“Over the past two budget cycles, we have reduced discretionary spending by $95 billion – showing that Congress is beginning to get the federal budget on the right track after four years of runaway spending,” Lewis said. “I am proud to say that this appropriations bill also keeps our priorities straight – ensuring we provide vital support to those defending our nation, and to the veterans who deserve our respect and appreciation.”

            The bill passed Friday provides spending through the rest of the fiscal year to all of the departments that were not funded in an earlier multi-agency spending bill. Once the bill is approved by the Senate and signed into law, all federal agencies will be funded through Sept. 30, 2012.

            The House also passed an $8.1 billion package for disaster relief and other emergency spending items. Unlike most previous disaster relief bills, this spending will be offset by a further 1.8 percent reduction in overall federal spending (except for defense and veteran’s programs) that was also approved by the House Friday, said Lewis, who is chairman emeritus of the Appropriations Committee.

            “We are committed to finding every possible way to reducing our dangerously high national debt, and these bills are a strong indication of that commitment,” Lewis said. “We must be responsible in all of our spending actions, and do what we can to limit the debt we leave to our children and grandchildren.”

            The bill contains funding for many programs important to Californians, including:

• $32.5 billion for Defense health programs to provide care for our troops and military families – $1.1 billion above last year’s level and $283 million above the president’s request. This includes critical medical research on combat-related illnesses and injuries, including in areas such as brain trauma, cancer, psychological health, hemorrhage control, and prosthetic research.
• Although overall spending on military construction programs was reduced, the bill provides vital funds for many important projects requested by the Marine Corps for the Air-Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, including $23.7 million for a child-development center, $18.8 for a multi-use fitness center, $15.8 million for a Tracked Vehicle Maintenance Center, and an allocation of $8.6 million for land expansion at the base.
• Funding for energy programs that help create U.S. jobs and promote the nation’s energy independence, including $1.8 billion – the same as last year’s level – for programs to help lower the cost of renewable energy technologies and to develop new technology. The bill also includes $769 million – $43 million above last year’s level – for nuclear energy research and development for the next generation of safe, economically beneficial nuclear power options, including a new program to advance small modular reactors.  In addition, the legislation provides $534 million – $81 million above the request – for research and development to advance coal, natural gas, and other fossil energy power generation technologies that produce more than 70% of the nation’s current electricity.
• $919 million for the Small Business Administration – $189 million more than last year’s level. Small business loans – which have seen a marked increase in demand and higher subsidy costs due to the current economic situation – receive an increase of $123 million. The disaster loan program also receives an increase of $72 million to maintain operations, given the depleted supply of emergency funding that has been used for this program in previous years.
• $11.7 billion for Customs and Border Protection – an increase of $362 million over last year’s level. This funding provides for a total of 21,370 Border Patrol agents and 21,186 CBP officers (the highest staffing levels in CBP’s history), additional training and canine units at ports of entry, inspection and detection technology, and Air and Marine operations and procurement. The bill increases funding for CBP’s targeting systems and operations to $93 million to enhance the identification of known and suspected terrorists and criminals, and makes a total of $775 million available in FY 2012 for border security fencing, infrastructure, and technology.
• $4.6 billion for the Forest Service, a reduction of $91 million below last year’s level. The bill fully funds Forest Service Wildland Fire Management at $1.7 billion, and includes an additional $316 million for the FLAME fire suppression fund.  Hazardous fuels reduction programs, which have been vital to reducing fire danger in the San Bernardino National Forest, are funded at $317 billion.
• The Pell grant program for college students is continued at $5,550 per year per student. The bill makes common-sense reforms to the Pell grant program to ensure its financial stability in future years, which will save more than $11 billion over the next 10 years.

“It has been an honor to lead the Congress in providing our men and women in uniform the resources they need to keep us all safe.  I am proud of the way members from both parties and both chambers have come together to produce this serious piece of legislation.  Together, we have demanded more accountability from nations like Iran, we have aided our forces fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, and we look to emerging issues, like proliferation and cyber threats.  We have assured that the Department of Defense will be a more efficient steward of the taxpayer dollar and we have ensured that as we fight terrorists around the world, we also protect the civil liberties of Americans at home.”

“Soon, Members of Congress will leave Washington to spend the holidays with our families and loved ones.  For thousands of Americans deployed around the world that homecoming may still be months away.  As they serve in freedom’s cause abroad, I hope they will see the passage of this conference report as the clear signal of support it is. “

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) joined President Obama in saluting the end of the war in Iraq, with all U.S. troops being brought home from Iraq by December 31.

“Under President Obama’s leadership, we have reached a critical milestone by bringing the Iraq War to a responsible ending,” said Rep. Baca.  “Over the past nine years, more than a million of our brave U.S. servicemen and women have fought in the war in Iraq.  Tragically, during that time, nearly 4,500 of these courageous individuals, including 478 Californians, made the ultimate sacrifice.  As the war in Iraq comes to a responsible close, I join all Americans in honoring their heroic service and sacrifice, and those of their families.”

“With the end of the war, we are now free to focus on nation building here at home,” added Rep. Baca.  “It’s time to invest in the American people by creating jobs, strengthening the middle class, and investing in education and infrastructure to build an American future worthy of our veterans’ sacrifice.”

The Iraq War started in 2003 under President Bush.  Since that time, approximately $1 trillion has been spent on the war.  While President Bush was in office, Democrats in Congress for years called for bringing a responsible end to the war.  Once President Obama took office in 2009, the Democratic-controlled 111^th Congress worked closely with the President to begin bringing the Iraq war to a responsible end.  Since January 2009, nearly 150,000 U.S. troops have been removed from Iraq and hundreds of bases have been shut down.  In the next two weeks, the final U.S. forces will come home and no U.S. bases will remain.  For the first time in nearly nine years, no U.S. troops will be preparing to deploy to Iraq.

“As we welcome our brave men and women home, we recommit ourselves to providing them with the very best in care and benefits possible,” concluded Rep. Baca.  “We must continue to work so that all who served are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve, while at the same time ensuring they return to good jobs and decent wages as they come home.  Earlier this year, I was proud to support the VOW to Hire Heroes Act, which provides tax credits for businesses that hire service members and those with service-related disabilities.  I will continue to work so that we provide all veterans with the opportunities and training they need to find a job in civilian life.”

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) introduced legislation designed to improve Native American Education in the United States.  The Native Culture, Language, and Access for Success in Schools (Native CLASS) Act provides a comprehensive approach that gives tribal governments more support and greater control of their education system, and incorporates many of the key recommendations that Indian education stakeholders have urged policymakers to put into law.

“I believe that education is the key to a sound future for all our children,” said Rep. Baca.  “Unfortunately, our education system has not lived up to its obligation in many of our Native American communities, which have some of the highest dropout rates and some of the lowest standardized testing scores.  The Native CLASS Act creates a comprehensive education strategy which effectively integrates Native culture and language in education, and increases access to opportunities for students at Tribal Colleges.” 

The Native CLASS Act was introduced earlier this Congress in the U.S. Senate by Senator Daniel Akaka (D-HI).  The legislation contains a comprehensive set of provisions that address language and culture-based education, local control and parental involvement, teacher training and development, juvenile justice programs, and provides new opportunities for success at Tribal Colleges.

“I thank my colleague in Congress, Senator Daniel Akaka, for his leadership on this critical issue and I am proud to be working with him here on the House side,” added Rep. Baca.  “The over 700,000 Native American students in the United States deserve an equal opportunity at success.  I am hopeful that the comprehensive strategy put forth in the Native CLASS Act will provide the support our Native students and tribal communities need to improve their educational outlook and create more opportunities for success.”

Congressman Baca has been an active member of the Native American Caucus in the House of Representatives since first coming to Congress in 1999.  In Congress, he has served as lead sponsor of the Native American Heritage Day Resolution, legislation which passed Congress and was signed into law by the President, to recognize the Friday after Thanksgiving as Native American Heritage Day.

Washington, D.C.  Unveiling a proposal that both fights the unauthorized sale of digital goods and protects Internet security, commerce and speech, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and U.S. Congressman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) today released a draft text of legislation that would use trade laws to address the flow of infringing digital goods into the United States.  The draft legislation is based on the broad legislative framework that U.S. Senators Cantwell, Moran, Warner and Wyden and U.S. Representatives Lofgren, Chaffetz, Campbell, Doggett, Eshoo, Polis, and Issa released last week.

The Online Protection and Enforcement of Digital Trade (OPEN) Act is now available at www.keepthewebOPEN.com, where visitors will have an unprecedented opportunity to review the legislation, submit comments, suggest edits and even ask questions about the legislation with a new tool called Madison.  Interested members of the public, industry and advocacy organizations and even those supporting alternative approaches to protecting IP are invited to visit the site and offer feedback.  Senator Wyden and Congressman Issa say that the site’s discussion will provide “invaluable” feedback as they work to finalize the legislation.

“Building on the International Trade Commission’s existing IP expertise and authority makes it possible to go after legitimate cases of IP abuse without doing irreparable harm to the Internet.  It also just makes sense,” said Senator Wyden.  “It is our hope that proponents of other approaches won’t just dismiss our proposal, but will instead take this opportunity to engage us on the substance.  Yes, IP infringement is a problem, but the Internet has become such an important part of our economy and our way of life that it is essential for us to get the policies that shape its future right.”

“Butchering the internet is not a way forward for America,” said Rep. Issa. “The OPEN Act empowers owners of intellectual property by targeting overseas infringers while protecting the rights of lawful Internet entrepreneurs and users.  The Internet is one of the fastest growing sectors of our economy, keeping it open is critical to job creation and our economic recovery.”

The OPEN Act would combat the flow of infringing digital goods into the United States by expanding the International Trade Commission’s existing authority to enforce copyright and trademark infringement as it currently applies to the import of physical goods.  While downloading a movie from a foreign-registered site is akin to importing a good from a foreign company, U.S. trade laws have failed to keep pace with the digital economy and have yet to extend the protections that U.S. rightsholders enjoy in the physical world to the online world.

The OPEN Act would expand those protections and empower U.S. rightsholders to petition the ITC to investigate cases of illegal digital imports just as they currently petition the ITC to investigate infringement cases involving physical goods.

While complex and difficult issues would take the ITC time to investigate and resolve, investigations into simple and obvious cases, like the “worst-of-the-worst foreign rogue websites,” could be handled in a matter of days.

In all cases, however the ITC would create a transparent and adversarial process in which all parties would have an opportunity to be heard and IP rules would be consistently applied.

In the event that an ITC investigation finds that a foreign-registered website is “primarily” and “willfully” infringing on the IP rights of a U.S. rights holder, the commission would issue a cease and desist order that would compel payment processors (like Visa and Paypal) and online advertising providers to cease doing business with the foreign sites in question.  This would cut off financial incentives for illicit activity and deter these unfair imports from reaching the U.S. market.

Unlike other legislation being advanced in Congress, the OPEN Act would not undermine the structure of the Internet by interfering in the Domaine Name System (DNS) and would target only sites “primarily” and “willfully” engaging in infringement.   By employing such a clear and targeted definition of infringement, the OPEN Act will ensure that only legitimate infringement cases are pursued and that sites engaged in free speech or the fair use of content do not become collateral damage.

To review the OPEN Act with Madison and learn more about how compares with other approaches to protecting intellectual property visit: www.keepthewebOPEN.com

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, members of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce introduced two additional proposals to reform the nation’s workforce investment system. The federal government currently administers at least 47 separate job training and employment programs, representing an annual taxpayer investment of $18 billion. Steps are needed to reduce waste, improve accountability, and ensure services are meeting the needs of today’s workers and employers. Chairman John Kline (R-MN) praised these legislative efforts by his Republicans colleagues as the next step in the committee’s efforts to reauthorize the Workforce Investment Act.

“Since the start of the 112th Congress, the Education and the Workforce Committee has been examining how best to strengthen the nation’s job training system,” said Chairman Kline. “We cannot allow a burdensome bureaucracy to undermine support for workers, frustrate employers, and waste taxpayer resources. The committee has held numerous oversight hearings to determine the challenges facing workers and employers, and the proposals my Republican colleagues introduced reflect what we’ve learned.”

“Getting America working again requires real solutions,” said Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon (R-CA), former chairman of the committee. Rep. McKeon has authored the Workforce Investment Improvement Act (H.R. 2295). The legislation, introduced in June, will increase flexibility in the services offered to job seekers and eliminate arbitrary barriers that prevent workers from accessing training immediately. “My colleagues and I are committed to legislating commonsense, conservative solutions to our nation’s job crisis. These bills strengthen job training opportunities for workers and job seekers and build on reforms to improve programs and services to put Americans back to work.”

Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC), chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training, today introduced theStreamlining Workforce Development Programs Act (H.R. 3610). The legislation consolidates 33 of the 47 job training programs identified in a 2011 report by the Government Accountability Office. H.R. 3610 will offer greater clarity to local workforce leaders, provide better accountability, and foster an out-come driven job training system.

“Current federal workforce education programs are hopelessly redundant and expensive, offering up unnecessary confusion and bureaucracy across 47 separate programs,” said Rep. Foxx. “Americans are fed up with these endless layers of complexity in the federal government and this bill streamlines the byzantine workforce training system while making the programs more responsive and accountable to taxpayers.”

The third part of the committee’s reform effort is championed by Rep. Joe Heck (R-NV), who introduced today the Local Job Opportunities and Business Success (JOBS) Act (H.R. 3611). Rep. Heck’s proposal will strengthen the role of America’s job creators in workforce investment decisions and help workers receive training for jobs that are in demand. “Washington’s one-size-fits-all approach to workforce training has failed our families and our communities,” said Rep. Heck. “The Local JOBS Act emphasizes workforce training based on local business needs and streamlines the bureaucracy that has hindered progress on this critical issue.”

“The proposals brought forward by Reps. Buck McKeon, Virginia Foxx, and Joe Heck will serve as the foundation for the committee’s work to reauthorize the Workforce Investment Act in the months ahead,” continued Chairman Kline. “I want to thank my colleagues for their efforts on behalf of the nation’s workers, job seekers, and employers.”

To read learn more about the Streamlining Workforce Development Programs Act, click here.

To learn more about the Local JOBS Act, click here.

Washington, DC – Today Rep. Joe Baca (D-Rialto) voted against Republican-backed legislation in the House of Representatives, designed to deny American workers their right to a free and fair election to form a union.  H.R. 3094, the Election Prevention Act, unfortunately passed the House of Representatives with a 235 – 188 vote.

“After more than 11 months in control, House Republicans have made it clear to the American people that they have absolutely no agenda to create new jobs here in America,” said Rep. Baca. “With over 13% unemployment and one of the highest rates of foreclosure in the nation, working families in San Bernardino County need our help.  They deserve better than today’s legislation, which fundamentally undermines the rights of every American worker by manipulating the union election process to ensure the odds are always stacked in favor of the employer.”

H.R. 3094 denies American workers their right to a free and fair election in three key ways:

• Mandating undue and arbitrary delays in union elections after petitions to explore union formation are filed;
• Encouraging frivolous lawsuits that are designed to slow down the election process and stall votes on unionization; and
• Manipulating the procedure for deciding who is in a bargaining unit.

“Right now, Congress should be working to create jobs, strengthen small businesses, and grow our economy,” continued Rep. Baca.  “But instead of focusing on the real problems facing our nation, Republicans are recklessly moving forward with legislation to deny the most basic rights that all working men and women deserve.”

“This year, Americans have witnessed heinous attacks on the collective bargaining rights of American workers by Republican leaders all across the country,” concluded Rep. Baca.  “Sadly, with the passage of the Election Prevention Act, the Republican leadership in Washington is picking up this same line of attack.  I will continue to stand with middle class families, and oppose all efforts to undermine the rights of the American worker.”

Lewis and Calvert also wrote to Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, warning that the city’s Los Angeles World Airports agency must take immediate steps to either improve business at Ontario or turn it over to Inland Empire officials to operate and market. Without immediate action, Lewis and Calvert warned that the airport may be lost to the region.

“We strongly urge DOT to closely examine Los Angeles World Airport’s governance of Ontario International Airport,” the congressmen wrote to LaHood. “As currently structured, the aviation, traffic, and environmental needs of southern California are not being satisfied.  Without action, we are precariously close to losing the airport, a vital component to the economic health of San Bernardino and Riverside counties.”

As frequent flyers in and out of Ontario, Congressman Lewis and Congressman Calvert have become alarmed by the sharp decline in airline service at the Inland Empire’s only commercial airport. Their concern has been heightened by recent news accounts indicating that LAWA appears to have no plan to entice more flights into the airport.

“While air travel nationwide has declined, passenger traffic at LAX has actually increased over last year, while Ontario is often completely deserted these days,” Lewis said. “I understand why Los Angeles would make protecting LAX a priority – but that is all the more reason why we need to move control to our local officials who would provide similar support for Ontario.”

“Maximizing the potential of a medium-hub, full-service airport such as Ontario Airport is key to the success of the Inland Empire, especially at a time when our economy is struggling,” Calvert said.

Once a rising star among midsize airports, Ontario is now faced with many challenges, the congressmen wrote to Villaraigosa.  Saddled with high fees and expensive fares, Ontario has lost an estimated 8,000 airport related jobs and $400 million in yearly business activity.  Flights have been reduced by 47% and 60% fewer destinations are served.  The airport has lost a third of its passengers since 2007.  The impact of Ontario’s troubles on the already struggling Inland Empire has been enormous.

The FAA has been an eager supporter of the Los Angeles World Airports’ plan to spread air traffic more evenly among airports throughout the Southern California region. By turning its focus almost entirely on LAX at the expense of Ontario operations, LAWA is seriously undermining that plan, Lewis and Calvert said. It is time to turn the operations over to more local control – either the city of Ontario or some Inland Empire airport authority – to ensure some agency is focused entirely on the success of the local airport, he said.

“Los Angeles has been a big investor in the success of Ontario, but so has the FAA, and time is running short for us to protect that investment,” Lewis said. “We need aggressive management now that will work for the improvement of Ontario, and not have to worry if more flights in one location might result in fewer somewhere else.”

“Aggressively planning for the future of Ontario airport and making it a strong alternative to LAX for passengers benefits everyone,” Calvert said.

Lewis worked closely with LaHood during his time in Congress, when they were both members of the House Appropriations Committee for many years. Lewis and Calvert, who is also a member of the committee, hope to draw on their relationship with LaHood to convince the FAA to push for a resolution to the Ontario decline.

            “I am delighted that Congress is working on these measures to help our veterans and small businesses gain some stability in our continuing economic turmoil,” Lewis said. “The House passed versions of these bills more than a month ago. I hope that the Senate takes notice that Congress can get these kinds of economic recovery packages done if they work in a bipartisan fashion.”

            Lewis urged President Obama to quickly sign the bill and get the new policies in place.

            “We have more than 900,000 veterans out of work, and the unemployment rate for those who served in the war against terror is more than 12 percent – and that is a national tragedy,” Lewis said. “It is urgent that we find ways to create more jobs for these defenders of our freedom.”

            The bill considered Wednesday – H.R. 674 – would provide extended GI Bill benefits to 100,000 unemployed veterans from past eras, to help them find employment in high-demand jobs such as trucking and technology. It will ensure that all veterans leaving the military benefit from the Transition Assistance Program and other transition programs that help them make a smooth and successful transition. Finally, it would provide new tax credits to companies that hire out-of-work veterans and disabled veterans.

            In addition to the veteran’s employment provisions, the bill would repeal an extremely unpopular provision that would have required governments at all levels to withhold 3 percent from contract payments to ensure that federal taxes are paid.

            “By taking these funds away from the small businesses who contract with the government, we are taking them out of our economy where they could be allowing increased hiring or purchases,” Lewis said. “The small business owners who are my constituents have told me in no uncertain terms that they believe this tax withholding could cause harm to our economic recovery.”

Joe Baca

Legislation Calling for USGS Study of Rialto-Colton Water Basin Now Awaits Vote on Final House Passage 

Washington, DC – Today, the House Natural Resources Committee unanimously approved legislation introduced by Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) that calls for a government based study of perhclorate contamination in the Inland Empire.  H.R. 200, the Inland Empire Perchlorate Ground Water Plume Assessment Act, directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of water resources and perchlorate contamination in the Inland Empire, specifically ordering the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to conduct a study of the Rialto-Colton water basin focused on the perchlorate contaminated plume in Rialto.

“Many families in the Inland Empire are concerned about the quality and safety of the water they drink,” said Rep. Baca.  “My legislation calls for a much-needed USGS study of the Rialto-Colton water basin in order to find the best possible solutions to cleaning up the perchlorate contamination in our area.  I thank Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings and Ranking Member Ed Markey, for working with me to move this legislation forward.  Every American deserves access to clean, safe drinking water, and my bill helps to safeguard this essential right for Inland residents.”

Perchlorate, a rocket fuel additive, has been found to be present at trace levels in some Inland communities.  Perchlorate is a volatile organic compound that has been found to be harmful to humans as it interferes with thyroid functions.  As the nation’s largest water, earth, and biological science and civilian mapping agency, the USGS collects, monitors, analyzes, and provides scientific understanding about natural resource conditions, issues, and problems.  The diversity of their scientific expertise enables them to carry out large-scale, multi-disciplinary investigations and provide impartial scientific information to resource mangers, planners, and other customers.

In September of this year, the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power held a hearing to examine the merits of Rep. Baca’s legislation.  In addition to sponsoring H.R. 200, Rep. Baca has reached out to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson in an effort to move forward with an administrative study of contamination in the Rialto-Colton basin.

“If left alone, the perchlorate contaminated plume in Rialto could continue to travel underground – contaminating more wells and compromising the health of more Southern California communities,” concluded Rep. Baca.  “By providing concrete research from the USGS on the Rialto-Colton water basin, my bill moves us one step closer to finding a realistic solution to our area’s perchlorate problem.”

H.R. 200 now awaits a vote on final passage before the entire House of Representatives.  Once the bill is passed by the full House, it will then move to the U.S. Senate for consideration.  Similar legislation introduced by Rep. Baca last Congress, H.R. 4252, was unanimously approved by the House, and reported out of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.  The bill did not come to the floor of the Senate before the 111^th Congress came to an end.

Kevin Blackburn, AVP for The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco and U. S. Congressional Representative Mary Bono- Mack. The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco gave a $1.5 million grant through the Congresswomen’s district to help make the $12 million the new Coachella Valley Rescue Mission possible

(Indio, CA) Building new beginnings and a mission accomplished were the words of the day when Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack, the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco and other locally elected officials gathered at the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission for the ribbon cutting of their new facility located at 47-518 Van Buren Blvd, in the City of Indio, California.

“It has been a long eight years since the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission stepped out on faith, purchasing 7.75 acres of land directly across the street from its current location,” said Floyd Rhodes, Chairman of Coachella Valley Rescue Mission’s Board of Directors. “With the completion of the new 45,000 square foot building, we increase our ability to continue serving those in need through the provision of food, shelter, clothing, and spiritual recovery.”

A long time desert resident, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack, of the 45th Congressional District noted how important the work of the mission is in helping those members of our community who have fallen on tough times.

“Regardless of what level of government you serve these days, everyone has a tight budget.  However, nobody has a tighter budget right now than the American family,” said Congresswoman Bono-Mack. “I am happy to support organizations like the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission, which is helping people with their passion and compassion to better their lives. It is because of you and everything that you do to make our community so wonderful to live in that we are able to tell the success stories like this one today.”

“When the sound public policy provides a path for the private sector, public sector, and faith-based community to work together toward a common objective, it shows what can be done to address challenges communities face” said Kevin Blackburn, Assistant Vice President for Federal Home Loan Bank San Francisco. “The $1.5 million Affordable Housing Program grant was a critical component of the funding for this amazing facility.”

County Supervisor John Benoit related how Riverside County provided $2 million to acquire the land for the Mission. He also pointed out some sobering facts, related to Riverside County’s homeless situation and the need for the expanded services that the new Coachella Valley Rescue Mission will provide.

“While we are here on such a beautiful day, it is unsettling to hear some of the statistics when it comes to homeless in Riverside County,” said Supervisor Benoit. “One in five homeless persons is a child, with women and children making up nearly half of the homeless population and one out three men who are homeless are military veterans. It is clear just how important this rescue mission is to helping turn this around.”

“Today is an important day because we are able to give people hope and strength for their future,” said Darla Burkett, executive director of the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission. “This facility would not be here today if it was not for each and every one of you.
The most important thing to remember is that today is not about the building, so much as it being about the people we serve.”

House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Darrell Issa (R-CA) today issued the following statement on the release of a new Department of Energy Inspector General report documenting the departments’ failure to manage a $152 million stimulus project resulting in delays and wasted funds:

“Inspector General Friedman’s report underscores what he told the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform last week: the Obama Administration’s stimulus and subsequent loan/grant programs forced too much money into a system ill-equipped to manage it. Instead of lowering unemployment, the Energy Department’s efforts to play venture capitalist with stimulus funds have resulted in enormous waste and abuse of taxpayer dollars.”

A link to the complete report from the Inspector General is available here.

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) introduced legislation in the House of Representatives to dramatically expand access to Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) owned properties for law enforcement officers, fire fighters, first responders, and teachers.  The Community Partners Neighborhood Preservation Act of 2011 (CPNPA) expands on current affordable housing programs by giving these public service professionals additional opportunities to purchase the homes HUD has acquired due to foreclosures.

“Giving teachers, police officers, and other dedicated public servants greater incentive to purchase HUD owned properties creates a win-win situation for communities across the nation,” said Rep. Baca.  “Not only does my bill give more hardworking Americans access to affordable home ownership opportunities, but it also begins the process of revitalizing many low and moderate income neighborhoods that have suffered tremendous blight due to the recent foreclosure crisis.”  

Rep. Baca’s legislation is designed to expand and improve two current programs offered by HUD, the Officer Next Door and Teacher Next Door.  These programs incentivize public service professionals to purchase HUD owned properties in recovering areas by giving them a 50% discount off the appraised value of the home, and reducing the down payment necessary to $100, as long as the individual agrees to live in the home as a primary residency for at least 3 years.  The CPNPA expands the eligibility of these programs to also include fire fighters and first responders, and also increases the pool of HUD owned properties eligible for purchase from those located in specific “recovery” areas to all HUD homes acquired through foreclosure.

“Since the economic downturn began in 2007, the rate of homeownership across the United States has fallen drastically,” concluded Rep. Baca.  “This legislation can serve as a critical step in the revitalization process for many struggling neighborhoods and communities.  By giving teachers, police officers, fire fighters, and first responders an opportunity to purchase affordable homes – we can both reward our excellent public servants, and also begin to stabilize many of the local housing markets hit hardest in the recent foreclosure crisis.” 

The Community Partners Neighborhood Preservation Act has been endorsed by the National Education Association (NEA), the nation’s largest professional employee organization – representing over 3.2 million teachers, school professionals, and retired educators.

Legislation Calls for U.S. Geological Survey Study of Rialto-Colton Water Basin 

Washington, DC – Today Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) spoke at a hearing of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power, held to examine his legislation H.R. 200, the Inland Empire Perchlorate Ground Water Plume Assessment Act.  The legislation directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of water resources and perchlorate contamination in the Inland Empire, specifically ordering the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to conduct a study of the Rialto-Colton water basin focused on the perchlorate contaminated plume in Rialto.

“Many families in the Inland Empire, and throughout Southern California are concerned about the quality and safety of the water they drink,” said Rep. Baca.  “My legislation calls for a much-needed USGS study of the Rialto-Colton water basin in order to find the extent of contamination, and the best solutions to cleaning up the perchlorate problem in our area.  I thank the Subcommittee for holding this hearing, and recognize Chairman McClintock and Ranking Member Napolitano for their commitment to clean, safe drinking water for all Americans.”

Perchlorate, a rocket fuel additive, has been found to be present at trace levels in some Inland communities.  Perchlorate is a volatile organic compound that is harmful to humans as it interferes with thyroid functions.  As the nation’s largest water, earth, and biological science and civilian mapping agency, the USGS collects, monitors, analyzes, and provides scientific understanding about natural resource conditions, issues, and problems.  The diversity of their scientific expertise enables them to carry out large-scale, multi-disciplinary investigations and provide impartial scientific information to resource mangers, planners, and other customers.

Rialto Mayor Pro Tem Ed Scott testified at the hearing in support of H.R. 200.

“I thank Rialto Mayor Pro Tem Ed Scott for his excellent testimony today and for his continued work, along with City Councilman Joe Baca Jr. and the other members of the Rialto City Perchlorate Taskforce, in addressing this important public health issue,” continued Rep. Baca.  “If left alone, the perchlorate contaminated plume in Rialto could continue to travel underground – contaminating more wells and compromising the health of more Southern California communities.”

“By providing concrete research from the USGS on the Rialto-Colton water basin and perchlorate contamination, my bill can move us one step closer to finding a realistic solution to this problem,” concluded Rep. Baca.  “Local residents have already shouldered far too much of the costs associated with perchlorate cleanup.  We must ensure our communities, neighborhoods, and families have the knowledge and the tools necessary to protect themselves from this harmful contamination.” 

Similar legislation introduced by Rep. Baca last Congress, H.R. 4252, was unanimously approved by the House of Representatives, and reported out of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.  The bill did not come to the floor of the Senate before the 111^th Congress came to an end.

Joe Baca

Washington, DC – Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) released the following statement tonight, after President Obama addressed a joint session of Congress on the topic of job creation.

“With unemployment at 9.1% across the nation, and at a staggering 14.3% in San Bernardino County, the American people needed to hear the President lay out a bold plan of action to create new jobs and strengthen our economic recovery.  Tonight, President Obama met these challenges by putting forward a substantial plan that includes the necessary combination of tax incentives and new investments needed to create growth. ”

“The proposals laid out by the President in the American Jobs Act include many concrete and achievable policy goals.  A long-term payroll tax cut, new incentives for businesses to hire workers, and an extension of unemployment benefits will all help to end uncertainty and spur new economic activity.  Likewise, increased federal investments in transportation, infrastructure, job training and education programs will help to create new jobs in the short term, while also laying the foundation for long term growth as we continue to transition to a 21^st Century economy.”

“Tonight, President Obama called on Congress to come together and confront the challenges we must face in order to bring fiscal stability, create new jobs, and grow our economy over the long term.  But we can only overcome the obstacles we face if we move forward with a sense of cooperation and unity.  I stand ready to work with all my colleagues – Democrats, Republicans, and Tea Party Members – to pass a bipartisan agenda of job creation efforts.”

“The time for political games is over.  The time to invest in the American people and rebuild our economy is here.  I strongly urge Republicans to put country before party, and work with Democrats in Congress and the President to commit to the bold plan of action American families so desperately need.  As the President said – the next election is fourteen months away, and the people who sent us here don’t have the luxury of waiting fourteen months.  They need help, and they need it now!”

Joe Baca

Thanks to Provision of Health Care Reform, Insurance Companies Must Now Justify Rate Hikes

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) announced that a critical new consumer protection provision of the health care reform law has taken effect.  Now, health insurers seeking to increase their rates by 10 percent or more must submit their request to state or federal reviewers to determine whether they are reasonable or not.  This rate review program, created by the Affordable Care Act, will bring greater transparency, accountability, and, in many cases, lower costs for families and small business owners who struggle to afford coverage.

In a growing number of states, regulators now have the authority to deny or reduce rate hikes found to be excessive.  Insurers that insist on going ahead with double-digit rate increases are required to post their justifications on their website, and state and federal regulators will post them as well.

“For far too long, families and small businesses have been at the mercy of insurance rate increases that often put coverage out of their reach,” said Rep. Baca.  “Thanks to the historic health care reform legislation, we will finally shed light on the industry’s behavior.  This transparency is of vital importance in driving market competition, and will ultimately result in lower costs for consumers.” 

As of this week, insurers proposing double digit increases will have to provide clear information that indicates what factors are causing the proposed increases.  Experts will closely examine information about the underlying cost trends in health care to flag instances when insurance companies are unjustly raising costs.  This means consumers will no longer have to take the word of their insurance company; they will have an independent expert reviewing their proposed rate increase.

Starting mid-September, consumers in every state can go to HealthCare.gov to view easy-to-access, consumer-friendly disclosure information explaining proposed increases that are 10 percent or higher than last year’s rates.

“Thanks to the Affordable Care Act consumers no longer have to navigate the health insurance market blindly,” concluded Rep. Baca.  “The next time your insurance company tries to raise your premium by double digits, it will have to give you and rate review experts a good reason, or face denial from many of our state governments.  As the rest of the provisions of health insurance reform are responsibly enacted, rest assured Democrats in Congress and the Obama administration will keep a watchful eye to ensure the interests of the American public, and not the insurance companies, are best served.”

For more information on rate reviews and what they mean for your health care coverage, please visit:http://www.healthcare.gov/news/factsheets/ratereview09012011a.html

Joe Baca

Washington, DC – Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) released the following statement today, in response to the Department of Justice’s announcement on filing a federal antitrust lawsuit against the pending AT&T/T-Mobile merger:

“I am surprised at the Department of Justice’s decision to file an antitrust lawsuit against the pending merger between AT&T and T-Mobile.  At a time when job creation should be our number one priority, I am disappointed to see that the DOJ is intending to block a plan that has great potential to create more good paying-jobs here at home, expand wireless access, and increase broadband speed for businesses and consumers across the nation.” 

“Currently, AT&T is the only major U.S. wireless company with a union workforce that offers leading wages, benefits, training and development for their employees.  And just this morning AT&T announced their plans to reverse the decision made by Deutsche Telekom, T-Mobile’s European parent company, that would have led to the outsourcing of over 5,000 American jobs to Asia.” 

“Not only would this merger create many of the additional jobs that our nation so desperately needs, but it would also directly benefit 46.5 million Americans who would gain access to the latest 4G technology.  This would substantially benefit many communities, especially low-income and minority communities, whose sole access to the Internet is sometimes derived from mobile technologies.  While I understand that any merger must be thoroughly vetted by our government, I encourage the DOJ to reverse this decision which I fear may negatively impact the wellbeing of many Americans.”

Joe Baca

San Bernardino, CA – Today, Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) urged the Republican Leadership of the House of Representatives to call the House back in session in order to pass a clean version of legislation reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration.  Despite last minute pleas to solve the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) shutdown, House Republican leaders closed up shop for the month of August, ensuring the devastating damage from the Republican-led FAA shutdown will last for at least another month.

“The current FAA shutdown is yet another example of how extremist right-wind ideology has taken control of the Republican Party,” said Rep. Baca.  “Instead of passing a clean FAA reauthorization bill that both Democrats and Republicans can support, Republican leadership has put forward a proposal that further guts American working families in order to score political points.  Unless Congress acts quickly, Republicans will jeopardize nearly 90,000 American jobs and sacrifice over $1 billion in lost revenue.”

Pending enactment of a long-term FAA reauthorization bill, Congress has passed 20 short-term extension acts without controversial policy provisions since 2007.  Breaking with precedent, the 21st short-term extension that the House Republican leadership crafted and the House passed last week contained extraneous policy riders that make it more difficult for aviation and rail workers to unionize.  Despite being warned that such provisions could not pass the Senate, Republican leaders chose to attach these provisions to a must-pass, short-term funding extension and forced a partial FAA shutdown at a cost of $200 million per week in lost revenue.

“Right now, the FAA shutdown is having a devastating impact on our already struggling California economy,” concluded Rep. Baca.  “Republican ideology is costing our state over $131 million in lost airport construction funds, directly resulting in 4,779 lost jobs.  The continued obstructionism on the FAA reauthorization bill marks the height of irresponsibility, once again proving that House Republicans are truly unfit to govern.  With the California unemployment rate at 12%, we must be doing everything in our power to encourage more job creation – yet House Republicans remain content to stifle economic growth and gut American jobs.”

“The bipartisan and bicameral agreement in Congress is very encouraging because it eases the likelihood of the crisis we were facing Tuesday as we moved toward a very dangerous economic cliff.

There is no question that Congress has a fundamental responsibility to prevent the serious economic fallout that would result from not extending the federal debt limit. This agreement will also set us on a course for much more responsible spending at the federal level, and does not threaten jobs by increasing taxes.

However, I am deeply concerned that Congress may be threatening our MOST important responsibility – the defense of our nation – in our desire to resolve this fiscal dilemma. It is not clear in the least that this agreement will guarantee adequate defense spending to maintain America’s role of defending freedom throughout the world.

America’s leadership for peace around the globe is fundamentally based upon our military strength. We have witnessed in the past the dangerous effects of ill-advised reductions in supporting our military. Defense spending must continue to be our highest priority for discretionary spending in this agreement and in the future.

I have strongly supported our leadership’s efforts to rein in runaway federal spending. I agree that we MUST change the direction of our spending patterns, or bankruptcy is a strong possibility. The least we might see is a debt burden placed on the backs of our children and grandchildren that could radically alter their way of life.

But I am dismayed to see that this final agreement could jeopardize our commitment to make the world a safer place for our future generations.  I believe it is dangerous to use cuts in defense spending as a cure-all for our deficit woes.

I understand that our leadership has had to make a difficult compromise in order to avoid our fiscal calamity. But I call on all members of Congress to pledge that we will make preserving future defense spending as our TOP priority as we consider the members of the debt commission, and I urge those members to make it their top priority as they deliberate on how we will put our federal fiscal house in order.”

“The ‘final’ round of maps put out by the redistricting commission still disregards one of the fundamental priorities of the process: maintaining communities of interest. The proposed lines mean the residents of Highland will be represented by a member of Congress based in the High Desert. But their neighbors across the street will be voting for a member of Congress who also serves half of the city of Upland. I am concerned that this process has been very flawed in meeting the community of interest need for the East San Bernardino Valley, and I believe this will not be the final chapter in the 2011 redistricting saga.”

Imagine a credit card, glossed and shiny, embossed with 16 digits and your name across the front; one linked to the benefit of a credit limit and a payment schedule for amounts owed.  While this is a simplified illustration, for all intents and purposes, America has maxed out its own credit card and hit its legal credit limit.  In the case of America’s credit limit, that amount is a staggering $14.3 trillion.

One might ask how we managed to max out the country’s credit card.  We reached the limit because our government has been on a wild spending spree, recklessly handing out money for new government programs, unwilling to make the tough choices necessary to address out of control spending.  Now, we have reached the debt limit and in order to avoid damaging the full faith and credit of the United States, the Congress must ensure any action taken to raise the debt limit comes with real and significant spending reform. According to a recent Gallup Poll and a recent CBS News poll, the majority of Americans do not support raising the debt limit, and this isn’t because they want us to default, but it is because they want Washington to stop the spending.

And with an August 2nd deadline looming, House Republicans are holding the line to guarantee a sounder financial path for our country which is facing a fiscal crisis.  We are currently borrowing roughly 42 cents of every dollar we spend, much of it from the Chinese, and are leaving that bill to our children and grandchildren.  It is reported that every child born today already owes more than $46,000 to our creditors.  And the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff named our historic debt “the single biggest threat to our national security.”  If we do nothing to adjust the current trajectory of spending, in 10 years, 95 percent of all federal taxes will be used to pay off our debt and fund entitlement programs.  That would leave a mere five percent of annual tax revenues to fund national defense and all the remaining necessary functions of our government.

This is why I voted, with 233 of my colleagues in the House of Representatives, for the Cut, Cap, and Balance Plan.  This plan would begin with real spending cuts this year and follow up with caps to spending in future years, resulting in $5.8 trillion in cuts.  Most importantly, this plan would allow an increase in the debt limit if and only if the House and Senate pass a balanced budget amendment.  We cannot afford to write yet another blank check without serious reforms and spending restraint built into any agreement.  Unfortunately, the Senate rejected this plan on a party line vote.  While the House has put forth and voted on a plan to solve the debt crisis, the President and Senate have yet to present a credible plan.

Now is the moment when we must restore fiscal sanity to Washington.  Making significant cuts to spending to   “live within our means” without raising taxes is going to be challenging, but it is necessary.

Arthur Brooks, President and scholar of the American Enterprise Institute, painted a clear picture in a recent article when he wrote:

“What do most of America’s families do when they find they are overspending? They don’t send the kids out to get part-time jobs in order to increase family revenues–they cut back on their spending. Why? Because that’s what works to solve the problem.”

So while these are not easy decisions, they are the right decisions.  And let me say, it is possible to address this debt crisis without raising taxes, but we must do it by cutting significant amounts of spending and passing a Balanced Budget Amendment.

And as Ronald Reagan so wisely declared nearly 30 years ago when talking about government overspending and overtaxing, “only a constitutional amendment will do the job.”  That’s why House Republicans are pushing for the Balanced Budget Amendment, a constitutional mandate for a balanced budget.  In 1995, Congress almost passed a constitutional amendment mandating a balanced budget, but it failed by one vote.  Sixteen years later, we have a chance to get it right.

Congress has tried simply cutting and capping spending before, but spending sprees continue.  As we saw with the failed stimulus, spending pledges and caps are easily ignored when another “new crisis” arises and provides reason to tax and spend some more.  A constitutional mandate to pass a balanced budget every year would legally force Congress to only spend what it receives.  Taxing more will not solve the problem; this debt crisis requires massive cuts in spending and a realignment of the spending mentality that has prevailed for far too long.

This is the time to truly and honestly address the spending issue.  The line is drawn in the sand.  No more demagoguery.  No more antiquated proposals.  Let’s make the tough choices and make the cuts needed to address our fiscal challenges and pass the Balanced Budget Amendment.

Congressman Howard P. “Buck” McKeon, a Republican, represents the 25th District of California in the U.S. Congress. He is the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee and a senior Republican on the House Education and Labor Committee.

“It is time to end the debate and face the facts that our nation is in serious jeopardy if we cannot cut our spending habits by trillions of dollars in coming years,” Lewis said. “I am extremely reluctant to make changes in our Constitution, but we must make the tough choices now to stop mortgaging our children’s future with a crushing national debt.”

Lewis supported H.R. 2560, known as the “Cut, Cap and Balance” Act, to ensure that Congress and the president take serious steps to reduce the current deficit – which is predicted to add more than $1 trillion to the national debt this year – and begin to bring debt payments in line with the federal economy in future years.

The legislation would reduce the current fiscal year spending by $111 billion, and by $5.8 trillion over the next decade. It would set caps that automatically trigger cuts if spending in future years grows beyond 20 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product. And it requires Congress to consider a Balanced Budget Amendment to place a constitutional restriction on overspending in the future. The amendment must receive a 2/3 vote in the House and Senate and be approved by 2/3 of the state legislatures to go into effect.

The spending reduction plan does NOT include any cuts in current Social Security or Medicare benefits, Lewis said. It also calls for spending on defense and veterans’ programs at the level requested by the administration this year.

The bill allows for an increase in the federal debt limit upon passage by both the House and Senate of the balanced budget amendment.

“There is no question that Congress must meet its responsibility to pay the nation’s debts, and it is my hope that we will move forward to settle the debate on raising the debt ceiling soon,” Lewis said. “But we also have a responsibility to ensure that our nation is set on a common-sense economic course that does not increase our federal debt by trillions of dollars over the next few years.”

The federal debt was $8.5 trillion in 2006 – the last year that Republicans were the majority in the House and Senate. It has grown to nearly $14 trillion in the past five years, and will reach the statutory limit of $14.29 trillion sometime this summer, Lewis said. Both Moody’s and Standard and Poors credit rating services have warned that they will downgrade the United States credit rating if steps are not taken to reduce the debt.

Joe Baca

Washington, DC – Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) released the following statement today, after the House of Representatives approved H.R. 2560, a measure that doubles down on the Republican budget plan to end Medicare:

“Today’s vote marks the third time this year that House Republicans have voted to end Medicare.  H.R. 2560 is a Tea Party extremist measure that would require even more severe cuts than the draconian Ryan budget that ends Medicare as we know it, slashes education funding, and destroys over 700,000 jobs.”

“Thankfully, H.R. 2560 has no chance of ever becoming law.  Instead of negotiating in good faith with Democrats and the President to find a bipartisan deal to avoid default, this charade simply serves as the latest example of the Republican leadership shirking its responsibility to govern in order to score political points.” 

“Time and time again, Congressional Republicans have made their priorities clear.  Instead of protecting Social Security and Medicare for future generations, they would rather preserve unnecessary tax breaks for the ultra rich, Big Oil companies, and corporations that ship jobs overseas.”

“I will continue to work for a reasonable approach forward in the debt ceiling negotiations.  We must lower our deficit with intelligent cuts to government spending.  But it is wrong to balance our budget on the backs of seniors and middle class families.”

Thursday, July 21 · 8:00am - 12:30pm

California State University of San Bernardino, College of Education Building (5500 University Parkway; San Bernardino, CA 92407)

“Invest in Women, Invest in Your Future!”

Conference sessions to include: Understanding Economic Legislation; Starting a Business; Financial Business Resources; Women and Minority Business Resources; Networking.

Event is free and open to the public!

For more information, please contact Melissa Gonzalez at 909-885-2222
or email at melissa.gonzalez@mail.house.gov.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=207723212598635

“There are certain fundamental rights that all American workers deserve.  Among them are fair wages, affordable health care, the right to unionize, and a workplace that is free from discrimination.  The recent proposal by the National Labor Relations Board to modernize the workplace election process serves as an important step forward to ensure greater fairness and transparency in representation elections for both workers and employers.”

“The current election process is broken, plain and simple.  While certainly not perfect, the proposed NLRB changes will reduce opportunities for those who willingly seek to obstruct or interfere with an election.”

“During these difficult economic times, when so many Americans are struggling to get by, it is essential we take all actions possible to help workers improve their jobs and the well being of their families.  I believe the NLRB’s recently announced proposal is a step in the right direction for working families, and will help to ensure greater balance and fairness for all Americans.” 

“It is long past time Congress takes decisive action to create more good paying jobs here at home,” said Rep. Baca.  “Unfortunately, since Republicans have taken control of the House earlier this year, they have yet to offer one single proposal to create jobs here in America, and instead have voted to end Medicare as we know it and protect tax breaks for the ultra rich, Big Oil, and corporations that ship jobs overseas.” 

“That’s why I signed this discharge petition, to force the Republican Leadership to allow a vote on the Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act,” continued Rep. Baca.  “This legislation can create anywhere from half a million to more than 2 million new jobs, and would enhance our economic and national security at no cost to American taxpayers.” 

The Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act helps American businesses compete on a more level playing field by treating fundamentally undervalued currencies as a prohibited subsidy, allowing the U.S. to take action to counter this unfair trade practice. This legislation is an essential element in addressing currency manipulation by the Chinese government, which has continually jeopardized efforts to create and preserve U.S. manufacturing jobs.

Democrats are launching this discharge petition, which can force action on legislation with signatures of a majority of the House of Representatives, because the Republican Leadership continues to block its consideration. The legislation overwhelmingly passed the House of Representatives last year with a vote of 348 – 79.

“For too long China has gotten away with manipulating its currency to decrease the price of its goods on the world market,” concluded Rep. Baca.  “We must do everything in our power to support American companies and American manufacturers in the face of such unfair economic practices.  By forcing our trading partners to play on fair ground, I believe we will see a resurgence in exports and jobs here in America.”

The Chinese government continues to intervene in the markets to suppress the value of its currency – making American exports more expensive and Chinese products cheaper.  A new report confirms that up to 2 million American jobs could be created if China and other Asian countries stopped manipulating their currency to gain an unfair advantage over American businesses and workers.  H.R. 639 is part of the Democratic “Make it in America” manufacturing strategy to create the high-skill, high-wage jobs of the future—promoting American competitiveness, innovation, and exports.

WASHINGTON, D.C.

“The jobs numbers are an illustration of the need for overarching change in economic policies.  The idea supported by Senate Democrats and the President for increased taxes and inflated bailouts does not work.  Our government has maxed out its proverbial credit card, and it is time to rein in spending and not inflict tax increases on a weakened economy.  Until we reach an agreement to cut spending and get our fiscal house in order, we will continue to see instability in the job market, production and manufacturing, business growth, and more.

WATCH VIDEO: Fact vs. Fiction on Jobs from President’s Twitter Town Hall earlier this week:

“Deficit spending will never be America’s answer to reaching economic prosperity. We must restore economic confidence for the private sector to invest and create jobs. It is not acceptable for the government to take money out of your pockets to pay for Washington’s spending binge. And while Democrats insist on raising taxes and continuing to spend, Republicans in the House have offered alternative solutions that are pending Senate action.  The new unemployment report is a reminder that there is still much work to be done.”

NOTE: House Republicans have put forth numerous proposals to rein in spending, eliminate wasteful programs, and stop Washington’s crushing mandates on the private sector. They presented a budget that addresses the direction our country is heading.

Click here for House Republican Plan for America’s Job Creators: http://www.gop.gov/resources/library/documents/jobs/theplan.pdf

Compliments of Rep. Tom Price (GA-06): The following bills are meaningful job promoting measures that we passed in the House. They are now awaiting Senate approval:

H.R. 872, the Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act

H.R. 910, the Energy Tax Prevention Act

H.J.Res. 37, a Resolution of disapproval regarding the FCC’s regulation of the Internet and broadband industry practices

H.R. 1249, the America Invents Act

H.R. 1230, Restarting American Offshore Leasing Now Act

H.R. 1229, Putting the Gulf of Mexico Back to Work Act

H.R. 1231, Reversing President Obama’s Offshore Moratorium Act

H.R. 2021, the Jobs and Energy Permitting Act

H.Con.Res. 34, a Resolution establishing the budget for the United States government for fiscal year 2012 and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2013 through 2021

Health Care Reform Law Lowers Costs for 500,000 Seniors Caught in Medicare ‘Donut Hole’

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) announced new findings from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), that show almost half a million individuals enrolled in Medicare’s prescription drug benefit have received a 50% discount on covered brand-name drugs in the Part D coverage gap, having saved them more than $260 million so far this year.

“With the enactment of real health reform, we are working to make quality, affordable health care a right for every American,” said Rep. Baca.  “These newly released findings from the CMS confirm what we already knew, that the health care reform law passed last Congress improves Medicare programs for our seniors and lowers out of pocket medical costs for all Americans.”

Thanks to Medicare improvements that were included in the Affordable Care Act, beneficiaries who fall in the part D coverage gap, also known as the Medicare ‘donut hole,’ automatically receive a 50% discount on their out-of-pocket costs, including covered brand name drugs.  Medicare beneficiaries in the prescription drug ‘donut hole’ have received on average a total savings of $545 so far this year.

Cheaper prescriptions are just one of the many ways the Affordable Care Act is improving Medicare for seniors.  Thanks to the new law, many preventive care screenings are available free of charge. According to the CMS, at least 5.5 million Americans have already accessed at least one of these free preventive measures.

“For too long Americans everywhere have had to face the status quo of rising health costs and worsening care,” concluded Rep. Baca.  “Thanks to the historic health care reform legislation, more of our seniors are already receiving free services and affordable prescriptions.  Unfortunately my Republican colleagues have proposed a plan to reopen the prescription drug ‘donut hole’ and end Medicare as we know it.  I will continue to fight so that we responsibly enact health care reform, and preserve Medicare for all Americans.”

For more information on the free preventive services that are available to people on Medicare, visit the “Manage Your Health” tab at www.Medicare.gov.