roll call votes to separate the taxpayer advocates in Congress from those who favor wasteful programs and pork-barrel spending.

The 2008 Congressional Ratings cover the voting year 2008, the second session of the 110th Congress. CCAGW rated 48 key votes in the House and 42 in the Senate.

CCAGW president Tom Schatz said Taxpayer Heroes "consistently put the interests of taxpayers ahead of politics during a particularly profligate spending season in Congress. They voted to cut wasteful spending, reduce the tax burden, and make government more accountable to taxpayers. The 2008 Congressional Ratings show that many elected officials continue to demonstrate little regard for the harmful effect a large and cumbersome federal government has on taxpayers' wallets. Out-of-control spending reigned over Capitol Hill, leading to a record $1.6 trillion deficit in fiscal year 2009, and an $11.8 trillion national debt. Taxpayers from their respective districts should be very proud; these lawmakers' votes give all taxpayers hope for the future. We heartily commend them."

House Democrats scored an average of 6 percent; House Republicans scored an average of 70 percent. In the Senate, the average for Democrats was 4 percent, and Republicans averaged 72 percent.

CCAGW's website, www.ccagw.org, features the complete 2008 Congressional Ratings, including vote descriptions, scorecards for the House and Senate, and averages by chamber, party, and state delegation.

Baucus plan score relies on budget gimmicks

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

For Americans wondering how the Congressional Budget Office could determine that Sen. Max Baucus's health care reform plan would insure 29 million more people while costing less than $900 billion, U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland has an answer for you: Budget gimmickry.

"The only reason this plan comes in on budget is because it assumes cuts to Medicare and tax hikes for three years before any benefits start," Westmoreland said. "There are many bankrupt companies whose books would look just fine if you counted 10 years of revenues but only seven years of costs."

As The Associated Press reports: "Lawmakers use a 10-year accounting window to assess new programs. Starting the Medicare cuts and some of the taxes in the early years - and pushing the bulk of new spending into the latter years - helps keep the cost of the health care overhaul within Obama's $900 billion limit."

"Washington health care plans always cost a ton more than advertised because politicians and bureaucrats bend the numbers to fit their political needs," Westmoreland said. "On health care legislation we have to be leery of the 'perfect cure' because they may just be selling snake oil."

Westmoreland points out that in addition to the dubious accounting techniques, much of the revenue and savings assumed by the CBO are unlikely to pass Congress.

"These savings and revenues assume massive tax hikes that will find opposition in both parties and deep cuts to Medicare," Westmoreland said. "By law, Congress was supposed to cut Medicare spending each year for most of the past decade and it's never done it once. To assume that will change now is delusional. But, hey, that's Washington accounting."

Defense bill no place for hate crimes legislation

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Six of the Georgia Republican members of Congress issued statements today after House Democrats attached a completely unrelated “Hate Crimes” bill to the annual defense authorization legislation. The annual defense bill was already voted on in the House and all the Georgia Republicans supported the bill before the hate crimes legislation was attached. Traditionally, the annual defense authorization is a bipartisan bill that passes the House by large margins, but this year, the Democratic majority intentionally chose to politicize the bill with the addition of the social policy legislation.

Statements from the Georgia Representatives are as follows:

Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (GA-03): “We should not use our soldiers and veterans as pawns to pass a far-left political agenda.”

Rep. Phil Gingrey (GA-11):

“I have supported the National Defense Authorization Act every year I have been in Congress. It may never be a perfect bill, but the focus of the legislation was always to provide our troops and their families with the best resources and support we possibly could. Unfortunately, this year, the Democratic Majority chose to use this bill as a vehicle to push liberal social policies that limit the very freedom of speech our troops fight to protect. Additionally, I am deeply disappointed that the bill upholds the Administration’s request to end the F-22 program and significantly cuts missile defense funding, two decisions that I think will have a severely detrimental impact on our national security. Our troops deserve our fullest support and should not be the victim of divisive partisan politics.”

Rep. Tom Price (GA-06): “Today, Democrats have taken their partisan disgracefulness to a new level,” said Chairman Price. “Our military deserves the resources provided in this legislation. Our troops deserve the benefits that are included in this bill. And our troops absolutely deserve a pay increase. But our troops also deserve better than to be treated as pack mules to carry the load for a despicable and unconstitutional bill that penalizes thought and places a premium on some classes of individuals over others. The path Democrats have chosen to jam this shameful bill into law can only be described as immoral. This travesty demonstrates that Democrat leaders view our military more as a political tool than as a group of brave and noble warriors who sacrifice dearly to keep us safe.

“No American should be more protected from violent crime than another. All violent crimes demonstrate hate and all should be fully prosecuted. Justice should be blind, but Democrats have rejected the credo of our Founders that all people are created equal. This legislation will eventually invite the prosecution of Americans for their thoughts and religious beliefs, basic provinces protected by the First Amendment. Today, all Americans should recognize the shameful manner in which Democrats handle the matters of our military and how little they care about the Constitution and equal justice. This is a sad day in our nation’s proud history.”

Rep. Jack Kingston (GA-01): “Speaker Pelosi has brought San Francisco politics to Iraq and Afghanistan tucked in the rucksacks of our soldiers.”

Rep. Paul Broun (GA-10): “As a Marine and member of the Homeland Security Committee, the Defense Authorization bill is extremely important to me. In order to maintain a high level of military preparedness, Congress must give our troops the resources they need to succeed. By adding divisive, unrelated language to this critical bill, Congressional leaders are participating in the worst kind of political gamesmanship.”

Rep. Nathan Deal (GA-09): “As a former military officer, I fully support our men and women overseas and at home. However, this is a deceitful political ploy to use our troops in order to force members of the House to support a Hate Crimes bill which they don’t support.”