Michele Bachmann RSS Articles

House Ignores High Unemployment and Continues to Push Pelosicare

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Even as our nation's unemployment rate surpassed 10% -- exceeding even the worst case scenarios that the White House projected -- Speaker Pelosi intends to bring to the floor her $1-trillion-plus health care reform proposal.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this is the highest unemployment rate since April 1983. Just last month, 190,000 jobs were lost. All year long, Democrats in Washington have been on a spending spree, claiming that they had to do it and that only by spending big could
they save the economy from ruin. Well, now we know the truth, America: They've spent your money, and you're still losing your jobs.

Tomorrow, the House of Representatives will be in session to vote on the Democrats' health care bill -- a bill that will put the government in control of 18% of the American economy. Their repeated (and failed) bailout strategy put government in control of 30% of the economy. The cap-and-trade national energy tax that they're still trying to force into law would put them in control of another 8% of the economy. Tomorrow, they try to take control of 18%.

Republicans have offered a serious alternative that makes health care more affordable, increases access for millions -- and does it all without breaking the bank. As the Detroit News said in an editorial today:

Republicans are offering an alternative health reform plan that should at least be debated before Congress rushes to turn the nation's health care system inside out.

But that likely won't happen....

***

The GOP bill is less ambitious than the plan being rammed through by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, taking an incremental approach to restructuring the system.

It uses market-based principles and does not include government subsidies or a public option.

But it would trim costs through strict limits on medical malpractice lawsuits, expanding health savings accounts, allowing consumers to buy insurance from out-of-state companies, providing tax breaks for insurance purchases, making it easier for small businesses to offer their employees insurance and breaking down barriers to coverage for the most hard-to-insure Americans.

While the proposal should increase the number of insured, it does not provide coverage for everyone. Tax deductions and health savings accounts aren't much use to those with no or very low income.

But it is far cheaper than the Democratic proposal, whose cost has soared to $1.3 trillion during the next decade; it won't add to the federal budget deficit and it does not require a massive new government bureaucracy to administer.

Bachmann Calls on the American People to Bring the Town Hall To Washington

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

WHAT: Health Care “House Call” on Washington Press Conference

WHO:              Republican Members of Congress
                        Actor Jon Voight, Radio Host Mark Levin, and others.

WHEN:            Thursday, November 5, 2009 from 12:00-2

WHERE: West Front of the U.S. Capitol (House Side)

Congresswoman Michele Bachmann released the following statement as the House of Representatives approaches a vote on the Democrats’ health care reform proposal:

“The American people spoke loud and clear at town hall meetings all across the country throughout August. But, it would appear that Congress didn’t hear a word they had to say. The Democrats’ latest health care proposal unveiled late last week may be packaged a little differently, but it’s the same old bad bill as before.

“This bill is a trillion-dollar, budget-busting, government takeover of our health care system. It will put bureaucrats between people and their health care. It will lead to rationed care, hurting the most vulnerable amongst us first. It will break the bank, leaving our children to pay the bill with diminished freedoms and dwindling prosperity.

“The American people need to stand up again and make sure that Congress hears them this time. Speaker Pelosi is putting her bill on fast track to a vote – and it remains to be seen if the House will even get a chance to vote on the commonsense Republican alternatives. The people need to make a House Call on Washington this week and tell their Representatives to vote no to a government take-over of one-fifth of our economy. This is gangster government at its worst.

“I urge all Americans to come to Washington this Thursday. Come and meet up with your Representative and tell them that you want to control your health care.”

###

2,000 Pages of Mandates, Taxes, and Bureaucracy

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

This morning, House Democrats held a press conference to unveil their health care reform bill, which they claim will expand coverage for all and decrease costs. Sounds good, but once you peel away the “feel good” rhetoric, there’s nothing to be excited about. This 2,000-page bill includes a job-killing employer mandate, an individual mandate that requires Washington bureaucrats to define what kind of coverage is acceptable, burdensome tax increases, Medicare cuts, and a huge expansion of Medicaid that will break already strained state budgets.

You see, the Democrats are playing a game of bait and switch when they talk about the costs of this legislation. For instance, they say that costs will be kept under the arbitrary $900 billion cap that President Obama has requested. Well, they’ll stay under the cap simply by expanding Medicaid eligibility. In other words, they’ll be shifting the costs off one set of taxpayer-funded books to another set of taxpayer-funded books. And, don’t forget: we just had to bail out those states in large part because their Medicaid budgets were bleeding them dry!

Social Security is broke, Medicare is broke, Medicaid is broke – and all of them were created with the best intentions. But we have to face reality. Our deficit is at an all-time high. Our debt is nearing $12 TRILLION with no signs of slowing. We’re on a crash course for financial ruin. This isn’t conjecture, it’s basic economics.

Republicans have put forth alternative after alternative taking a patient-centered approach -- not focused on government, focused on you -- that will keep costs down, but each and every one of them has fallen on deaf ears. They weren’t even considered by Democrat leadership. Yesterday’s Chicago Tribune did a great job highlighting several of these Republican alternatives that won’t break the bank (a bank that’s already bankrupt).

As the Tribune points out:

“Let insurers sell policies across state lines. That would loosen the strangling state-by-state regulations and unleash competition to drive premium prices down.”

“Give people who buy insurance in the private market the same tax breaks as those who get it through employers. Now, employers that offer coverage get a tax break on the premiums they pay for employees. And employees don't pay taxes on the value of the coverage they receive. People who want to buy insurance in the individual market should get the same tax breaks. That would help millions of people acquire coverage.” (That’s what my Health Care Freedom of Choice Act does!)

“Expand the ability of small businesses, trade associations and other groups to set up insurance pools to offer coverage at more attractive rates.”

“Control health costs in part by reining in the medical malpractice system that raises insurance premiums and forces doctors to order tests to protect themselves from lawsuits. Limiting certain kinds of damage awards would reduce spending on health care by about $11 billion in 2009, or about one-half of 1 percent, the Congressional Budget Office estimates. Think about that in human terms: Reform would save millions of patients the expense and trauma of unnecessary tests and procedures.”

As this health care debate plays out, please don’t fall for the rhetoric and take a closer look at what the Democrats’ bill really means. If you do, you’ll realize that it’s a prescription for economic disaster.

Fiscal Recklessness: The Name of the Game in Washington

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Do you remember the famous chart that Christina Romer, then the chief architect of President Obama’s plan and now Chairman of Obama’s Council of Economic Advisors, produced to help sell the President’s “stimulus” plan to the public?

Her analysis found that unemployment would drop to 7% by the end of 2010 if we passed the “stimulus” bill. Her analysis also showed that even without the “stimulus,” unemployment would peak at 9%.

That hasn’t been the case. 2. 7 million jobs have been lost since “stimulus” began. Seven months after the “stimulus” was passed, 49 of 50 states have lost jobs. Manufacturing and construction, which the White House promised would gain the most jobs, are actually among the largest job losers by percentage. And, economists – including Ms. Romer – now agree that unemployment will hover around 10% through 2010.

And what’s worse, apparently we’ve already seen the biggest jolt that was expected from the “stimulus.” Romer said last week in testimony before Congress that, “Most analysts predict that the fiscal stimulus will have its greatest impact on growth in the second and third quarters of 2009. By mid-2010 fiscal stimulus will likely be contributing little to further growth.”

Yet, we continue to hear stories each week about how your “stimulus” dollars are really being used, and abused. For instance, it’s been reported that Wichita, Kansas is using part of its $26 million to spay and neuter pets. Eric Cantor, the Republican Whip, first brought some of the abuses of this funding to light on his blog, including this one:

Eight Tampa Bay cosmetology and massage schools are receiving $2.3 million in stimulus funds to pay the tuitions for hairdressers, masseuses and nail technicians. The $2.3 million is coming out of the Pell Grant program which received $17 billion in federal stimulus grants.

Monica Ponce, the owner of Tampa’s Muse The Salon, doesn’t believe there is actually a demand for more beauty school graduates in the bay area. Chad Malm, owner of Tampa’s Salon Jack, agreed with Ponce noting there are already plenty of hairdressers in the area. According to Malm, not only is the idea of subsidizing beauty school tuitions ridiculous, it’s also “wasting tax dollars.”

In fact, only 1 to 2 percent of beauty school graduates will be working in the field five years from graduation, according to the Florida Cosmetology Association. Meaning, American taxpayer money is going towards non-permanent jobs within a profession that isn’t hiring.

Source: Tampabay.com

What’s worse: Congress hasn’t seemed to have learned its lesson! Later today, the House is expected to consider and pass a new continuing resolution to keep government funded until Congress finishes its work on the fiscal year 2010 spending bills. And, the Democrats have turned it into a “mini-stimulus,” according to news reports! They’re loading it up with more “stimulus” provisions, including provisions to allow Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac – the housing giants that perverted their mission of providing mortgage assistance to the poor, leading to the housing market meltdown – to provide mortgages for up to nearly $730,000.

With fiscal irresponsibility like this, it’s no wonder why Americans have such a low opinion of Congress. Let’s get real.

Taxpayers Lose in General Motors Bailout

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

You may recall that when Congress was bailing out the auto industry, I had real concerns about whether the taxpayers would ever get that money back. The auto industry, GM in particular, has had a poor track record with loans in the past, having come back to the federal government again and again with its hand out. Last December, the U.S. Treasury Department loaned General Motors $13 billion. In the spring, Treasury loaned GM another $6 billion. In June, days before GM declared bankruptcy, the Administration loaned another $30 billion – just in time to convert taxpayer loans to equity taking ownership of GM. That’s a total of $49 billion.

The problem is that President Obama’s former “car czar,” Steve Rattner, estimates that the taxpayers’ stake in GM now stands around $25 billion. That means $24 billion of taxpayer dollars may have been lost for good. In fact, despite this multi-billion dollar cash infusion to GM, sales declined by 45% in September, while privately-owned Ford Motors fell only 6%. And, that makes it far less promising for taxpayers.

What’s more, we know little to nothing about how this whole transaction transpired. The President’s Automotive Task Force has operated in complete secrecy and they must be held accountable for their actions. Taxpayers deserve both fiscal responsibility and transparency from their government.

Republican Health Care Solutions

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

To hear the Democrats and most of the mainstream media you would think that Republicans are not bringing any alternatives to the health care debate. That couldn’t be further from the truth.

Back in September during an address to a joint session of Congress, President Obama said his office would always be open to Republicans who wanted to present ideas on health care reform. I wrote the President to present my alternatives and request time with the President to discuss them. I took him at his word that the door was open for honest discussion; but I am still waiting for a reply.

To the contrary, Democrats have shut Republicans out of all discussions on drafting the health care bill. In fact, the Democrats are being so hyper-partisan that they’ve physically locked Republican members out of a committee room. So much for the era of post-partisanship that the President and Speaker Pelosi promised.

Well, at least the Chicago Tribune is paying attention. Today, they published an editorial: “A GOP health plan.” You see, there’s been no shortage of great ideas offered by Republicans which would give us much needed reform without breaking the bank. In fact, I’ve authored the Health Care Freedom of Choice Act to give people who buy insurance in the private market the same tax breaks as those who get it through their employers. The Tribune actually mentions this as one of several viable solutions for true health care reform.

The fact of the matter is: our country is broke. We’re close to $12 TRILLION in debt, an all-time high, and facing staggering deficits for years to come. Do this Congress and Administration care? Apparently not. While they may give lip service to our perilous economic situation, their actions don’t match their rhetoric. Priority number one in Washington should be getting our fiscal house in order.

Bachmann Supports Local Teacher for 2010 Honeywell Space Camp

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

U.S. Representative Michele Bachmann (MN-06), wrote to the United States Space and Rocket Center last week to support the application of local science teacher, Robyn Zalec, for a spot in the Advanced Space Camp for Educators Program.

“Robyn Zalec is an example of a person who truly believes one should never stop learning,” said Bachmann. “She is the type of teacher who inspires students to dream beyond their very own imagination. They will certainly never forget her.”

Mrs. Zalec is an eighth grade science teacher at St. Michael-Albertville Middle School West. Mrs. Zalec attended the 2009 Honeywell Space Camp for Educators and used her experience from the 2009 Space Camp in her classroom and in her community to promote and nurture a love of science with local students. Together with other local teachers last week, she hosted a “Space Night” for her community.

Congresswoman Bachmann’s letter follows:

U.S. Space & Rocket Center
Education Department
One Tranquility Base
Huntsville, AL 35805

October 22, 2009

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to commend to your attention the application of Robyn Zalec for the Honeywell Advanced Space Camp for Educators. Mrs. Zalec is an eighth grade science teacher at Saint Michael-Albertville Middle School West in Minnesota’s Sixth Congressional District, and I’m pleased to support her application for this camp.

Mrs. Zalec utilized the information she garnered at the 2009 Honeywell’s Space Camp for Educators to better her classroom, her school, and her community. Not only has Mrs. Zalec enthusiastically performed science experiments that she learned at space camp, but she has shared information with other teachers in the Saint Michael-Albertville school district. Currently, Mrs. Zalec is planning a “Space Night” for her community to participate in to encourage learning and discovery at all ages.

Through Mrs. Zalec’s attendance at Advanced Space Camp, she can bring another layer of excellence to science education into her classroom and her community. Children every day are inspired to keep learning by dedicated and passionate teachers like Mrs. Zalec. She is an example of a person who truly believes one should never stop learning.

I understand that the Advanced Space Camp application process is highly competitive, but I hope you will give serious consideration to Mrs. Robyn Zalec’s application. She is the kind of teacher that will apply the lessons she learns to inspire those around her. Thank you for your time and deliberation. If you have questions, please contact my staff assistant, Becky Breitbarth at 202-225-2331.

Sincerely,

Michele Bachmann
Member of Congress

###

Kanjorski Promises Bachmann Hearing on Sarbanes-Oxley Act

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

U.S. Representative Paul E. Kanjorski (D-PA), Chairman of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored Enterprises, today promised U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann (MN-06) the first hearing since 2006 on the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The commitment came after Bachmann introduced two amendments to the Investor Protection Act (H.R. 3817) to make the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), created by Congress in the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, more accountable to the American taxpayers and also to address outstanding questions about the constitutionality of that Board.

“Sarbanes-Oxley is arguably the broadest financial reform this Congress has passed in decades,” said Bachmann. “It was passed in haste in response to scandalous headlines about Enron and WorldCom and it has had a devastating impact on our financial markets, forcing capital investment overseas and driving companies out of public trading.

“I appreciate the Chairman’s attention to this issue and his commitment to holding a hearing on Sarbanes-Oxley. Two-thirds of this Committee were not in Congress when this law was passed, and many of our members were not even in Congress when we last held hearings on it in 2006. Yet, we are moving to expand its reach. We at least owe the American people due diligence on the impact Sarbanes-Oxley has on our economy. It has truly been far too long since this law was examined and I look forward to our Committee’s discussion,” said Bachmann.

In light of the Chairman’s agreement to hold a hearing within the next year to revisit Sarbanes-Oxley, Bachmann withdrew her amendments, which would have (1) made members of the PCAOB subject to appointment by the President and confirmation by the U.S. Senate; and (2) delayed implementation of Title VI of the Investor Protection Act, which expands the authority of the PCAOB, until June 2010 to give the Supreme Court time to hear a current case on the constitutionality of the PCAOB through to its conclusion.

###

The Hill: Cap-and-trade hurts farmers

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

We have already had snowfall in Minnesota — a reminder that energy bills will soon increase. However, if Democrats have their way, families could be hit harder and all year-round with higher energy bills. And, some families — particularly those that farm and live in rural America — would be hit harder than others under the proposed cap-and-trade national energy tax that remains at the top of the majority’s agenda.

Agriculture is simply an energy intensive industry. It relies on energy for tractor fuel, fertilizer, livestock feed, and more. Any increase in petroleum and natural gas would have a direct effect on the cost of production. A new analysis of the cap-and-trade bill narrowly passed by the House in June (H.R. 2454), by Sens. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) and Kit Bond (R-Mo.), estimates that it amounts to a $3.6 trillion gas tax increase, which translates into higher fuel costs for farmers and ranchers of $550 million in 2020 and $1.65 billion in 2050.

According to a Heritage Foundation economic analysis of H.R. 2454, farm income would decrease by 94 percent in the next 25 years, which begs the question: Will America’s agricultural heritage survive cap-and-trade? But, even if you can get past this threshold issue for rural America, any cost increase inflicted upon farmers will surely trickle down to consumers, ultimately increasing the cost of food for all families.

And, farmers have families, too. As they’re watching their income plummet, their expenses will be skyrocketing along with other grocery-buying Americans. Plus, rural families tend to have higher fuel costs simply because they have to drive farther for routine errands. According to the Federal Highway Administration, rural households drive 25 percent more miles than urban households. And, they spend more on fuel as a percentage of their income than urban residents. Also, it’s more expensive to provide electricity where the population is more spread out. Rural Electric Cooperatives serve 40 million Americans averaging around seven consumers per mile, whereas other utilities average 35 customers per mile. So, rural Americans will be hit coming and going.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson recently admitted that unless other nations, like China and India, follow our lead, cap-and-trade would not even impact global temperatures. And, most economists and foreign policy experts are skeptical that these other nations would follow our lead. With 25 to 58 percent of farm cash receipts coming from agriculture exports, U.S. farmers would be at a severe disadvantage. And, this at a time when our trade deficit has reached $840 billion and economists are calling the outlook for American trade “cloudy.” Again, rural Americans get hit with a double-whammy.

Furthermore, the House bill provides allowances to offset energy prices, with definite states and regions as clear winners while others are obvious losers. California and New England states like Massachusetts — both represented by the co-authors of the House bill — would receive nearly or, in some cases, more than enough of an allowance to offset the additional costs inflicted by this bill. On the other hand, Midwestern states, like Minnesota, would receive a maximum of 75 percent of the allowances required to fill the gap. Once again, rural America pays the price.

Congressional Budget Office Director Douglas Elmendorf recently testified before a Senate committee that cap-and-trade would slow our already sluggish economy.

And, all evidence seems to indicate that the farming economy would come to a virtual standstill. With so much at risk and so little expected to be gained, why are Democrats pushing such harmful legislation?

Bachmann is a member of the House Financial Services Committee and a member of the Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade and Technology.

Investor's Business Daily: Time To Stop Amuck Acorn's Bank Enablers

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

The Community Reinvestment Act has increasingly been at the core of controversy, most recently for its role in the financial meltdown that began in 2008.

Many economists have long questioned whether the CRA's mandates, which encouraged subpar lending standards, harmed the housing market.

Now we have news of a new controversy that brings the CRA together with the infamous Acorn, which has been a prime beneficiary of the act's mandates.

Acorn has earned a reputation with the public for persistently unethical behavior and repeated disregard for voter registration and other federal and state laws.

Recent videos showing Acorn employees giving advice on how to set up a prostitution ring as a legal enterprise by violating tax and immigration laws and abusing government housing grants have demonstrated Acorn's flagrant abuse of the public trust and complete disrespect for the law.

Abundant evidence shows that this is more than a case of a few bad apples; the organizational structure promotes and nurtures this behavior.

Since 1994, Acorn has received $53 million in direct federal funds. In addition, state tax dollars regularly flow to Acorn.

Now we know that banks have been funneling money to Acorn in order to comply with the federal mandates of the CRA.

Originally unveiled in 1977, the CRA was meant to ensure that low-income individuals and minorities were receiving fair and equal access to credit. But over the years it was distorted, shifting its focus from process to outcomes. This shift forced banks to loosen lending standards and make mortgages that wouldn't have otherwise passed muster.

For banks that wanted to protect themselves from regulators, they saw an alternative: donate or partner with groups, such as Acorn, that gave financial advice to the communities singled out by the CRA.

The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council Web site, which links to CRA ratings and evaluations conducted by banking examiners, shows that many banks have donated to or partnered with Acorn to comply with CRA mandates.

Acorn's name is employed like a code word used to convey to federal regulators with a wink and a nod that these banks are serious about meeting CRA mandates. Indeed, Acorn Housing's Web site proclaims that it "provides one-on-one mortgage loan counseling, first-time homebuyer classes, and helps clients obtain affordable mortgages through unique lending partnerships."

For example, Citizens Bank of Massachusetts "offers an affordable mortgage program through Acorn for low- and moderate-income homebuyers with below market rates, expanded ratios and a low down-payment requirement."

Northeast Bank in Minnesota "donated $2,000 to Acorn." Independence Community Bank "provided grants to the New York City Office of the Acorn Housing Corp." And New York Community Bank "participated as a co-sponsor of the Bank Fair hosted by New Jersey Acorn."

The smaller banks aren't alone in boasting of their Acorn ties to meet federal regulators' standards. JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America and other big names have given millions as well.

BofA, which was one of Acorn's biggest corporate sponsors — giving $2 million to Acorn Housing Corp. in Chicago — has ended donations to Acorn in the wake of the most recent scandalous headlines.

Government must re-examine the rules that encourage the relationships that banks have with Acorn. Acorn employees are clearly incapable of offering reliable, let alone legal, financial counseling, as illustrated by the undercover videos in Acorn offices. We can surely find better ways of meeting the CRA's stated goals of fair and equal access to credit.

I have urged the FDIC and FFIEC chairman, Sheila Bair, to conduct a thorough examination of Acorn's role in helping banks satisfy their CRA obligations and to issue clear guidance that prohibits banks from receiving CRA credit for donating to or partnering with Acorn.

If the CRA is about ensuring fair and equal access to credit, banks should be judged on whether they provide such access and not on whether they have paid protection money to a politically favored group.

It is disturbing that in addition to mandating subpar lending standards, the CRA is guilty of promoting borderline extortion by an organization that has demonstrated a pervasive culture of corruption.

For years, Democrats have ignored the consequences the CRA has had on the housing market and our financial infrastructure.

The time to pay attention is now. Congress is considering additional, overreaching financial regulatory legislation.

Americans should look at the CRA's example and be wary of new government mandates on our nation's private companies.

Bachmann, a Republican, represents Minnesota's 6th Congressional District and is a member of the House Financial Services Committee.