President Obama and 23 Executive Orders

News Letter from Congressman Rob Woodall: 

President Obama and 23 Executive Orders 

This week the President, with the help of his Vice President, rolled out a series of gun control proposals in the form of 23 executive orders as well as several legislative recommendations as a response to the tragedy that occurred a little over one month ago in Newtown, Connecticut. You can read the President’s entire proposal by clicking here.  I need not remind you of the horror the nation felt the day we learned a madman single handily killed 26 children and educators at a New England elementary school.  We'll not soon forget where we were and what we were doing upon hearing the news.  As we hug our loved ones ever tighter and continue to question what makes a human do such an evil thing, we look for answers that may not be able to be found.

Believe me, if there was a single piece of legislation out there that would guarantee that a tragedy like Sandy Hook would never happen again in America, I would be its strongest supporter.  But I am deeply troubled by the opportunism of those who have always opposed Second Amendment freedoms using this horrible tragedy as an excuse to further constrain those freedoms.

In the President's haste to provide federal solutions, I wonder if he has taken the time to look at how states are handling crisis prevention on their own?  Frank Berry, the Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Behavioral and Developmental Disabilities has worked with Governor Deal to transform how the mentally ill are treated in our court system.  In the wake of the Sandy Hook tragedy, Commissioner Berry issued a response that encouraged residents to contact Georgia's 24-hour crisis hot line with any needs or concerns.  I'm proud of the work Georgia does to keep its residents safe.  I expect that Congress will look thoroughly at all the issues in the Sandy Hook tragedy from the mental health treatment options to school security options to criminal enforcement.  Though, my hope is that states will take a page out of Georgia's book and craft solutions tailored to their local needs--rather than take a clumsy federal "take-it-or-leave-it" solution.

Helping our neighbors...the right way.

This week, the House had the tough job of appropriating disaster relief funds to the states affected to the point of devastation by Hurricane Sandy.  I absolutely believe we should help our neighbors in their time of need. That said, we almost always serve one another better locally than we do with a check from Washington, D.C.  America's generosity during natural disasters by giving to the Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and more, is unmatched.  In those rare instances of such widespread devastation that federal aid is required, we must provide that aid by reducing spending on other lower priorities, not by running up the debt burden on future generations.  This is why I supported measures to ensure that any emergency funding was fully offset by other spending cuts.  These offset measures did not pass the House, unfortunately, and instead, the total package of Sandy relief legislation grew nearly three-fold--from $17 billion to over $60 billion in new deficit spending-- and was passed over my objection.  You can read the bill, H.R. 152, by clicking here. 

I offered to support an across-the-board cut of all federal spending that Georgia receives--a sacrifice for our community--so that we could use the money to help our neighbors in New York and New Jersey.  We do make those sacrifices for one another in America, and it makes us better as a nation.  Unfortunately, the New York and New Jersey delegations turned that offer down.  They wanted all of the $60 billion, and they didn't want to find a penny of it through spending cuts.  That is wrong for America.  I am glad that families affected by Hurricane Sandy in New York and New Jersey will get the help that they need, but I am very disappointed with the way it happened.  If we can't come together as a nation to reduce spending in low-priority areas so that we can prioritize families who lost everything after the storm, I have low expectations for those same members of Congress coming together to make the much bigger cuts that we need to make in order to stop the deficits and restore the economy.

There is only one way out.


 

Speaking of deficits, the little cartoon above captures it perfectly.  The President and Congress don't see eye-to-eye on how to fix America's growing debt crisis.  Congress and the President have had this conversation time and again and we always come back to this one point: the President wants to raise taxes and raise spending, and Congress wants to shrink deficit spending and grow America’s economy!

If you subscribe to my Facebook updates you'll have already seen my reaction to the President's press conference on raising the debt ceiling.  You can also read my official statement on the press conference by clicking here.  

Knowing that you have thoughts of your own on the President's proposal to raise the debt limit once again, I hope you'll take the opportunity to join me at one of my upcoming Town Hall Meetings.  It's important that you and I gather and decide together how to move forward to grow the economy while shrinking Washington's out-of-control spending. 

 My upcoming Town Hall Meetings are listed below.

TELEPHONE TOWN HALL MEETING
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
7:00PM – 7:30PM
Call toll-free: (877) 229-8493
Passcode: 17849

GWINNETT TOWN HALL MEETING
Thursday, January 24, 2013
7:00PM – 8:00PM
Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center
75 Langley Drive
Lawrenceville, GA 30046

FORSYTH TOWN HALL MEETING
Thursday, January 31, 2013
7:00PM – 8:00PM
Forsyth County Administration Building
Commissioners Meeting Room
110 East Main Street
Cumming, GA 30040

Will you be able to join me for one or more of my Town Hall Meetings?

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Thank you for all that you do to keep America strong.  I look forward to visiting with you at one of my Town Hall Meetings.

Sincerely,
   
Member of Congress

Fiscal Cliff Update From Congressman Woodall

If you've turned on a television or opened a newspaper in the last few weeks, you've no doubt seen the so-called "fiscal cliff" conversation unfolding in Washington.  The "fiscal cliff" is Washington-speak for the expiration of Bush-era tax rates coupled with across-the-board spending cuts on many domestic spending accounts.  While the fiscal cliff coverage continues to escalate as the January deadline draws near, I can tell you these discussions are absolutely nothing new.  They are a continuation of every discussion that the House and the President have had during my two years in Congress: the President wants to see taxes go up and he doesn't want to see spending go down, and the House wants spending to come down and doesn't want to see tax rates go up.  Though this discussion isn't new, the culmination of so many parts of the discussion at Christmas is, and the Administration is certainly trying to use that to its advantage.

Today's federal debt is more than $16 trillion—larger than all parts of the U.S. economy combined.  By 2016, it will be $22 trillion.  During his first term, President Obama did a great job of convincing America that our spiraling debt crisis is a tax issue rather than a spending issue.  Any analysis of the problem agrees that there is a tax revenue problem, and the problem is that millions of Americans are struggling to obtain a good job in the current economy, and if they can't earn an income then they don't pay income taxes.  We need these Americans to be able to find work and thus pay taxes, and when they do, all economists agree that revenue will go up.  In August, the U.S. House passed our bill to raise tax revenue from its current levels today by ending loopholes in the tax code and putting people back to work.  I support bringing revenues back to pre-recession historically normal levels.  That is easy to do and has broad support.  I also support bringing record-high federal spending down to pre-recession historically normal levels.  That effort has proven much harder as the House has yet to find a willing partner in the Administration or the Senate to work with us on that goal.  Federal spending under the President's budget continues to increase so fast that no amount of tax increases—no matter how high—can achieve a balanced budget.  I understand that confronting runaway spending is hard, but it must be done, and every effort being made by the House during "fiscal cliff" discussions is targeted toward persuading the White House and the Senate to join us in grappling with how best to meet this challenge for America.

If you have any doubt about how hard it is to persuade Washington to confront its spending habits, you need only remember why the word "sequestration" has entered the American lexicon.  Sequestration—the spending cuts going into effect in January—was never intended to occur.  It was simply the hammer we put in place 18 months ago when the President asked to raise America's debt ceiling, and Speaker Boehner and House Republicans asked for dollar-for-dollar spending reductions to begin to confront the problem.  The consensus agreement was passed in the Budget Control Act of 2011, but over the last 18 months, the President and the Senate have failed to approve the required spending reductions.  The House passed its bill way back in May of this year, and then passed yet another alternative in September, but even as I write this email, I have yet to see any proposal from the White House or the Senate to follow through on the commitment that they made back in August of 2011.  Without the agreement (or in this case, even a proposal) from the White House or Senate on spending reductions, the across-the-board cuts now known as "sequestration" will most certainly take effect on January 1st. 

To clear up any confusion, yes, the White House did make a proposal last week, but it wasn't a spending reduction proposal.  President Obama sent Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner to Capitol Hill to deliver a plan that simply raised taxes, proposed even more spending, delayed for another year all of the reductions that he agreed to in August of 2011, and put off making any tough decisions yet again.  This "plan" follows the same path as every other failed Washington plan of the last 40 years—raise taxes today, raise spending today, and promise to make the tough choices to reduce spending tomorrow.  Taxes always succeed in going up today, spending always succeeds in going up today, but the tough decisions never seem to happen, and deficits and debts continue to pile up to cloud the future of our children and grandchildren.  No more!  I am a willing partner in a comprehensive solution that shrinks the debts and deficits, but I will not be complicit in kicking the can down the road.

The President is looking at the same set of facts that we are: this nation is facing over $16 trillion in public debt—the largest public debt in American history.  That's $55,000 for every man, woman, and child in the country.  While I believe the President means well for this country, his ten-year budget plan does absolutely nothing to improve our economic trajectory over the next decade.

Will a Mayan Apocalypse occur if the Speaker and the President do not reach an agreement this month?  Likely not, though I can guarantee an American economic collapse will come eventually if we allow Washington's profligate spending and record-setting deficits to continue.  I remain optimistic that Congress will reach an agreement this month.  America can accept nothing less than the small beginnings of a long-term effort to get America's budget and America's economy back in the black.  While I want to make big changes to restore our nation and our economy, to secure the President's support I could settle for only a half a step forward toward lower spending, but I will not agree to a half a step backward toward higher spending and continued record deficits.

I promise to keep you informed in the coming days as the Speaker and President seek consensus.  I will continue our telephone town hall series from Washington as the debate continues.  You can find out how to participate as well as see upcoming dates and times by clicking here.  Also, you can watch my latest Special Order speech on the fiscal cliff by clicking here.  I hope you will continue to provide me with your feedback by emailing me or logging on to my webpage.  Know that my door is always open to you and that I never forget that I work for you. 

Thank you for your commitment to keeping America strong. 

 Sincerely,

Rob Woodall

Happy Thanksgiving from Congressman Woodall

Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the season of gratitude and joy. Americans from all walks of life gather with their family and friends to reflect on their blessings and to give thanks. I have heard others say that it is sometimes difficult to part the clouds and see all that we have to be truly thankful for, but I think of it simply.

There are a lot of other countries that you and I could live in today, other countries in which so many of us were born. As we watch the situation between Gaza and Israel escalate, I remember that an entire generation of Israeli children has grown up under rocket fire. While America celebrates Thanksgiving, Israel will be fighting for the very peace and freedom that we Americans so often take for granted.

The hand of God works in mysterious ways. As far as I'm concerned, however, I won the lottery by being born in America. I live in a country that provides more opportunities to succeed than any other country on earth. And you and I as citizens and voters have been given the awesome power and responsibility to keep it that way.

Is everything perfect today? Of course not. We have a long, tough road ahead of us. However, when I think about my options - when I think about our options - I always conclude that the United States of America, warts and all, is still the greatest nation that man has ever devised.
I join you in giving thanks for the blessing that it is to be an American. I wish you and your family a wonderful start to the holiday season. May God bless your family and our great nation, and may God give a very special blessing to those men and women celebrating Thanksgiving while serving America far away from their families and in harm’s way. For them and their sacrifices, we are especially grateful.

Sincerely,

Rob Woodall

From the Desk of Congressman Rob Woodall

The U.S. Capitol was full this week with newly elected members who are excited to contribute their ideas and returning members who are reinvigorated and ready to get to work fixing our nation's problems.  But it wasn't all orientation and organization events.  I'd like to share with you some of what's been happening in Washington, D.C. this week.

Benghazi Investigation

As many of you know, the Middle East is facing an increasing number of serious political, social, and security challenges.  This week, Israel has had to endure a particularly heavy barrage of rocket attacks from Gaza.  Iran continues to pursue nuclear capability.  Al Qaeda has penetrated the demilitarized zone between Egypt and Israel, known as the Sinai Peninsula.  Syria remains locked in a bloody civil war.  And, the Obama Administration has withheld the truth about the nature of the attacks on our diplomatic missions in Libya and Egypt for weeks. 

I have received correspondence from many of you regarding the attacks on our consulates and embassies in Libya and Egypt.  Like many, I am completely dissatisfied with the narrative provided thus far by the White House and the U.S. Department of State.  This week, we are finally beginning to receive some answers.  On November 15, 2012, the House Foreign Affairs Committee held a hearing to determine the extent of our security failures.  My hope is that testimony provided by General David Petraeus at today’s hearing in the House Intelligence Committee will shed additional light on the Administration’s actions, including why it did not immediately disclose the truth to the public.

While we cannot solve all of the problems in the Middle East, it is essential that we do everything in our power to keep our diplomatic missions safe and our allies secure.  My promise to you is that I will work to do both of these things.   

Energy

This week, President Obama acknowledged that his cap-and-trade scheme—which was already rejected by Congress—would kill jobs and further slow economic growth.  However, the President needs to do more than admit that new energy taxes will hurt our economy. He should commit to creating 20,000 new jobs by finally approving the Keystone XL Pipeline. He should call for the Senate to take up H.R. 1231, a bill passed by the House which would lift the ban on new offshore drilling and move America closer to long-term energy independence and security. 

Unfortunately, the President is more focused on shutting down our current domestic energy production than expanding it. His EPA regulations are expected to shut down up to 54,000 megawatts of coal-fueled electric generation and cause at least 544,000 jobs losses next year. My promise to you is that I will fight any attempt by this Administration to make it more difficult for energy job creators to hire new workers, limit our capacity to safely develop new domestic energy, or make it harder for American families to simply pay their monthly bills. With your help, we can be successful.

Protecting America's Airline Industry

This week the House passed S.1956, the “European Union Emissions Trading Scheme Prohibition Act of 2011” by voice vote.  This legislation prohibits U.S. airlines, like Georgia's own Delta Airlines, from being forced to participate in the European Union’s (EU) carbon emissions trading scheme.  While it is certainly the right of all nations to govern their airspace as they see fit, the EU emissions trading system essentially taxes airlines for emissions made outside EU airspace.  Such regulations are a clear encroachment on the sovereignty of other nations and in violation of numerous international treaties to which the United States and the EU member states are signatories.  

The Senate also passed S.1956 unanimously, signifying the broad,  bi-partisan support for standing up for U.S. sovereignty, as well as the financial well being of U.S. airlines.  The bill has already made a difference, though it has yet to be signed by the President.  Knowing that the House would soon vote on S.1956, the EU commissioner in charge of the emissions scheme announced a one year delay in implementing the system.  I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in the House and Senate to counter this bold attempt by the EU to undermine our national sovereignty and damage our airline industry. 

Fiscal Cliff

Since you and I began working together in Congress, we looked to find ways to cut spending and address our federal budget challenges directly. This week marked a post-election return to those efforts through proposals to address the so called “fiscal cliff,” the combination of forthcoming tax increases and deep cuts to our military and other spending programs.

We all agree that our tax code must change, but there are very different visions between the House of Representatives and the President on how to restructure it. The President has called for tax rate increases for small businesses earning over $250,000 a year. It is clear that this will hurt the prospects for those small businesses to hire new employees and expand.  In contrast, the House has proposed raising tax revenues but not raising tax rates.  We would grow revenues through comprehensive tax reform that will reward innovation and hard work and expand our economy.  The FairTax is one of the ideas that would do that very thing, and I'm working hard to make it part of our tax reform conversation. 

Even more important than tax receipts, however, is the current path of federal spending.  Any serious and credible budget plan must change that spending path, particularly the path of entitlements and mandatory spending.  As a member of the House Budget Committee, I joined Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) in crafting a budget that would achieve that goal.  As we head towards the fiscal cliff set for January 1, 2013, please know that I will do everything that I can to implement our reform ideas and ensure that our economy continues to grow.  The President and the Senate to this day -- even after four years -- have yet to put a spending reform proposal on the table.  The House can't negotiate with itself, and I am doing everything that I can to encourage the President and the Senate to put their plans for spending reform on the table. 

New England Compounding Center

On Wednesday, November 14th the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Overisght and Investigations held a hearing to begin what will certainly be a long process of figuring out what went wrong at the New England Compounding Center (NECC).  Tainted medication from NECC has led to hundreds of cases of fungal meningitis across the country and over 30 deaths.  The hearing examined the history of complaints against the NECC, the response of the State of Massachusetts, and the actions of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.  Hopefully, with continued oversight and with the cooperation of all the parties involved, we can get to the bottom of what happened and how to prevent it from happening again.

Thank you for your continued interest in our government and for giving me this opportunity to share with you.   


Sincerely,

 

 

 

 

Member of Congress

Veterans Day Around GA 7th District

Every year, just after an election season focuses on the division within our nation, a day comes along that unites all Americans.  I’m talking about the eleventh day of the eleventh month when all Americans have the privilege of honoring our military heroes.  I’m talking about Veterans Day, and this year Veterans Day celebrations are taking place not just on a single day, but throughout the entire weekend.

Around the great 7th District of Georgia you can participate in activities that honor the sacrifice and love of country that our brave men and women in uniform have fought to protect.  America's veterans are second to none.  When our country called, they answered, and it is our duty to celebrate them on Veterans Day.  Please consider attending one of the great Veterans Day events taking place this weekend.

Friday, November 9th

City of Lawrenceville - "A Day of Honor"
On Friday from 11am to 1pm, the City of Lawrenceville will be hosting an event, A Day of Honor, in celebration of our veterans at the Lawrenceville Visitor’s Center.  State Representative Buzz Brockway will be the featured guest speaker.  The event will include a luncheon, music, a workshop on veterans’ employment opportunities and resume building provided by the Georgia Department of Labor, and veterans’ disability and health benefits counseling from the Disabled American Veterans. 

City of Cumming and the American Legion Veterans Day Ceremony
The City of Cumming is partnering with the American Legion Post 307 to hold a Veterans Day ceremony on Friday at 11am at the City of Cumming Veterans War Memorial.  The Memorial is located at 301 Veterans Memorial Boulevard and pays homage to the sons and daughters of Cumming and Forsyth County who served our country on foreign and American soil.  The ceremony will include the North Forsyth High School JROTC, the Forsyth Central High School Flash of Crimson Band, members of the American Legion, the Forsyth County Sheriff and Fire Joint Honor Guard Rifle Team, Boy Scout Troop 245, and remarks by special guest General John W. Hendrix, US Army, Ret. 

Sunday, November 11th

Gwinnett County Fallen Heroes Memorial
The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners, along with members of the Gwinnett and Lawrenceville Police, Fire and EMS crews, and the Sheriff’s Office will honor Gwinnett County’s veterans and service members at the Gwinnett Fallen Heroes Memorial.  The ceremony will begin at 1:30pm at 75 Langley Drive in Lawrenceville and will host guest speaker Command Sergeant Major James Nelson.  The Gwinnett Fallen Heroes Memorial commemorates over 700 residents of Gwinnett County who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation and community. 

City of Lilburn
The City of Lilburn will host a Veterans Day Salute in Lilburn City Park on November 11th from 2pm to 4pm.  The event will include patriotic music and a flag folding and retirement ceremony led by Girl Scout Troop 4530.  The ceremony will be held at the pavilion in Lilburn City Park, located at 76 Main Street.

Forsyth County Veterans Day Freedom Rally
Forsyth County's Veterans Day celebration will be held at the Central Park Recreation Center at 2300 Keith Bridge Road in Cumming from 3pm to 5pm on November 11th.  The event will honor our nation's veterans and includes speeches from local veterans and a flag presentation by Boy Scout Troop 3740.  Donations will be accepted at the rally and all donations will support wounded warrior programs.   

Monday, November 12th

Action Ministries and HOPE Atlanta

On Monday at 10:30am, Action Ministries Georgia, in partnership with HOPE Atlanta, will be hosting a special Veterans Day program at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #5255 at 368 Grayson Highway in Lawrenceville.  U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson is scheduled to deliver remarks to the veterans community at this event.  Action Ministries and HOPE Atlanta help veterans in need to meet their housing, education, and food related issues, and will focus on these topics at the event.

Thank you for all that you do to remember our veterans and honor their service.  We are a better nation because of what you do.

Sincerely,

Rob Woodall

Congressman Woodall Townhall Meeting, February 21st

I will be in Gwinnett County this coming Tuesday, February 21, from 7:00PM - 8:00PM, at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center (GJAC) for my next Town Hall Meeting.  I hope that you will be able to make it.  If you cannot attend, please know that you can always contact me with your thoughts and concerns.

 

Click on the image to view my Town Hall invitation.

The President presented his FY2013 Budget Proposal this week, and now it is up to Congress to craft its own.  As a Member of the House Budget Committee, my colleagues and I have already begun the process of developing a budget plan that fosters a stable and secure economic future for Americans.  This is a critical decision-making time for which it is imperative that you, the constituents of the Seventh District, be involved.  We must continue to meet and share concerns, criticisms, and ideas alike in order to move forward in a direction in which America can be proud.  As such, I hope you'll join me at the GJAC next Tuesday, February 21, at 7:00PM for my next Town Hall Meeting.
Thank you for your committment to securing our nation's future.  I look forward to seeing you on Tuesday. 

 

Sincerely,

Rob Woodall
Member of Congress

AFP Judicial 101 and GA 7th District Presidential Debate Watch Party

January 19, 2012
7:00-11:00 PM
Olde Towne Tavern
340 Town Center Avenue
Suwanee, GA 30024

The evening begins with "Judicial 101: Unlocking The Secrets of the Court System" Presented by Americans for Prosperity.

"Do you have a say in judicial selection? What is the process for appealing your case? Which Courts are available to you for which kinds of issues? AFP Foundation has partnered with the American Center for Law & Justice to bring  Judicial 101 to unlock the secrets of the most intricate legal system in world history."

After this informative and amazing presentation, watch the CNN Republican candidate debate.

For more information on AFP, click here.

Letter from Congressman Woodall

Under the recently-passed Budget Control Act, Congress has guaranteed that the House and Senate will each consider a Balanced Budget Amendment before the year is through.  That said, time is passing quickly, and I want to make sure that I hear all of your thoughts and concerns about this important policy decision before we move forward.  Your feedback is incredibly valuable to me, and you should have every opportunity to provide it. 

 

This is why I am inviting you to participate in a Balanced Budget Amendment Telephone Town Hall Meeting this Wednesday, September 14, from 7:00PM until 7:30PM.  

 

Our nation still faces a mass of economic uncertainty due in large part to the $4 trillion that has been added to this nation's debt in the past 31 months—the most rapid increase we have experienced in our nation's history.  I talk to Americans every day who are scared about our nation's economic future.  As Americans, we can turn that fear into hope by finding the strength to make the necessary decisions today.  We can change the course of history today by bringing fiscal discipline to America in the form of a Balanced Budget Amendment. 

 

Not only would a Balanced Budget Amendment provide a permanent solution for restoring fiscal balance in Washington, but it would also grow America's economy without increasing the size of government.  A Balanced Budget Amendment demands that Congress clear the way for economic growth by reducing the burden of ruinous federal debt that is plaguing individual Americans, their families, and their businesses.  More "stimulus"—the new word for deficit spending—will not grow this economy.  America's job creators do not need Washington in order to succeed; they need Washington to get out of the way and simply protect their freedom to succeed.

 

Under a Balanced Budget Amendment, Washington and the American people would have no choice but to make the needed spending, taxing, and policy tradeoffs that are so often avoided today.  You know as well as I do that passing legislation is not enough.  We cannot rely on the occasional responsible President and Congress.  What one Congress can do, another Congress can undo.  It's time to take fiscal reform to the next step and pass a Constitutional Amendment that forces Congress to spend only as much as the American taxpayer is willing to give.

 

Again, my Telephone Town Hall Meeting will be this Wednesday, September 14 from 7:00PM – 7:30PM. Click here for call-in details.

 

With the proposed Balanced Budget Amendment coming down the pipeline, we need to stay in touch about how this piece of game-changing policy will affect America and the Seventh District. 

 

The Seventh District's commitment to freedom is second to none, and I am proud to serve on your behalf.  In 1995 the BBA passed the House and failed by just one vote in the U.S. Senate.  Imagine what this nation would look like today if America had found that one vote fifteen years ago.  Working together, we can ensure that America succeeds this time around. 

 

Thank you again for all that you do.  I look forward to being in touch again soon.

Sincerely,

Rob Woodall
Member of Congress

June 21st Letter from Congressman Woodall, GA 7th District

America has been without transparency and accountability in Washington's legislative process for quite a few years, at least.  I hear this concern over and over again in town hall meetings and other constituent events.  As trust and faith in Congress is at an all-time low, I have committed myself to restoring this trust.  I am listening to your concerns and doing my part to advocate for the most fair and open debate possible on Capitol Hill. 

 

Last week, for example, the House voted on two of the twelve appropriations bills, which are the bills that dictate the $1 trillion in federal spending.  We voted on H.R. 2055, the "Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2012" ("MilCon-Vets" for short), and we voted on H.R. 2112, the "Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2012."  We brought these bills to the House floor under an open process that allowed any Member of the House to propose changes to the bill and request a vote on making those changes.  Believe it or not, that isn't how the House has usually operated.  In fact, while we have considered two bills under this open process thus far, last year the House didn't allow this open process at all.  This process wasn't allowed in 2009 either, nor in 2008.  The House has been so closed to new ideas and changes that before this year this open process was last allowed in July of 2007. To be clear, however, while I am proud that Republicans took this new, open direction, it takes both Republicans and Democrats to make the process work.  Together, for America, we're doing it.

 

In a closed process, the leadership in the House simply brings a bill to the Floor and demands a vote with no opportunity for the full House membership to change and improve the bill.  In an open process, all House members—and thus all Americans—have a chance to make changes, and that is exactly what our founding fathers intended.

 

Last week, I voted for changes to get America's budget back in order. The MilCon-Vets bill reduces spending below FY 2011 levels.  Yes, I am committed to making sure that our veterans are fully served, but I am examining every category of government spending for waste, duplication, and potential reductions.  A one-percent reduction cuts those items that can be reduced while protecting and even expanding those programs that serve our veterans well.

       

The Agriculture Appropriations bill reduces spending by 13% from last year's levels.  In fact, it reduces spending all the way back to FY 2006 levels.  Today, 42 cents of every dollar that the federal government spends is borrowed, so we must stand up and make these changes now.  But again, this bill was considered under an open rule so that all members of Congress could play a role in making changes, and we made a lot of changes to further improve this bill.

 

I believe that this kind of open, transparent process is what the American people want—the ability to bring a bill to the House, debate the bill, and amend it before it is brought to a final vote.  As a member of the Rules Committee—the committee in Congress that decides how a bill will come to the House Floor—I will continue to advocate for an open process.  The days of legislating under the cloak of darkness are behind us.  If a bill is worth passing, it is worth debating. 

 

Our national debt is more than $14 trillion.  Our unemployment is currently 9.1 percent.  There is much to do to shrink spending and get government out of the way of America's job creators. 

 

One bill at the time, we are doing exactly that.  We are streamlining our government and drawing a hard line on spending.  We will not make the mistakes of the past. 

 

As you and I continue to stay in touch, please know that if you have any further questions about pending legislation, I am here to find the answers for you.  If you have suggestions about how I can serve you better, I welcome your feedback. 

 

Thank you for your support and your commitment to keeping our nation strong.

Sincerely,

Rob Woodall
Member of Congress
http://woodall.house.gov/