Rep. Tom Price's blog

Congressman Tom Price (R-GA) issued the following statement in response to the Obama administration's decision to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate CIA interrogations of captured terrorists.

 

 Rep. Tom Price (R-GA) issued the following statement after the introduction of legislation to overhaul the regulatory apparatus for the financial sector.

 

"Today Republicans cement our plan to restore stability and oversight to the financial sector," said Rep. Price. "Reps. Garrett and Hensarling should be applauded for their leadership in finding a common sense solution to a complex set of issues. While we work toward ensuring a more stable financial sector, we must preserve the market system to which we owe so much while ensuring taxpayers are never left out to dry again by the failures of others.

 

Politicians have no business deciding what's 'excessive' pay

 

Our commitment to market principles has created our nation's storied success. Yet some in Washington are disturbingly willing to abandon liberty and principle, and inject government control into private markets.

 

Perhaps nowhere is this desertion of principle more appalling than in the proposed limits and regulations on compensation for private citizens. Like most plans from this administration and Congress, this "solution" only compounds the problem.

 

Congressman Tom Price (R-GA) issued the following statement in response to the Democrat leadership's decision to clamp down on the minority's rights to participate in the appropriations process - the fundamental task afforded to Congress by the U.S. Constitution.

 

The restraint exercised by Israel prior to the current conflict was remarkable. The defense of sovereignty ultimately dictated action.  Hamas must not be allowed to perpetuate a violent open-ended threat to the Israeli people. Like all those who stand for peace and democracy, I urge the leadership from Israel, Palestine, and all nations to work for a responsible and peaceful resolution. Especially during this time of transition in our nation, we must ensure the United States does not waiver in our support of democracy in all parts of the world.

It is deeply disappointing that the administration has chosen to use taxpayer dollars to delay the inevitable need to fundamentally restructure these companies. By bailing out automakers without real reform or long-term solutions, we are only protracting uncertainty and putting billions of tax dollars at grave risk.

 

The Associated Press reports this morning:

 The head of the FDIC said Tuesday the government needs to devise an “exit strategy” for its massive financial rescue plan to avoid artificially propping up banks and other institutions over the long term...

The far-reaching government guarantees extended under the rescue program -- now including $250 billion set aside for the Treasury to buy stock in U.S. banks, hundreds of billions in aid to giant financial institutions and hundreds more billions in special lending facilities to banks -- must be carefully assessed, Bair said.

This disturbing debate marks yet another chapter in what has become the troubling mark of this Congress.  The regularity and scope of these massive bailouts should astound any taxpayer, yet Washington continues down the road to federal intervention and ever-more public handouts to private industries.

 

While I am certain we have long since passed it, at some point a line must be drawn.  We can no longer ask taxpayers to postpone their own prosperity so that select businesses can maintain the costly status quo.  Printing billion dollar sums of cash each time an industry faces turmoil is not an economic solution; it is a moral hazard.

 

Twenty-five days ago, an arrogant act by Speaker Pelosi as she exercised her iron-fisted control over the House resulted in the initiation of our ‘Speak-In’. She cut off the microphones, turned off the cameras, and shutdown the House in an attempt to silence the voices of representatives of millions of Americans. Pelosi stopped debate because she knew she would lose if she allowed a vote. Unfortunately, what the Speaker continuously forgets is that her position is entrusted to her by all citizens, not just by extreme-left special interest groups.

 

This morning, Republicans will return to the dimmed floor of the House of Representatives to continue to fight on behalf of American families hurting from high gas prices. It has now been ten days since House Democrats turned off the lights and breezed out of Washington for a paid vacation without any meaningful action to bring down energy costs.

 

For months, the American people have demanded more energy production, yet this Democrat majority found the pleas of their constituents just a petty annoyance. But as Speaker Pelosi - off on her self-promoting book tour - has found, when House Republicans rose to speak in a darkened chamber, the American people stood with us.

 

It is rare that one gets a chance to realize the historic nature of a series of events while they are still ongoing – to watch history unfold before your very eyes. But, this is one of those times. We need not look back in reflection to see how the winds of change are sweeping through America this week. With the nation more despondent with their leaders than ever before, one act of arrogance allowed the American people to see that there is a voice for them in Washington.

 

Today the House passed the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act for FY 2009.  The legislation includes a 13.8% increase in funding from last year for our nation’s veterans and their families.

 

As a physician, it is clear to me that Medicare is incapable of providing quality care for every American and must not be the model for national health-care reform. Its flawed structure increasingly fails our seniors on all counts - responsiveness, innovation, access, cost and quality. We should focus on patient-centered improvements, not broad expansion of a broken system.

 

It is a striking statement of priorities that this majority will vote to provide its own vacation, yet deny a vote to provide millions of Americans lower prices at the pump.  Attempting to duck and run out of Washington for five weeks, the Democrat leadership is reneging on its obligation to the American people to provide positive solutions.  Anxious American families simply ask that we have an up-or-down vote on our energy future.  Unfortunately, the only urgency on the part of this majority is to skip town. I call on Democrat leaders to rescind their decision to leave Americans hurting and allow a real vote on increasing American-made energy.

Rather than evasion and rhetoric, the American people expect action from Congress. This majority, however, has been boldly averse to doing anything of substance to ease the strain of $4.00 gasoline.  Now, the clock is ticking.  With Democrats intent on skipping town for a month, there are only four days left to pass real legislation to increase the supply of American-made energy.  They must not leave without allowing a vote on this central issue.

 

As a physician for more than twenty years, I applaud the unveiling of House GOP Health Care Reform Agenda.  Fundamentally improving the way Americans receive health care is among our most vital challenges. Bringing meaningful change will require bold ideas, and the leadership should be applauded for promoting this central issue and offering a clear and positive vision for health care reform.  As we move forward, I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure all Americans have access to patient-centered health care that is affordable, responsive, innovative, and of the highest quality.

Americans across the nation are reeling from sky high energy prices, and the majority’s irresponsible inaction only exacerbates the situation. Common sense tells us that we must have an ‘all-of-the-above’ energy plan, yet all we have seen is a ‘none-of-the-above’ attitude from the Democrat leadership in Congress. Action on energy is long overdue, and this bill is targeted to provide relief by increasing the supply of American-made energy, improving conservation and efficiency, and promoting renewable and alternative energy technologies.

 

As a member of the Financial Services Committee, I have requested that the administration’s proposals to prop up the Government Sponsored Entities (GSE), Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac receive hearings and full deliberation before a floor vote.

 

Ensuring a functioning mortgage market and sound economy are important obligations.  Protecting taxpayers from liability and huge tax hikes, however, are also essential responsibilities.  The administration’s desire to calm financial markets is appreciated, yet it is important that Congress also act calmly.

 

In one loud voice, the American people are demanding responsible development of our own deepwater national resources.  It is encouraging that the White House has recognized this and done its part to allow increased access to American-made energy.  This essential action leaves only Speaker Pelosi and her leadership in Congress standing in the way.  To meet the administration’s commitment for more American-made energy, Speaker Pelosi must now allow a vote so we may answer the deafening pleas of the American people.  Though this Democrat majority has repeatedly spurned the idea of accessing deepwater energy sources, I am hopeful they will recognize the imperative of action and allow a responsible vote this week.

Heading home to face constituents drained by record energy costs, Democrats took the low road again this week.  Instead of tackling the real issues behind runaway gas prices, the majority opted for hollow bills to serve as political cover.  Democrat leaders continue to ignore the pleas of the American people for more American-made energy, preferring to solve imagined problems and reaffirm current law.

 

It is disappointing, but not surprising, that the majority is content to allow the pain of record gas prices to be prolonged.  Democrat leaders have made a conscious decision that a lack of solutions is good politics for their party.  This shameful and irresponsible posturing only increases the pain of American families.