The passage of the Budget Control Act represents a serious shift in the mindset of how Washington has approached raising the debt limit. Congress has rightly focused this debate on how much to cut, instead of how much to spend. This year began with the President’s call on Congress to raise the debt limit by $2 trillion with zero cuts. The President was also insistent on raising taxes.
I joined with a majority of my colleagues to focus on cutting spending as opposed to increasing revenue. As a result, the bipartisan legislation cuts trillions of dollars from the debt, doesn’t raise taxes and takes serious steps toward a path of fiscal solvency. This bill also focuses on the critical vote of a balanced budget amendment, which is an important aspect to fixing our problem for the longer term.
“While this has been a frustrating and lengthy process, I think the finished product is something to be proud of. It’s not perfect. In fact, it’s far from perfect, but with divided government neither side gets everything they want. A great number of Republicans and Democrats who joined together in support of this legislation is evident of its support. This bill continues to put our government on track for the first time since World War II to spend less than the previous year.
“America still has a debt crisis, but tonight was a step in the right direction toward putting our budget back on a path of fiscal solvency.”
Showing posts with label schock. Show all posts
Showing posts with label schock. Show all posts
Monday, August 1, 2011
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Glenn Nye and Aaron Schock Lead 49 Representatives in Bipartisan Effort to Protect Small Businesses in Health Care Debate
From the Office of Congressman Aaron Schock
Washington, DC – Congressman Glenn Nye (D-VA-02) and Congressman Aaron Schock (R-IL-18) are leading a bipartisan effort to make sure that the interests of small businesses take center stage in the debate over health care reform.
In a letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and House Minority Leader John Boehner signed by 23 Democrats and 26 Republicans, Nye and Schock write that “regardless of party affiliation, we all agree we must take action to reform health care” and to reduce costs for small businesses.
However, Nye and Schock conclude: “Any proposal that simply replaces one crippling expense with another is not reform at all, and is something we cannot support.”
Glenn Nye and Aaron Schock are respectively the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Small Business Subcommittee on Contracting and Technology.
Congressman Glenn Nye said: “Small businesses are the engine of our economy, but they’re being held back by health care costs that make it harder to compete. The small business owners that I talk to in Virginia know that we need health care reform now so that they can start creating jobs. I support health care reform that provides real relief for small businesses, and that guarantees that all Americans have access to quality, affordable medical care, and the freedom to choose their own plan and their own doctor.”
Congressman Aaron Schock said: “Small businesses employ over 50 percent of our workforce. Unfortunately, the increasing cost of health care has placed a heavy burden on these employers. As we work to reform our broken health care system, it is of the upmost importance to ensure these reforms not only are bipartisan, but also allow small businesses to flourish.”
In addition to attracting strong bipartisan support from 49 Representatives on both sides of the aisle, the effort has also secured the endorsement of the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB).
Brad Close, NFIB vice president of federal public policy, said: “Small business owners need Congress to consider real reforms that address unsustainable health care costs and the lack of choices and competition among insurance providers in the small group market. NFIB appreciates Rep. Nye’s leadership in calling to attention how important it is for health care reform to help and not harm small business owners. We hope members of Congress will follow the advice of Rep. Nye and his colleagues and demand that health care reform provides meaningful relief for small business owners.”
Washington, DC – Congressman Glenn Nye (D-VA-02) and Congressman Aaron Schock (R-IL-18) are leading a bipartisan effort to make sure that the interests of small businesses take center stage in the debate over health care reform.
In a letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and House Minority Leader John Boehner signed by 23 Democrats and 26 Republicans, Nye and Schock write that “regardless of party affiliation, we all agree we must take action to reform health care” and to reduce costs for small businesses.
However, Nye and Schock conclude: “Any proposal that simply replaces one crippling expense with another is not reform at all, and is something we cannot support.”
Glenn Nye and Aaron Schock are respectively the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Small Business Subcommittee on Contracting and Technology.
Congressman Glenn Nye said: “Small businesses are the engine of our economy, but they’re being held back by health care costs that make it harder to compete. The small business owners that I talk to in Virginia know that we need health care reform now so that they can start creating jobs. I support health care reform that provides real relief for small businesses, and that guarantees that all Americans have access to quality, affordable medical care, and the freedom to choose their own plan and their own doctor.”
Congressman Aaron Schock said: “Small businesses employ over 50 percent of our workforce. Unfortunately, the increasing cost of health care has placed a heavy burden on these employers. As we work to reform our broken health care system, it is of the upmost importance to ensure these reforms not only are bipartisan, but also allow small businesses to flourish.”
In addition to attracting strong bipartisan support from 49 Representatives on both sides of the aisle, the effort has also secured the endorsement of the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB).
Brad Close, NFIB vice president of federal public policy, said: “Small business owners need Congress to consider real reforms that address unsustainable health care costs and the lack of choices and competition among insurance providers in the small group market. NFIB appreciates Rep. Nye’s leadership in calling to attention how important it is for health care reform to help and not harm small business owners. We hope members of Congress will follow the advice of Rep. Nye and his colleagues and demand that health care reform provides meaningful relief for small business owners.”
Friday, May 8, 2009
US Reps Schock & Hare Advocate for Higher Ethanol Blends in Gasoline
From Rep. Schock's office, May 7, 2009
Letter to Treasury Secretary Geithner requests he makes financial assistance to automakers contingent upon their support of higher ethanol blends in gasoline
Washington, D.C. – Congressmen Aaron Schock (R-IL) and Phil Hare (D-IL) today authored a letter to Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner to request he consider making financial assistance to troubled automakers contingent upon their support of higher ethanol blends in gasoline.
“By increasing the ethanol blends in gas we will simultaneously help our nation address climate change, reduce our dependence on foreign oil and increase green economic opportunities, all of which complement President Obama’s stated goals,” said Schock.
“More ethanol means more jobs in Illinois,” Hare said. “Increasing the ethanol blend is an important and overdue step that will help free us from our dependence on foreign oil, reduce global warming pollution, and protect consumers from spikes in gas prices.”
The ethanol industry produced 9.2 billion gallons of ethanol last year, reducing oil imports by 321.4 million barrels. The use of this biofuel also reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 48-59 percent when compared to traditional gasoline, according to a recent report from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Additionally, the ethanol industry supported more than 494,000 jobs, putting an estimated $19.9 billion into circulation last year.
While impressive, the ethanol industry can contribute more if the automakers support the use of higher blends without negating the warranties of vehicles on the roads today. This further benefit would include the reduction of an additional 20 million metric tons of greenhouse gases per year, the equivalent of removing 10.5 million vehicles from our roads. Furthermore, North Dakota State University estimates that increasing the amount of ethanol used in the U.S. will produce 136,000 new, good-paying jobs.
Currently, automakers provide warranties for their vehicles allowing ethanol blends of 10 percent. These levels were set 30 years ago in response to the levels allowed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. At that time, little was known about the effects of ethanol in gasoline. Research currently underway has shown that the traditional, unmodified internal combustion engine can handle higher blends of ethanol. In fact, testing of intermediate blends of ethanol, by the U.S. Department of Energy found there to be “no adverse effects” associated with using higher blends of ethanol.
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Washington, D.C. – Congressmen Aaron Schock (R-IL) and Phil Hare (D-IL) today authored a letter to Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner to request he consider making financial assistance to troubled automakers contingent upon their support of higher ethanol blends in gasoline.
“By increasing the ethanol blends in gas we will simultaneously help our nation address climate change, reduce our dependence on foreign oil and increase green economic opportunities, all of which complement President Obama’s stated goals,” said Schock.
“More ethanol means more jobs in Illinois,” Hare said. “Increasing the ethanol blend is an important and overdue step that will help free us from our dependence on foreign oil, reduce global warming pollution, and protect consumers from spikes in gas prices.”
The ethanol industry produced 9.2 billion gallons of ethanol last year, reducing oil imports by 321.4 million barrels. The use of this biofuel also reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 48-59 percent when compared to traditional gasoline, according to a recent report from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Additionally, the ethanol industry supported more than 494,000 jobs, putting an estimated $19.9 billion into circulation last year.
While impressive, the ethanol industry can contribute more if the automakers support the use of higher blends without negating the warranties of vehicles on the roads today. This further benefit would include the reduction of an additional 20 million metric tons of greenhouse gases per year, the equivalent of removing 10.5 million vehicles from our roads. Furthermore, North Dakota State University estimates that increasing the amount of ethanol used in the U.S. will produce 136,000 new, good-paying jobs.
Currently, automakers provide warranties for their vehicles allowing ethanol blends of 10 percent. These levels were set 30 years ago in response to the levels allowed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. At that time, little was known about the effects of ethanol in gasoline. Research currently underway has shown that the traditional, unmodified internal combustion engine can handle higher blends of ethanol. In fact, testing of intermediate blends of ethanol, by the U.S. Department of Energy found there to be “no adverse effects” associated with using higher blends of ethanol.
###
Monday, March 23, 2009
Schock Joins Congressional Fire Services Caucus
From the Office of Congressman Aaron Schock
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Aaron Schock (R-IL) announced today he has joined the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, which is dedicated to increasing awareness on Capitol Hill about the challenges and needs of our nation’s firefighters and rescue personnel.
“Firefighters put their lives on the line everyday to protect the health and safety of our communities,” said Schock. “I am grateful for the opportunity to join this caucus so I can strongly advocate for the needs of these vital first responders.”
The Congressional Fire Services Caucus was founded in 1987. The Caucus has played a major role in enacting legislation benefiting our nation’s first responders, most notably the FIRE Act, SAFER and legislation reallocating broadcast spectrum for public safety use.
Schock has long supported firefighters and was a founding member of the Illinois State House of Representatives Fire Caucus.
“From volunteer firefighters in our small communities to the professional firefighters of our larger cities, I intend to be a strong voice for policies and funding that are vital for their ability to do their job in the greatest degree of safety possible,” Schock continued.
“One of my most important jobs in Congress is to ensure our nation’s firefighters have the equipment, tools and training they need to keep our communities safe,” Schock concluded. “I look forward to supporting the needs of firefighters as part of the Fire Services Caucus for years to come.”
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Schock Votes to Reclaim Taxpayer Dollars from AIG Executives
From the Office of Congressman Aaron Schock
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Aaron Schock (R-IL) voted today for H.R. 1586, a bill to allow the government to reclaim the vast majority of the bonuses awarded by American International Group (AIG), when it passed the House today by a vote of 328 to 93. This legislation would impose a 90 percent tax on individuals awarded big bonuses, who already earn more than $250,000 annually, at companies taking $5 billion or more in government aid.
“I share the outrage of the American people that AIG would use taxpayer dollars to award executive bonuses during this economic crisis,” said Schock. “The fact that these bonuses were protected is the fault of both administrations and is a reflection of the dereliction of duty by Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner.”
Schock has also joined his House Republican colleagues to introduce H.R. 1577, legislation that directs the U.S. Treasury Department to recoup the payment of American International Group Inc. (AIG) bonuses within two weeks. Specifically this bill:
• Direct Treasury to implement a plan to recoup within the next two weeks the payment of AIG bonuses.
• Require any future bonus payments, of any kind, to Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP) recipients, to be approved in advance by Treasury.
• Any future contractual obligations entered into by TARP fund recipients to make bonus payments of any kind must be approved in advance by Treasury.
Schock is also a cosponsor of a resolution of inquiry that seeks to get all records from the Treasury Department pertaining to any negotiations or government communications with AIG, so taxpayers can better understand how language protecting the bonuses was inserted into the stimulus package.
During consideration of H.R. 384, the TARP Reform and Accountability Act, Schock won passage of an amendment that would have established a website to track these bailout funds. Unfortunately, the Senate has thus far failed to consider this legislation.
“It’s fair to say that if this website to track all of the bailout funds was established, taxpayers would have discovered these outrageous bonuses long before they were paid out,” Schock continued.
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Aaron Schock (R-IL) voted today for H.R. 1586, a bill to allow the government to reclaim the vast majority of the bonuses awarded by American International Group (AIG), when it passed the House today by a vote of 328 to 93. This legislation would impose a 90 percent tax on individuals awarded big bonuses, who already earn more than $250,000 annually, at companies taking $5 billion or more in government aid.
“I share the outrage of the American people that AIG would use taxpayer dollars to award executive bonuses during this economic crisis,” said Schock. “The fact that these bonuses were protected is the fault of both administrations and is a reflection of the dereliction of duty by Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner.”
Schock has also joined his House Republican colleagues to introduce H.R. 1577, legislation that directs the U.S. Treasury Department to recoup the payment of American International Group Inc. (AIG) bonuses within two weeks. Specifically this bill:
• Direct Treasury to implement a plan to recoup within the next two weeks the payment of AIG bonuses.
• Require any future bonus payments, of any kind, to Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP) recipients, to be approved in advance by Treasury.
• Any future contractual obligations entered into by TARP fund recipients to make bonus payments of any kind must be approved in advance by Treasury.
Schock is also a cosponsor of a resolution of inquiry that seeks to get all records from the Treasury Department pertaining to any negotiations or government communications with AIG, so taxpayers can better understand how language protecting the bonuses was inserted into the stimulus package.
During consideration of H.R. 384, the TARP Reform and Accountability Act, Schock won passage of an amendment that would have established a website to track these bailout funds. Unfortunately, the Senate has thus far failed to consider this legislation.
“It’s fair to say that if this website to track all of the bailout funds was established, taxpayers would have discovered these outrageous bonuses long before they were paid out,” Schock continued.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Massive Government Stimulus Has Not Helped Caterpillar as Promised
From the Office of Congressman Aaron Schock
Washington D.C. - A little more than a month after passage of the President’s economic stimulus bill, it has become reality that the hype and promises Caterpillar would not proceed with planned layoffs and rehire laid off workers if Congress passed the stimulus bill was inaccurate.
Congress did pass the stimulus bill and the President got everything he wanted from Congress. Yet, today Caterpillar announced even more layoffs. These additional layoffs confirm CAT workers were misused by the Administration as justification for the stimulus bill.
“These additional layoffs are a result of the on-going recession,” said Schock. “Sadly, the false hopes that passage of the stimulus bill would enable them to keep their jobs are now a horrible letdown. I opposed the stimulus bill because only 6 percent of this massive bill was for infrastructure. I supported legislation that would have created twice the jobs at half the price, and included more funding for infrastructure that would have increased the demand for Caterpillar machinery.”
“In my speech against passage of the flawed stimulus bill, I said ‘this bill is too big to get it wrong,’ but these layoffs are another sign that they did get this bill wrong,” continued Schock. “As a result, we have little increased infrastructure construction, more layoffs, dashed hopes, massive wasteful spending and vastly increased debt.”
“I will join the President and colleagues in Congress if they are willing to embark on a sensible agenda that would lead to economic growth,” Schock concluded. “The challenges we face are too important not to.”
Washington D.C. - A little more than a month after passage of the President’s economic stimulus bill, it has become reality that the hype and promises Caterpillar would not proceed with planned layoffs and rehire laid off workers if Congress passed the stimulus bill was inaccurate.
Congress did pass the stimulus bill and the President got everything he wanted from Congress. Yet, today Caterpillar announced even more layoffs. These additional layoffs confirm CAT workers were misused by the Administration as justification for the stimulus bill.
“These additional layoffs are a result of the on-going recession,” said Schock. “Sadly, the false hopes that passage of the stimulus bill would enable them to keep their jobs are now a horrible letdown. I opposed the stimulus bill because only 6 percent of this massive bill was for infrastructure. I supported legislation that would have created twice the jobs at half the price, and included more funding for infrastructure that would have increased the demand for Caterpillar machinery.”
“In my speech against passage of the flawed stimulus bill, I said ‘this bill is too big to get it wrong,’ but these layoffs are another sign that they did get this bill wrong,” continued Schock. “As a result, we have little increased infrastructure construction, more layoffs, dashed hopes, massive wasteful spending and vastly increased debt.”
“I will join the President and colleagues in Congress if they are willing to embark on a sensible agenda that would lead to economic growth,” Schock concluded. “The challenges we face are too important not to.”
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Schock Supports Protecting Secret Ballot for Workers
From the Office of Congressman Aaron Schock
Washington, DC. – Congressman Aaron Schock (R-IL) announced his opposition to the Employee Free Choice Act, which was introduced in Congress today. More accurately described as “card check” legislation, the bill would effectively eliminate secret ballots in workplace organizing elections, making workers vulnerable to public pressure, intimidation and even coercion.
“The secret ballot is a cornerstone of American democracy, and it must be protected,” said Schock. “The Employee Free Choice Act gives workers anything but a free choice, instead forcing them to make their views known publicly on whether they wish to join a particular union. It’s unfair, unjust and undemocratic. As some have suggested, if we are going to have card check to form a union, we should have chard check to dissolve a union”
The card check legislation introduced in the House today would require that unions be certified as soon as a simple majority of workers have publicly signed authorization cards. This card check process is notoriously unreliable, because workers can feel pressure from either union organizers or management to vote a particular way. Moreover, a union would be certified as soon as a majority of workers have signed cards, even if a business owner or a significant number of the workers never even knew an organizing drive was underway.
Schock is a cosponsor of H.R. 1176, the Secret Ballot Protection Act which would guarantee workers the right to a secret ballot. H.R. 1176 ensures that no one – not unions, not employers – could ever take away workers’ right to vote in private, by secret ballot.
Introduction of the card check legislation comes at a particularly precarious time for the American economy, Schock noted. The latest U.S. Department of Labor jobs report released last week showed that 650,000 Americans lost their jobs last month, and the unemployment rate has climbed to 8.1 percent. Yet even amid continued job losses, special interest proponents of card check continue to push for the legislation, even though it has been shown to be a threat to American jobs.
Last week, a report from Dr. Anne Layne-Farrar, an economist with the non-partisan firm LECG Consulting, found that America is likely to see a 1 percentage point rise in the unemployment rate for every 3 percentage points gained in union membership through card checks and mandatory arbitration, another damaging element of the Employee Free Choice Act. That translates to 600,000 American jobs lost in the first year after the card check plan is enacted if union bosses are accurate in their predictions that 1.5 million existing jobs will be unionized because of the legislation.
Washington, DC. – Congressman Aaron Schock (R-IL) announced his opposition to the Employee Free Choice Act, which was introduced in Congress today. More accurately described as “card check” legislation, the bill would effectively eliminate secret ballots in workplace organizing elections, making workers vulnerable to public pressure, intimidation and even coercion.
“The secret ballot is a cornerstone of American democracy, and it must be protected,” said Schock. “The Employee Free Choice Act gives workers anything but a free choice, instead forcing them to make their views known publicly on whether they wish to join a particular union. It’s unfair, unjust and undemocratic. As some have suggested, if we are going to have card check to form a union, we should have chard check to dissolve a union”
The card check legislation introduced in the House today would require that unions be certified as soon as a simple majority of workers have publicly signed authorization cards. This card check process is notoriously unreliable, because workers can feel pressure from either union organizers or management to vote a particular way. Moreover, a union would be certified as soon as a majority of workers have signed cards, even if a business owner or a significant number of the workers never even knew an organizing drive was underway.
Schock is a cosponsor of H.R. 1176, the Secret Ballot Protection Act which would guarantee workers the right to a secret ballot. H.R. 1176 ensures that no one – not unions, not employers – could ever take away workers’ right to vote in private, by secret ballot.
Introduction of the card check legislation comes at a particularly precarious time for the American economy, Schock noted. The latest U.S. Department of Labor jobs report released last week showed that 650,000 Americans lost their jobs last month, and the unemployment rate has climbed to 8.1 percent. Yet even amid continued job losses, special interest proponents of card check continue to push for the legislation, even though it has been shown to be a threat to American jobs.
Last week, a report from Dr. Anne Layne-Farrar, an economist with the non-partisan firm LECG Consulting, found that America is likely to see a 1 percentage point rise in the unemployment rate for every 3 percentage points gained in union membership through card checks and mandatory arbitration, another damaging element of the Employee Free Choice Act. That translates to 600,000 American jobs lost in the first year after the card check plan is enacted if union bosses are accurate in their predictions that 1.5 million existing jobs will be unionized because of the legislation.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Schock Calls for Public House - Senate Stimulus Negotiations
From the Office of Congressman Aaron Schock
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Aaron Schock (R-IL) issued the following statement calling for an open and public forum for House – Senate negotiations on the stimulus bill. House rules dictate that there must be an open hearing for conference committee negotiations.
“Given the billions of taxpayer dollars at stake in the stimulus, negotiations between the House and Senate must be completely open and transparent. American taxpayers deserve to know how and where the government plans to spend their money. I believe it is an open invitation to trouble to keep these negotiations closed.”
“Allowing this historically enormous spending package to be negotiated between a small handful of people behind closed doors would eliminate accountability to the American taxpayers and wholly undermine all efforts at bipartisanship.”
“I support fast action but not at the expense of getting this wrong. We need to work in an expeditious and bipartisan manner to proceed under full sunlight so taxpayers can have full faith in this process and the resulting economic stimulus bill.”
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Aaron Schock (R-IL) issued the following statement calling for an open and public forum for House – Senate negotiations on the stimulus bill. House rules dictate that there must be an open hearing for conference committee negotiations.
“Given the billions of taxpayer dollars at stake in the stimulus, negotiations between the House and Senate must be completely open and transparent. American taxpayers deserve to know how and where the government plans to spend their money. I believe it is an open invitation to trouble to keep these negotiations closed.”
“Allowing this historically enormous spending package to be negotiated between a small handful of people behind closed doors would eliminate accountability to the American taxpayers and wholly undermine all efforts at bipartisanship.”
“I support fast action but not at the expense of getting this wrong. We need to work in an expeditious and bipartisan manner to proceed under full sunlight so taxpayers can have full faith in this process and the resulting economic stimulus bill.”
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