Energy Summit in Columbus Today

Release:

Washington, DC- The American Energy Solutions Group (AESG) and its Chairman, Congressman Mike Pence, Chairman of the House Republican Conference, is pleased to announce an Energy Summit in Columbus, Ohio, [TODAY] with leading energy experts to be hosted by Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH) to discuss solutions to America’s energy challenges.

The AESG has hosted several summits across the country this year in order to develop policy initiatives to lower energy prices for American families and small businesses, and create energy independence for the American people. On June 12, House Republicans introduced H.R. 2846, The American Energy Act as an “all of the above policy.”

The Columbus Energy Summit will take place Wednesday, September 2nd at 10:00 a.m. in Columbus, OH, at the Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center on the campus of The Ohio State University. A press conference will follow the summit at approximately 11:30 a.m.


Who:

House Republican Leader John Boehner (OH-8)
House Republican Conference Chairman and AESG Chairman, Mike Pence (IN-6)
Rep. Bob Latta (OH-5)
Rep. Pat Tiberi (OH-12)
Rep. Jean Schmidt (OH-2)
Rep. Steve Austria (OH-7)

Witnesses:

Mr. Harry Alford- President, National Black Chamber of Commerce
Mr. Michael Carey- President, Ohio Coal Association
Ms. Jolene Thompson- Senior VP, American Municipal Power
Mr. Chris Horner- Competitive Enterprise Institute
Mr. Tom Secor- President, Durable Corp.
When:

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (Summit)
11:30 a.m. (Press Conference)

Where:

Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center
Bob Evans Memorial Auditorium
2201 Fred Taylor Drive
Columbus, Ohio 43210

Latta to Host Energy Summit in Columbus

Release:

WASHINGTON- Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green), a member of the House Republican Conference American Energy Solutions Group (AESG), will host an Energy Summit in Columbus, Ohio, on Wednesday, September 2, 2009. Congressman Latta will be joined by House Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence (R-IN), Chairman of the AESG, who will chair the event. Other Members participating in the summit will be House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH), Rep. Pat Tiberi (R-OH), Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-OH), Rep. Steve Austria (R-OH), and a distinguished panel of witnesses.

In May, the AESG held energy summits across the country, listening to analysts, professors, business owners, manufacturers, authors, and others about their thoughts on the current energy debate. Following the completion of the tour, the group unveiled the American Energy Act (H.R. 2846), an all-of-the-above energy solution that offers energy independence, good jobs, and a cleaner environment for Americans.

This energy summit will provide an opportunity to discuss not only the American Energy Act, but also the national energy tax legislation (H.R. 2454) sponsored by Reps. Waxman and Markey, which narrowly passed the House of Representatives on June 26, 2009.


The Energy Summit will take place on the campus of Ohio State University at the Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center from 10:00 A.M. – 11:30 A.M. The Energy Summit will be open to the public and press.

Boehner: DEMOCRATS’ DISCUSSION OF A “SECOND STIMULUS” IS AN ADMISSION THAT THE FIRST ONE ISN’T WORKING

House Minority Leader and Great American, John Boehner, is on the march against the socialist fascist regime of Barack Obama and Bullwhip Pelosi. Check out this story from Good Morning America obtained by WMD:

On ABC’s Good Morning America, the Democrats’ trillion-dollar “stimulus” spending bill that isn’t working was the top story today, as White House correspondent Jake Tapper highlighted our nation’s rising unemployment and growing dissatisfaction with the Democrats’ massive spending plan. Democrats had promised that the “stimulus” would create jobs “immediately,” and the Administration promised that the spending plan would hold unemployment below eight percent.

With unemployment now at 9.5 percent and rising, middle-class families and small businesses across the nation are asking, “where are the jobs?” Meanwhile, Democrats are all over the map about whether to borrow and spend even more in another desperate attempt to jumpstart the economy. Republicans believe that if Democrats want to protect and create jobs, they should start in Congress by scrapping job-killing legislation like Speaker Pelosi’s national energy tax and their government takeover of health care, which includes a new small business tax. Video and a full transcript of the Good Morning America piece follow:


CLICK TO PLAY
ABC’S DIANE SAWYER: Good morning, America, Diane Sawyer, Robin Roberts. We’re glad you’re joining us for our tour of the world this morning it’s Thursday, July 9th, 2009 and the economy is taking front and center again.

ABC’S ROBIN ROBERTS: Unfortunately so. And both sides of the aisle starting to voice their concerns saying the $800 billion stimulus package is not working, and another fusion of cash may be necessary. So that’s where we’re going to begin this morning, in Italy, where President Obama is discussing the global economy right now at the G-8 summit. Senior White House correspondent Jake Tapper is there and has the latest for us. Good morning, Jake.

ABC NEWS SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT JAKE TAPPER: Good morning, Robin. Well, President Obama today will chair the major economies forum, to discuss the global economy, from Europe to Indonesia, but back at home a rising chorus of voices is wondering if the U.S. economic plan is working and if it’s enough.

ABC VOICEOVER: The President and other leaders of the G-8 nations issued a statement pledging economic growth, growth that has yet to be seen in the United States. The jobless claims for the month of June are close to an astounding 10 percent, while the stock market this month has plunged to its lowest level since April 30th. It’s been five months since the colossal $787 billion stimulus package was signed, with only about $56 billion of it having been distributed there’s growing concern that there’s little economic payoff.

HOUSE REPUBLICAN CONFERENCE CHAIRMAN MIKE PENCE (R-IN): And even though the President, on the 1st of July, said that the stimulus bill had, quote, done its job, my constituents see it differently.
VOICEOVER: And it’s not just Republicans. The Obama Administration this week acknowledged it underestimated how bad the economy was when crafting their stimulus package.

VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN: Truth is, we and everyone else, misread the economy.

VOICEOVER: But in an interview with ABC News, the President said he had no regrets.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: There’s nothing we would have done differently.

VOICEOVER: Some Democrats, however, are now calling for another stimulus package, including some within the President’s own economic team.

OBAMA ECONOMIC ADVISOR LAURA TYSON: Why not begin to think about over the next several months, whether we need a stimulus package and what it should include?
VOICEOVER: Republicans say more government spending is not the answer.

HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER JOHN BOEHNER (R-OH): All of this talk about a second stimulus bill has been rather interesting. I think it’s an admission on the part of the administration that, you know, their stimulus plan is not working.
VOICEOVER: The President says he’s not ruling out a second stimulus, but the deficit is a major concern, as well.

TAPPER: Now the statement the G-8 countries just put out on the economy reflects this tension talking about the need for, quote, forceful and coordinated action to provide stimulus to economic growth while also talking about the need for countries to, quote, commit to ensure fiscal sustainability. Diane?

SAWYER: Okay, Jake. Our thanks to you.

Wow, is there some dissention in the ranks of team Fascist, er, uh...Team Obama? Biden says we misread the economy...(Funny, you would think they knew what they were getting into. How many times did Biden and Barry say this was the worst economy since the Great Depression? And they are trying to tell us they misread it? Come on now...You are just incompetent and have wrongheaded policies) Obama says all is well, we wouldn't do anything different, just again ramrod a bill through before actually reading it (including the AIG bonuses too?). But Obama's advisor says, let's do Stimulus Two: Financial Bugaboo? Wow....I think things are beginning to crumble for the narcissus president...and that is good for America.

Budget Update

What is in this budget?

Record Spending In The Budget: The Democrats' budget increases spending to $3.9 trillion in 2009, or 27% of GDP – the highest level since World War II. This is simply too much spending and will lead to higher taxes, slower economic growth, and fewer jobs for middle class families.

Historically High Deficits For The Next Ten Years: Despite their claims, the Democrats' budget promises historically high deficits stretching out until 2019, when the budget deficit will stand at $712 billion.

A Record Deficit In 2009: The Democrats' budget would produce a $1.75 trillion deficit, or 12.3 percent of GDP, in 2009. This deficit level is more than three times the previous record deficit.

Not Halving The Deficit: Despite the President's pledge to cut the deficit by the end of his first term, the Democrats' budget projects that deficits will start increasing immediately after that. Thus, the Democrats' budget only halves the deficit for one year before it starts going back up again.

$24 Billion Spent A Day: Over the first fifty days of the new Administration, Democrats have spent approximately $24 billion a day, most of it with borrowed money.

$1 Billion Spent An Hour: Over the first fifty days of the new Administration, Democrats have spent approximately $1 billion an hour, most of it with borrowed money.

Doubling The National Debt Over The Next Eight Years: The Democrats’ budget doubles the national debt over the next eight years.

Skyrocketing Net Interest Payments: Beginning in 2012, and every year thereafter, the government will spend more than $1 billion a day in net interest.

Trillion Dollar Increase In Entitlement Spending: The Democrats' budget includes a $1 trillion increase in entitlement spending over ten years. The budget dramatically increases entitlement spending while doing very little to improve the budget impact of existing entitlement programs.

Energy Tax: A $3,100 a year tax on everybody who flips on a light switch is still in this budget. Anybody think raising taxes on EVERYBODY during a recession is a good idea?

What is NOT in this budget?

Middle-Class Tax Cut: Comrade President Obama told the American people that he'd give them a middle-class tax cut if they voted for him but Democrats have cut the middle-class tax cut right out of this budget. Nobody addresses this better than Republican Leader, my Congressman and a Great American -- John Boehner:

“This is an epic bait-and-switch that should infuriate every middle-class family in America. The American people overwhelmingly believe middle-class tax relief is essential to getting our economy moving again. But instead of cutting taxes for middle-class families, Washington Democrats are raising their taxes by as much as $3,100 a year in the middle of a deep recession.”

What are Republicans Doing About It?

The top three Republican leaders in the House and Senate announced today that they will hold a joint, bicameral conference meeting on Wednesday, April 1 to discuss President Obama’s budget that will be voted on by both chambers later this week.

“This bicameral meeting will highlight what Republicans on both sides of Capitol Hill know: President Obama’s budget spends too much, taxes too much, and borrows too much from our kids and grandkids,” House Republican Leader John Boehner (OH) said. “We are working together to make clear to the American people that we will offer better solutions that curb spending, create jobs, and control debt. Families and small businesses are hurting, but rather than confront this economic crisis directly, the President’s budget would use it as a pretext to increase the size of government. That is simply irresponsible.”

“Over the last several weeks, the American people have expressed concern over the spending, taxes and borrowing in this budget, and Congressional Republicans share their concerns,” said Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (KY). “House and Senate Republicans are united in proposing commonsense solutions to create jobs, curb spending and control the debt. We will continue to work together to highlight our better solutions, such as keeping taxes low and reining in spending, to strengthen our economy and create jobs.”

“In his first budget submission, the President doesn’t do enough for middle class families, will raise taxes on small businesses that employ one in four American workers, and amass more debt than the previous forty-three Presidents combined, leaving our children with the bill,” said House Republican Whip Eric Cantor (VA). President Obama ran a successful campaign last year, but this Administration has moved away from honest and open debate and has become more ideological in its attempt to run through trillions of dollars of additional spending and racking up record levels of debt. The Administration has moved too far away from the mainstream of America and has resorted to strong arming both Democrat and Republican Members of Congress, which is beneath the President’s own standard.”

“President Obama’s budget grows the government, not the economy,” said Senate Republican Whip Jon Kyl (AZ). “The new programs and policies it would establish also mean the government will have much more control over our health care, energy, education, and other aspects of our everyday lives. The increased debt burden that will result from his plan will substantially affect our quality of life long after this recession is over. In this time of economic uncertainty, Republicans are united in our belief that the most responsible way to end this recession is to encourage American businesses to grow and create good jobs. By dramatically expanding the size and cost of the federal government, the President’s budget goes in the wrong direction.”

“As the Democrat budget is debated in the House and Senate this week, Republicans are united in protecting taxpayers from the most fiscally irresponsible budget in American history and instead passing a budget that curbs spending, creates jobs and controls debt,” said House Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence (IN).

“The Democrats’ budget is a blueprint for a very different America, one that our children and grandchildren can’t afford,” Senate Republican Conference Chairman Lamar Alexander (TN) said. “It runs up more new debt than all the presidents from George Washington to George W. Bush combined. Republicans want to curb spending, create jobs, and control debt.”

House GOP Elects Leadership Team for 111th Congress

WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) announced the new leadership team elected by House Republicans today. During House Republican Conference organizational meetings for the 111th Congress, Boehner was re-elected by his colleagues for the post of Republican Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives. He issued the following statement:

“The months ahead will present Republicans with an unprecedented opportunity to renew our drive for smaller, more accountable government and offer positive solutions to the challenges facing the American people. We have to seize this opportunity, and seize it together. I’m deeply honored my colleagues have placed their faith in me and the newly-elected members of our team to lead this effort.

“House Republicans will rebuild our majority coalition by winning the issues that Americans care about most, one issue at a time. We demonstrated our ability to do this last summer when we stood with the American people for more American energy and lower gas prices, and won the issue. President-elect Obama has expressed a desire to govern from the center. At times, his party will make it difficult for him to do this. When he extends his hand in good faith to put the needs of the country first, Republicans will extend ours in return.

“I’d like to thank Dan Lungren for his commitment to the principles of reform that have defined our party since the beginning. Dan worked tirelessly for years in helping to shape a majority coalition that produced important reforms on behalf of all Americans, and I look forward to working with him in rebuilding it once again.

“I also want to thank the outgoing members of our leadership team – Roy Blunt, Adam Putnam, Kay Granger, and Tom Cole. House Republicans look forward to their continued service in the years to come.”

New Republican Leadership Team. Today, House Republicans elected the following leaders for the 111th Congress:

Republican Leader: Rep. John Boehner (R-OH)
Republican Whip: Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA)
Conference Chairman: Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN)
Policy Committee Chairman: Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI)
Conference Vice-Chair: Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA)
Conference Secretary: Rep. John Carter (R-TX)
NRCC Chairman: Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX)

Boehner Backs Pence for Chairman of GOP Conference

Release:

WASHINGTON, DC -- House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) today urged colleagues to join him in backing Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN) for the position of House Republican Conference Chairman in the 111th Congress.

“Mike Pence is a gifted communicator and a principled conservative who played a key role in helping House Republicans win the energy issue this year – an effort I believe must serve as a model for our Conference as we build a majority coalition issue by issue,” Boehner said. “I’ve encouraged Mike to run for the job of Conference Chairman because there is no one in our ranks who does a better job of articulating the GOP message of freedom and smaller government, and he’s also proven himself to be a team player with the ability to bring our members together. We need him at the leadership table in the 111th Congress.”

Boehner also praised outgoing Conference Chairman Adam Putnam (R-FL) for his two years of service as the third-ranking Republican in the House.

“Adam Putnam has done an outstanding job as our Conference Chairman for the past two years. He and his staff have set a high standard and proven that House Republicans can relentlessly drive a winning message on behalf of the American people when we are united and focused,” Boehner said. “Whether it was stopping the Democrats’ effort to ‘slow bleed’ our troops in combat, stopping the majority from passing billions of dollars in wasteful spending, or fighting for enactment of an ‘all of the above’ energy reform strategy, Adam and his team were instrumental in every debate House Republicans won during this Congress. While he’ll be greatly missed at the leadership table, the people of Florida are fortunate to have Adam Putnam fighting for them in Congress, and his decision to devote more time to that priority and his work on the Financial Services Committee is commendable.”

Pence would absolutely ROCK in this role...

Bailout Wednesday

I am finding it more reassuring that after the initial flurry of panic in the Dee Cee set that some folks are starting to question this whole bailout strategy.

Here are a few links to a few of those voices:

RSC Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-TX)

Newt Gingrich

Editors of National Review

Jonah Goldberg

Club for Growth

Heritage Foundation

Victor Davis Hanson

Donald Luskin

Rep. Mike Pence

31 House conservatives signed this letter:

Bailout Letter - Upload a Document to Scribd

In the end, I fear that this CQ Politics story will be what happens...

Across the board - left, right and center - members of Congress say their constituents are unhappy, but they may have little choice but to approve a Wall Street bailout plan aimed at preventing an economic meltdown.

And, no, I'm not one bit happy about it...

Friday Energy

I expect we'll have another action-packed day on the energy issue. This is the post for all of those developing stories, links, and commentary...

Rasmussen Reports: "81% Say Finding New Energy Sources is Urgent National Need" -- "All of the Above" means we need more than just tire inflation...and America gets that even if some people don't...

Rep. Bob Latta Twitters: "I had another meeting with local farmers today and energy policy was once again the main topic of discussion."

Robert Bluey Twitters: "A woman from Florida tells Pence: 'I've never been prouder to be a Republican.' Visitors are really getting into it today."

Republican Leader, my Congressman and a Great American -- John Boehner -- on GOP Energy Plan: "If We Get a Chance to Have a Debate & A Vote, We Will Win & the American People Will Win"

Heritage Foundation: "There is More Oil Than Government Says in OCS" -- BizzyBlog makes the same point here.

Video from today's #dontgo session:

When people ask why the NRSC is the most clueless of the lot, I'll point them in the direction of this piece in the WSJ. Republican Senators are risking the GOP's best issue for a "bipartisan compromise" that is not a compreshensive solution to the energy problem.

Rep. Bob Latta talks to 13abc about an Energy Bill

MUCH MORE TO COME...STAY TUNED TO WMD...

Not All of Congress Went on Vacation...

08-01-08 lettertopelosi - Upload a Document to Scribd

Read this document on Scribd: 08-01-08 lettertopelosi

After sending the above letter to Speaker Pelosi, Republican Leader, my Congressman and a Great American -- John Boehner -- had this to say:

“With American families and small businesses facing record high gasoline prices, Congress has adjourned to leave Washington for a five-week break. The message this sends to the American people is bad enough; its ramifications, however, are far worse. You have the power to call Congress back into session at any moment to deal with issues of urgent national importance,” the letter from GOP leaders to Speaker Pelosi states. “No one can argue that the issue of high energy costs and their impact on American families does not rise to this level. That is why we write today to request that you call Congress back into an emergency session this month and schedule a vote on the American Energy Act (H.R. 6566). Such an action will ensure our nation’s energy crisis receives the attention – and action – it deserves.”

“It is well past time for Congress to lift the ban on environmentally-safe exploration for oil and gas on the Outer Continental Shelf and act on other critical reforms to increase production of American energy and lower the price of gasoline,” says the letter. “We should not wait until September to do so, and frankly, we should not wait another day to do so. Congress should not take the next five weeks off while the American people suffer at the pump. We respectfully request that you schedule a vote on the comprehensive American Energy Act during an emergency legislative session this month.”

So what happened next? The House Republicans staged a revolt on the floor of the US House of Representatives... For that story, we go to The Politico:

In a dramatic revolt against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) refusal to allow Congress to vote on legislation to increase American-made energy and lower gas prices, House Republicans today refused to leave the House floor after Speaker Pelosi adjourned the House for the five-week August break, staying in the chamber to speak directly to Americans watching the historic event unfold above the floor in the House gallery. Even after lights, cameras, and microphones in the chamber were turned off, House Republicans were undeterred, continuing to make speech after speech demanding that Speaker Pelosi listen to the calls of the American people – including those coming from whistling, applauding, and cheering Americans sitting in the gallery – for more environmentally-responsible drilling for oil and gas here at home to reduce the price at the pump. Rep. John Culberson (R-TX) defied the Democratic majority by providing live updates on the protest via Twitter directly from the House floor.

Members participating in the spontaneous uprising included Reps. Roy Blunt, John Boehner, Michael Burgess, John Campbell, Eric Cantor, Shelly Moore Capito, John Carter, Mike Conaway, John Culberson, Charlie Dent, Jeff Fortenberry, Virginia Foxx, Louie Gohmert, Pete Hoekstra, Duncan Hunter, Thaddeus McCotter, Mike Pence, Tom Price, Ted Poe, Adam Putnam, Bill Sali, John Shadegg, John Shimkus, Tim Walberg, and Lynn Westmoreland.

CQ Politics has more...including this quote from Rep. Adam Putnam:

“This band of brothers here is staying late to make a point to the American people: We want to work.”

8/2/08 UPDATE: We have some video from yesterday's session:



And here is some FOX News Channel coverage:

Rep. Pence Commends New Signers of Fairness Doctrine Discharge Petition

This just in...

WASHINGTON, DC—U.S. Congressman Mike Pence released the following statement after five more Members of Congress signed the Discharge Petition for Broadcast Freedom to force an up-or-down vote on H.R. 2905, the “Broadcaster Freedom Act,” which would prohibit the Federal Communications Commission from reinstating the so-called Fairness Doctrine.

“Bringing back the Fairness Doctrine would amount to government control over political views expressed on the public airwaves. It is dangerous to suggest that the government should be in the business of rationing free speech. During my years in radio and television, I developed a great respect for a free and independent press. Since being in Congress, I have been the recipient of praise and criticism from broadcast media, but it has not changed my fundamental belief that a free and independent press must be vigorously defended by those who love liberty.

“I commend Representatives Robert Latta, Robin Hayes, Steve Scalise, John McHugh and Mike Rogers ( AL ) for their decision to sign the discharge petition and be counted among those who support freedom against censorship and cherish the dynamic national asset that is American talk radio.

“With their signatures, we are now just a precious few signatures from forcing an up-or-down vote on this essential legislation, which would keep our airwaves free and send the so-called ‘Fairness Doctrine’ where it belongs – to the ash heap of radio broadcast history.

“If the Broadcaster Freedom Act is brought to the floor of the House of Representatives, I have every confidence that it will pass, because when freedom gets an up-or-down vote in the People’s House, freedom always wins.

For more information and recent updates on the status of the Broadcaster Freedom Act and the so-called Fairness Doctrine visit Congressman Pence’s website at http://mikepence.house.gov/ConstituentServices/fairnessdoctrine.htm

Emphasis added...

Only 23 more signatures needed...

Ohio delegation members who have signed include Boehner (OH-08), Jordan (OH-04), Turner (OH-03), Schmidt (OH-02), Tiberi (OH-12), Pryce (OH-15), Chabot (OH-01), Hobson (OH-07), LaTourette (OH-14), and now Latta (OH-05).

Boehner Calls on Democratic Colleagues to Support Free Speech & Sign Pence Petition to Ban Fairness Doctrine

This just in...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a news conference this afternoon, House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) today renewed his call for House Democrats to sign a discharge petition filed last fall by Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN) to force a vote on a measure – the Broadcaster Freedom Act – to permanently ban the Fairness Doctrine. First established in the 1940s, when there were relatively few radio and television stations compared to today, the Fairness Doctrine was meant to ensure that the limited numbers of media outlets would offer people a full spectrum of news and opinion. However, the proliferation of television, radio, print, and Internet media has transformed the doctrine into little more than a vehicle for the federal government to restrict free speech on the public airwaves, particularly talk radio.



Boehner issued the following statement:

“Last June, 309 Members of Congress supported an effort to block the so-called ‘Fairness Doctrine’ for one year. However, with that moratorium about to expire, House Democrats – including many who voted to block the Fairness Doctrine last June – are standing in the way of permanently banning this heavy-handed restriction on free speech. Those Democrats must be held accountable for undercutting the free speech rights of the men and women they represent in Congress. Let’s be clear: the time for the Fairness Doctrine has come and gone. Reviving it would undermine the very constitutional rights our Founding Fathers established from the outset of our Republic. If Democrats are truly serious about protecting Americans’ freedom of speech, it’s time for them to sign the Pence discharge petition.”

NOTE: In June 2007, 309 Members of the House voted to support a one-year moratorium on the Fairness Doctrine authored by Rep. Pence. Pence’s discharge petition would force a House vote on permanently banning the doctrine.

The so-called Fairness Doctrine is fascist an freedom-loving people everywhere ought to scream out that it be put to bed permenantly.

President Urges Passage of Broadcaster Freedom Act

This just in...

Pence Says President’s Support of “Immeasurable Value” and Urges Congressional Action

WASHINGTON, DC—U.S. Congressman Mike Pence released the following statement in response to remarks given by President George W. Bush at the 2008 National Religious Broadcasters Convention in Nashville, TN. Pence attended the speech at the invitation of the President.

“President Bush's call for passage of the Broadcaster Freedom Act at the National Religious Broadcasters convention is of immeasurable value to those of us fighting to preserve freedom on the airwaves of America,” Pence said.

“Congress must heed the call of our president and end the so-called Fairness Doctrine once and for all. Our freedom of speech and of religion on the airwaves of America demand action now.”

Rep. Pence Announces that All House Republicans are Co-Sponsoring the Broadcaster Freedom Act

Via email:

Washington, DC—U.S. Congressman Mike Pence announced today that all 202 members of the House Republican Conference are cosponsoring the Broadcaster Freedom Act, a bill that would prevent the Fairness Doctrine from ever being reinstated without an act of Congress. Pence also announced the first Democrat cosponsor, John Yarmuth from Kentucky.

Pence’s statement follows:

“Following calls from many in Congress to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine, House Republicans have responded in force. As of today, every Republican in Congress has cosponsored the Broadcaster Freedom Act and millions who cherish the dynamic forum of American talk radio should be thankful.

“House Republicans know that bringing back the Fairness Doctrine would amount to government control over political views expressed on the public airwaves.

“The Broadcaster Freedom Act will prevent the FCC or any future President from reinstating the Fairness Doctrine. This legislation ensures freedom will remain the anthem of our radio airwaves.

“I call on my Democrat colleagues to join me and every House Republican in cosponsoring this important legislation to keep America’s radio airwaves free from censorship.”

This is a great day for American talk radio. Now if we can get another great day lined up for internet radio, that would be fantastic!

UPDATE:

U.S. Congressman Mike Pence will discuss the Fairness Doctrine on C-SPAN this Saturday at 6:30pm. It will re-air on C-SPAN 2 on Monday, August 13 at 8am and 8pm.

Rep. Pence Calls for Broadcaster Freedom Act

WASHINGTON, DC-U.S. Congressman Mike Pence spoke in favor of the Broadcaster Freedom Act, a bill that would keep the Federal Communications Commission from reinstituting the Fairness Doctrine, on the floor of the U.S. House today. Pence's prepared remarks follow:

"The American people love a fair fight and so do I. And in the debate over America's future, we especially want to hear all the facts and all the arguments on every side of the issue. Unfortunately, some in our nation's Capitol want to achieve that result by bringing back what is known as the Fairness Doctrine, an archaic government regulation imposed by the Federal Communications Commission for decades that required broadcasters to present controversial issues in a fair and balanced manner.

"Now, that sounds acceptable enough but there is nothing really fair about the Fairness Doctrine. The Fairness Doctrine is a relic of America's broadcasting past and it should stay where it belongs, on the ash heap of broadcast history.

"Fortunately, two weeks ago 309 Republicans and Democrats in the Congress voted in favor of the Pence Amendment to prevent the FCC from reinstituting the Fairness Doctrine for one year. But while I was pleased with the bipartisan passage of this legislation, today we must open a second front to ensure that the Fairness Doctrine can never come back again.

"Today, in cooperation with colleagues in the House and Senators Norm Coleman, Jim DeMint and John Thune, we will unveil the Broadcaster Freedom Act, which will prevent this or any future administration from once again regulating the airwaves of America without an act of Congress.

"I urge my colleagues on both side of the aisle: Join me in cosponsoring the Broadcaster Freedom Act and preserve the free airwaves of America."

VIDEO: Rep. Pence on a No Amnesty Solution

Congressman Mike Pence gave the following speech on the floor of the U.S. House this morning calling for Congress to pass a no amnesty solution to the nation's immigration crisis.

VIDEO: Rep. Pence Cautions Congress on Immigration Bargain

VIDEO: Rep Pence Calls the Democrat Funding Bill "War on the Installment Plan"

VIDEO: Congressman Pence Opposes Hate Crimes Bill

Statement:

Mr. Speaker, I come before the House today in strong opposition to H.R. 1592, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act.

As Thomas Jefferson once said, “Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legislative powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should ‘make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,’ thus building a wall of separation between Church and State.”

This legislation is unnecessary and bad public policy. Violent attacks on people or property are already illegal regardless of the motive behind them, and there is no evidence that the underlying violent crimes at issue here are not already being fully and aggressively prosecuted in the states. Therefore, hate crimes laws serve no practical purpose and instead serve to penalize people for their thoughts, beliefs or attitudes.

Some of these thoughts, beliefs or attitudes such as racism and sexism are abhorrent, and I disdain them. However, the hate crimes bill is broad enough to encompass legitimate beliefs, and protecting the rights of freedom of speech and religion must be paramount in our minds.

The First Amendment to the Constitution provides that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” America was founded upon the notion that the government should not interfere with the religious practices of its citizens. Constitutional protection for the free exercise of religion is at the core of the American experiment in democracy.

There is a real possibility that as this bill is written, religious leaders or members of religious groups could be prosecuted criminally based on their speech or protected activities under conspiracy law or section 2 of title 18, which holds criminally liable anyone who aids, abets, counsels, commands, induces or procures its commission; or one who “willfully causes an act to be done” by another.

In the debate at the Judiciary Committee, much was made of the fact that an amendment was adopted by the gentleman from Alabama, Mr. Davis. However that amendment did not go far enough in making it clear that the bill will not limit religious freedom. The sponsor of the amendment admitted that a pastor could still be targeted under the bill for incitement of violence for simply preaching his religious beliefs. For example, if a pastor included a statement in his sermon that sexual relations outside of marriage is wrong, and a member of the congregation caused bodily injury to a person having such relations, that sermon could be used as evidence against the pastor.

Putting a chill on a pastor’s words, a religious broadcaster’s programming, an evangelical leader’s message, or even the leader of a small-group Bible study is a blatant attack on the Constitutionally-guaranteed right to freedom of religion.

Last week when the Judiciary Committee took up this bill, I offered an amendment to make it clear that the bill will not affect the constitutional right to religious freedom.

The Pence Amendment stated, “Nothing in this section limits the religious freedom of any person or group under the Constitution.”

Unfortunately, the amendment was defeated by the majority in the Judiciary Committee. Yesterday, I submitted the Pence Religious Freedom Amendment to the Rules Committee for consideration, but that committee chose to adopt a closed rule for today’s debate, effectively blocking my amendment and many other good amendments from consideration.

We must guard against the potential for abuse of hate crimes laws, and the Pence Amendment would have done so by stating once and for all that people and groups will not have their constitutionally-guaranteed right to religious freedom taken away.

Mr. Speaker, this bill threatens religious freedom by criminalizing religious thoughts. On this National Day of Prayer, let’s take a stand for the right of every American to believe, speak and pray in accordance with the dictates of their conscience. Take a stand for religious freedom and the First Amendment and vote no on the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act.