Pence Denounces Democrats' Latest National Energy Tax

We don't understand why Senator Lieberman (I-CT) cannot see what the after effects of passage of this bill would do to increase what all of us pay for utilities. We understand Kerry doesn't care but we actually thought Lieberman and Graham (R-SC) who pulled out at the last minute understood what was at stake. Guess we were wrong after reading parts of this bill.

Off topic, but why do so-called Independent politicians always caucus with the Democrats?

Pence Denounces Democrats' Latest National Energy Tax

This measure will force Americans to pay more for everyday necessities like gas and electricity.

Washington, DC - U.S. Congressman Mike Pence, Chairman of the House Republican Conference and the American Energy Solutions Group, released the following statement today after Senate Democrats introduced their latest version of climate legislation:

"In Indiana and across this nation, Americans want Congress to focus on policies that will create jobs. Instead, Democrats are continuing to push a job-killing national energy tax that will cap growth and trade jobs. This measure will force Americans to pay more for essentials like gas and electricity and force businesses to lay off workers; a point recently confirmed by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, which said a cap-and-tax system will lead to higher unemployment and lower wages. This bill is essentially an economic declaration of war on middle America.

"What the American people need is an environmentally-responsible all-of-the-above energy plan that develops American resources, creates jobs, and promotes energy independence. House Republicans continue to offer that plan."

Source: GOP.gov

Mike Pence: "The Truth Landed With a Thud Last Week"

Pence: "The Truth Landed With A Thud Last Thursday" "The president and Congressional Democrats passed a health care law without any idea how to pay for it."

Washington, DC - U.S. Congressman Mike Pence, Chairman of the House Republican Conference, delivered the following remarks today on the House floor regarding a report released last week from the president's own administration, which says that ObamaCare actually raises health care costs:

"After months of debate and assurances that their government takeover of health care would actually result in lowering the cost of health care for Americans, the truth landed with a thud last Thursday.

"A new report from the Obama Administration's own Medicare agency confirms what we have known all along. The president and Congressional Democrats passed a health care law without any idea how to pay for it.

"They promised to lower the cost of health care but instead ObamaCare will send those costs soaring by $311 billion. Again, this is from their own analysts within the administration. The same report says in the same way the Democrats set out to pay for the bill are ‘unsustainable' and some of the methods they use to control costs are ‘negligible.'

"The reality is we need to repeal ObamaCare and replace it with the kind of health care reform that will lower the cost of health care without growing the size of government. And House Republicans are determined to be on the side of the American people until we do just that."

Note: To view this speech, see below.



NOTE: We are not shocked that the Democrats passed the Obamacare bill with no idea how to pay for it and it was going to cost much more then they predicted. Since Pelosi admitted they needed to pass the bill to know what was in the bill, it kind of told all of us we were in for surprise after surprise as the details came out.

Pence: President's Own Analysts Conclude Obamacare Is A Fiscal Disaster Washington, DC

What are Obama voters thinking about Hope and Change today? Not much according to polls. If you are a senior citizen and voted for Obama because AARP told you he was the best candidate, then you should think about quitting AARP since they sold you out to Obama. The non-partisan AARP is worse then ever with the new leadership that is in Obama's hip pocket.

We are reminded of the song by Toby Keith, "How do you like me now?" More and more voters who voted for Obama are saying they made a mistake. When the media refuses to vet an inexperienced Presidential candidate like Obama, this what you get for your vote for Hope and Change -- disaster. Guess to some disaster was better then being called a racist for not supporting the inexperienced Obama.

Pence: President's Own Analysts Conclude Obamacare Is A Fiscal Disaster Washington, DC
04/23/10 -U.S. Congressman Mike Pence, Chairman of the House Republican Conference, issued the following statement today in response to a new analysis by the Obama Administration of its own recently passed health care law:

"This new report from the President's own Medicare agency confirms what we've known all along: The President and Congressional Democrats passed a health care law without any way to pay for it. They promised lower costs, but instead ObamaCare will lead to increased costs, decreased quality of care and more taxes on the middle class.

"Speaker Pelosi famously warned Americans that Congress would have to pass ObamaCare for people to find out what was in it. The American people already knew that it would be a fiscal disaster. These government reports are merely the confirmation.

"We need to repeal ObamaCare and start over with real reform that gives the American people more choices, not more government."

Highlights of the report:

National health care expenditures will increase by $311 billion.

Health care increases to 21% of GDP by 2019.

ObamaCare spends more than $828 billion for health care coverage. (CMS didn't analyze all the tax increases, such as HSAs, FSAs, increasing the AGI threshold, etc.)

The government will spend $410 billion to expand Medicaid.

Medicaid enrollment increases by 20 million new beneficiaries.
18 million people will be uninsured (excluding 5 million illegal immigrants).
Uninsured and those employers who don't offer coverage will pay $120 billion in taxes.

50% of seniors will lose their Medicare Advantage plans.

Some of the Medicare cost-control mechanisms may not be sustainable.

Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) will run a deficit in 15 years.

The $5 billion for High Risk Pools is not enough.

Doctors may drop out of Medicare because of the changes in Medicare reimbursement rates.

Medicare "savings" may be difficult to achieve.

3/21/10 Rep. Pence Delivers Floor Speech on the Government Takeover of Health Care

NOTE: Thank you Congressman Pence for standing up for all of us!

Pence Urges Congress to Reject the "Slaughter House Rule"

Pence Urges Congress to Reject the "Slaughter House Rule" Washington, DC - U.S. Congressman Mike Pence, Chairman of the House Republican Conference, issued the following statement today in support of an effort by House Republicans to force a vote on a resolution that would require an up-or-down vote on the Senate-passed health care bill:
Cong Mike Pence and the House Republican Conference are standing up for all of the taxpayers of America. If you have a chance, please thank your Republican Representative.

"The American people know what's going on in Washington. Whether it's the back room deals for special interests or the flagrant abuse of the legislative process, the American people have had enough with the status-quo in Washington. Despite what some leading Democrats may say, the public is demanding a fair and open process. If the Democrat plan for a government takeover of health care is really in the best interests of the country, I challenge Speaker Pelosi to bring it out of the shadows immediately and allow an up or down vote on the bill.

"The American people have a right to watch their elected representatives cast their votes on an issue that will impact every American life. I am proud to join Rep. Parker Griffith (R-AL) and other House Republicans in forcing a fair, up or down vote on the Senate health care bill and I urge every Member of Congress to do the same."

Cong Pence Details Proposed Government Takeover on the House Floor

Cong Mike Pence today on the floor of the House was able to conveny in few words what this Healthcare is all about -- Government takeover of healthcare by any means. His last paragraph sent a clear notice to the Democrat Leadership that Republicans are not rolling over and will fight anything Unconstitutional about the process or the bill:

"The Democrat health care bill that's being brought through the Congress this week is nothing more than a government takeover of health care, and the American people know it. I know the administration doesn't like us to use that phrase, but come on. When you mandate that every American purchase health insurance whether they want it or need it or not, you mandate that every business provide it, you create a massive government-run bureaucracy exchange that mandates what's in insurance plans, you wrap that all in about $1 trillion worth of spending, that's a government takeover of health care.

"But what's really remarkable about this whole business is that not only the American people rejected this plan but Democrats are so desperate to pass it that they're willing to trample on the traditional rules of the House and Senate and even trample on the Constitution of the United States to get it done.

"Well that would be news to the Founders of this country, and a betrayal of the commitment of every Member of this Congress to the American people. I urge the Speaker, if you have the votes for the Senate bill, bring it to the floor. If you don't, let's scrap the bill and start over for the American people."

Having leaders such as Mike Pence on the side of the Constitution should send a clear message to any Democrat that you should think twice before going against the Constitution and the American people. Please view Cong Pence's remarks that were made today on the floor of the House:

Pence Calls on Pelosi to Reveal Special Deals in Health Care Bill

There is only one slight problem with this request -- Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats would have to read the bill first and she has already said they have to pass the bill before anyone knows what is in the bill. In some ways she is right because they passed a 'shell' bill out of committee.

Pence is 100% correct we need to know what the special deals are in this. This is no way to conduct the business of the American people. We expect to continue to hear crickets chirping from the Speaker of the House who we believe her days are numbered until she is ousted in January 2011 either by Republicans taking control (preferred) or the Democrats choosing a new speaker if they have the nerve.

Pence Calls on Pelosi to Reveal Special Deals in Health Care Bill

Washington, DC - U.S. Congressman Mike Pence, Chairman of the House Republican Conference, issued the following statement today in response to a recent report, citing unnamed Democrat sources, which says Democrat leaders are no longer accepting changes to their plan for a government takeover of health care:

"A recent report alerts Members of Congress that the ‘trading post' for health care deal making has closed. For weeks now Democrat leaders have traded special deals for votes and in the process have traded away any hope of passing meaningful health care reform that the public can support. The American people don't want a government takeover of health care and they certainly don't want one full of special breaks for some states at the expense of every other state.

"The American people are right to wonder what kind of backroom deals have been made to bring this plan for a government takeover of health care to the president's desk. More than three years ago Speaker Pelosi promised the American people a new direction and its time she made good on her promise. House Republicans have offered the American people a fresh start on spending by imposing a unilateral ban on all earmarks. I renew my call on Speaker Pelosi to renounce all earmarks and I further request that all special deals in the health care bill be made public immediately."

Pence: "It's Time for a Spending Limit Amendment to the Constitution"

We believe that Rep Mike Pence (R-IN) has the right idea. It has become painfully obvious that Leadership in the Congress from both parties in the past has failed the American people. Earmarks and pork have been used by members for their home states/districts with little regard to how much money it is costing the US Taxpayers. Many have put their own self interest ahead of what is best for the Country.

When Democrats chose Nancy Pelosi, a known Progressive, for Speaker in Jan 2007, they set in motion this debacle we have today where she wants to pass a bill so we can learn what is in the bill. Typical Democrat Progressive speak -- if the Leader Obama says pass it, then 'we' must pass it no matter if 2/3's of the American people don't want the current Democrat Healthcare bills. She is as much as dictator in the House as we have ever seen and is bad for America. She cracks her whip and until now the Democrats lined up to be told how to vote with rare exceptions. For first time, Democrat members are openly telling Pelosi "NO" which we never thought we would see.

Choosing a Speaker of the House is so important. We do not believe that Speaker Hastert was right person for the job. It became painfully obvious after Cong Armey, DeLay, and Watts left the Congress that the new Hastert Leadership Team was less fiscal conservative and kept adding new programs, but nothing to what we see today. The Congress is not there to rubberstamp the President but are there to represent the American people. When Hastert resigned on Nov 26, 2007, that left the new Minority Leader Boehner with Hastert's old Leadership Team and less then a year to the next election which turned out to be a disaster for Republicans.

For Republicans, the one bright spot to come out of the 2008 election was that the vast majority of Republicans in Congress today are more fiscally conservative and responsive to their constituents. The new Boehner Leadership Team that took over in the House in January 2009 is the best we have seen. Even though very much out manned, they keep right on fighting against the progressives and their plans to move America toward socialism.

This Pence Spending Limit Amendment is further proof that the House Republican Leadership understands what this Country needs and is willing to put forward the ideas to get it done. Ater the Obama Healthcare Summit, Americans came away with a better idea of what this Administration and Congress was all about. Obama came to lecture, Democrats came to present their sob stories, and Republicans came fully armed with facts and ideas which Obama and the Democrats did not want to hear. Cong Paul Ryan showed all of us when he took on Obama and won that we have some bright young Republican leaders in Congress who are looking out for best interest of America.

Republican Leader Boehner, Minority Whip Cantor, and House Republican Conference Chair Pence along with 99% of our Republican House Members deserve our thanks for always standing up for the taxpayers of America. Even when outmanned, they don't quit and keep right on fighting the march toward socialism by the Democrats.

Pence: "It's Time for a Spending Limit Amendment to the Constitution"

“If we fail to act, our children will be less free, less prosperous, and less secure. It’s time for a Spending Limit Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.”

Washington, DC - U.S. Congressman Mike Pence, Chairman of the House Republican Conference, gave the following statement today on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives on his proposed Spending Limit Amendment to the Constitution:

"Federal spending is out of control, and the American people know it. Our nation is facing a fiscal crisis of epic proportions. In the past five years, federal spending has climbed from an historic average of 20 percent of the American economy to nearly 25 percent today, and it's rising. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the first five months of this fiscal year the federal government ran a deficit of $655 billion, keeping the country on track for a record $1.6 trillion deficit this year.

"After years of trying to rein in federal spending under Republican and Democrat administrations, the American people want fiscal discipline and they want new ideas. That's why Congressmen Jeb Hensarling, John Campbell, and myself introduced the Spending Limit Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. Under our amendment, absent a declaration of war and a two-thirds vote in the Congress, Congress would be required to adhere to its historic percentage of the economy.

"For the last 60 years we've only taken 20 cents on the American dollar out of this economy. It's time we put that limit in the Constitution of the United States. If we fail to act, our children will be less free, less prosperous, and less secure. It's time for a Spending Limit Amendment to the Constitution of the United States."

Pence Addresses the President's Latest Healthcare Plan

Today President Obama declared Congress would use reconciliation to pass his Healthcare bill that the American people don't want. This may be the most tone deaf President in history. It is all about him and it is not working.

Before he ran for office and won, Obama was vehemently (well as much as he can be) opposed to using reconciliation. Now that Scott Brown is the new Senator from MA Obama has done a 180 like he has on everything else. Obama has no core values because what he says one time he will flip on the next time. Obama could care less what the American people think. He forgot in a hurry he was elected by some American people who bought into his Hope and Change. Wonder how they like Hope and Change from Obama now that he refuses to listen to them as well as those of us who never trusted what he said from Day One.

Over 70% of Americans say start over on healthcare but not Obama -- the man raised in a foreign environment knows more what every day Americans like us need then we do according to him. Hate to burst his bubble but Americans got along better BEFORE he became President.

The Progressive, as he calls himself in a comment I heard today, is someone who was raised by Communists sympathizers and who now wants socialism for America. Must admit he has done a poor job of disguising what his end goal will be. When your high school mentor is a known Communist and you hang out with domestic terrorists and radicals in Chicago, what did the American people think they were getting? No thanks to the media for covering up for Obama which some are still doing but gradually the curtain is getting pulled back.

Call, fax, email and then do it over again to any of your Representatives/Senators who are on the edge and ask them to say NO to Obamacare and the trick of reconciliation that is only to be used for budgets.

Pence Addresses the President's Latest Health Care Plan on FOXNEWS' "America Live" with Megyn Kelly

“The American people reject this approach because they know what they [the Democrats] are advancing is simply going to give the government more control over decisions that ought to be made between patients and doctors and families.”

Washington, DC - U.S. Congressman Mike Pence, Chairman of the House Republican Conference, made the following remarks today, on FOXNEWS' "America Live" with Megyn Kelly, in response to the president's latest plan for a government takeover of health care:



Excerpted Transcript Below:

Reaction to the president's remarks :

Congressman Mike Pence: "Well, I think it has to be disappointing to millions of Americans. It seems like the president was at the health care summit last week but he had the sound down. And it seems like this president has been ignoring the overwhelming sentiment of a clear majority of the American people who have rejected a government takeover of healthcare.

"Anyone who tuned in today might have thought that the president would have scaled back. We heard talk about a smaller bill, we heard talk about maybe the Democrats taking a more incremental approach. But what we heard was the president today essentially doubling down on a government takeover of health care and in effect saying that this massive expansion of government, a trillion dollar expansion of government, would ‘give Americans more control.' Well, I think the American people reject this approach because they know what they're advancing is simply going to give the government more control over decisions that ought to be made between patients and doctors and families.

"I really do believe this hasn't changed anything. It's more of the same government takeover, with a few Republican ideas salted in. Of course the most troubling aspect here is the President of the United States openly advocating that the leadership of his party abuse the historic role of the Senate, the historic rules of the Senate, to overturn the will of the majority of the American people. That's got to be frustrating to millions, and it's certainly frustrating to those of us who will be in this fight on Capitol Hill."

The use of reconciliation:

Host Megyn Kelly: "He's [the president] making a reference to when the Democrats were in the minority and the Republicans used reconciliation to push through certain bills."

Congressman Mike Pence: "It's just not supportable from an historical standpoint. Even Robert Byrd has said openly that to use the reconciliation budget process in the Senate, in this way, would really be an abuse of the traditional roll of the Senate. But you know, I do think the big question coming out of this speech is: ‘What's the hurry?' The president says we have to bring it to a close; it's time to make a decision. The issue of health care and health insurance, and the long-term cost of health care, is a profound issue that has enormous consequences not only to the federal budget, but to the most precious decisions of every American and every American family."

Host Megyn Kelly: "He says the time for talk is over. He spoke to that in the remarks, saying that you guys on Capitol Hill have been debating this, he said, for decades and that the time for talk is over."

Congressman Mike Pence: "He says this isn't about politics. But why do we have to get it done in two weeks? I mean, if it's not about politics, if they are not trying to force something through with enough time, as one member of the Senate said yesterday, to hope they can recover politically by election day, then what is the hurry?

"This is too important to rush. A majority of the American people want us to scrap the bill and start over. But what you heard the President of the United States say today is that because he can do it, he will do it. He's going to drive a government takeover of health care through the Congress, and I just have to tell you, I think the America people, and Republicans in the Congress, have got another think coming for them. I think we are going to turn this thing back. I think the American people are going to be heard from, but it's not going to be people clamoring for more government, more taxes, more mandates. It's going to be Americans who are clamoring for freedom and for free market solutions."

Does Speaker Pelosi have the votes:

Congressman Mike Pence: "She's [Speaker Pelosi] a very good vote counter, but you know, the person they always leave out of the discussion here in Washington, D.C., Megyn, is the American people. The president said in his speech that politics intruded. Well, you know what? At the town halls in August all over this country, at the 9/12 March, it wasn't politics that intruded - the American people intruded.

"The American people want legislation on health care that will lower the cost of health insurance, give people the chance to purchase health insurance across state lines, do medical malpractice reform, deal with pre-existing conditions. They don't want a government takeover of health care. What the president is saying today, because he thinks he's able to do it politically, is he's going to override not the minority in Congress, but the express will of the majority of the American people to advance it. And I think he has another think coming."

The impact of using reconciliation:

Congressman Mike Pence: "I think that was one of the most amazing things about the speech, Megyn, the president referred to the fact they got 60 votes, as though Massachusetts never happened. They don't have 60 votes now. The American people in the one election that they had a chance to be heard on the Senate in a dramatic way, the American people sent Senator Scott Brown to Washington, D.C. to be Senator number 41. It's as though the president is simply ignoring the will of the American people. My answer is, he was right the first time.

"When you look at the history of major social legislation, whether it was the enactment of Social Security, whether it was the enactment of Medicare, those bills, although controversial and hotly debated, at the end of the day they passed with broad bipartisan support. And they did so largely because the United States Senate is that cooling saucer, under the Constitution of the United States, that requires that legislation achieve some measure of consensus and therefore, broad support among the American people. The very idea that the president is going to force through a trillion dollar government takeover of health care, on a pure party line vote, I think is going to be deeply offensive and deeply disappointing to millions of Americans."

Source: Republican Conference Email, GOP.gov