Congressman Henry E. Brown, Jr.'s Blog

Brown and Residents of South Carolina's First District Participate

Brown Staff — 11/07/2009 11:13

WASHINGTON -Thursday, Congressman Henry E. Brown, Jr. (R-SC) joined his constituents from South Carolina along with thousands of other citizens concerned about the future of health care for a “House Call on Washington” to express their strong opposition to the Democrats’ 1.3 trillion dollar health care plan. Several constituents from South Carolina’s First District made the trip to Washington to participate in the event and later met with Congressman Brown to personally voice their concerns. After the event, Congressman Brown made the following remarks. Read more here

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STIMULUS WATCH: Stimulus jobs overstated in report

Brown Staff — 10/30/2009 13:14

WASHINGTON (AP) - The White House is promising that new figures being released Friday will be a more accurate showing of progress in President Barack Obama's economic recovery plan. It aggressively defended an earlier, faulty count that overstated by thousands the jobs created or saved so far.

Ed DeSeve, serving as Obama's stimulus overseer, said the administration has been working for weeks to correct mistakes in early counts that identified more than 30,000 jobs paid for with stimulus money. He said a new stimulus report Friday should correct many mistakes an Associated Press review found that showed the earlier report overstated thousands of stimulus jobs.

"I think you'll see a pretty good degree of accuracy," DeSeve said in an interview.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs downplayed errors in job counts identified by the AP's review, telling reporters, "We're talking about 4,000, or a 5,000 error."

BROWN HAILS THE ARRIVAL OF BOEING TO THE FIRST DISTRICT

Brown Staff — 10/28/2009 17:25

CHARLESTON, SC - Today, Congressman Henry E. Brown Jr. (R-SC) made the following statement after Boeing Company officials made the long-awaited announcement that they have selected North Charleston as the new location for the second 787 Dreamliner assembly line:

“Boeing’s announcement that they have chosen North Charleston, South Carolina as the location of their newest assembly line for the 787 is incredible news for the Lowcountry and our state.

I, along with the rest of the state of South Carolina, warmly receive Boeing’s expanded presence in our community and the bright future of employment and prosperity that they bring with them.

The greatly anticipated arrival of Boeing’s 787 marks an important milestone in our state’s involvement in commercial aviation, and I am proud that the First District has been chosen to be an even more important part of its production.

I would like to congratulate the South Carolina delegation, our state legislators, state officials and all the other parties involved for their hard work and efforts in getting Boeing to North Charleston.

It certainly is a wonderful company, run by the outstanding leadership of Mr. James McNerney, Jr. and we are proud to welcome them to the Palmetto state.”

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BROWN SAYS GOVERNMENT RUN HEALTH CARE IS A BAD DEAL FOR SENIORS

Brown Staff — 10/27/2009 16:35

Washington, DC - Congressman Henry E. Brown, Jr. (R-SC) delivered the following remarks today on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives in opposition to the Democrat plan for a government takeover of health care that will cut seniors’ health care coverage:

“I rise today to highlight the Democrat’s plan to pay for their government takeover of health care by cutting nearly 162 billion dollars from Medicare at the expense of our seniors.

Across the nation, nearly 11 million seniors choose Medicare Advantage plans as their preferred coverage. Of those 11 million, over 11,000 seniors in the First District of South Carolina, an area with many retirees, may have their coverage dropped or benefits cut if the Democrats have it their way.

Despite the president’s promise that ‘if you like your current plan you can keep it,’ it is clear that some seniors will eventually be forced into a government-run plan.

Additionally, the CBO has said that the Democrats’ plan will increase seniors’ Medicare prescription drug costs by 20 percent over the next decade.

As Medicare dangerously approaches bankruptcy, Democrats must open the process up to Republicans to work to repair this rapidly failing program and protect our seniors from rising drug costs, limited coverage and a reduced quality of care.

Republicans vow to honor our seniors by blocking Washington bureaucrats from over regulating their health care and by providing options and the best quality coverage for all Americans.”

To view this clip, click here.

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Criminals May have been Hired for Census

Brown Staff — 10/09/2009 11:08

Errors by Census Bureau employees may have resulted in 200 people with criminal records being hired to conduct door-to-door canvassing.
Read more here.

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Brown Works to Prevent ACORN Sister Organization from Corrupting 2010 Census

Congressman Brown — 10/06/2009 16:05

In light of recent news that ACORN, a group closely involved in the federal 2010 census, has repeatedly misused federal funding and has been involved in illegal activity, I am proud to have signed onto a letter asking the U.S. Census Bureau take action to protect the public from the corruption of the 2010 Census.

The House and Senate have both voted to block federal funding from ACORN and the Census Bureau has recently terminated its partnership with the group, however, the bureau remains in close contact with SEIU, an affiliate of ACORN.

Official filings show that SEIU contributed more than $4 million to ACORN and its affiliates since 2006, and according to recent Department of Labor filings, SEIU employs ACORN Founder and International Chief Organizer Wade Rathke. Rathke was recently exposed for covering up an embezzlement scheme run by his brother.

A true and credible Census should not be associated with this type of corruption and my colleagues and I hope that, to defend the integrity of the process and ensure an unbiased report, the Census Bureau will end its close relationship with ACORN’s close sister organization, the SEIU.

Read more on my efforts to block federal funding of ACORN here.

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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Obama- Legalize illegals to get them health care

Brown Staff — 09/18/2009 14:41

President Obama said this week that his health care plan won't cover illegal immigrants, but argued that's all the more reason to legalize them and ensure they eventually do get coverage. Read more here.

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ATTENTIONS: Scam Targeting Vets

Brown Staff — 09/11/2009 14:15

The VA reports that a reprehensible scam is targeting veterans.

Scammers are calling VA beneficiaries under the guise of a phony "Patient Care Group". The caller claims that VA prescriptions are being administered by this company.

The scammers ask for personal information, including credit card information, claiming that this is necessary for the beneficiary to keep receiving prescriptions through the VA.

This is completely BOGUS.

The VA does not call vets and ask them to disclose personal information over the phone, and the VA hasn't changed any prescription dispensing rules.

Be safe. Never give out personal information to any unsolicited phone caller.

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Nation’s Unemployment Hits 26-Year High, Reaches 9.7%

Brown Staff — 09/08/2009 14:10

200 days after signing the $1 trillion “stimulus,” President Obama and Democrat leaders continue to tout the virtues of a tax, borrow, and spend economic policy while Americans lose their jobs. Recently, the Department of Labor announced that the August unemployment rate hit a staggering 9.7 percent—the highest level since June of 1983 and the largest one month jump since March.

Where are the Jobs?

Unemployment: In the month of August, there were 14.92 million unemployed individuals looking for work, the highest number in history. Since February, when the Democrats passed their “stimulus,” 2.46 million people have lost their jobs.

Employment: The number of employed individuals in August was 139.6 million. This is the first time that the number of employed people has been below 140 million since 2004. In the same month last year, there were 145.2 million people working in America.

Under-Employment: The number of individuals who reported being employed only part-time because of economic reasons was 9 million in August, yet another historic high and 3.2 million more than last year. The number of people counted as “Marginally Attached to Labor Force”—meaning people who were available and wanted work, but had stopped looking for work in the past four weeks—reached 2.2 million. All told, the unemployed, under-employed, and those who wanted work but were no longer aggressively looking totaled 26.1 million.

What are Democrats Doing?

“Stimulus”: To date, $88.8 billion of the “stimulus” has been spent. The vast majority of these funds have been spent on Medicaid payments to States, State education payments, and unemployment benefits. Only $2.3 billion or 0.3 percent has been spent on transportation construction projects, though the President said in February that “400,000 men and women will go to work rebuilding our crumbling roads and bridges.” Meanwhile, 216,000 men and women lost their jobs in August.

The Rhetoric: In an effort to justify spending $1 trillion on a failed “stimulus,” Vice President Biden has made a number of public appearances claiming that “the Recovery Act has created or saved between 500,000 to 750,000 jobs.” The Vice President, however, has not shown what jobs have been saved. The 2.4 million workers who have lost their jobs since the “stimulus” was signed certainly know what jobs have been lost.

The Bottom Line: While Americans lose jobs at the fastest rate in a quarter of a century, Democrats continue to spin the results of their “stimulus” and push a government-run takeover of the healthcare system and a national energy tax. In other words, a 9.7 percent unemployment rate does not appear to be causing Democrats to rethink their job-killing economic policies.

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The Search for Economic Stimulation and Jobs for Americans

Congressman Brown — 08/27/2009 14:25

On August 17th, we reached the six-month anniversary of the signing of the President’s $787 billion economic stimulus plan. Since becoming law, over two million Americans have lost work and only 18 percent of Americans say that the trillion-dollar plan has helped the economy, and I would have to agree.

Since its signing on February 17, 2009, the American people have been waiting for the “jolt” to the economy and “immediate” creation of jobs that the Administration promised. We have been waiting so long that my constituents in South Carolina are beginning to wonder if they will ever come.

The President insisted that to save or create up to four million jobs, Congress had to support this stimulus. Unfortunately, today, more than 2.8 million jobs have been lost and Congress continues to pass legislation that has added $869 billion in new debt, and will continue to further increase unemployment around the country.

We were told by the Administration that unemployment would rise as high as eight percent without the stimulus, but as we all know, national unemployment is now at nine and a half percent. In my home state of South Carolina it is 12 percent.

It’s a shame that, while my constituents are desperately waiting for jobs, the Democratic leadership has made job creation a lower priority than growing government, increased borrowing and ever greater federal spending.

In fact, the runaway spending that has been forced through the Democrat Congress, since January, has finally added up to the unimaginable- One Trillion Dollars in a month. To put this number in perspective, One Trillion Dollars is enough money to:
•    Buy everyone in the First District their own 26-acre island in Panama.

•    Spend a dollar per second for 32,000 years.

•    Stack up $ 1,000 bills, $ 1 trillion would need a pile that is 80 miles high.

•    Buy the most expensive house on the market in Charleston ($13 Million) 77,000 times.

•    Pay the rent of every renter in the US for 3 years and the mortgage of every homeowner for 14 months.

This type of spending shows no sign of slowing and unless we get this spending surge in check, Americans will be indebted to the recklessness of this Congress for decades to come. We must make hard choices to halt this slide into fiscal disaster to protect our children and grandchildren from an overwhelming financial burden in the future.

Republicans offered a better solution for fast-acting tax relief for working families and small businesses that would have created twice the jobs at half the cost, but unfortunately our alternatives were and continue to be ignored.

Our nation deserves a strategy for prosperity, not more spending, more taxes and more unemployment. In the next six months, Democrats must join Republicans in making our number one priority getting Americans back to work. My constituents are getting tired of waiting.

Note: A recent Gallup poll, of 1,010 adults nationwide, states that after six months, less than two in ten Americans say they have been helped by the supposedly timely “stimulus”, with 18 percent saying that the economic stimulus plan has made their financial situation better, 13 percent saying that it has made their financial situations worse and 68 percent saying that the economic stimulus has had no effect on their financial situation whatsoever.

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Why I am Opposed to the Democratic Health Care Plan

Congressman Brown — 08/13/2009 13:54

Millions will lose coverage, whether they like it or not: despite the President’s claim that “if you like your coverage, you can keep it,” proposed economic incentives, plus a government-run health plan would cause 83.4 million people to see their current employer-sponsored health plan disappear.

Your coverage will be affected, even if you are able to keep it: Because the Democrats’ health “reform” bill creates new standards that all plans must conform to, eventually any remaining plans will be forced to change their current benefits. These benefit “upgrades” will cause your premiums to rise.

New government regulations will stifle, instead of increase competition: Supporters of a new government run plan say that it would force greater competition among private insurance companies. But a new government controlled health care plan, coupled with the government’s new rules for private plans, would surely put private health insurance out of business sooner or later.

Government bureaucrats will pick your treatments: The President has said, “They’re going to have to give up paying for things that don’t make them healthier. ... If there’s a blue pill and a red pill, and the blue pill is half the price of the red pill and works just as well, why not pay half for the thing that’s going to make you well.” Based on statements like these, along with the creation of a new “health care tsar” who would give the final word on treatments, we can expect the government to be much more involved in choosing which treatments we can and can’t receive.

Individuals will be mandated to buy health insurance, which means less liberty and more taxes: The Administration and Democrats in Congress are open to the idea of an individual mandate, which would require everyone to buy insurance that the federal government says is “qualified.” Individuals who did not buy the government approved health insurance would be faced with a tax penalty. Interestingly, in 2008, then Presidential candidate Obama said that he opposed an individual mandate because it would compel Americans to buy health coverage they would otherwise regard as unaffordable, and that it would be unenforceable.

Taxes on business would be raised to higher rates than Europe: During a recession, when growth and jobs are at a premium, a surtax that will hit thousands of South Carolina small businesses has been proposed to pay for new government programs. If enacted, South Carolina’s top job creators and earners will have to bear a higher overall tax burden than Germany, France, Italy, and Japan, etc., with a national overall average tax rate of more than 52%. Raising such a tax during a recession, when we should be lessening the burden to create jobs and empower the consumer, is completely inappropriate.

Taxpayers could be stuck footing the bill for abortions: H.R. 3200 does not explicitly mention abortion, but this leaves it up to the new Medicare advisory commission and the “health care tsar” to determine if it should be a basic benefit, and thus funded by taxpayers. Since 1976, bills pertaining to health care have contained the Hyde Amendment, which bars the use of federal funds to pay for abortions. Such an amendment was offered by Republicans in the markup of H.R. 3200, but was defeated by Democrats on a party line vote. Because of the possibility that taxpayers would be required to fund abortions under this bill, many religious organizations, including the National Right to Life, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, oppose it.

It’s another $1 trillion bill, and once again, it won’t be paid for: According to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the bill would cost at least $1.042 trillion, and would increase the deficit by $239 billion. However, the largest programs in the bill won’t be implemented until 2013, so we won’t know their true costs until much later.

Rushing a thousand page bill prevents anyone from having time to read it: Policy as important to the American way of life should not be rushed. Some would like to prevent people from reading the bill, in order to prevent them from discovering provisions that could lead to loss of current coverage, rationing, interference with the doctor/patient relationship, and taxpayer funding of abortion. But when the Administration and Democratic leadership last told us we had to pass a thousand-page, $1 trillion bill in just a few days, as they did with the stimulus, we were threatened with 8% unemployment. Today, unemployment across the country stand at over 9% and unemployment in South Carolina rose over 12% on June.

Someone other than you may be making your health care decisions: The President has offered his diagnosis that “maybe you’d be better off not having the surgery, but taking the painkiller,” when asked about an elderly woman who needed a pacemaker. Further, he and Congressional Democrats have promised that somehow, their plan would save money without cutting benefits. Clearly, language is needed in any health reform bill that would block rationing of often life saving care through the deciding factor of cost or a federal board. But in both House and Senate committees, amendments that would have kept health care decisions between you and your doctor, and out of the hands of government bureaucrats, were blocked along party lines.

Would cut a half trillion dollars from seniors’ Medicare: In order to pay for much of his more than $1 trillion plan to reform health care, the President has proposed cutting Medicare by more than $400 billion. Nevertheless, claims that a provision in the bill authorizing reimbursement for “end of life counseling” would encourage seniors not to utilize life saving treatments have been dismissed as untrue. Yet, despite the reduced commitment to Medicare, the President still claims the changes will be “painless.”

Members of Congress who support a government run plan will keep their private plans: Proponents of H.R. 3200 have claimed that a government run plan would provide as good, or better, care than currently existing private plans. However, these same proponents want to keep their private plans, which do not resemble the proposed public plan they want to create. In fact, they feel their government plan is so important, that when an amendment was offered in the Committee on Energy and Commerce’s markup of the bill that would have given all Americans access to the same kind of private health insurance Members of Congress receive, they voted it down on party lines. In explanation, Chairman Waxman said, “I’d have to oppose this because it strikes the public plan.”

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New Video Highlights President Obama’s Own “Disinformation”

Brown Staff — 08/11/2009 16:24

During President Obama’s latest town hall, he claimed there are “wild misrepresentations” surrounding his plan for a government takeover of health care.
The House Republican Conference has produced this video to highlight the true source of this “disinformation.”

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Soaring deficit may defy forecasts

Brown Staff — 08/11/2009 12:02

DEFICIT SOARS

The federal budget has gone from surplus to deficit during the past decade.

Fiscal year     Surplus or deficit
2000     $236 billion
2001     $128 billion
2002     -$158 billion
2003     -$378 billion
2004     -$413 billion
2005     -$318 billion
2006     -$248 billion
2007     -$161 billion
2008     -$459 billion
2009*     -$1,841 billion

* Estimate
Source: White House

Stagnant unemployment, shrinking tax revenue and a struggling economy threaten to quadruple the size of last year's federal budget deficit, raising more questions about the timing of costly proposals to overhaul health care. Read more here.

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Brown Comments on Port of Georgetown Netting New 20-Year Contract

Brown Staff — 07/29/2009 15:49

Georgetown, SC – The Port of Georgetown will soon welcome the first ship call as part of a new, 20-year contract that will bring business to the port while supporting local manufacturing and maritime jobs.

Carolina-Pacific, a South Carolina-based producer of wood briquettes used as a renewable energy source, will begin manufacturing and exporting product from the Port of Georgetown in October. The first vessel is expected to handle 6,000 metric tons of product onto a ship for export to Europe.

Carolina-Pacific plans to move approximately 66,000 metric tons in its first year of operation at the port. Carolina-Pacific has signed a 20-year contract with the SCSPA with two, 5-year renewal options.

Local officials and business leaders joined company representatives, the maritime community and the South Carolina State Ports Authority (SCSPA) today at the port to announce the new business.

In addition to the business across the pier, Carolina-Pacific will initially occupy more than 100,000 square feet of warehouse space at the port to support manufacturing and exporting the wood briquettes, which are used in power generation as an eco-friendly substitute or supplement to coal.

Wood pellets and briquettes are quickly becoming a high-demand commodity overseas due to requirements that member countries of the European Union generate 20 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2020.

“We are excited to welcome Carolina-Pacific and this new business to the Port of Georgetown,” said L. David Schronce, the SCSPA’s director of the Port of Georgetown and Veterans Terminal. “Each ship entering the port supports tugs, pilots, longshoreman and others within the local maritime community, which means more dollars in the local economy.”

“Georgetown is a vital part of the state port system, and the Ports Authority is dedicated to keeping it a viable port facility for this community,” said David J. Posek, chairman of the SCSPA. “Today’s announcement demonstrates the Ports Authority’s commitment to aggressively pursue and grow business through Georgetown. Especially in this tough economic climate, we must focus on our core mission of serving as an economic engine for the State of South Carolina.”

“We appreciate and commend the Ports Authority’s flexibility and ingenuity in helping us launch this business,” said John B. Kern, chairman and CEO of Carolina-Pacific. “South Carolina is now staged to enter the renewable energy industry on a global scale.”

Kern noted that the operation has a direct connection to the state’s forestry and agricultural industries by utilizing South Carolina-sourced Southern Yellow Pine in the on-site production of the briquettes and in the transport of switchgrass grown in the I-95 corridor.

“I welcome today’s announcement and applaud Carolina-Pacific’s faith in the positive business climate of coastal South Carolina,” said Congressman Henry E. Brown. “This is also an important step forward for the Port of Georgetown, a significant economic development resource that I have long supported in Congress. The key to addressing the Port’s maintenance needs is to increase the tonnage coming across the dock, and the aggressive work by the community and the Ports Authority should be commended,” said Congressman Brown.

“This announcement is another indication that Commerce’s close partnership with the state Ports Authority is a winning combination. Having Commerce project manager John Scarborough stationed at the port provides further evidence that strong leadership at the Ports Authority working hand-in-hand with an economic development professional is a team that is producing dividends for South Carolina,” said Joe Taylor, Secretary of Commerce.

“Our state’s ports system continues to be an incredible asset for South Carolina and Carolina-Pacific’s commitment to the Port of Georgetown is another example of how export activity and the strength of our state’s ports are integral in attracting new jobs and growing our economy. Thanks to the team efforts of state and local leaders, Georgetown County will benefit from this announcement now and in the years ahead,” Secretary Taylor said.

Attention is being focused on maintenance dredging for Georgetown’s 27-foot authorized channel. Thanks to the action of Congressman Brown, the Energy & Water Appropriations bill approved by the U.S. House earlier this month included another $1 million toward needed maintenance dredging in Georgetown. With Sen. Lindsey Graham’s support, the Senate Appropriations committee adopted the same provision in its version of the bill.

ABOUT THE SOUTH CAROLINA STATE PORTS AUTHORITY:
The South Carolina State Ports Authority, established by the state's General Assembly in 1942, owns and operates public seaport facilities in Charleston and Georgetown, handling international commerce valued at more than $62 billion annually and receiving no direct taxpayer subsidy. An economic development engine for the state, port operations facilitate 260,800 jobs across South Carolina and nearly $45 billion in economic activity each year.

For more information:
Byron D. Miller
Director, Public Relations
S.C. State Ports Authority
843-577-8197
www.scspa.com

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State Unemployment Numbers Rise as “Stimulus” Fails.

Brown Staff — 07/20/2009 12:49

“Now most of the money that we're investing as part of this plan will get out the door immediately and go directly to job creation, generating or saving three to four million new jobs."—President Barack Obama, January 28, 2009

The President promised Americans that the trillion dollar “stimulus” was going to be spent quickly, create 3 to 4 million jobs, and get the Nation’s economy back on track. Now, while Democrats struggle to justify their spending spree with taxpayer dollars, families across the country continue to suffer from record unemployment.

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CBO Chief Says Dem Health Care Bill Will Increase Debt

Brown Staff — 07/16/2009 16:03

Democrats have persistently claimed that their plans for health care reform would save money by lowering health care costs. That is an excellent goal, and one we all share. Unfortunately for the Democrats, the Director of the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) says their claims don’t match up with reality:

“The health care overhauls released to date would increase, not reduce, the burgeoning long-term health costs facing the government, Congressional Budget Office Director Douglas Elmendorf said Thursday.” (CQ Politics, 7/16/09)

ABC News has the full exchange that took place today between CBO Director Doug Elmendorf and Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND). Here’s a snippet.

CONRAD: From what you have seen from the products of the committees that have reported, do you see a successful effort being mounted to bend the long-term cost curve?

ELMENDORF: No, Mr. Chairman. In the legislation that has been reported we do not see the sort of fundamental changes that would be necessary to reduce the trajectory of federal health spending by a significant amount. And on the contrary, the legislation significantly expands the federal responsibility for health care costs.

So much for that talking point. Your move, Democrats.

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STIMULUS UPDATE

Brown Staff — 07/14/2009 17:17

75% of Americans Believe Obama Stimulus Has Either Made the Economy Worse or Had No Impact

“So far, do you think the federal government’s stimulus package has made the economy better, made the economy worse, or has it had no impact on the economy so far?

21% Obama stimulus has made the economy better
15% Obama stimulus has made the economy worse
60% Obama stimulus has had no impact
75% Total: Obama stimulus has either made the economy worse or had no impact

CBS News Poll; conducted July 9-12, 2009; Survey of 944 Adults Nationwide

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House GOP Asks: Where are the Jobs?

Brown Staff — 07/09/2009 10:46

In a web video, released as it was reported that the US lost another 467,000 jobs in June, House Republicans shine a spotlight on several wasteful projects bankrolled by the taxpayer-funded trillion-dollar “stimulus” and underscore the lack of jobs created by the massive spending binge.

And according to CNN, Democrats are all over the map about what happened with the stimulus, and what to do next:

ACOSTA: It’s an issue that dogged the President all the way to Russia where Mr. Obama clarified statements made by his own Vice President on the recession.

VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: There was a misreading of just how bad an economy we inherited.

ACOSTA: Not exactly, according to the President.

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: I would actually, rather than say “misread,” we had incomplete information.

ACOSTA: Who still believes the stimulus was the right call.

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

And just yesterday, as South Carolina's unemployment sits at a historic 12%, the Government Accountability Office issued a report showing that stimulus funds are not flowing to areas who are the hardest hit by the recession. Republicans warned that this would happen when the stimulus was passed, and that is why we proposed a pro-growth stimulus of fast-acting tax cuts to help small business create jobs. Instead of helping our country get back on its feet, all the Administration and the Democratic Congress has done is make Washington bigger, wasted taxpayer money, and piled more debt on the backs of our children.

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YouTube: Top Obama Advisor Won’t Guarantee Americans Will Keep Their Health Plan

Brown Staff — 06/25/2009 14:40

In recent days, the Obama administration has increasingly walked back promises that the Democrat health care plan will not force Americans out of the coverage they currently enjoy.

Yesterday at a House committee hearing on the Democrat plan, Christina Romer, the Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers at the White House, found herself unable to ease American concerns that they will be forced into a government-run health care system.

Watch the video here.

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DEMOCRAT’S NATIONAL ENERGY TAX WILL COST 2.5 MILLION AMERICAN JOBS, HITTING EVERY REGION OF THE COUNTRY

Brown Staff — 06/25/2009 11:22

WITH MILLIONS IN JOB LOSSES ALREADY THIS YEAR, IS A JOB-KILLING NATIONAL ENERGY TAX REALLY THE MESSAGE DEMOCRATS WANT TO SEND TO WORKERS, SMALL BUSINESSES?

Democrat’s national energy tax is a massive job-killer. According to a National Black Chamber of Commerce study, the devastating plan will cost 2.5 million American jobs thanks to the higher energy costs it will force consumers, small businesses, and other employers to pay. The impact will be felt from coast to coast – literally. The following chart shows the projected job loss in every single region, with especially large job losses in areas of the country already hit hard by the recession:

Source: CRA International Study Prepared for National Black Chamber of Commerce

As the House prepares to vote on Speaker Pelosi’s national energy tax as soon as this Friday, are Democrats representing these regions of the country really prepared to vote for even more job loss? Is that a message they want to bring home to middle-class families and small businesses in their districts heading into the Independence Day recess?

House Republicans don’t think so – and in an op-ed published in Tuesday’s Washington Examiner, House GOP Leader John Boehner (R-OH) highlighted the job-killing nature of Speaker Pelosi’s national energy taxes and House Republicans’ “all of the above” plan for more jobs, lower energy prices, and a cleaner environment.

All year long, Democrats have been promising more and more jobs, but nearly three million have been lost since January. After a record spending binge on the trillion-dollar “stimulus,” the $400 billion omnibus loaded with 9,000 earmarks, a $3.6 trillion budget that spends, taxes, and borrows too much, and endless bailouts, American workers are asking, “Where are the jobs?” If House Democrats get their way and pass Speaker Pelosi’s national energy tax, those jobs will be leaving America and headed to competitors like China and India, who won’t enact a national energy tax of their own. During this time of economic crisis, is this really a policy Washington Democrats want to pursue?

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In Case You Missed It: Brown Meets with MUSC Children's Hospital Heart Patient

Brown Staff — 06/22/2009 11:36

Boy with heart defect speaks out for sick kids
The Post and Courier
Monday, June 22, 2009

Christine Chase, a North Charleston mother of two, was 18 weeks pregnant when she found out her son would be born with a congenital heart defect.

"Scary. That's the closest word I can use to describe how I felt all the time," said Chase, who quit her job as a pharmacy technician to care for her son. "It was devastating in the hospital. There was constant anxiety because we didn't know if he'd survive or not."

Matthew Chase was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a defect meaning only his right two heart chambers formed, resulting in three open-heart surgeries by age 3, all performed at the Medical University of South Carolina Children's Hospital.

Five years later, Matthew spent the past week as an MUSC representative in Washington for the 2009 National Association of Children's Hospitals Family Advocacy Day. He met with South Carolina's U.S. Reps. Jim Clyburn and John Spratt Jr., both Democrats, Republican Henry Brown and Republican U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint to discuss both affordable health insurance coverage and specialized, quality care for children.

Read more here.

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In Case You Missed It: White House Officials admit “president's rhetoric shouldn't be taken literally”

Brown Staff — 06/19/2009 14:57

You Can Keep Your Coverage – Unless You’re One of the Millions Who Can’t
White House Officials admit “president's rhetoric shouldn't be taken literally”

President Obama and congressional Democrats are working overtime to sell the American people on a costly government takeover of our health care system.

“If you like your doctor, you will be able to keep your doctor, period. If you like your health care plan, you'll be able to keep your health care plan, period. No one will take it away, no matter what.” (Remarks by the President at the Annual Conference of the American Medical Association, June 15, 2009)

Unfortunately for Democrats – and for the millions of Americans who like their current coverage – the Congressional Budget Office says that claim is just not true.

“Once the proposal was fully implemented, about 39 million individuals would obtain coverage through the new insurance exchanges. At the same time, the number of people who had coverage through an employer would decline by about 15 million (or roughly 10 percent), and coverage from other sources would fall by about 8 million, so the net decrease in the number of people uninsured would be about 16 million.” (Preliminary Analysis of Major Provisions Related to Health Insurance Coverage Under the Affordable Health Choices Act, June 15, 2009)

That’s 23 million Americans who will lose their current coverage under one partial plan being considered in the U.S. Senate.

“Dallas Salisbury, head of the Employee Benefit Research Institute, called Obama's promise ‘an aspirational statement. If he was a king, he would deliver that, but he’s not king,’ said Salisbury. His group is a nonpartisan information clearinghouse on health and pension benefits.” (Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, “Promises, Promises: Obama's health plan guarantee,” The Associated Press, June 19, 2009)

In the same article, White House officials agree and, “suggest the president's rhetoric shouldn't be taken literally.” That’s a startling statement from the same people who argued so fiercely during a campaign stop in Wisconsin last year that words matter. Guess now they’re, “just words.”

Americans who like their current coverage should be able to keep it, and no one should be forced into a government-run plan that puts bureaucrats between patients and their doctors. That’s why the GOP Health Care Solutions Group unveiled a plan earlier this week that promotes commonsense reforms that make health care more affordable, reduce the number of uninsured Americans, and increase quality at a price our country can afford—while making sure that Americans who like their health care coverage can keep it by stopping the government takeover Democrats are championing.

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Brown Offers Condolances to Victims of the April Earthquake in Abruzzo, Italy

Brown Staff — 06/15/2009 16:29

Congressman Brown is an original cosponsor of H.RES.430, legislation which expresses condolences to the citizens of Italy and support for the Government of Italy in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that struck the Abruzzo region of central Italy. Following the passage of the resolution today, Brown, a member of the bicameral and bipartisan Italian American Congressional Delegation, made the following statement:

“As I represent an area that has many close personal ties to Italy, I was extremely saddened, back in April, at the news of this devastating earthquake.

Charleston is proud to be home to the Spoleto Festival USA in Charleston, an art festival and American counterpart of the Festival of Two Worlds held annually in Spoleto, Italy. Additionally, North Charleston enjoys the presence of Global Aeronautica LLC, a joint venture between Alenia North America, a subsidiary of Italy’s Alenia Aeronautica and Vought Aircraft Industries responsible for assembling the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Italy is a major political and commercial ally of the United States and we value our relationship with them greatly. I, along with all of my Congressional colleagues, send our sincerest condolences to the victims and families affected by this massive natural disaster and reinforce the notion that we remain in full support of the Italian Government during this trying time.”

Note: On April 6, 2009 the L'Aquila earthquake, measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale, killed at least 297 people and severely damaged the infrastructure of the central Italian region of Abruzzo.

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In Case You Missed It: Over 30 Conservation Groups Join Brown in Push for Passage of Semipostal Stamp Act

Brown Staff — 06/11/2009 15:09

I received the support of The Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation and more than 30 other organizations representing millions of American hunter conservationists when they sent a letter yesterday to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee, urging them to support H.R. 1454, the Multinational Species Conservation Funds Semipostal Stamp Act, legislation introduced by Congressman Brown and previously championed by Jack Hanna, the Director Emeritus of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

Read more of my release here.
Read the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation's release here.

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Letter to Congressman Brown from James Lighthizer, President of Civil War Preservation Trust

Brown Staff — 06/09/2009 13:28

Below is a letter I received from the President of the Civil War Preservation Trust. Civil War Preservation Trust Letter 052809

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Fiction Non-fiction civilization Literature-Literatur

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Fiction vs. Reality – President’s Fuzzy Stimulus Math

Brown Staff — 06/08/2009 14:30

With the President promising 600,000 jobs over the next 100 days, we hope any measure of reported success will not rely on the same fuzzy math he has used in the past.

Fiction: When he signed the stimulus, President Obama said that the legislation “will create or save 3.5 million jobs over the next two years.”
Reality: According to the Administration, $112 billion from the stimulus has been spent or obligated so far. Assuming that the President’s unsubstantiated claim that the legislation has saved 150,000 is correct, each job saved by the first $112 billion in stimulus spending cost $746,600. At that rate, the entire stimulus would “save” 1 million jobs—far less than the 1.6 million lost since the stimulus was signed. At a total cost of $787 billion, that is a net loss of at least 600,000 jobs.

Fiction: The stimulus has already created 150,000 jobs, as President Obama has stated repeatedly.
Reality: The country has lost 1.6 million jobs since the stimulus was passed into law, and unemployment has increased from 8.1 percent in February to 8.9 percent in April.

Fiction: $45.6 billion of the stimulus has been spent and is helping struggling Americans.
Reality: The Administration is exaggerating the amount of stimulus money that has actually been spent. For instance, the White House reported on May 5, 2009, that the Department of Labor had made $11.5 billion in payments to the unemployment trust fund. It was later revealed that the Department had only been given $1.1 billion. In reality, about $36 billion of the stimulus has been spent — less than five percent of the stimulus.

Fiction: As President Obama has proclaimed, the stimulus is “what we need to do to create jobs for Americans scrambling in the wake of layoffs, to provide relief for families worried they won't be able to pay next month’s bills.”
Reality: According to analysis conducted by the Associated Press (AP), those Americans hardest hit by the economic downturn have received the least stimulus money. The AP stated that their study revealed that “states are planning to spend 50 percent more per person in areas with the lowest unemployment than in communities with the highest.”

Fiction: The stimulus funds are being spent on hundreds of important projects, which are closely tracked and specifically reported by the White House.
Reality: The Administration has reported misleading and false information about how the stimulus money is being spent. In Vice President Biden’s report, “100 Days, 100 Projects,” the White House falsely claims that the very first project highlighted in the report had received $27 million for a public housing development in Washington, D.C. However, it was later revealed that the Administration’s report was false and the project had only received $59,000.

Fiction: The President is committed to “transparency and accountability” and has created Recovery.org so the American people can “see how the money is being spent.”
Reality: According to a Washington Post report titled, “Tracking Stimulus Spending May Not Be as Easy as Promised,” it was revealed that Recovery.org offers “little beyond news releases, general breakdowns of spending, and acronym-laden spreadsheets and timelines.” Even House Education and Labor Committee Chairman, Brad Miller (D-CA), admitted the Administration “may not achieve the transparency they set out to.”

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Brown Backs Improved Health Benefits for Female Vets

Brown Staff — 06/04/2009 17:05

This morning, the Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health passed legislation aimed at improving health care services for female veterans, particularly those who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

As the Ranking Republican on the subcommittee, and a cosponsor of the bill, I was proud to speak in support of The Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act (H.R. 1211) as I believe it will reinforce the necessity of providing health care for female veterans that focuses on their unique needs.

Women make up about 8 percent of the total veterans population. Therefore, it is essential for us to make sure that the VA is providing specialized programs and services to meet their unique physical and mental health needs.

Some of the main objectives of the bill are to provide more extensive care to newborns of female veterans, greater child care assistance, and to allow both minority and female veterans to serve on federal advisory committees on veterans’ affairs. The bill also looks to provide better heath care training programs for those caring for female veterans.

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BROWN BACKS RECREATIONAL BOATING BUSINESS

Brown Staff — 06/04/2009 11:01

As the representative for 75 percent of the South Carolina coast and many of my state’s recreational and commercial boaters, I spoke during today’s Transportation and Infrastructure Full Committee Markup in strong support of legislation which recognizes the numerous national contributions of the recreational boating community and the boating industry.

I was proud to introduce H. Res. 410 along with Representative Kline and my other committee counterparts, Representatives Gene Taylor and Candice Miller, and I further encourage the rest of my colleagues on the Committee to support this resolution.

To read more on my efforts for the recreational boaters of South Carolina and the nation, read my original press release on H. Res. 410 here.

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STIMULUS UPDATE

Brown Staff — 05/28/2009 12:43

Even the liberal media admits the facts...

Less Than 6% of Stimulus Funds Have Been Paid Out:
NY TIMES: "Nearly three months after President Obama approved a $787 billion economic stimulus package… the federal government has paid out less than 6 percent of the money …The intent of the stimulus program was to pump money into the economy quickly, and many members of Congress said at the time of its passage that speed was of the essence. But the huge program has been a challenge to administer for both a new administration and for states and local governments grappling with their own fiscal problems.” (“Stimulus Aid Trickles Out, but States Seek Quicker Relief,” New York Times, 05/12/2009)

“Unemployment Will Likely Keep Rising Through 2010 to Peak Over 10 Percent”:
Reuters: “The U.S. economy will likely start growing again in the second half of this year but unemployment will likely keep rising through 2010 to peak over 10 percent, the Congressional Budget Office said on Thursday…It will likely take several years for the unemployment rate to fall back to levels seen before the recession hit, in the neighborhood of 5 percent, he said in the prepared remarks.” (“U.S. unemployment likely to peak above 10 percent: CBO,” Reuters, 05/21/2009)

“Counties Suffering Most” Will “Receive the Least Help” From The Stimulus:
AP: “Counties suffering the most from job losses stand to receive the least help from President Barack Obama's plan to spend billions of stimulus dollars on roads and bridges, an Associated Press analysis has found…Although the intent of the money is to put people back to work, AP's review of more than 5,500 planned transportation projects nationwide reveals that states are planning to spend the stimulus in communities where jobless rates are already lower.” (“STIMULUS WATCH: Early road aid leaves out neediest,” Associated Press, 05/11/2009)

Most Agencies Haven’t “Reported More Than 3% of Funds Allocated”
Wall Street Journal: “With the exception of two agencies, none have reported more than 3% of the funds allocated to them as having been used by recipients. The slow speed reflects the often complex procedures set out by the program for both government agencies dispensing money and the governors, municipal authorities, nonprofits and private companies getting it.” (“Economic-Stimulus Cash Is Moving Slowly,” Wall Street Journal, 05/13/2009)

There “May Be No Way to Spend So Much Money Quickly And Effectively”:
Washington Post: “They are being told that the stimulus package must be huge to work, but there may be no way to spend so much money quickly and effectively. Given the limitations, Congress and the administration would be well advised to trim the stimulus bill's more dubious spending, or reallocate it and focus on a definitive financial sector cleanup. Fiscal stimulus can be a part of the solution, but only if it is "targeted, timely and temporary." The efforts so far don't quite match that description.”
“Priming the Pump: The stimulus plan has something for everyone -- and a lot that's not stimulus.” (Editorial, “Priming the Pump,” Washington Post, 1/25/2009)

“Range Of Respected Economists” Believe Stimulus “Won’t Stimulate Economic Activity”:
McClatchy: “The compromise economic stimulus plan agreed to by negotiators from the House of Representatives and the Senate is short on incentives to get consumers spending again and long on social goals that won't stimulate economic activity, according to a range of respected economists. ‘I think (doing) nothing would have been better,’ said Ed Yardeni, an investment analyst who's usually an optimist, in an interview with McClatchy. He argued that the plan fails to provide the right incentives to spur spending.” (“Will the stimulus actually stimulate? Economists say no,” McClatchy, 2/12/2009)

While Biden Tries To “Paint A Glowing Picture” On The Economy, The “Picture Is Incomplete And The Colors Are Far More Muted”:
AP: “It is not disputed that Washington is spending historic amounts of money at a rate far faster than normal…But the effect of that spending is less clear. Many of the claims the White House is making are based on anecdotes selected to fit the Obama administration's message. For instance, the report cites a newspaper article about workers being rehired at a factory in Chicago. That account is true, but is no more an accurate snapshot of the nation's economy than a story, not cited in the report, about a Roanoke, Va., railcar factory closing.” (“FACT CHECK: Data belie Biden stimulus anecdotes,” Associated Press, 05/13/2009)

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Traffic congestion could increase 70 percent by 2030

Brown Staff — 05/20/2009 15:05

By 2030, Charleston roads could be clogged like Atlanta unless the system is improved.

Congestion would have jumped by 70 percent by then.
South Carolina has the fourth highest traffic fatality rate in the country.

The death rate is five times higher on rural roads than other highways.
Twenty-eight percent of the state's roads are in poor or mediocre condition
20 percent of its bridges are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete

The House will be considering a transportation bill later this year that will continue efforts to make improvements in these areas.

Click here to read the full Post & Courier article.

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Brown Supports Bill to Strengthen Role of Civil Air Patrol in Homeland Security

Brown Staff — 05/12/2009 16:49

I am proud to support H.R.1178, legislation that unanimously passed the House of Representatives today requiring an assessment of how the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) can support homeland security missions.

Consisting of 57,000 volunteers from all across the country, equipped with 500 planes, the Civil Air Patrol stands ready to support the United States Air Force and the Department of Homeland Security in the event of a natural disaster, a man-made emergency, border security issues or terrorist threats.

Overall, the studies approved by this legislation will find that using CAP resources to bolster our border security and assist in disaster response is a sensible and cost-effective measure that passed here today will ensure that the Civil Air Patrol is functioning properly and supporting both the United States Air Force and the Department of Homeland Security to the best of its ability.

For more information on H.R. 1178, click here and for more information on the Civil Air Patrol, click here.

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SHOCK VIDEO: HOUSE DEM SAYS TERRORISTS SHOULD RECEIVE SAME “DUE PROCESS” RIGHTS AS U.S. TROOPS

Brown Staff — 05/07/2009 17:25

IS THIS THE DEMOCRATS’ PLAN FOR DEALING WITH THE TERRORIST THREAT?

In a House Appropriations Committee debate this afternoon, Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) waded into a discussion about what to do with the cold-blooded terrorists housed at the Guantanamo Bay prison and offered this solution: give them the same “due process” rights as American troops. That’s right. Some of the most dangerous terrorists on the face of the Earth … enjoying the same rights as men and women defending our nation from attack.

Can’t believe it? See it for yourself:

REP. ADAM SCHIFF (D-CA): “I think we can use the Uniform Code of Military Justice in the military courts which are very much a home-court advantage and we can held up to the rest of the world that we’re giving these detainees the same due process we give our own troops when they’re brought up on court martial charges. Nothing more and nothing less.”

Giving terrorists like Khalid Sheikh Muhammad, the mastermind of the September 11 attacks on America, and Abu Zubaydah, who personally trained some of the 9/11 hijackers, the same rights as the men and women protecting Americans from terrorists hell-bent on destroying America and our allies? As shocking as Rep. Schiff’s solution sounds, the question is: Do Democratic leaders in Congress and the Administration agree with him? Is this their plan for dealing with the terrorist threat?

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Brown & First District Constituents: "Stamp Out Extinction"

Brown Staff — 05/06/2009 16:14

During this week’s Resources Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife hearing, Congressman Henry E. Brown Jr. (R-SC), invited two of his constituents, Whit McMillan of the South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston and Doc Antle, founder of TIGERS in Myrtle Beach, to testify in support of two pieces of legislation he drafted: the Marine Turtle Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2009 and the Multinational Species Conservation Funds Semipostal Stamp Act, respectively.

Learn more about the hearing here.
Read articles from the Humane Society and Environment and Energy News commending the Congressman for his efforts.

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Brown Named to Rural America Solutions Group

Brown Staff — 05/06/2009 12:43

Congressman Henry Brown will be part of a new task force focusing on issues facing rural America.

“As someone who was born and raised on a farm in Cordesville, South Carolina, I look forward to working on these vital issues and joining my Congressional colleagues, from across the country, in formulating needed policies for rural America,” said Brown.

Formation of the Rural America Solutions Group was announced by U.S. House Republican Leader John Boehner of Ohio.

“Families, small businesses, and farmers in rural areas are struggling, and this group will work to provide positive solutions to help farming and agricultural communities across the nation hit hard by this recession,” said Boehner

The 15-member task force will be chaired by the ranking members of the House committees on Natural Resources, Small Business and House Agriculture Committee, Washington.

Members of the Rural America Solutions Group include:

    * Frank Lucas (R-OK) – Co-Chair
    * Doc Hastings (R-WA) – Co-Chair
    * Sam Graves (R-MO) – Co-Chair
    * Rob Bishop (R-UT
    * Henry Brown (R-SC
    * Jason Chaffetz (R-UT)
    * Mike Conaway (R-TX)
    * Steve King (R-IA)
    * Tom Latham (R-IA)
    * Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO)
    * Cynthia Lummis (R-WY
    * Tom McClintock (R-CA)
    * Adam Putnam (R-FL)
    * George Radonovich (R-CA)
    * Phil Roe (R-TN)
    * Adrian Smith (R-NE)

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Dems Don't Fund Bid To Close Gitmo

Brown Staff — 05/05/2009 11:33

House Democrats dealt the White House a setback yesterday and dropped President Obama’s request for $81 million to close the Guantanamo Bay prison camp bowing to strong Republican criticism that the administration lacks a plan to relocate terror suspects detained there.

Mr. Obama requested the money as part a spending bill for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, but Democratic appropriators left it out of the bill circulated Monday among House Appropriations Committee staffers. Read more here.

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IMPORTANT: GI Bill Announcment

Brown Staff — 05/01/2009 15:56

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced MAY 1ST that Veterans can begin submitting applications on-line for the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
Click here for more information.

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GITMO UPDATE

Brown Staff — 05/01/2009 12:15

Defense Secretary Robert Gates said this month that he "fully" expects every member of Congress to draft legislation prohibiting the transfer of military detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to U.S. prisons. As I have drafted and submitted legislation stating just this, 15 of my House Republican colleagues and I also wrote a letter this month to Congressmen David Obey and Jerry Lewis, Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on Appropriations respectively, expressing our opposition to the proposed funding in the FY09 War Supplemental to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, and the relocation of those detainees to other facilities, including military installations in the United States.

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Brown Offers Support for Horry County Fire Victims

Brown Staff — 05/01/2009 11:18

After learning of the catastrophic fire that would eventually damage or destroy over 1500 homes and 20,000 acres in Horry County, my only cause for relief was knowing that the people living in the path of the fire were safe.

Now, we must focus on the next steps that must be taken to rebuild the area and provide for the members of the community who have lost their homes and property.

I was in Washington when I heard the news, and immediately made contact with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, both in DC and in Atlanta, and with Mayor Hatley. She and I both shared the sentiment that we were grateful that no lives were lost as it is far easier to replace the material things in life.

The Monday following the devastating fire, I visited the affected area to speak with the residents, homeowners and emergency personnel involved in this disaster. I applaud the diligence of these dedicated men and women and echo the sentiments of so many residents who witnessed their diligence and resolve in the face of imminent personal danger. North Myrtle Beach Mayor Marilyn Hatley, the South Carolina Forestry Commission and all of the local and state officials, who acted in a cooperative spirit should be commended, as well.

Many of our friends and neighbors are facing a daunting task in putting back the pieces of their lives and re-establishing a sense of normalcy for their families. We should continue to remember them in our thoughts and prayers. If I can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to give me a call at 843-445-6459 or toll free at 888-868-0737.

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BROWN VOWS TO PROVIDE HELP TO ALL VETERANS SEEKING IT

Brown Staff — 04/30/2009 13:39

During this week’s Veteran’s Subcommittee on Health, Ranking Republican, Congressman Henry E. Brown Jr. (R-SC) made the following statement on Veteran mental healthcare:

“Thank you Mr. Chairman. I appreciate your holding this hearing today.

Mental health is a critical component of a person’s well-being. And, essential to the mission of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to care for those who have borne the battle is to effectively intervene and care for the invisible wounds of war.

The psychological toll of war is not always apparent and sadly has not always received the attention it should. However, I think we can all agree that the VA has come a long way, especially in the past few years, to improve mental health services and encourage veterans in need of care to get help.

Even though significant progress has been made, there is no doubt that we must still do more. As we continue to hear about veterans facing barriers and service gaps. We must ensure that if a veteran seeks help, that veteran gets the right care at the right time.

In the past decade, we have made a substantial investment in VA mental health, increasing funding by eighty-one percent, from $2.1 billion in fiscal year 2001 to no less than $3.8 billion in fiscal year 2009. That is why it was very disturbing when the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported in November of 2006 that the VA had not allocated all the available funding for the mental health initiative. It is our responsibility to see that funding we provide is spent as intended – to support a complete array of mental health prevention, early intervention and rehabilitation programs for our nation’s veterans.

I look forward to hearing from our witness and this opportunity to take a good look at where we stand in taking care of the mental health needs of our veterans.
With that, Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.”

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BROWN APPLAUDS ARNOLD PALMER FOR HIS SERVICE TO THE FIRST DISTRICT AND THE NATION

Brown Staff — 04/28/2009 16:12

I was honored to cosponsor legislation, which passed the house today, awarding a gold medal on behalf of Congress to Arnold Palmer in recognition of his service to the nation in promoting excellence and good sportsmanship in golf.

Mr. Palmer has made a significant impact on the nationally known golfing and tourism industries of the First District of South Carolina. He is credited with designing two of our coast’s premier golf courses, Myrtle Beach National and River Town Country Club, just north of Charleston in Mount Pleasant, both of which I have had had the privilege to play.

In addition to his contributions to the golf courses of my district, I applaud him for upholding the sport of golf as a gentleman’s game as it instills the essential value of good sportsmanship in players of all ages.

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Controlled Burning and How it Effected the Horry County Fire

Brown Staff — 04/28/2009 16:08

One of the largest fires in state history burned through nearly 20,000 acres and destroyed or damaged more than 150 homes in Horry Country from last Wednesday to Sunday. However, had you visited that same spans of land just 20 years ago much of it was covered by pine plantations owned by timber and paper companies. These companies would maintain the land by regularly conducting controlled burns to rid the forests of the very same underbrush that fueled that massive fire on the edge of Myrtle Beach last week.

Many of the destroyed or damaged homes were built in forestlands that have not been burned with a controlled fire for years and the only effective way to prevent build-up of underbrush and debris in these vast woods is through controlled burns. Fueling the problem is some of the vegetation that grows in the underbrush — wax myrtle and holly. Both have waxy leaves that provide volatile, hot-burning fuel, kind of like gasoline.

I make this point, because I myself, am a patron of the forests and to preserve and maintain my own lands and the surrounding Francis Marion National Forest, I conduct controlled burns periodically on my property in Berkeley County. I do this to prevent wildfires that may uncontrollably burn any area that has not been cleared properly by controlled burning. This was exactly one of the factors that fueled the fire in North Myrtle Beach. Had that land been control burned, thousands of needless acres and millions of dollars of property may have been spared. More simply put, you must have good fires to prevent the bad fires. Hopefully, we can all learn from the devastation of this fire and become better stewards of the land in the future.

Read more from a Post & Courier & Sun News articles on the importance of controlled burning.

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BROWN CHAMPIONS AGAINST CHILD ABUSE

Brown Staff — 04/28/2009 10:50

“As a constant advocate against child abuse in all forms, I was proud to cosponsor legislation, which passed yesterday by voice vote, supporting the observance of National Child Abuse Prevention Month. With one in four girls and one in six boys being sexually abused before their 18th birthday, it is going to take all of us stepping up to protect them. In the words from a refrigerator magnet I have at home, ‘one hundred years from now, it will not matter what my bank account was, the type of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove, but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.’”

Earlier this month, Darkness to Light, the leading organization working to reduce and identify child sexual abuse in the US, awarded Congressman Brown with the Inaugural Congressional Voice of Courage Award for his efforts in bringing the issue of child sexual abuse to the forefront.

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President's Budget Winners & Losers

Brown Staff — 04/20/2009 12:04

A Detailed Analysis of President Obama's Budget Prepared by U.S. House Committee Republicans

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Point of Reference -- Obama's $100 MILLION Budget Cut Challenge

Brown Staff — 04/20/2009 11:57

According to reports, President Obama will hold a cabinet meeting today in which he will order the departments to identify a total of $100 MILLION in budget cuts over the next 3 months. Note that – according to CBO – under Obama’s budget, the Federal Government will spend more than $4 TRILLION this year alone (FY 2009).

That works out to $7.6 million in spending-- per minute.
It will take about 13 minutes for the Federal Government to spend $100 million.
During this 90 day review, the Federal Government will spend nearly $1 trillion ($987.3 billion).

For additional perspective…

$100 million is .002% of total spending.
$100 million is .02% of omnibus spending.
$100 million is .01% of total stimulus cost.

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DHS Accusations “Unacceptable”

Henry E. Brown Jr. — 04/20/2009 11:31

It is offensive and unacceptable that the Department of Homeland Security has characterized the men and women returning home from defending our country as potential terrorists. These veterans should be welcomed home with open arms, not subjected to unfair treatment that could lead to discrimination. Unfortunately, the Obama Administration has, now, not only questioned the character and patriotism of returning veterans, but has also suggested that they should pay for care that the VA has a responsibility to provide. These attacks, on the men and women who have risked their lives to protect our citizens and the liberty we cherish, must stop.

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New: House Republican's Economic Solutions Center

Brown Staff — 04/16/2009 14:33

The Office of the Republican Whip presents the House Republican's Economic Solutions Center
This online tool focuses on real life answers to the following everyday questions common during these trying economic times:

How will I keep my job?
How should we use tax payer money?
How will I grow my savings?
How will I keep my house?

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Words from Washington: Supporting the Fair Tax

Brown Staff — 04/15/2009 13:08

Tax Day, April 15th, has historically been a dreaded date for many, but even more so today, as Americans are facing some of the most trying economic times in years. We are reminded on this day, that most things in life are taxed, and this trend only seems to be increasing with the recent passage of the 2010 budget, as it could bring the largest tax increase in U.S. history.

Our current economic crisis will not be solved through tax increases or massive government spending. Instead, we must reform the broken tax code by offering Americans progressive alternatives like the Fair Tax. As the only member of the South Carolina Delegation to support the Fair Tax Act, I continue to stand firmly behind this legislation as it would actually simplify our tax system by repealing the current income tax, abolishing the Internal Revenue Service and enacting a national sales tax.

Read more of my thoughts on The Sun News Opinion Blog.

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The Employee Free Choice Act Could Kill Businesses

Brown Staff — 04/14/2009 13:48

Everyday you hear from countless associations about their opposition to the Employee Free Choice Act, but this take, from an actual member of the Associated Builders & Contractors, Inc, really puts into perspective how bad this bill will actually be for America’s employers. Read his blog post on the detrimental impact passage of the Employee Free Choice Act will have on his concrete construction firm.

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Veterans Upward Bound Program is Hard at Work in the First District

Brown Staff — 04/08/2009 17:26

With over half a million veterans living in South Carolina, I have been a strong advocate for our nation’s heroes since coming to Congress. Currently I have the honor to serve as the Ranking Republican Member on the Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Health, and have continued to work diligently to ensure that the all veterans are able to easily access adequate health care.

In addition to my work to improve the VA health care system, I prioritize the overall quality of life for veterans, including their ability to resume their civilian lives either in a job or in furthering their education after their service to our country.

In 2007, when the Department of Education was looking cut the Upward Bound Veterans Program, a service designed to help eligible U.S. military veterans refresh their academic skills so that they can successfully complete a secondary degree of their choosing, I, along with several of my colleagues in the House, cosponsored legislation that would improve the program for the future.

Read the article highlighting the Upward Bound Program’s efforts at work in the First District and learn more information on my efforts for our nation’s veterans and the specifics of the Upward Bound Program.

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Brown Applauds Payment Increase for Military Survivors

Brown Staff — 04/06/2009 10:47

As the Ranking Republican Member of the Veterans Affairs’ Subcommittee on Health, I was extremely pleased to be able to offer my support for provisions of the Federal Reform Act that will decrease the burden placed on military survivors by the ‘widow’s tax.’

Read more of my comments on this essential veteran's legislation.

As a continuous and ardent supporter of all veterans, I have worked hard to draft and sponsor legislation to enhance the lives of our nation’s heroes and their families. Read my remarks on this legislation from this week’s the Veterans’ Affairs Committee Meeting. Learn more about the my efforts for all veterans.

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Budget Passes House and Senate with NO GOP Votes

Brown Staff — 04/03/2009 10:52

Last night the President's Budget passed the House and Senate with NO Republican votes in either chamber.
Read about my support of the alternative GOP budget plans that offered reasonable solutions for middle class families, focused directly on creating jobs, tax relief and empowering small businesses to survive and grow.

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Brown Ranked #1 in SC Delegation on Animal Protection Issues During the 110th Congress

Brown Staff — 03/31/2009 12:34

Congressman Brown, the Ranking Republican on the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries, Oceans and Wildlife, ranked #1 in the South Carolina delegation on Animal Protection Issues during the 110th Congress.

View the Congressman's score and the entire 110th Congress Humane Score Card to see how other members ranked.

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Brown Lauds Essential Unanimously Passed Veterans Legislation

Brown Staff — 03/31/2009 11:17

As the Ranking Republican Member of the Veterans Affairs’ Subcommittee on Health, I was extremely pleased that the House unanimously approved, by voice vote yesterday, H.R. 1377, legislation that would allow veterans to seek emergency care at the closest provider without fear of facing large out-of-pocket expenses.

Additionally, the House unanimously passed H.R. 1171, The Homeless Veterans Reintegration Reauthorization Act of 2009, legislation that extends the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP), a program that provides grants to local homeless veteran’s service organizations for job training, through 2014. An attached amendment would extend the HVRP’s services to homeless female veterans and homeless veterans with children. Also agreed upon unanimously by the House was H.R. 1513, The Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act, legislation that increases rates of disability, dependency and indemnity compensation for wartime disabilities, benefits, clothing allowance, and surviving spouses and children.

Read Congressman Brown's original statement from committee on H.R. 1377.

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Comments on the President’s Budget from First District Residents and other South Carolinians:

Brown Staff — 03/31/2009 10:13

Susan from Little River writes:
I think a lot could be done with the resources the government already has on its payroll.

Anthony from Charleston writes:
This guy is a pure socialist; we need to block any and all efforts to his idea of socialism. His whole party thinks government is the answer to our current problems. I myself have served this country for over 30 years so we the people can have a free and democratic form of government. I support your efforts and the Republican Party in not standing by and letting our nation fall into a socialist state. Remember we the people run the government; the government need not rule us.

Linda from Townsend writes:
I think my grandchildren will be paying for this.

Marjorie writes:
It’s CRAP!

George from Little River writes:
Rep. Brown, it’s hard for me to comprehend the size of this proposed budget. There is so much pork and waste in it that it would choke a horse and then some. When do we ever see a savings for the tax payers? When does the government reduce their operating budget...I see a great deal of overhead and little progress. When do we evaluate their purpose and is it worthwhile to continue to fund them… We need to reduce and eliminate all the pork projects from the budget.

Russ writes:
Porculus!!

Karen from Pawley’s Island writes:
The President does not understand what he is doing to the Americans who work and have worked to get ahead!! He is punishing anyone with a business or anyone who makes more than $250,000! You cannot tax your way out of this. I was just recently laid off due to the President’s proposals. Increasing entitlements to those that have been on the dole for years is not the answer! … We are taxing our children and our grandchildren to death… By electing Obama-others feel the government will buy their groceries, pay their taxes, buy their house, put gas in their tank and give them spending money! This is incredible-we need oversight on the spending bill and the Budget. Obama is pushing this agenda down our throat.

Glen writes:
The President’s budget is very bad for our country, everything he has done takes us further away from capitalism.

Richard writes:
I am concerned about the budget…The economy needs tax relief. I am ready to give the feds less control.

Marsha writes:
I am definitely against the proposed budget. It will help to destroy America.

William from Summerville writes:
The Budget is not good; spending money to get out of debt is not the answer. The government needs to do less and let the people take care of people we have far too much government spending as it is and this will only help to bring down what has made the USA a great nation.

Stan writes:
The budget is a joke. Why and 8% increase and why 9000 earmark pork projects?

Janet from Mt. Pleasant writes:
This is a disaster. What is happening to our country and what can we do to stop it?

Wendy from Moncks Corner writes:
I think that President Obama’s budget is going to do more harm than good.

Johnny from Goose Creek writes:
Dear Congressman, I hope you stand firm against this President’s agenda, or we will most likely end us as a Third World Society. The Democratic Party has gone completely insane with these Socialist spending policies. I believe our very Liberty and Freedom are at stake. I am a history buff and we are headed in the wrong direction.

Frances writes:
The budget is way over the top. You guys need to shut him down, keep up the good fight!

Rosemary writes:
This is very bad for our country.

Gail writes:
Obscenely irresponsible and socialist in nature.

Stan writes:
I do not believe in entitlements at any time, but with the economy where it is today, they definitely must be eliminated. The non-defense spending should be reduced at least in half. Now is not the time to raise taxes.

Kenneth from Aynor writes:
I feel that both the budget and the stimulus package are more about welfare than progress. Too many of Obama’s proposals wreak of socialism. It is very unnerving to think about the direction we are headed as a nation. The stimulus pack and bailout programs are nothing more than blank welfare checks.

Michael from Goose Creek writes:
It’s back to tax and spend, which has never worked. It is a killer to small business. The private sector will suffer, job loss will continue, it’s an awful budget, and Obama's plan is socialism and will further deteriorate America.

Gretchen from Summerville writes:
The budget is out of control…just like everything else in Washington.

Craig from Summerville writes:
Disaster for the people who have followed the rules.

William from Hilton Head writes:
My family and employer have had to tighten our financial belt, so should our federal government regarding entitlements spending and earmarks.

Bill Bleakley writes:
Again'st! Please support the Govenors stance on stimulus.

Harry Dawson writes:
I think it is the height of stupidity and arrogance...The people who are in charge have no clue as to what they are doing...The change that is happening shouldnt happen to a third world country....Unless Republicans unite and take back control of the Congress, this is only a sample of the woes yet to befall America...Stand tall and defend us against these attackers of freedom and the free enterprise system...

Unanimous writes:
It is outrageous. My Grandchildren will be paying for it for many years. That is if it hasn't seriously eroded our currency before then.

James Kirk writes:
OVER the MAX.

Donald Goldsmith writes:
Stinks like every thing he proposes

Dennis Space writes:
We are very selfish as we continue to spend and pass these massive debts on to future generations. we would not do this to our family why do we let our government do it for us? we definitely have our values confused, especially the party and administration proposing this latest budget.

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Important DTV Update!

Brown Staff — 03/26/2009 09:55

The Department of Commerce is pleased to inform you that the TV Converter Box Coupon Program has eliminated its waiting list and is now processing coupons on a "current" basis, and is now accepting requests for replacement coupons (online, by phone and mail/fax).

"This is very good news for Americans who were unable to redeem their coupons before they expired," Acting NTIA Administrator Anna Gomez said. "With the backlog of applications now eliminated, consumers can apply for coupons and get assistance right away, allowing them to continue to receive important local television news and emergency information by purchasing a converter box at a reduced cost."

Additional information on the Coupon Program is available at www.dtv2009.gov and https://www.dtv2009.gov/CouponProgramUpdate.aspx .

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Brown Continues to Stand Against Overeaching Democrat Spending

Brown Staff — 03/25/2009 14:01

Today, the House passed the Omnibus Lands Package, yet another far reaching Democrat bill, created by stacking more than 170 separate bills together into one 1,200 page, 10 billion dollar piece of legislation.

While the bill contained some worthwhile provisions, piling so many separate pieces of legislation into one bill, 100 of which have never been voted on in the House, unnecessarily creates extremely expensive and convoluted legislation.

One would think that recent experiences with TARP and the stimulus would have taught Congress that forcing such convoluted pieces of legislation through, without the necessary deliberations and revisions, may have large and negative consequences.

Democrats have passed up yet another opportunity to create effective legislation that could uphold our priorities and desires as Americans. My Republican colleagues and I continue to voice the opinion of the American people and look forward to sensible, straight forward legislation in the future.

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Brown Marks the 188th Anniversary of Greek Independence Day

Brown Staff — 03/25/2009 11:09

As a proud member of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, I am pleased to announce my support and cosponsorship of legislation marking today as the 188th anniversary of Greek Independence Day.

Greek culture is prominent throughout South Carolina's First District as the Orthodox Churches of both Charleston and Myrtle Beach play a strong role in their respective communities.

I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of Greece, the values of democracy and freedom that we both share and their role as a constant ally and friend to the US.

I congratulate Greece on this day and look forward to encouraging our mutually beneficial Greek American friendship in the future.

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POLL: Dems Push Secret Ballot Destruction Scheme while Few Americans Support Unionizing

Brown Staff — 03/17/2009 09:50

“Would you like to belong to a labor union where you work?”

9%     Yes
81%   No
9%    Not sure

Rasmussen Reports; conducted March 13-14, 2009; Survey of 1,000 Adults Nationwide.

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WHAT EVERY STATE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE PRESIDENT’S BUDGET

Brown Staff — 03/16/2009 17:38

From the Office of the Republican Leader, John Boehner

Get a state by state analysis on the following aspect of President Obama's Budget:

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Policy Watch: Holding Democrat's Accountable

Brown Staff — 03/13/2009 09:29

As the Congressional leadership continues to force their huge spending packages through Congress, my Republican colleagues and I are working to show the American people the repercussions of the Democrat's actions. Check out these graphs on continued Republican efforts to hold Democrats accountable.

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Implications and American Opinion of the Employee Free Choice Act

Brown Staff — 03/11/2009 10:25

At a time when our nation’s viability in the world market must be strengthened and Congress should be focusing on legislation that will grow, not stunt, the economy, passage of the Democrat's so called Employee Free Choice Act, better know as card check, would be without the support of the American people and would have the following effects on our job market:

At least 7.1 million Americans will eventually be forced into unions, further devastating labor markets and reducing corporate competiveness.
As many as 765,000 potential jobs in the economy will be cut within two years.
In addition, a recent survey shows that 88% of Americans want private ballots to remain, just that, PRIVATE.

These statistics show that passage of the Employee Free Choice Act would not only be a sure step in the wrong direction, but would be a step that the majority of the American people could not support. I encourage all of my colleagues to listen to the American public and support The Secret Ballot Protection Act as it preserves the sanctity of worker free choice and protects them from intimidation, threats, misinformation or coercion by a union or co-workers to sign a card and agree to ‘card check’ recognition.

Learn more on Congressman Brown's support for The Secret Ballot Protection Act.

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BROWN WORKS TO PROTECT WORKER FREE CHOICE

Brown Staff — 03/11/2009 09:35

As an original cosponsor and staunch supporter of worker freedoms, I am proud to support The Secret Ballot Protection Act. This legislation would guarantee workers the right to a secret ballot election conducted by the National Labor Relations Board and prohibit unions from coercively subjecting employees into a card check campaign,as proposed by the Democrat's misnamed Employee Free Choice Act.

By replacing the secret ballot system with card-checks and pressuring workers to sign cards in the open rather than voting secretly in booths, this so called Employee Free Choice Act, better known as card check, would strip workers of their fundamental rights and freedoms and leave them more vulnerable to pressure than ever before.

Read more on my support of the Secret Ballot Protection Act.

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Brown Cautions Against Controversial Stem Cell Policy

Brown Staff — 03/09/2009 16:59

Today, President Obama signed an executive order overturning restrictions on taxpayer-funded embryonic stem-cell research. As a winner of the Family Research Council’s 'True Blue' Award for consistent support of families, I am strongly against this legislation as it diverts scarce federal resources away from innovative and proven adult stem cell research and forces taxpayers to subsidize research that will destroy human embryos.
Learn more about my work for and commitment to our nation's families.

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Breaking Down the Tax Increases in the FY10 Budget

Brown Staff — 03/06/2009 14:00

The President's Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Proposal includes some $1.4 billion in tax increases - tax increases that will hit every single family in the country at a time when our economy is in the middle of a painful recession. The Republican Staff of the Budget Committee broke down the tax increases in this handy chart:

You can read the Budget Committee's full analysis of the President's Budget Proposal here.

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The Return of Tax and Spend Big Government

Henry E. Brown — 03/06/2009 13:36

At a time when the American people are hurting and calling on Congress and the White House to take action to get this economy moving, higher taxes and massive increases in federal spending are not the cures for what ails this economy. Unfortunately, the President's Fiscal Year 2010 Budget offers us just that - even though the American people know we cannot tax, spend, and bail our way back into economic growth.

The President's budget will raise taxes on almost every American during a time when we all are feeling the impact of this recession. While small businesses are the engine of our nation's economy, this Budget will directly target them with tax increases. Given continued slump in the job market, we should providing incentives for small business to grow - not throwing a tax increase at them.

While families are struggling to make ends meet, the President's budget calls for increasing utility rates on every single household in America. While charities such as higher education, health research foundations, and religious organizations are struggling under reduced support and higher demand for their services, the President's budget calls for cutting the tax deduction on donations to these important parts of our community. While middle class families saving for retirement have seen their 401(k) significantly reduced by the challenges facing the stock market, the President's budget means a tax increase for them as well.

I am proud to stand on the side of American people and of the First District in support of a responsible budget that helps get our economy back on track without piling more debt on future generations and increasing taxes on American families and small businesses. With family budgets tightening, nest eggs shrinking, and job security weakening for far too many across the country, the last thing Congress should be considering is a budget that combines a trillion-dollar tax hike with a historic increase in government spending.

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BROWN PRAISES LEGISLATION TO BLOCK SHARK FINNING

Brown Staff — 03/05/2009 11:23

I am proud to announce that, this week, my colleagues and I approved legislation by voice vote that will protect sharks from the cruel practice of shark finning.

As the leading Republican on the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife, I was proud to work with Subcommittee Chairwoman Madeleine Bordallo on H.R. 81, the Shark Conservation Act, legislation that will expand current prohibitions on this practice and improve shark conservation by closing several loopholes that allow for the legal transshipment of shark fins without the corresponding carcasses.

In addition to my efforts on this legislation, during the 110th Congress, I was proud to have the highest rating by the Humane Society of any member in the South Carolina delegation. Learn more about my work on important animal and wildlife protection issues.

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Poll Finds 72 Percent of South Carolinians in Favor of Offshore Oil and Gas Resources

Brown Staff — 03/05/2009 10:12

According to the March 5, 2009 Edition of the Charleston Business Journal:

Poll finds 72% of South Carolinians in favor of offshore oil and gas resources
Staff Report
Published March 4, 2009

A poll from Citizens for Sound Conservation finds that 72% of South Carolinians favor increased access to offshore oil and gas resources, compared with a recent national poll that found 61% of Americans in favor of offshore drilling.

Wilson Research Strategies polled 300 South Carolinians last month, and support for exploration was at least 65% on every income level, age bracket and racial breakdown. In addition, 57% viewed the recent decision to delay offshore exploration by six months as a stalling technique.

“South Carolina voters are clearly ahead of the curve on this issue. Thankfully, our state leaders seem to be listening,” organization board member Cathy Novinger said.

Citizens for Sound Conservation is nonprofit foundation formed by community leaders representing manufacturers, homebuilders, realtors, energy providers and maritime and port interests.

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Brown Leads Effort to Preserve South Carolina's Civil War Battlefields

Brown Staff — 03/04/2009 16:18

As a original cosponsor of the Civil War Battlefield Preservation Act of 2009 and a member of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands, I applaud my colleagues in the House for passing legislation Tuesday that will encourage the private sector to preserve, conserve and enhance nationally significant Civil War battlefields.

Bringing new life to the Civil War Battlefield Preservation Program could not come at a better time. In just three years, America will commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War. I know that in my District the planning has already started and many residents of coastal South Carolina are planning to observe this important date from where the first shots of the Civil War were fired. This swift passage of the Civil War Battle Field Preservation Act will help in the preparation, preservation and conservation of many of these hallowed sites in time for this important milestone.

Read more of my press release on the passage of the Civil War Battlefield Preservation Act of 2009 and my previous efforts to protect South Carolina’s Civil War Battlefields.

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$13 Extra a Week...the Stimulus of Our Dreams?

Brown Staff — 02/19/2009 11:29

In an article in today’s edition of The Post & Courier, Glenn Smith focuses on the extra $13 dollars a week tax payers will be receiving as a tax credit thanks to the so called trillion dollar stimulus plan passed almost solely by Congressional Democrats last week. Smith lists, in all seriousness, seven seemingly trivial things you can buy with $13 because as he puts it, “$13 isn't chump change.” However, the question remains, is this the real stimulus that most struggling American taxpayers were hoping for?

Read The Post & Courier’s article What will YOU do with $13?

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BROWN ADVOCATES FOR LOCAL RADIO STATIONS

Brown Staff — 02/13/2009 16:24

I recently joined over 110 of my colleagues as a co-sponsor to a bipartisan House resolution opposing the introduction of "any new performance fee, tax, royalty, or other charge" on local radio stations. The Local Radio Freedom Act (H. Con. Res 49), unveiled today at a Capitol Hill event hosted by the Free Radio Alliance, would protect all local radio stations in the First District and all over the nation from having incurring additional costs due to the broadcasting of sound recordings on their station.

An identical resolution is expected to be introduced in the Senate soon.

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What's in the Democrat's Stimulus Bill?

Henry E. Brown — 02/13/2009 13:33

As Congress debates the "stimulus" bill today, I thought you might want to see exactally what is in this bill.

Here is the actual text of the bill. It's more than 1,000 pages, filled with hand-written edits and changes. My good friend Tom Price of Georgia took Americans on a tour of the stimulus bill earlier today, and you can view his web-video below.

House Republicans only got the bill at 11 am last night - just over 12 hours from when we are going to vote on the legislation. During that time, staff went through the legislation and produced this summary, which points out how Democrats reduced job-creating tax cuts to add more wasteful Washington spending. Despite all this, the way this bill was put together means that few, if anyone, in Washington knows what is actually in H.R. 1. As you look through the bill, I urge you to email me your concerns about specific provisions.

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BROWN JOINS AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY IN FIGHT AGAINST THE WASTEFUL AND UNSTIMULATING STIMULUS

Brown Staff — 02/13/2009 11:41

Yesterday, I joined several of my House Republican colleagues in a press conference held by Americans for Prosperity against the so-called stimulus the Democrats are forcing through this week. Over 500,000 people have signed AFP' s petition against a stimulus of this nature and Republicans are in complete agreement that this not the stimulation that the America public so desperately needs.

Republicans have come up with a better and swifter way to create the necessary jobs, improve infrastructure and give the necessary jolt to our economy, all the while providing essential tax cuts for the American working class. The Democrat spending plan comes nowhere close to including these necessary provisions and may even make our economy weaker in the future.

Learn more about Americans for Prosperity’s efforts and add your name to their petition against this wasteful spending plan.
Learn more about the GOP alternative to the Democrat spending package.
Read more on my position on the Democrat’s wasteful and unstimulating plan.

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White House Job Numbers Don't Add Up

Brown Staff — 02/12/2009 20:17

The Washington, DC publication Politico is reporting that jobs numbers being touted by the White House as the reason why American's should support the Democrats' trillion dollar spending bill apparently don't add up. According to the report, in some cases the discrepency between estimates of jobs created in a state versus those created in each of that state's congressional districts over state the estimated job creation by thousands. You can read more of this report, which includes links to the origional WH documents, here.

Jobs aren't rounding errors. House Republicans have a plan to create twice as many jobs at half the cost. Find more information at http://gopleader.gov.

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Money for Nothing: Chairman Rangel on Congressional Democrats' Trillion-Dollar Spending Plan

Brown Staff — 02/12/2009 19:22

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charlie Rangel (D-NY) admits to not knowing what is in the Democrats' trillion-dollar spending package, or whether or not it will work. House Republicans have a plan to create twice as many jobs at half the cost. Find more information at http://gopleader.gov.

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BROWN HAILS OFFSHORE ENERGY DEVELOMENT AS AUTOMATIC ECONOMIC STIMULUS

Brown Staff — 02/12/2009 13:22

I was very discouraged this week after attended the first House Natural Resources Committee hearing in a series regarding development of the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). After making significant steps towards energy independence at the end of the 110th Congress, Democrats are encouraging retroactive steps against offshore exploration and the goal of finding solutions for America’s energy needs.This only further confirms my fear that the recently expired moratorium on off-shore drilling may, in fact, be reinstated by the majority, an action that will prevent the creation of thousands of desperately needed American jobs and keep our country dependent on the oil of foreign and often enemy nations.

Read more on the hearing proceedings and the possible consequences of not moving towards America's own energy independence.

Get more information on Congressman Brown’s efforts to enact solutions to our nation’s energy challenge.

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Breakdown of Job Creation in South Carolina under the Republican Substitute to H.R. 1

Brown Staff — 02/06/2009 15:10

The breakdown below provides a great side by side contrast of jobs created by the Republican and Democrat plans as it highlights the number of jobs that could be created in South Carolina under the House Republican substitute to H.R. 1. These estimates are derived from the results of applying Dr. Christina Romer’s economic analysis to the House Republican substitute which shows that the substitute could create 6.2 million jobs over the next two years. Unlike the House-passed bill, H.R. 1, the substitute contains broadly applicable tax cuts for families and business and does not pick and choose favorites among the states or particular industry sectors through various spending programs.

Potential New Jobs In South Carolina:
Under the GOP Plan: 88,000
Under the Democrat Plan: 54,000
GOP Jobs Advantage: 34,000

See the entire chart listing the state by state breakdown of possible job creation with the House Republican’s substitute to H.R. 1.

Jobs created by Democrat plan from http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/state_by_state_employment_impact/.

Republican estimates derived from Christina Romer and David Romer, “The Macroeconomic Effects of Tax Changes: Estimates Based on a New Measure of Fiscal Shocks” National Bureau of Economic Research, Working Paper 13264, July 2007and Bureau of Labor Statistics, State and Area Employment, Hours, and Earnings, series catalog SMS0100000000000001.

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BROWN BELIEVES AMERICANS WERE READY FOR DTV TRANSFER

Brown Staff — 02/04/2009 18:02

BROWN BELIEVES AMERICANS WERE READY FOR DTV TRANSFER

Contradictory to the illogical decision made today to postpone the February 17th digital television transition, I believe the American public was ready for the change. The following numbers from a January Nielsen report confirm just this:

•    94.3% of American homes already had one or more TVs ready for change over.
•    Only 12.8% of TV households in America were exclusively using analog airwaves.
•    Coupons had been sent to 94.4% of the households only using analog.
•    Only 800,000 analog airwave households had not yet received a coupon and 600,000 of these homes were on the waiting list.
•    Meaning only 200,000 households, less than 2% of analog airwave homes or less than .02% of all American TV homes had nothing.

Read more of my original release opposing the DTV Delay.

Get more information on the DTV Transfer, how it may impact you and steps you can take to prepare for the upcoming transition.

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BROWN SUPPORTS FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE LEGISLATION IN THE EARLY DAYS OF THE 111TH CONGRESS

Katie McKinney — 02/03/2009 16:14

BROWN SUPPORTS FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE LEGISLATION IN THE EARLY DAYS OF THE 111TH CONGRESS

With new reports describing these difficult economic times being released every day, many Americans have implored their Senators and Congressmen to support and enact fiscally responsible legislation to jump start the economy and provide real support for the average American. Congressman Brown is on the side of the taxpayer and is working to do just that. In the early days of the 111th Congress, Congressman Brown has become a cosponsor to the following pieces of financially conservative legislation, several of which that institute tax cuts to promote growth and economic stimulation:

H.J.RES.1: Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
H.R.25: Fair Tax Act of 2009
H.R.205: Death Tax Repeal Act
H.R.213: Adoption Tax Relief Guarantee Act of 2009
H.R.301: Economic Growth through Tax Stimulus Act of 2009
H.R.379: State and Local Sales Tax Deduction Expansion Act of 2009
H.R.470: Economic Recovery and Middle-Class Tax Relief Act of 2009

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Stimulus Bill - Republican Job Creation v. Democrat's Wasteful Spending

Brown Staff — 01/30/2009 09:53

Despite promises to the contrary, the Democratic "stimulus" bill passed by the House this week will do little to create jobs for Americans. The Democrat plan is full of wasteful spending and does not contain the infrastructure and job creating provisions that will help get our economic up and rolling again. Instead of following the urgings of President Obama, House Democrats locked the door on Republican ideas for the stimulus legislation and turned a bill that could have created real jobs into a bill filled with wasteful spending on Democrat priorities that will do little to create real jobs. Here are some links to information put out by House Republicans on the Democratic stimulus bill and job creating Republican alternatives:

Congressional Budget Office: Dems' Spending Plan Won't Lead to a Rapid Economic Recovery

House GOP Economic Recovery Alternative Will Create 6.2 Million New American Jobs

Non-Partisan CBO Confirms House Democrats’ Bill Tops $1.1 Trillion

Transportation Committee Republicans on Stimulus: Where’s the Jobs?

Democrat Stimulus: Actual Job Creation is “Doubtful”

The American People Deserve Better than House Democrats’ Trillion-Dollar Spending Plan

Read the Text of the Republican Motion to Recommit, a plan to create jobs by investing an additional $36 billion in highways and an additional $24 billion in the Army Corps of Engineers while and reducing the overall costs of the bill by almost $104 billion.

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BROWN VOTES NO ON DEMOCRAT PORK-LADEN STIMULUS PACKAGE

Brown Staff — 01/28/2009 18:35

“With unemployment rising and our economy falling into recession, House Democrats have proposed a stimulus plan that is full of wasteful spending and contains only a small amount of the necessary infrastructure and job creation provisions that would stimulate our failing economy and get hundreds of thousands of unemployed Americans back on their feet."

Read more...

0 Comments

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: TIME NAMES CHARLESTON #2 SPOT TO RELOCATE GITMO DETAINEES

Brown Staff — 01/23/2009 18:00

If Not Gitmo, Then Where Should Terror Detainees Be Held?
By Sophia Yan
Time Magazine
Friday, Jan. 23, 2009

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1873669,00.html

With President Barack Obama having ordered the closure of the Guantanamo Bay military detention facility within a year, the U.S. faces the challenge of finding a new lockup for terrorism suspects currently behind bars, and those captured in future. Reports released by the Pentagon, the Center for American Progress, and Human Rights Watch, among others, have recommended several possible sites, most of them in military bases. But moving the Gitmo inmates almost anywhere on U.S. soil would likely set off a political firestorm.

Pennsylvania congressman John Murtha, a Democrat, is ready to see the captives moved to his own state, saying they would be "no more dangerous in my district than in Guantanamo." His constituents are far from convinced. Some see an economic benefit, because building a maximum-security prison would provide jobs. But others don't want terror suspects in their backyard. Diane Gramley, president of the 12,000-member American Family Association of Pennsylvania, has described Murtha's idea as "ludicrous." (See pictures from inside Guantanamo)

And Murtha is rare among legislators on Capitol Hill in his willingness to have the suspects incarcerated in his district. Most are vociferously opposed to the idea. Possible Gitmo replacement sites include:

1. U.S. Disciplinary Barracks, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas
Fort Leavenworth includes a 515-bed military prison, the only maximum-security prison in the Department of Defense. There are special confinement units in which inmates can be held for up to 23 hours a day. Other security protocols involve chaining prisoners' ankles before showering; when leaving their cells, inmates are always escorted by two or three staff members. The detention center presently holds 440 major offenders, most of them serving lengthy sentences. There are correctional and treatment programs on site.

Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius, a Democrat, and Senator Sam Brownback, a Republican, have publicly opposed the idea of bringing Gitmo inmates to Leavenworth, which is in close proximity to its surrounding community, including an airport, farms, and hospitals. Brownback, terming such a transfer as "unwise and unsafe," has also introduced legislation calling for 90 days notice prior to transferring enemy combatants to another possible site, in Charleston, SC.

2. U.S. Naval Consolidated Brig in Charleston, South Carolina
A medium security prison, the brig can hold up to 288 inmates — and has already been used to detain several terror suspects, including Jose Padilla and Ali Saleh Kahlah al-Marril. The facility is in walking distance to the Port of Charleston, and within two miles of civilian residences. Local Congressman Henry Brown, a Republican, has said moving Gitmo inmates there would be a "a high-risk move...I am fearful for what they might bring with them, and I think it would put the local citizens at risk."

3. Camp Pendleton, San Diego, CA
As the Marines' largest training facility on the West Coast, the 125,000-acre Pendleton is not lacking for space. But the local Republican Congressman, Rep. Duncan D. Hunter, has mounted a fierce campaign against transferring detainees there. "The facilities, as they stand right now, are not designed to house large populations of inmates — they're not prisons," says Hunter's spokesperson, Joe Kasper. Pendleton has more than 2,600 buildings and structures, and 7,300 housing units with 14,000 military family members.

Hunter introduced legislation on Thursday to prohibit the transfer of Gitmo inmates to Pendelton or to the nearby Miramar Air Station. "Redirecting these detainees to Camp Pendleton would present a serious threat to surrounding military installations and resources, as well as the community's civilian population," Hunter wrote in a letter to Defense Secretary Robert Gates earlier this month.

4. Miramar Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar, San Diego, CA
The 23-acre Miramar facility can hold up to 400 prisoners, and is currently staffed by over 200 personnel. It is roughly 50 miles from Miramar Air Station, home of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.

Miramar was included in the bill introduced by Congressman Hunter to prohibit transferring Guantanamo detainees to existing facilities, or to construct new detention facilities in the same areas.

5. U.S. Penitentiary Administrative Maximum Facility, Florence, CO
Called "Supermax" — and sometimes, the Alcatraz of the Rockies — this Federal prison 90 minutes outside Denver, "houses offenders requiring the tightest controls," according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Current inmates include convicted 9/11 conspirator Zacarias Moussawi, 1993 World Trade Center bomber Ramzi Yousef, and self-styled 'Unabomber' Ted Kaczynski.

The 37-acre prison has 490 beds and at present holds 430 prisoners. Like Leavenworth, it has solitary confinement units enclosed by steel doors. Extreme security is enhanced by motion detectors, cameras, laser beams, attack dogs, 1,400 remote-controlled steel doors and 12-foot high razor wire fences throughout the facility.

6. Metropolitan Correctional Center, New York City, NY
Located in lower Manhattan across the street from the Federal courthouse, the high-rise Metropolitan Correctional Center primarily detains pre-trial or holdover inmates. These prisoners are held under high security.

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Brown, House Republicans Call On President Obama to End Support for So-Called “Freedom Of Choice” Act

Brown Staff — 01/22/2009 16:20

Congressman Brown, joined by over 100 other House Republicans have sent a letter to President Barack Obama asking that he withdraw his pledge to sign the so-called “Freedom of Choice” Act (FOCA), which would overturn hundreds of state laws nationwide protecting the sanctity of unborn human life. During the 2008 presidential campaign, then-candidate Obama vowed that the “first thing” he would do as president is sign FOCA. The letter (embedded below) notes that enactment of FOCA would increase abortions and divide the country. The letter corresponds with the 36th Anniversary of the Roe v. Wade ruling by the Supreme Court, a day marked every year by the March for Life on the National Mall. Congressman Brown took part in the March, and you can view his comments afterword here. 01-21-09_FOCA_Letter" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" loaddocumentfromurl="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" loaddocument="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" getauthorid="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" getauthorusername="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" getauthorname="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" getviewurl="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" getembedcode="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" getdescription="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" gettitle="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" getpagedimensions="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" getaccesskey="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" getdocumentid="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" setfullscreen="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" getfullscreen="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" setviewmode="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" getviewmode="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" gethighlightkeywords="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" sethighlightkeywords="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" enablekeywordhighlighting="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" disablekeywordhighlighting="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" highlightkeywords="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" setverticalscroll="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" sethorizontalscroll="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" getverticalscroll="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" gethorizontalscroll="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" disablerelateddocuments="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" enablerelateddocuments="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" setzoom="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" getzoom="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" getpagecount="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" setpage="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" getpage="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" shake="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" extmouseup="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" extmouseout="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }">

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Obama Signs Executive Order to Close Guantanamo; Brown: Congress Should Have Final Say

Brown Staff — 01/22/2009 15:36

Today, President Obama signed an executive order beginning the process that will eventually close the detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (you can read the executive order here). Many in the Congress, the press, and the security community have raised the point that this closure brings with it more questions than it answers - most importantly, what will happen to the detainees?

With the Naval Brig at Charleston continually named one of the possible locations for the eventual transfer of these detainees, Congressman Brown today clearly stated that any future decision for housing these detainees must be made by Congress and not a Washington bureaucrat:

"...while this executive order officially closes the detention center at Guantanamo Bay, it is essential that these individuals, some of the most dangerous terrorists captured during the War on Terror, only be moved after a full evaluation of all available and appropriate locations...Congress should have the final say as to where these most dangerous detainees are held if they move to the US, not the Washington bureaucrats. After all, the members of Congress are the ones who will potentially be moving the most dangerous residents of Guantanamo into their own backyards."

You can read the rest of the Congressman's statement here.

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What is around the Brig in Charleston?

Brown Staff — 01/22/2009 09:43

The Consolidated Naval Brig in Charleston, with some critical infrastructure elements highlighted:

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Charleston Chamber Opposes Transfer of GITMO Detainees to Charleston

Brown Staff — 01/03/2009 16:07

The Charleston Chamber of Commerce has come out in opposition to transfering terrorist detainees from Guantanamo to the Consolidated Navy Brig at the Charleston Naval Weapons Station. Congressman Brown has introduced legislation to prevent this from occuring.

Charleston Chamber Letter on Gitmo Brig 122908" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" loaddocumentfromurl="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" loaddocument="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" getauthorid="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" getauthorusername="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" getauthorname="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" getviewurl="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" getembedcode="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" getdescription="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" gettitle="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" getpagedimensions="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" getaccesskey="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" getdocumentid="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" setfullscreen="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" getfullscreen="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" setviewmode="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" getviewmode="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" gethighlightkeywords="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" sethighlightkeywords="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" enablekeywordhighlighting="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" disablekeywordhighlighting="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" highlightkeywords="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" setverticalscroll="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" sethorizontalscroll="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" getverticalscroll="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" gethorizontalscroll="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" disablerelateddocuments="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" enablerelateddocuments="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" setzoom="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" getzoom="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" getpagecount="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" setpage="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" getpage="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" extmouseup="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" extmouseout="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" shake="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" name="doc_175359806213191" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" middle="" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,0,0" id="doc_175359806213191">

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New Year Brings Higher VA Travel Reimbursement

Henry E. Brown — 12/30/2008 17:08

Good news! Beginning January 9th, any service-disabled or low income veteran who must travel to get health care at a VA hospital in the First District or any other VA facility across the nation will receive a larger reimbursement for their travel costs.

I have heard from many of my constituents that, with the ever fluctuating cost of gas, transportation to the necessary VA facilities can often be extremely expensive. It often was difficult for Horry County veterans to afford the cost of traveling to the Johnson VAMC in Charleston. High energy costs and the proximity to a health care facility should not determine whether or not a veteran receives the necessary care.

For this reason, I applaud a recent law that now enables the VA give more back to veterans for their mileage reimbursements. The VA will not only be able to keep $18/year per veteran for administrative expenses; previously the VA was keeping a maximum of $46.62 per year.

In addition to all service connected and low-income veterans now being eligible for reimbursement, other veterans traveling for Compensation and Pension examinations qualify for coverage of their travel costs as well. This change, combined with the November raise in the mileage reimbursement to 41.5 cents/mile, will now ensure that all veterans living in the First District, and across the nation, have access to the world-class health care provided by the VA.

Visit the Veterans' Casework page on my website to find VA facilities, find out information about VA health benefits, and apply for benefits.

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Helping Protect and Recover Stranded Sea Turtles

Henry E. Brown — 12/29/2008 16:58

A recent article in the Charleston Post & Courier highlights the work of the Sea Turtle Hospital at the South Carolina Aquarium. The presence of this hospital at the Aquarium is a great resource for our region. Not only is the South Carolina Aquarium one of Charleston’s top tourist attractions, it educates Charlestonians and the on-site Hospital ensures that stranded turtles from all over coastal South Carolina get on the road to recovery. I have been proud to work with the South Carolina Aquarium to make sure that badly needed federal funding goes to support the Sea Turtle Hospital's work and research that may one day help reduce strandings in coastal South Carolina and across the globe.

In support of their efforts, during 2008, I wrote and introduced legislation to expand our nation's commitment to marine turtles. The Marine Turtle Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2008 would assist in the conservation of marine turtles and help preserve their nesting habitats in foreign countries. Additionally, I worked to increase funding for important sea turtle conservation programs ran through the Fish and Wildlife Service. Next Congress, I look forward to getting my legislation enacted so that conservation efforts can be increased both in South Carolina and across the globe.

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Documents Show Fannie and Freddie at Heart of Meltdown

Henry E. Brown — 12/22/2008 12:00

Back in October, I led a number of my colleagues in calling for the books of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to be opened up so that Americans could see how actions by executives at the two mortgage giants set the ground work for today's financial crisis. House Republicans also called on the House Democratic leadership to hold hearings on actions by these two companies. While the Democrats waited until other news took Fannie and Freddie out of the spot light, a recent hearing and the release of internal documents spells out just what I and my Republican colleagues have been saying all along: the leadership of these two institutions were warned about how risky their actions were, yet they ignored these warnings because any change would slow down profits and upset politicians who were pushing them to make loans that would never be repaid.

You can read the Washington Post article on the story here, and view the documents for yourself here (note, this is a large pdf document). The Republicans on the House Oversight Committee have also put together some information that is of interest. I found this quote a prime example of how the leadership of Fannie and Freddie failed the American taxpayers and put our financial system in the situation it faces:

Edward Pinto, former chief credit officer for Fannie Mae and now a real estate finance consultant, estimates that 1 million of the GSEs’ Alt-A loans had no down payment. Pinto said one in six home mortgages could fail over the next four years and that, before the crisis tends, 40 percent of all the loans on Fannie and Freddie’s books that originated in 2007 will default. "Fannie and Freddie have subprimed America," Pinto said. "Without their actions, we would not have this unprecedented housing crisis."

While I am pleased that the Democrats on the Oversight Committee held the hearing, the fact that the leaders at these companies were warned about risky loans at the same time they were under political pressure to make these loans demands a more through investigation. Congress needs to get to the bottom of this situation and find out not only why the executives of Fannie and Freddie were permitted to ignore repeated warnings, and what role Congress itself may have played.

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Backing Restructuring Over Bailout for the Big Three

Henry E. Brown — 12/04/2008 17:04

The Senate's decision before Thanksgiving to not take up legislation on the auto bailout clearly signals that the corporate leadership of GM, Ford, and Chrysler must move forward with a significant restructuring of their companies and product lines. The three U.S. manufacturers, currently burdened with top heavy management, exorbitant and unrealistic employee salaries and benefits at all levels, and union monopolization, are unable to adjust their product lines to meet the needs of today's consumers and were in financial crisis long before our economy took a turn for the worse.

I do not believe that it is the nation's responsibility to fix them as it was their own bad decision to continue agreeing to the labor unions' demands for exorbitant benefits and retirement packages and to rely on gas guzzlers to make their profit during a time when cost conscious foreign automakers were building cars here in the United States that people want to buy.

Locally, it would be hard for me to go to back to BMW, a company that announced earlier this year that, in a $750 million investment, the volume of cars exported through the Port of Charleston is expected to increase 50 percent to about 150,000 vehicles year, and tell them that I supported giving money to their competitors who made poor business decisions to begin with.

The CEO's of the three manufacturers were sent home after being told that they must come up with an alternate plan, as the original $700 billion bailout money was not allotted for this purpose. This week they submitted their new plans, and Congress is currently conducting hearings on them. Below are links to the plans. Please let me know your thoughts at http://brown.house.gov/Contact/writebrown.html.

Auto Industry Stabilization Plan: Chrysler Submission

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/financialsvcs_dem/press1202083.shtml

Auto Industry Stabilization Plan: GM Submission

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/financialsvcs_dem/press1202082.shtml

Auto Industry Stabilization Plan: Ford Submission

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/financialsvcs_dem/press120208.shtml

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Which is the better place to house detainees from GITMO?

Brown Staff — 11/21/2008 15:38

The Consolidated Naval Brig in Charleston:

View Larger Map

Or the area around the federal supermax prison in Florence, Colorado:
View Larger Map

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Brown Legislation to Prohibit Transfer of GITMO Detainees to Charleston

Brown Staff — 11/19/2008 17:14

Below is legislation introduced by Congressman Brown to prevent terrorist detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba from being moved to the Naval Brig in Charleston. hr7272" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" loaddocumentfromurl="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" loaddocument="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" getauthorid="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" getauthorusername="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" getauthorname="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" getviewurl="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" getembedcode="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" getdescription="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" gettitle="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" getpagedimensions="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" getaccesskey="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" getdocumentid="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" setfullscreen="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" getfullscreen="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" setviewmode="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" getviewmode="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" gethighlightkeywords="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" sethighlightkeywords="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" enablekeywordhighlighting="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" disablekeywordhighlighting="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" setverticalscroll="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" sethorizontalscroll="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" getverticalscroll="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" gethorizontalscroll="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" disablerelateddocuments="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" enablerelateddocuments="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" setzoom="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" getzoom="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" getpagecount="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" setpage="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" getpage="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" shake="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" extmouseup="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" extmouseout="function () { return eval(instance.CallFunction("" __flash__argumentsToXML(arguments,0) "")); }" name="doc_365617112791172" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,0,0" id="doc_365617112791172">

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WSJ: Congressional Democrats Targeting Your 401(k)

Brown Staff — 11/16/2008 13:33

Targeting Your 401(k)
Congress has an eye on the tax break for your retirement.
The Wall Street Journal

November 14, 2008

You may have heard about Argentina's plan to nationalize private retirement accounts. Some Democrats on Capitol Hill are inspired, and with their big election victory they may get the chance to test Peronist ideas in America.

Meet Congressmen George Miller and Jim McDermott, who are eager to change the way Americans save for their golden years. They'll also be powerbrokers in the next Congress. Mr. Miller, who came in with the Class of 1974 from California, chairs the House Education and Labor Committee. Mr. McDermott, who has represented Seattle the past two decades, runs a House Ways and Means subcommittee on income security and family support.

Before Election Day, the Congressmen began to target the $3 trillion in 401(k) accounts held by about 60% 0f Americans. Mr. Miller called the system "an inadequate vehicle" that "has not been terribly successful" in encouraging retirement savings. He wants a "wholesale re-examination" of pensions.

Just what alternative these Democrats support is unclear, and nothing has been formally proposed beyond Mr. Miller's plan to make the system "more transparent," reduce fees charged by the money managers, and suspend the tax penalty for seniors over 70 who don't take the "required minimum" withdrawal from their account, regardless of the market situation.

But the Chairman has also signalled greater ambitions. At a hearing last month, Mr. Miller put the 401(k) system into play. Under the current system, employers match employee contributions that aren't taxed until redeemed, an indirect subsidy worth some $80 billion today. "We have to start to think about in Congress . . . whether or not we want to continue to invest that $80 billion for a policy that's not generating what we now say it should," Mr. Miller said. "For a taxpayer investment of this size, we must ensure that the structure of 401(k)s adequately protects the nest eggs of participating workers."

His committee listened to possible reform proposals. Most eye-catching was an idea from Teresa Ghilarducci at New York's New School for Social Research. Her plan would end the tax breaks for 401(k)s; she proposes instead to give all workers an annual $600 inflation-adjusted tax credit for retirement and force them to invest 5% of their pay into a government-run retirement account managed by the Social Security Administration. She called the 401(k) "a failed experiment." A McDermott spokesman called her proposals "intriguing" and "part of the discussion." Mr. Miller hasn't so far endorsed the plan.

The main liberal objection to 401(k)s seems to be that they let average Americans control their own investment decisions for retirement. As Shlomo Benartzi, a professor at UCLA's Anderson business school, told Mr. Miller's committee, "Individuals have a tendency to buy at the peak, and then panic when the markets drop and sell at the bottom." Better to have the government do this instead.

It is certainly true that retirement plans have lost, on paper, some $4 trillion in the past 15 months -- half in 401(k) and IRAs and half in company defined-benefit plans. Average 401(k)s are down a quarter this year. But assuming sensible policies and a normal economic recovery, those asset values should rise again over time. In any case, investment returns on stocks and bonds over extended periods far exceed the paltry returns on Social Security that for some workers are a mere 1% to 2%

Tax breaks alone hardly explain the popularity of 401(k)s. Over the past 30 years, the number of individuals covered by them nearly trebled, up to 65 million accounts, while the number under defined-benefit pension fell 30%. People are attached to their 401(k)s because it is their property, which they can carry with them to new jobs (unlike traditional pensions), manage as they see fit and bequeath to heirs.

Before entertaining dreams of state-managed retirement accounts, Congressional Democrats might ask why Europe and Latin America have tried so hard in recent years to move in the opposite direction. Their pension systems are debt-ridden, can't easily adjust for demographic shifts and show a historically lower return.

If Democrats want to improve the prospects for American retirees, their first priority should be removing barriers to economic growth. Anger over the drop in 401(k) balances is one reason that voters who belong to the "investor class" swung to Democrats in greater than usual numbers this year. Their mandate is for policies that improve those returns, not strip them of tax benefits.

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Interior Dept. Takes 1st Steps Towards More American Energy

Henry E. Brown — 11/16/2008 12:53

As a long-time supporter of an ‘all of the above’ energy solution, I believe that addressing our nation’s energy crisis is the first step in correcting our economic woes.

Just this week, the U.S. Department of Interior announced that it will begin the process of opening areas off the Virginia coast for exploration and production of American energy. This is just the kind of step that must be taken to follow through on this fall’s historic lifting of the offshore drilling ban. Even though energy prices have seen a recent reduction, this should not reduce the need to move our nation towards energy independence and financial stability.

By opening up more domestic energy sources off our coasts and on our soil, we can begin providing Americans more with American energy. In addition, we will keep billions of dollars here at home, instead of sending it to fill the treasuries of foreign nations. These dollars can be used to create thousands of jobs for the American people and begin to rebuild our economy with the resulting infrastructure.

Our task now is to ensure that this victory is not short lived. House Democratic leaders have already asserted that restoring the bans ‘will be a top priority for discussion next year.’ Liberal Democrats close to President-elect Obama have stated that they plan to urge the new President to use executive orders to reinstate these outdated energy bans. House Republicans will do everything to prevent this.

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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Brown Seeks Answers on VA Document Shredding

Brown Staff — 11/12/2008 09:42

Veterans affairs: Tighter records controls urged
By CHUCK CRUMBO
The State - Columbia, SC
November 8, 2008

After reports surfaced that 95 documents were erroneously dumped into a shredder bin at the Department of Veteran Affairs’ Columbia office, critics charge the agency needs to fix the way it handles and tracks records.

“Files tend to get lost or tend to grow feet and walk out the door,” said Larry Scott, publisher of the Web site vawatchdog.org.

VA employees keep documents in their desks, briefcases, filing cabinets and other places, Scott claimed.

The agency doesn’t have strict enough rules and procedures for tracking who handles veterans’ files and records, such as when the records are received, filed, mailed and processed, he added.

A VA spokeswoman said the agency is writing a new policy on how to handle and process records before they are destroyed.

Overall, 41 of the Department of Veterans Affairs 57 regional offices reported finding 500 documents improperly slated for destruction during an Oct. 3 audit.

The documents ranged from new claims for benefits to death certificates.

The shredder incident could have widespread impact in South Carolina, home of more than 413,000 former members of the military services.

One of those veterans wondered just how many records have been wrongly destroyed before the shredding incident came to light.

“How long has this been going on, and how many veterans and their families have been deprived of benefits they have earned?” said Army veteran Mike Bailey of Springdale.

The House Veterans Affairs Committee, which includes Rep. Henry Brown, R-S.C., plans to summon VA leaders to Capitol Hill in mid-November to explain the shredder incidents, an aide said. Representatives of veterans’ service organizations also are expected to join in the discussion.

“I look forward to working with the VA and my fellow committee members on not only getting to the bottom of this incident, but making changes that ensure our veterans see their claims processed in a timely and secure manner,” Brown said.

According to the VA, supervisors at the Columbia office found the documents erroneously slated for shredding.

“Their suspicions are that there was an employee in that facility who was improperly putting documents in that shredder intentionally,” said Alison Aikele, VA spokeswoman.

The employee, who was not identified, was put on administrative leave while the situation is being investigated, Aikele added.

Documents are “shredded all the time because they contain so much personal information,” Aikele said. But before a document is destroyed, copies should be made and stored.

“If we just threw it in the garbage, it would be a serious security threat,” Aikele said.

“In this particular incident, there were things that should not have been in the shredder because they needed to be taken action on.”

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Brown Statement Honoring our Nation's Veterans

Brown Staff — 11/11/2008 16:20

MAKING VETERANS A PRIORITY 365 DAYS A YEAR

WASHINGTON, DC- Congressman Henry E. Brown Jr. (R-SC) made the following statement regarding America’s bravest citizens as he and the rest of the nation celebrated our Veteran’s individual sacrifices on this Veterans Day:

“In times of war, one is constantly reminded of the selflessness many of our uniformed men and women have displayed in recent years. Veterans Day is a time to reflect on those and the acts of all of our nation’s protectors.

I am proud to serve as a member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, prioritizing the needs of our veterans and current service members, and am even more proud of the fact that, at a time when almost all federal agencies are seeing their budgets held level or reduced, veterans funding has more than doubled since I took office in 2001.

As a former Chair of the VA Committee’s Subcommittee on Health, I am especially glad that so many of these increases will help ensure that qualifying veterans have access to the highest quality health care and benefits at VA facilities, including the nearly 100,000 veterans living in the First District.

While increasing veterans’ benefits is a top priority, making sure that the delivery and execution of those benefits is swift and productive is important as well. I supported legislation to reform the disability claims review system to reduce the backlog and provide veterans with the benefits they deserve in a timely manner.

I have also supported and introduced influential veteran’s legislation that has designated ALS as a service connected disorder as well as legislation that would double the pension for Medal of Honor recipients. I am a proud cosponsor and supporter of the Post-9/11 GI Bill and a sponsor of The Military Surviving Spouse Equity Act, which would provide equality in benefits for the thousands of surviving spouses of military retirees.

Locally, I worked with area veterans’ service organizations to bring the Moving Wall to the District this past October, allowing coastal South Carolina veterans, their families, and average citizens a unique opportunity to pay respects to the heroes of the Vietnam Era.

It is important that we remember, not only on this day, but every day of the year, that our Veterans have risked their lives to protect us, and I remain tirelessly committed to working towards ensuring they receive the health care, benefits and legislative support they have earned in service to this country.”

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The October Employment Report - Righting the Ship

Henry E. Brown — 11/07/2008 19:02

As news broke that U.S. companies cut 240,000 jobs in October and unemployment has spiked to 6.5 percent, the highest since March 1994, I urge Congress that we must resist steps that would only deepen the economic pain felt by famlies and small businesses.

As a long-time supporter of an ‘all of the above’ energy solution, I believe that committing ourselves to addressing our nation’s energy crisis is a major step towards correcting our economic woes.

I was proud to have worked with my Republican colleagues to force the Democratic Congress to open the door to more American energy by allowing the outdated ban on energy production on the Outer Continental Shefl to expire. By opening up domestic energy sources off our coasts and on our soil we can begin providing Americans with American energy. In addition, we will not only keep billions of dollars that we are currently paying, often, enemy nations for their resources, but we will be able to create thousands of jobs for the American people and begin rebuilding our economy with the resulting infrastructure.

While allowing the bans to expire was a significant first step, there are many Democrats in Congress who are already talking about renewing them once the 111th Congress comes into session. Not only will I stand against those efforts, but I will work to ensure that those who want us to be dependent upon foreign sources of energy do not use the court system to block energy production with endless lawsits.

Addressing our domestic energy deficit will result in the ultimate strengthening of our economy however, we must also ensure that we get to the root of our economic problems.

Despite Democrat efforts to cover up the facts, hearings over the month of October showed that the failure of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were at the root of the financial crisis. I, along with my Republican colleagues in the House are demanding a complete review of these two institutions. The American people deserve the opportunity to do their own investigation into the decisions made by the executives at these two companies – decisions that have imperiled our nation’s economy. Once we find that out, we need to fix what is broken in the system.

What we must resist are efforts by Congressional Democrats to use the economic challenges facing our nation to raise taxes. Their tax increases would cost the average South Carolina taxpayer some $2,000, and would target married couples, small businesses,and seniors. Instead, we need to enact tax relief that is focused on working families and small businesses.

Reducing our energy deficit, addressing our infrastructure challenges, attacking the root causes behind the crisis, and enacting tax relief are essential steps to return our economy to the path of prosperity and growth.

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Brown, House Republicans Demand Open Books at Fannie & Freddie

Brown Staff — 10/16/2008 14:49

Congressman Brown and 33 House Republicans sent the following letter to the regulator of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac asking that the books of the two failed mortgage giants be opened up for the American public to examine.

gsetransparencyletter_101508 - Upload a Document to Scribd

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Fannie & Freddie: Examining the Real Root of the Economic Debacle

Henry E. Brown — 10/15/2008 18:00

As our country faces historic economic challenge, I believe it is essential that the Democratic Congress closely examine the facts of history and not ignore the role of the largest players at the center of the economic debacle: Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Republican’s have been scrutinizing these mortgage giants since 2004, when they called hearings after reports of fraudulent accounting activities at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. These reports showed that Fannie was reporting false earnings in a way that triggered extra bonuses to company executives and also brought to light significant problems with the portfolios maintained by both Fannie and Freddie – especially the fact that they held trillions of dollars in risky mortgage backed securities.

During the House Financial Services Committee hearings, Committee Republicans made their initial call for reform and increased oversight of Fannie and Freddie, asked the tough questions and successfully passed H.R. 1461, the Federal Housing Finance Reform Act of 2005. All the while, Committee Democrats claimed there was “no crisis”, called the regulator “incompetent” and were viscerally angry at the idea that problems could be occurring at Fannie and Freddie.

I strongly supported H.R 1461, and had its consideration not been blocked by liberal Democrats in the Senate, it would have restructured both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, created massive oversight and inevitably prevented Fannie and Freddie’s $1 trillion buying binge of risky subprime and mortgage backed securities between 2005 and 2007.

From 1990 to 2005, Fannie and Freddie grew more than 944% to $1.64 trillion, while their liabilities grew by 980% to $1.51 trillion. The two gambled with taxpayer dollars and lost. Between 1998 and 2008, they spent nearly $175 million combined lobbying Congress, and between 2000 and 2008, Fannie and Freddie employees contributed nearly $15 million to the campaign coffers of congressional candidates and party committees.

Republicans have been trying for years to reform the two mortgage giants, but because of liberal Democrats Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were able to continue with their unethical policies and dangerous predatory lending that has laid the foundation for the economic troubles that is having an impact on every single taxpayer in America.

In yet another effort to reform Fannie and Freddie, I, along with many of my Republican colleagues will be sending a letter urging the current regulator of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to bring increased transparency to their past financial dealings and decision making. I believe that providing open access to the documents and financial paperwork of these two massive organizations would go far towards helping Congress and the nation not only understand what failed, but also make the necessary changes to prevent us from going down this road again.

My Republican colleagues and I continue to demand a bipartisan committee hearing to expose the root of the issue and create a necessary and complete review of Fannie Mac and Freddie Mac. In order to bring the key facts to the American people, the hearing must include testimony from former executive Frank Raines and other former Fannie and Freddie executives. There have been serious problems with Fannie and Freddie since 2004, and these problems, having grown, are some of the key causes of our current economic crisis.

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Fostering New Technology to Improve Rail Safety

Brown Staff — 10/06/2008 12:47

An oped in today's LA Daily News discusses the need to improve safety at the thousands of rail-highway grade crossings across the country. In the recently passed Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008, Congressman Brown worked to get legislative language that would make developing and deploying new technology warning systems at these grade crossings a priority. Specifically, Brown's language will get DOT focused on working with the private sector to develop new grade crossing safety technologies, such as systems that can warn a train miles away that a car is stuck on the tracks, allowing it time to stop before the crossing. Brown also worked to add additional language that will give states and technology companies the legal protection necessary to install these systems at crossings, instead of simply keeping them in the lab.

Read LA Daily News OPED: Grade-crossing deaths are true rail problem

Language from Rail Safety Improvement Act:

(a) Amendment- Subchapter II of chapter 201, as amended by section 204 of this division, is further amended by adding at the end the following:

`Sec. 20161. Fostering introduction of new technology to improve safety at highway-rail grade crossings

`(a) Findings-

`(1) Collisions between highway users and trains at highway-rail grade crossings continue to cause an unacceptable loss of life, serious personal injury, and property damage.

`(2) While elimination of at-grade crossings through consolidation of crossings and grade separations offers the greatest long-term promise for optimizing the safety and efficiency of the two modes of transportation, over 140,000 public grade crossings remain on the general rail system--approximately one for each route mile on the general rail system.

`(3) Conventional highway traffic control devices such as flashing lights and gates are often effective in warning motorists of a train's approach to an equipped crossing.

`(4) Since enactment of the Highway Safety Act of 1973, over $4,200,000,000 of Federal funding has been invested in safety improvements at highway-rail grade crossings, yet a majority of public highway-rail grade crossings are not yet equipped with active warning systems.

`(5) The emergence of new technologies presents opportunities for more effective and affordable warnings and safer passage of highway users and trains at remaining highway-rail grade crossings.

`(6) Implementation of new crossing safety technology will require extensive cooperation between highway authorities and railroad carriers.

`(7) Federal Railroad Administration regulations establishing performance standards for processor-based signal and train control systems provide a suitable framework for qualification of new or novel technology at highway-rail grade crossings, and the Federal Highway Administration's Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices provides an appropriate means of determining highway user interface with such new technology.

`(b) Policy- It is the policy of the United States to encourage the development of new technology that can prevent loss of life and injuries at highway-rail grade crossings. The Secretary of Transportation is designated to carry out this policy in consultation with States and necessary public and private entities.

`(c) Submission of New Technology Proposals- Railroad carriers and railroad suppliers may submit for review and approval to the Secretary such new technology designed to improve safety at highway-rail grade crossings. The Secretary shall approve by order the new technology designed to improve safety at highway-rail grade crossings in accordance with Federal Railroad Administration standards for the development and use of processor-based signal and train control systems and shall consider the effects on safety of highway-user interface with the new technology.

`(d) Effect of Secretarial Approval- If the Secretary approves by order new technology to provide warning to highway users at a highway-rail grade crossing and such technology is installed at a highway-rail grade crossing in accordance with the conditions of the approval, this determination preempts any State statute or regulation concerning the adequacy of the technology in providing warning at the crossing.'.

(b) Conforming Amendment- The chapter analysis for chapter 201, as amended by section 204 of this division, is further amended by inserting after the item relating to section 20160, the following:

`20161. Fostering introduction of new technology to improve safety at highway-rail grade crossings.'.

SEC. 210. FOSTERING INTRODUCTION OF NEW TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE SAFETY AT HIGHWAY-RAIL GRADE CROSSINGS.

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Democrats in their own words covering up the Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac scam

Brown Staff — 10/06/2008 10:39

Some shocking video from 2004 where Democratic members of the Financial Services Committee defend the misdeeds of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac while attacking the government regulator who uncovered the common practices of inflating earnings and papering over risky investments at the two companies:

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Congressman Brown's Statement on Energy from the House Floor

Brown Staff — 09/16/2008 17:30

Congressman Brown took to the House Floor today to discuss our energy challenges and solutions. You can view his statement by clicking the image below.

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More Facts about the Democrat Energy Bill

Brown Staff — 09/16/2008 17:05

The chart below, from the House Republican Conference, breaks down the Democrat energy bill, showing that it truly is a "no-energy energy bill."

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The Democrats' "energy" bill - "all of the above" or only "some of the above"?

Henry E. Brown — 09/12/2008 17:20

You have probably heard in recent days that Speaker Pelosi and the Democrat Majority plan to take up a so called “energy bill” on the House floor next week. While no one outside of the Speaker’s Chambers in the Capitol has seen this energy bill, rumors about its contents have started to leak out in the press. From those reports, this is what we have been able to understand about this bill – legislation that is designed solely to provide political cover in the upcoming election instead of providing a true “all of the above” approach to lower gas prices:

1. The bill leaves out critical revenue-sharing with coastal states – meaning that while states like Louisiana and Texas receive federal royalty payments in return for permitting environmentally responsible energy production offshore, states like South Carolina would receive not a single red cent. The more than $2 trillion that would be received in royalties from this energy production would go straight into the federal treasury, opening the door for big government spending without helping coastal states.

2. The Democrats’ “no energy” bill permanently locks up more than 1 trillion barrels of oil from oil shale in the Inter-Mountain West.

3. The Democrats’ “no energy” bill permanently locks up more than 10 billion barrels of oil on Alaska’s remote North Slope – an area where energy production and wildlife have been safely coexisting for decades.

4. The Democrats’ “no energy” bill blocks more nuclear power production – clean, efficient, and less costly production that nations such as France have been safely using for years while the United States continues to fall behind. Companies in South Carolina are currently working diligently to get new nuclear power facilities permitted and under construction – will the Democrats’ bill stop those efforts cold?

5. The Democrats’ “no energy” bill does nothing to construct new clean coal energy production facilities – facilities that are a win-win, with benefits both to consumers and for the environment.

6. The Democrats’ “no energy” bill raises taxes – a new burden for overstressed consumers already paying high prices at the pump and preparing to pay higher home heating costs this winter. High energy prices are already taxing families, businesses, and non-profits, while forcing local governments to cut some services.

7. The Democrats’ “no energy” bill permanently prevents federal agencies from using unconventional and alternative sources of fuel at exactly the time when Congress should be encouraging the use of these fuels.

8. The Democrats’ “no energy” bill increases electricity costs on families, seniors, and small businesses by creating a new, heavy-handed electricity mandate. This will have a direct impact on South Carolina energy users, and represents an old idea that failed during 2007.

9. The Democrats’ “no energy” bill includes plans for exactly zero new refineries to be built on American soil. Is this the way to show our competitors around the globe that we are finally serious about achieving energy independence? Refinery construction is required to go through one of the most stringent permitting processes in the country, yet this legislation seems to not even open the door so such permitting can start.

10. The Democrats’ “no energy” bill defies the will of a solid majority of Americans who support the House GOP’s “all of the above” plan to increase American energy production, promote the use of alternative and renewable fuels, and encourage more conservation and efficiency.

Is this an “all of the above” energy policy? I don’t think so – instead it is more of the same. To find out about my solutions for our energy challenges, visit http://brown.house.gov/Issues/energy.html.

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The Seventh Anniversary of 9/11

Henry E. Brown — 09/11/2008 12:22

Today, I joined my colleagues and on the grounds of the Pentagon for the dedication of the Pentagon Memorial. We were joined by President Bush, many of those who were inside the Pentagon on that fateful day, and by the rescue workers who bravely charged into the smoke and flames without regard for their own safety. The ceremony was not just to dedicate the memorial, it was to honor the lives of those lost and recognize the strength of their surviving family members and the unfailing resolve of our nation.

After the ceremony, every member of Congress, both House and Senate, went to the Capitol steps to mark that even during times of partisan disagreement, we still can stand together as a Congress and as a nation. I will certainly be reflecting a great deal today, thinking back to an event that so changed our nation and remembering those who were lost seven years ago today. You can read more of my thoughts as part of a statement I released earlier today.

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Resources for Preparing for a Hurricane

Brown Staff — 09/03/2008 15:45

As the Atlantic Hurricane Season heats up, the Brown office wants to remind you of the resources available to help you and your family or business prepare for a storm. We have organized a number of important hurricane-related links on the Congressman’s website at http://brown.house.gov/Issues/hurricane.html. Some of the most significant ones to look at are the SC Hurricane Preparedness Guide and Ready.gov’s Hurricane Website. Links to local emergency management agencies and other essential local information are also provided on this site.

In addition to developing and reviewing your family disaster plan, now is a good time to take care of the little things like programming news stations into your radio and making sure that you have the most up-to-date phone numbers written down or saved into your cell phone.

The National Hurricane Center has the most up-to-date information about storm positions and tracking, and you can may choose to access NHC advisories on your mobile device.

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Trucking Association Brings Support to Brown-sponsored Energy Solutions

Henry E. Brown — 09/03/2008 13:51

As I have heard from so many of you regarding the impact of high energy costs, I have heard some of the most powerful stories from First District residents who drive a truck for a living. Be it the independent operator who moves cargo in and out of the Port of Charleston or the trucker driver who works for one of the major firms hauling food to the hotels along the Grand Strand, American truckers are currently seeing the highest prolonged fuel prices in history. It takes $1,400 to fill up the average 18-wheeler.

Because of this, I was glad to see that the American Trucking Associations has endorsed bipartisan legislation that I and a number of my colleagues wrote and introduced in July. H.R. 6709, the National Conservation, Environment, and Energy Independence Act, is bipartisan, balanced legislation that increases domestic production of energy and invests billions into renewable and alternative fuels, while providing incentives for the American people to conserve and use energy more wisely. In announcing ATA’s support for the legislation, ATA First Vice Chairman Charles “Shorty” Whittington said “We need a comprehensive energy plan. The National Conservation, Environment, and Energy Independence Act is part of this comprehensive solution.” You can read ATA’s full announcement online at their website.

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Charleston’s SPAWAR marks integration of 10,000th MRAP vehicle

Henry E. Brown — 08/28/2008 14:05

An important new piece of Lowcountry history was made earlier this month, as Space and Naval Warfare (SPAWAR) Systems Center (SSC) Charleston celebrated the integration of the 10,000th Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle. MRAP vehicles, which are specially designed and manufactured to protect troops from IDEs and other treats they face in Iraq, are outfitted with a full complement of communications, computers, command and control, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) equipment at SSC Charleston.

Four soldiers who have used MRAP vehicles in Iraq provided first-hand accounts of the vehicles capabilities and offered vivid testimony as to their life-saving role in support of their mission.

While MRAPs are built by many companies around the country, including in Charleston, all of them must come to SPAWAR for final integration to make them ready for the warfighter. And getting them ready requires a full team effort with so many partners, especially Charleston’s 841st Transportation Battalion, Charleston Air Force Base 437th and 315th Airlift Wings, and many commands on¬ the Naval Weapons Station.

I have been proud to support this effort in Congress, working with my colleagues to provide the funding needed to buy these vehicles and get them into the field protecting our troops as soon as possible. However, if the hard working folks in Charleston hadn’t stepped up, they never would have gotten there.

And they certainly did get there – going from inception to full rate production in little over a year. The team generally integrates 5 MRAPs a day, but has completed as many as 69 in one day to make sure they are on the way to protect our troops. Indeed, the Secretary of the Navy has compared the work done at SPAWAR to the work done at the Naval Shipyard more than 65 years ago when we fought a different enemy.

Hats off to these hard working Lowcountry residents – your country owes you a debt of gratitude.

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More on Friday's Floor Revolt & an Open Letter to Speaker Pelosi

Brown Staff — 08/04/2008 15:46

We have recieved many calls from folks across the 1st District responding to the efforts of Congressman Brown and the House Republicans this past Friday. Here is some of what Congressman Brown had to say from the floor: http://brown.house.gov/apps/list/press/sc01_brown/080108energyrevolt.shtml. Today, in addition to keeping up the revolt on the floor, House Republicans are circulating an open letter to Speaker Pelosi outlining efforts to demand a vote on increasing American energy production. The letter is pasted below:

AN OPEN LETTER TO SPEAKER PELOSI

On Friday August 1, 2008, at 11:23 a.m., your Democrat majority in the House of Representatives adjourned the House for five full weeks.

House Republicans believe that Congress should not go on vacation until we take action to lower gas and energy prices for struggling American families.

For the last two months we and our House Republican colleagues have used every tool at our disposal to try and get you and your Democrat majority to vote on legislation to lower gas and energy prices by expanding environmentally sound domestic production of oil and natural gas, improving energy efficiency, and encouraging the development of alternative energy technologies.

Many of the proposals we have asked you and your Democrat majority to allow us to vote on are bipartisan proposals that we believe would enjoy the support of a majority of the Members of the Congress. Yet because you and your Democrat Leadership personally oppose these proposals, you are not allowing them to come up for a vote. This past Sunday, you even told George Stephanopoulos that you will never allow this vote to occur (see transcript on the reverse).

In protest of you and your Democrat majority not allowing an up or down vote on producing more American energy, we and our House Republican colleagues were prepared to take to the floor on Friday, August 1, 2008, and speak to the nation. Rather than allowing that to happen you and your Democrat majority adjourned the House, turned off the television cameras, shut off the microphones and turned out the lights. Nearly 50 House Republicans remained on the floor of the House in defiance speaking to those citizens gathered in the galleries and to the media.

Today we have again returned to the Capitol to continue speaking to the thousands of Americans from all across our country who are visiting the Capitol. We would have preferred if instead we were joined by our colleagues to have a true debate on this issue that ended in an up or down vote.

We think it is unconscionable that Congress has gone on vacation before we have addressed the high gas prices that are crippling our economy and hurting millions of families. We are asking that you reconvene the House from your five-week vacation and schedule a vote on legislation to increase American energy production. Let us be clear, we are not asking for a guaranteed outcome, just the chance to vote.

Signed by: John Boehner, Republican Leader; Roy Blunt, Republican Whip; Adam Putnam, Republican Conference Chairman; Eric Cantor, Chief Deputy Whip; and Members of the House Republican Conference

STEPHANOPOULOS: … You've been getting a lot of heat on -- for not allowing a vote, a straight up-or-down vote on expanding drilling off the coasts of the United States. Why won't you permit a straight up- or-down vote?

PELOSI: … What these -- what our colleagues are talking about is something that won't have an effect for 10 years and it will be 2 cents at the time. If they want to present something as part of an energy package, we're talking about something. But to single shoot on something that won't work and mislead the American people as to thinking it's going to reduce the price at the pump, I'm just not going to be a party of it.

STEPHANOPOULOS: Except that it's not just Republicans calling for this. Members of your own caucus say we must have a vote. Congressman Jason Altmire, let me show our viewers right now, is saying there's going to be a vote. Here he says exactly, there's going to be a vote. September 30th will not come and go without a vote on opening the outer continental shelf. The message has been delivered. The issue can't be ignored any longer. He says he speaks for a lot of Democrats. He's talked to the leadership, and a vote must happen.

PELOSI: Well, maybe it will, as it's part of a larger energy package.
…
Instead we're saying, free the oil. Use it, don't lose it. There's 68 million acres in lower 48 and 10 or 20 million more acres in Alaska, where they're permitted, where they could drill anytime. This is a diversionary tactic from a failed energy policy.

STEPHANOPOULOS: But if you feel you have the better arguments, why not give a straight up-or-down vote for drilling?

PELOSI: Because the misrepresentation has been made that this is going to reduce the price at the pump. This is, again, a decoy, it's not a solution.

STEPHANOPOULOS: Well, if you're right, why not let it be debated out and have the vote?

PELOSI: We have a debate every single day on this subject. What you saw in the Congress this week was the war dance of the hand maidens of the oil companies. That's what you saw on the Republican side of the aisle.

Democrats and Republicans are not right down party lines on this issue. There are regional concerns, as well as some people concerned about what this means back home for them.

But we have a planet to save. We have an economy to grow. And we can do that if we keep our balance in all of this and not just say but for drilling in unprotected and these protected areas offshore, we would have lower gas prices. …

STEPHANOPOULOS: But why not allow votes on all that? When you came in as speaker, you promised in your commitment book, A New Direction for America, let me show our viewers, you said that bills should generally come to the floor under a procedure that allows open, full, fair debate, consisting of a full amendment process that grants the minority the right to offer its alternatives.

If they want to offer a drilling proposal, why can't they have a vote?

PELOSI: They'll have to use their imagination as to how they can get a vote, and they may get a vote. But I have tried, you know, we have serious policy issues in our country. The president of the United States has presented this but for this, our economy would be booming. But for this, gas would be cheaper at the pump.

It's simply not true. And even the president himself in his statement yesterday and before then has said there is no quick fix for this by drilling.
…

STEPHANOPOULOS: So you will not permit a vote. You may get beat, but you're not going to permit a vote on your own?

PELOSI: Well, again, we take this one step at a time. But why we're spending all this time on a parliamentary tactic when nothing less is at stake than the planet, the air we breathe, our children breathe? We have...

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Republican Leader Boehner: "We witnessed the power of American democracy in action."

Brown Staff — 08/01/2008 17:36

Below is a great release from Republican Leader John Boehner:

Boehner: House Republicans and the American People Stood Side by Side to Make History Together

Washington, Aug 1 - House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) issued the following statement on today’s historic revolt on the House floor by Republicans against Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) decision to leave town without a House vote on legislation to increase American-made energy and lower gas prices:

“The historic event that unfolded today on the floor of the People’s House was about more than gas prices. We witnessed the power of American democracy in action. Dozens of House Republicans joined hundreds of American citizens on the House floor to protest Speaker Pelosi’s decision to send Congress home for the rest of the summer without voting for more American-made energy and lower gas prices.

“Today, House Republicans and the American people stood side by side to make history together. We sent a powerful message to Speaker Pelosi, Senators Reid and Obama, and other top Democrats that we will not rest until they allow a vote for more American energy and lower gas prices. And we sent a powerful message that the passion to make our voices heard will never be extinguished by the heavy-handed actions of the out-of-touch Democratic Majority. House Republicans and the American people showed today that we will stand united together on the most important issue facing our nation – and we will fight boldly until Congress finally heeds our will.”

NOTE: Members participating in the spontaneous uprising included Reps. Brian Bilbray, Gus Bilirakis, Rob Bishop, Roy Blunt, John Boehner, John Boozman, Kevin Brady, Paul Broun, Henry Brown, Michael Burgess, John Campbell, Eric Cantor, Shelly Moore Capito, John Carter, Tom Cole, Mike Conaway, John Culberson, Charlie Dent, Mary Fallin, Jeff Fortenberry, Virginia Foxx, Louie Gohmert, Wally Herger, Pete Hoekstra, Duncan Hunter, Steve King, Dan Lungren, Don Manzullo, Kevin McCarthy, Thaddeus McCotter, Devin Nunes, Mike Pence, Chip Pickering, Todd Platts, Ted Poe, Jon Porter, Tom Price, Adam Putnam, Bill Sali, John Shadegg, John Shimkus, Adrian Smith, Mike Turner, Tim Walberg, Greg Walden, and Lynn Westmoreland.

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In Case You Missed It: Congress is gone, but Republicans won't leave

Brown Staff — 08/01/2008 16:54

“The microphones were off, the House had stopped TV feeds to C-Span and the lights dimmed after the pre-noon vote to adjourn for the August recess. That didn't deter Republicans, who one after another rose to demand that Congress stay in session until it does something about high gas prices.”

Associated Press
By JIM ABRAMS
1 hour ago

WASHINGTON — The last House vote before a vacation usually sparks a stampede toward the doors and waiting planes. Not so Friday, when Republicans occupied the House floor for a rare, and at times bizarre, protest against Democratic energy policies.

The microphones were off, the House had stopped TV feeds to C-Span and the lights dimmed after the pre-noon vote to adjourn for the August recess. That didn't deter Republicans, who one after another rose to demand that Congress stay in session until it does something about high gas prices.

Unlike a normal session where the rules of decorum are strictly enforced, GOP lawmakers and their aides who filled the chamber clapped, chanted, gave standing ovations and booed the Democrats.

"Madame Speaker, where art thou?" shouted out Rep. Ted Poe, R-Texas, in a glancing rhetorical shot at House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. "Where oh where has Congress gone?"

It was a rare treat for tourists. Republicans invited many, in their shorts and sandals, into the chamber, usually strictly off-limits, to better hear the revivalist-like speeches.

Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., one of the organizers of the protest, said up to 40 of his fellow Republicans were prepared to keep the talk-in going. "I am prepared to stay here as long as we can," he said.

Republicans are angry that Democrats blocked them from a vote on allowing more off-shore oil drilling and increasing domestic oil supplies.

Democrats have faulted Republicans for obstructing their efforts to stop market speculation, press oil companies to develop the leases they have and force the president to release oil from the strategic petroleum reserve. The result is that Congress is leaving town without a comprehensive energy bill.

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NOTE. Access this article online by clicking here.

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UPDATED: Congressman Brown and other House Republicans Revolt on Floor after House Democrats Skip Town without Vote to Lower Energy Prices

Brown Staff — 08/01/2008 15:33

UPDATE [4:38pm]...Congressman Brown spoke to the assembled tourists, House staffers, and reporters that were sitting in the seats that are generally taken by Members of Congress when the House is in official session. We should have his prepared statement posted soon. Republican Member after Republican Member is speaking about the need for action on energy prices. Republican Leadership also sent a letter to the Speaker asking that the House be called back into session to deal with our nation's energy crisis.

Congressman Brown and other House Republicans are staying on the House floor talking about the need to hold a vote on real solutions to high energy prices. Unfortunately, the cameras, lights, and microphones are turned off, but you can read more about it here:

The Politico: No Light, No Problem for the House GOP

House Majority Leader Bohener: House GOP Floor Revolt Continues After Dems Skip Town Without Vote to Lower Gas Prices

Washington Post: "We are speaking without microphones - as though it were 1908 - acoustics of House chamber are good and gallery and you can hear us" - Congressman John Culberson

More on this as things develop...

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Upholding the Constitutional Right to Bear Arms

Henry E. Brown — 07/31/2008 15:58

Like so many across the country, I was pleased with the US Supreme Court’s recent decision overturning the District of Columbia’s gun ban. However, the progress contained in this decision is at risk with the city government currently considering regulations that fly directly in the face of the Court’s decision. As a supporter of the right to bear arms, I strongly believe that the resident’s of our Nation’s Capital should not have their Constitutional rights limited. As such, I recently signed a discharge petition to force a vote on legislation that will enforce the Supreme Court’s ruling and guarantee individuals the right to defend themselves and their families in their own homes with simple, ordinary firearms, including handguns.

The legislation would block efforts by the District of Columbia government to make gun ownership nearly impossible through new, duplicative, and burdensome provisions. Specifically, the measure would:

Repeal the D.C. handgun ban and the storage requirement that prohibits keeping a firearm ready for self-defense in the home;
Repeal the D.C. registration system, which serves as the vehicle for even more restrictions; and
Restrict the D.C. City Council’s authority to impose burdens on residents’ Second Amendment rights.

In addition to helping move this legislation forward, I was proud to join with a bipartisan majority of my colleagues in sending a brief to the Supreme Court in support of efforts to end DC’s unconstitutional gun ban.

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Helping to Employ Veterans

Henry E. Brown — 07/28/2008 14:45

Often, when our servicemen and women return home from combat, it is difficult for them to find new employment. I believe that it is important to support our nation’s bravest and do all that we can to ensure a smooth transition into their next area of employment.

To help in this effort, I was proud to join with Congressman Rush Holt (D-NJ) to author a resolution that encourages the President to issue a proclamation calling upon employers, labor organizations, veterans’ service organizations, and federal, state and local government agencies to lend their support to increase employment of the men and women who have served in the Armed Forces. The “Hire a Vet” week resolution was once of the first pieces of legislation passed during the 110th Congress.

In addition to my efforts, the Department of Veterans has partnered with Monster Government Solutions of Monster Worldwide, Inc., and they have come up with a new plan to help veterans find jobs. This partnership between the VA and the online employment website provides veteran-owned small businesses with the opportunity to post job openings for veterans at a large price discount. The postings will be up twice as long as other postings and will also offer specific options for service-disabled veterans.

"This government-corporate partnership represents the best kind of effort to help those who gave up time in their lives to serve their country and return to an economic community that may not recognize their skills," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. "The program should make it easier for employers to find qualified job candidates as well as veteran suppliers and service contractors."

To get involved, veteran business owners must go to http://www.VetBiz.gov and list their business on the VA’s online vendor page. If you are a veteran looking for information about employment opportunities, visit http://www.hirevetsfirst.gov/. As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact one of my district offices.

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Demanding the Respect that Our Military Deserves

Henry E. Brown — 07/23/2008 18:50

When our service men and women return home from combat zones all over the world, they never expect to be denied entrance into the airports of their own country.

Believe it or not, this has been occurring to our nation’s bravest. In September 2007, soldiers returning home from Iraq were denied access to the terminal building at Oakland International Airport. The passengers aboard this military charter had already been screened in Kuwait and granted access to the terminal at Kennedy International Airport in New York.

My colleagues on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and I took particular notice of this occurrence. After looking into things, we requested that the Department of Transportation investigate the incident.

The report revealed the need for a uniform process for handling members of the Armed Forces coming into U.S. commercial airports. As a result, the Department of Defense, the Transportation Security Administration and the Federal Aviation Administration signed a Memorandum of Understanding that outlines proper protocols for ensuring that our soldiers are always treated with respect at commercial airports.

This new policy will be going into effect immediately. Our fighting men and women should be able to see the families as soon as possible after landing – and not have to sit through a security line. For more information on the Memorandum of Understanding go to http://republicans.transportation.house.gov/News/PRArticle.aspx?NewsID=441.

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Working to Preserve South Carolina's Civil War Heritage

Henry E. Brown — 07/17/2008 17:59

As home to Ft. Sumter, Morris Island, and many other Civil War sites, the 1st District holds a special place in our nation's history that must be preserved. That's why I have been working so hard with my colleague Gary Miller from California to update and extend a program under the National Park Service that is designed to provide financial assistance to preserve and protect these nationally significant places in our history.

Last week, I joined with my colleagues on the National Parks Subcommittee of the House Resources Committee during a hearing on Mr. Miller's legislation (H.R. 2933). During the hearing, we heard from one of my constituents, Alex McMillan, a Trustee of the Civil War Preservation Trust and a former Member of Congress.

Congressman McMillan talked about the important role that funding through the Civil War Battlefield Preservation Program has played in protecting Civil War battlefields throughout the US. (link to McMillan testimony)

While funds from the CWBPP have yet to be used to preserve any land in South Carolina, there are 11 sites in the Palmetto State that would be eligible for preservation under H.R. 2933. These include sites such as Fort Sumter and Morris Island, which saw the heroic actions of the African-American 54th Massachusetts Infantry as depicted in the film Glory.

This week, H.R. 2933 was sent to the House floor by the Natural Resources Committee. I look forward to working with my colleagues to get this bill on the House floor schedule before the end of the 110th Congress.

Additional Information: 1-pager on legislation from the Civil War Battlefield Trust │Letter from Civil War Battlefield Trust │Article on legislation in the Charleston Post & Courier

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Taking to the House Floor to Discuss Our Nation's Energy Crisis

Henry E. Brown — 07/16/2008 15:30

This morning, during the one-minute speeches that occur before the House starts its business for the day, I came to the House floor to discuss the need for Congress to act on solutions to our nation's energy crisis. You can view the floor statement below:

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Today's Presidential Announcement Regarding American Energy Production

Brown Staff — 07/14/2008 13:58

Click through to view the video of today's Rose Garden Press Conference. You can read the Memorandum for the Secretary of the Interior here.

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In Case you Missed It: Momentum Grows for Energy Solutions (Charleston Regional Business Journal)

Henry E. Brown — 07/11/2008 15:10

Hope everyone is having an enjoyable Friday. As talk up here in Washington continues on our nation’s energy challenge and the need to find solutions, I wanted to make sure you saw a recent article in the Charleston Regional Business Journal about how momentum is growing for more domestic energy production and exploration, as well as nuclear, renewables, and other alternative fuels. An important fact from the story that debunks claims from those who don’t want any American energy production: in order to be seen 100 miles offshore, energy infrastructure would have to be the height of 5 and a half Empire State buildings. At 23 miles, a standard rig disappears from view.

Here is the link to the story online: http://www.charlestonbusiness.com/current/14_14/news/12339-1.html. You can also view a PDF version here.

Have a great weekend!

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Welcome!

Henry E. Brown — 07/09/2008 15:13

Welcome to my new blog! As part of my commitment to constituent service, I have added this new feature to my website to not only keep you informed about action in Washington as it happens, but to also ensure you have access to updated constituent information as it becomes available. Sometimes I will post commentary or Washington updates here, while other times my staff will add information such as links to articles and announcements by federal agencies.

I encourage you to check back here often, and please feel free to email me your thoughts.

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