Weekly Update from Representa​tive Denham

Dear Friend,

 

This week was a major indication that the culture of spending in Washington is changing.   On Thursday, Congress passed legislation that will fund the government for the rest of the fiscal year while making $38.5 billion in spending cuts.   The Administration also joined us in this effort to put an end to destructive government spending and get our country back on the right track. 

 

Today, on my 100th day as your Representative, House Republicans passed our budget proposal, "The Path to Prosperity: Restoring America's Promise," through the House.  I voted in favor of our budget which presents common sense solutions that the American people have needed for many years. 

 

The House Republican budget makes some of the largest cuts in history and it offers real solutions to restore certainty in American businesses in order to grow the economy, put people back to work and deliver results that matter in families' daily lives. While our proposals are bold, they represent a necessary, responsible step in the right direction towards addressing health care costs that are growing much faster than our economy.  Many Americans are concerned about Medicare. I assure you, our budget protects and preserves Medicare. There will be no change to citizens above the age of 55, and for those of us under the age of 54, it calls for reforms that will restructure Medicare to ensure these safety nets will still be there for those who need it.

 

I was also very busy in the district and in committee this week. On Monday I was able to welcome the House Natural Resource Committee's Subcommittee on Water and Power to a field hearing in Fresno. With hundreds of people in attendance, we discussed the federal government policies that have created California's man-made drought and discussed actions we need to take to supply the San Joaquin Valley with water. After hearing from fellow farmers and residents in the Central Valley, we agreed that increased water allocation is necessary to put thousands of people back to work, feed the nation, and grow our economy.   It was clear after the field hearing that the environmental policies put in place by the Administration are destroying the Valley and new legislation is needed to rectify the situation. Take a look at the pictures I posted on my facebook!

 

Central Valley farmers and families are also feeling the effects of the skyrocketing gas prices in our district. California families are not only paying more at the pump but farmers are feeling the effects and families are paying more for daily necessities.  On Wednesday, three bills that I cosponsored to increase domestic drilling for oil and gas passed out of the House Committee on Natural Resources. The bills are now headed to the House floor for a vote in hopes that we can put an end to rising prices, decrease our dependence on foreign oil and ease the pain felt on our wallets. 

 

Although I'm busy here in Washington, I had a chance to catch up with many of you on my teletown hall last night. We talked about a wide variety of issues including the 2012 budget proposals, rising gas prices and the cuts that are being made to wasteful Washington spending.   I thoroughly enjoyed hearing from everyone who was able to be on the call. If you were not on the call or I did not get to your question, send me an email through my website and I will be sure to get back to you.  You can also follow me on facebook and twitter and be among the first to hear about my activities in Washington and back the in the district. 

 

I am heading back to California today and I will be traveling all over the district next week. I hope to catch up with you all at one of my district offices or at one of my events.

Sincerely,

JEFF DENHAM

United States Representative

Libertarians call spending compromise "travesty"

WASHINGTON - Libertarian Party Executive Director Wes Benedict issued the following statement today:

"Just in time for Tax Day, the Republicans and Democrats in Congress have joined hands to clobber American taxpayers.

"According to the Associated Press, the 2011 spending compromise will 'cut federal outlays from non-war accounts by just $352 million through Sept. 30....When war funding is factored in the legislation would actually increase total federal outlays by $3.3 billion relative to current levels.'

"This is happening at a time when federal spending and deficits are at unprecedented high levels. Federal spending this year is expected to be about 5 percent higher than last year. This is a travesty.

"In 2000 under Bill Clinton, federal spending was $1.79 trillion. This year it's expected to be at least $3.63 trillion.

"Neither Democrats nor Republicans have made any serious proposals to change the course of the federal government. In particular, both President Obama's and Congressman Ryan's 2012 budget proposals are absurd. I fear that America will soon be overtaken by events. Inflation, high interest rates, high unemployment, and probably other unforeseen problems will start to force everyone's hand. One way or another, people aren't going to get what they have been led to expect.

"Unless American voters stop supporting Republicans and Democrats very soon, and start supporting Libertarians and Libertarian policies, I believe our future, and the future of our children and grandchildren, will be bleak."

The Cato Institute has produced a short video about the bill, "Obama/Boehner's Phony Spending Cuts."

For more information, or to arrange an interview, call LP Executive Director Wes Benedict at 202-333-0008 ext. 222.

The LP is America's third-largest political party, founded in 1971. The Libertarian Party stands for free markets, civil liberties, and peace. You can find more information on the Libertarian Party at our website.

P.S. If you have not already done so, please join the Libertarian Party. We are the only political party dedicated to free markets and civil liberties. You can also renew your membership. Or, you can make a contribution separate from membership.

Will you join forces with us?

Good afternoon,

I'm writing to make sure that you know about an unprecedented national campaign to support our nation's military families called Joining Forces.

As First Lady, I've had the privilege of meeting with Americans in uniform around the world.  These brave men and women would be the first to tell you that they don't serve alone.  Every day, they are joined in service to our country by military wives, husbands, children, siblings and parents. 

Joining Forces is about all of us joining together, as Americans, to give back to the extraordinary military families who sacrifice so much every day. Our motto is simple — everyone can do something.  So take a moment to find out how you can play a part and visit WhiteHouse.gov.

Like their loved ones, military families are proud to serve.  But that doesn't mean it’s easy. Indeed many Americans may not realize how difficult it can be to have a parent or spouse deployed overseas.

That's why Joining Forces is so important. We're going to match the unique needs and strengths of America’s military families with specific ways that Americans can offer support. 

So on behalf of the President, as well as the Vice President and Dr. Jill Biden, proud military parents themselves, let me offer a heartfelt thanks to not only our troops and their families – but also to the rest of you for joining forces to support them.

Sincerely,

Michelle Obama

First Lady of the United States

P.S. We've created a special email list for more frequent updates about the Joining Forces campaign. You can sign up at WhiteHouse.gov/JoiningForcesEmail.

Weekly Update from Representative Jeff Denham

Dear Friend,

 

Late on Friday night we were successful in passing a spending bill that keeps the government open and continues to cut spending.  After a long fight, House Republicans successfully negotiated over $40 billion in Washington spending cuts for this year, just months after President Obama asked Congress for a spending "freeze."  This debate is about reducing the size of government and living within our means, just as American families have done across the country. These cuts represent the first step to taking our nation off the path to national bankruptcy and giving employers the confidence they need to expand their businesses. 

 

The spending bill agreed to on Friday ensures that our troops will continue to be paid.  As a veteran, a US Representative, and citizen of the United States, I strongly believe that the well being of our troops and their families must come before politics.  As a nation, we must provide the necessary resources for the brave men and women who risk their lives every day in defense of our freedom. 

 

Given our trillion dollar deficit and skyrocketing debt we must examine every area of government and look for ways to cut spending and improve efficiency.  At my first Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management Subcommittee hearing in February I proposed a civilian BRAC commission that could reduce our federal footprint and save tax payers billions of dollars.  At a Subcommittee hearing on Wednesday, the Obama Administration fully agreed to the five principles behind my civilian BRAC commission legislation that improves the overall management and controls related to federal properties and committed to working with me on the issue.  I am looking forward to working with the Subcommittee and the Administration in the coming months to move a bipartisan bill through Congress to eliminate waste in government and save taxpayer dollars.

 

Today in Fresno we had a Water and Power Subcommittee field hearing on the man-made drought in California.  Even in wet years such as this one, farmers in the Central Valley are still not receiving 100% of the water they deserve. During the field hearing, we heard from water managers, farmers, and the Obama Administration about how reduced water allocations put in place by the Administration are destroying the Valley.  It was evident by the attendance at the hearing that solving California's water crisis is a priority of Central Valley farmers. Each witness provided valuable insight that will help Congress determine what new legislation is needed to rectify the situation and create jobs in the Central Valley. 

 

Finally, Congratulations to Agnes Jenkins who was our 1,000th person to sign up for our newsletter!  Make sure that you stay up to date with my activity as well on facebook, twitter and my website.  

Sincerely,

JEFF DENHAM

United States Representative

Libertarians call for permanent government shutdown

WASHINGTON - As elected officials put on a dog-and-pony media show about a temporary shutdown of small parts of the federal government, the Libertarian Party calls for a permanent shutdown of most of the federal government.

Libertarian Party Executive Director Wes Benedict said, "Just think how a permanent government shutdown would allow so many Americans to regain the blessings of liberty.

"Education would blossom as the Department of Education ended its War on Learning, no longer wasting our money and preventing educational innovation with one-size-fits-all centralized mandates.

"Job opportunities at companies big and small would multiply, providing opportunity and choice for American workers.

"The world would enjoy peace as we withdrew our forces from Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya. Our government spends almost as much on the military as the rest of the world combined. Millions of industrious men and women who work for the military and its contractors could be focusing on building up our economy, rather than tearing down others'.

"Crime would plummet as the government's War on Drugs ended, no longer sustaining a giant violent black market and overfilling our prisons.

"The life of many poorer Americans would improve as welfare programs stopped, no longer trapping low-income families in an endless cycle of government dependency.

"All Americans would feel a huge burden lifted every April, as they were no longer required to wrestle with a byzantine and oppressive IRS.

"But most importantly, Americans would once again be free of unjust and unconstitutional violations of their unalienable rights."

Benedict added, "We're not talking about eliminating the federal government. We want to end all federal activities that are not authorized by the Constitution, and we want to cut everything else as much as we can. In 2000, the federal government spent $1.8 trillion. This year it's expected to spend $3.8 trillion. Things are going the wrong way -- fast."

For more information, or to arrange an interview, call LP Executive Director Wes Benedict at 202-333-0008 ext. 222.

The LP is America's third-largest political party, founded in 1971. The Libertarian Party stands for free markets, civil liberties, and peace. You can find more information on the Libertarian Party at our website.

P.S. If you have not already done so, please join the Libertarian Party. We are the only political party dedicated to free markets and civil liberties. You can also renew your membership. Or, you can make a contribution separate from membership.