Brown-Waite RSS Articles

Democrats Drunk on Spending; Jobs Report Indicates it’s Time to Sober Up

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Washington D.C. – U.S. Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite (FL-05) released the following statement after learning that the national unemployment rate had reached 10.2%:

“The President described October’s unemployment numbers as ‘sobering’. Perhaps Democrats in Washington are finally realizing that taxing and spending like drunken sailors is not the way to create jobs.

“This weekend, Nancy Pelosi plans to ram a $1.3 trillion health bill through the House. The American people do not want this bill – the American taxpayers cannot afford this bill.

“Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats in Congress need to sober up and start listening to the American people.”

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Brown-Waite Invites Constituents to Read the Bill...Literally

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Washington D.C. – U.S. Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite (FL-05) encourages her constituents to stay up-to-date on the health care debate in Washington by providing some local libraries with the full text of the 1,990 page bill. If the library in your area does not have a copy of the bill, links to the bill and related documents are posted on her website:

“Speaker Pelosi may have felt it was okay to write her health care bill without the input of the American people, but that’s not the way I operate,” Brown-Waite said. “My constituents deserve the opportunity to read this health care bill right along side their Member of Congress.

“To aid in this effort, my office will provide some local libraries around the 5th district with copies of the Democrats’ 1,990 page bill. My constituents can also find the latest bill text, news articles, summaries and reports on my website: brown-waite.house.gov/healthcarereform.”

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Brown-Waite Calls on AARP to Reveal True Reasons Behind Bill Endorsement

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

U.S. Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite (FL-05) was disappointed to learn of AARP’s decision to endorse the Democrats’ $1.3 trillion health care bill:

“There was a time when AARP represented the interests of retired people-- this endorsement proves that those days are long gone. The Democrats’ health care bill cuts $400 billion dollars from Medicare—the very program that AARP’s members paid for and rely on.

“AARP is running a great risk by endorsing a bill that does not clearly determine which health plans will be allowed under this legislation. This bill leaves it up to Washington bureaucrats to make that determination once the bill is passed and signed into law.

“AARP’s members deserve to know the true reasons behind their endorsement of this bill. If they are not standing up for the interests of seniors, then whose interests are they standing up for?”

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Brown-Waite Applauds Passage of Small Business Finance & Investment Act of 2009

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Brown-Waite Applauds Passage of Small Business
Finance & Investment Act of 2009
“When the American people are working, the American economy is working”

Washington D.C. – U.S. Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite (FL-05) released the following statement today after the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3854; Small Business Financing and Investment Act of 2009:

“For more than nine months, I have been calling on this Congress to provide real support to small businesses. Sadly, the Democrats’ “stimulus” plan only provided 1% of overall funding to the Small Business Administration. Worse still, this little bit of money is not actually making it through to small businesses. Like the President’s flawed homeowners’ initiatives, the SBA stimulus program relies on banks responding to incentives. They aren’t. Today, the House passed a bill that will allow the Small Business Administration to use stimulus funds to loan directly to small businesses. My amendments ensure that this program will be operational through 2011 and that it will be administered responsibly.

“This bill provides small business employers with the resources they need to help the American people get back to work—when the American people are working, the American economy is working.”

Congresswoman Brown-Waite’s amendments are below. To read the full text of H.R. 3854, go to www.Thomas.gov.

Amendment #15 clarifies the bill text to authorize the program to begin operating immediately and to continue through FY 2011, regardless of whether the NBER declares the recession technically over. After Sept. 30, 2011, the original parameters take over. If Congress is going to take the step of loaning directly to small businesses, Ginny believes, Congress should make sure that it begins loaning immediately when that emergency lending is needed the most.

Amendment #14 addresses the lack of clarity with regard to underwriting standards in the underlying bill. This amendment requires that any individuals at the SBA who are directly involved in loan application analysis and underwriting have at least two years of experience in those activities. The National Credit Union Administration (www.ncua.gov) requires that any credit unions that engage in business lending have commercial loan officers with at least two years of experience. This amendment uses the same requirement. To the greatest extent possible, Congress must ensure that only prudent loans are being made. This amendment does that.

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House Honors National Adoption Day

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

House Honors National Adoption Day
House Passes Brown-Waite’s Legislation Honoring National Adoption Day & Month

Washington D.C. – U.S. Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite (FL-05) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed her resolution, H. Res. 831; Supporting the Goals and Ideals of National Adoption Day and National Adoption Month:

“As the mother of an adopted daughter, I know first hand the immense joy that an adopted child can bring to a family. I also recognize the sacrifices and important contributions of those who adopt and facilitate adoptions. Not every parent who brings a child into the world has the financial or emotional stability to give that child the care they need and deserve. Fortunately, there are eager families throughout the country waiting with open arms to take that child in and give them all of the love and tools they need to grow and succeed in the world around them.

“It is important to recognize these families and the people and organizations that make adoptions in our country possible. I applaud my colleagues in Congress for taking the time to give them the recognition that they deserve.”

November 2009 is National Adoption Month, and November 21, 2009, is National Adoption Day.

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Ask Before He Receives

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Ask Before He Receives
President Must Fulfill Constitutional Obligation Before He Accepts Nobel Peace Prize

Washington D.C. – U.S. Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite (FL-05) released the following statement after sending a letter to President Obama:

“I congratulate President Obama on receiving this distinguished honor. This award is a testament to America’s continuing importance as a broker of peace and a promoter of democracy. With every great honor, however, comes great responsibility, not the least of which is the President’s constitutional responsibility to receive the consent of Congress before formally accepting this award.

“‘Article I, Section 9 of the Constitution clearly states: “no person holding any office of profit or trust under them, shall, without the consent of Congress, accept of any present, emolument, office, or title, of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign state.’

“I urge President Obama to affirm his devotion to our Constitution and seek the consent of Congress before accepting the award in Oslo, Norway on December 10.”

To read the full text of Congresswoman Brown-Waite’s letter to President Obama, click here.

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VIDEO: Behind Closed Doors

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Today, the GOP Conference released a video of the Democrat leadership's approach to the health care bill. To watch it, click here.

Column: Despite SSA Announcement, Relief is Still in Order

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Despite SSA Announcement, Relief is Still in Order

Recently, the Social Security Administration (SSA) officially announced that there would be no cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) in 2010. While the Congressional Budget Office and SSA have projected this for some time, the announcement highlights the need for immediate Congressional action.

While I strongly believe Congress needs to change the way the COLA is calculated to more accurately reflect the costs of seniors, in the short-term, I have introduced legislation to help seniors and veterans until this change is made. H.R. 3691, the Seniors and Veterans Economic Stimulus Act will provide a $250 one-time payment to veterans and Social Security recipients in 2010, in lieu of COLA. Instead of adding any further to our national debt, my bill takes more than $13 billion from the failed stimulus package, which would have gone to grow the size and scope of the federal government, and injects that money back into the economy. This will be a true economic stimulus while also providing seniors and veterans with the COLA they deserve.

President Obama also recently announced that he would support a $250 one time payment for social security beneficiaries and veterans. As I have already introduced legislation that would do this, I look forward to working with President Obama to pass H.R. 3691.

Despite SSA Announcement, Relief is Still in Order

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Washington D.C. – Today, the Social Security Administration (SSA) officially announced that there will be no Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2010. Upon hearing the news, U.S. Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite (FL-05) made the following statement:

“Americans are feeling the crunch in every aspect of their daily lives: electric bills are going up, health care premiums are on the rise-- even the price of a gallon of milk can cause sticker shock. I am disappointed in the SSA’s assessment that our neediest citizens do not need a COLA for 2010. Clearly, there is a flaw in the formula used to calculate the COLA.

“The flaw in this system needs to be addressed; however our seniors and veterans cannot afford to shoulder the burden of our struggling economy while they wait for the federal government to fix it: they need relief now.

“Yesterday, President Obama urged Congress to approve a one-time payment of $250 for more than 50 million seniors. I’ve already introduced a similar bill; H.R. 3691; The SAVES Act of 2009, which proposes to use unobligated funds from the failed economic stimulus package to provide seniors and veterans with the assistance they need. I am glad the President recognizes that our seniors and veterans need relief. I welcome the opportunity to work with him and hope we can get these checks in the mail very soon.”

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Brown-Waite Secures $416,000 for Florida Aquaculture

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Washington D.C. – Last night, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to award $416,000 in Federal funds to the University of Florida’s Shellfish Aquaculture Extension Program in Cedar Key. After casting her vote, U.S. Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite (FL-05) released the following statement:

“Florida’s shellfish industry produces thousands of jobs for our agriculture and fishing industry. In a time when unemployment numbers are rising at a rapid pace, it’s important that we provide the necessary resources and funding to keep the industry afloat and Floridians employed.

“These funds will help support the University of Florida Shellfish Aquaculture Extension Program in their endeavor to produce a more cost effective ‘Florida friendly clam’. These advancements allow Florida Aquaculture to remain competitive in the global market and a significant contributor to the local economy.”

This funding was included in H.R. 2997; the Conference Report for the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.

The University of Florida/IFAS Shellfish Aquaculture Extension Program facilitates the sustainable use and future development of shellfish aquaculture. The program identifies priority areas such as: alternative species development, product quality, genetic improvement and brood stock domestication. This program is an example of multi-disciplinary research and demonstration projects involving partnerships with university research, extension and industry.

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Helping Women Vets Rise Above Homelessness

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

National Journal “Six Degrees of Legislation:” Helping Women Vets Rise Above Homelessness

Ginny Reads 5th District Letters and Responds

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

5th District constituents write in over and over expressing concern about Washington's spending craze

Brown-Waite Outraged Over AIG Bonuses

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Ginny speaks out on the floor about the appalling bonuses AIG was permitted to hand out with taxpayer dollars.

Cap and Tax Will Cost All Americans

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Ginny confronts the true cost of Obama's cap and tax plan

Brown-Waite: We Cannot Put Health Care Burden on Our Vets

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Administration plan to bill veterans for care of war injuries is disgraceful

Dangerous Housing Proposal Puts Homeowners at Risk

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Offers pragmatic alternative to dangerous Administration proposal

Ginny Joins Republican Leaders to Oppose Massive Spending Bill

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Ginny Joins Republican Leaders to Oppose Massive Spending Bill

Ginny Hosts Social Security Commissioner Michael Astrue to Review Offices in the 5th District

Fri, 06 Feb 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Ginny Hosts Social Security Commissioner Michael Astrue to Review Offices in the 5th District

Ginny offers a GAO Amendment in Ways and Means Committee

Sat, 24 Jan 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Ginny offers a GAO Amendment in Ways and Means Committee

Ginny Speaks Out in Support of Healthcare for Low-Income Children

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Ginny Speaks Out in Support of Healthcare for Low-Income Children