I. Taxpayer Protection and Anti-Fraud Act introduced

Preventing waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer dollars:
Many of you have written me regarding taxpayer dollars going to groups (e.g. ACORN) who are under indictment for issues related to voter fraud. This is a serious issue particularly because voting is an important part of civic engagement, and the American people deserve to know that “one person, one vote” still rings true. I have cosponsored H.R. 2715 the Taxpayer Protection and Anti-Fraud Act which is authored by Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R-MN). If enacted, H.R. 2715 would prohibit the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development from giving federal funding to organizations that are under indictment for a violation of Federal or State election laws.

II. Ryan Dant Health Care Opportunity Act introduced

Legislation allows those with super-expensive prescription drug costs to be productive members of society:
As you know, Medicaid places income restrictions on its recipients. However, those with exorbitant yearly prescription drug costs are practically prohibited from holding a steady job and being even more productive members of their community. For those waiting for a permanent cure, like 24th District resident Ryan Dant, Medicaid’s restrictions can be extremely frustrating and a bit oxymoronic. My legislation, H.R. 1441, the Ryan Dant Health Care Opportunity Act, simply gives states the option to allow individuals with extremely high annual lifelong drug costs ($200,000/year or more) to continue receiving Medicaid coverage and hold a steady job by removing the barriers to employment that Medicaid sets for individuals in these unique circumstances. H.R. 1441 currently enjoys the bipartisan support of 29 co-sponsors.

III. This week’s votes on the floor, hearings, and markups

Each week I get the opportunity to represent you in Congress by: 1) voting on legislation that comes to the House floor; and 2) participating in committee hearings and markups for the Committee on Financial Services. 

Key House Floor Votes

Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Act:
On Thursday June 18th, I voted “no” on H.R. 2847 the Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Act, 2010 authored by Rep. Alan Mollohan (D-WV). Among many other things, this bill contains an increase in spending of 12% over last year. To put this in perspective, the bill funding the Department of Homeland Security will likely contain a 1% increase over last year. Furthermore, this bill contains more than 1,000 earmarks. 

Committee on Financial Services

Economic Disaster Area Act:
On Friday, June 19th, the full Committee held a hearing entitled “The Economic Disaster Area Act of 2009.” Testifying before the Committee were: Congressman Dennis Cardoza; Congressman Jim Costa; Tommy Jones, Mayor, City of Los Banos, California; and Bill Johnson, Director, Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. I oppose this legislation. No more bailouts.

IV. Great Quotes in History

“The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings; the inherent virtue of socialism is the equal sharing of miseries.”
-Sir Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (1940-1945, 1951-1955)

“Government’s view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.”
-Ronald Reagan, 40th President of the United States

“Every time in this century we’ve lowered the tax rates across the board, on employment, on saving, investment and risk-taking in this economy, revenues went up, not down.”
-Jack Kemp (R-NY), Congressman (1971-1989), Secretary of HUD (1989-1993)

I am honored to represent the 24th District of Texas, and appreciate your interest in my e-newsletter.  Please contact my District or DC office with any further questions you may have or visit my website at www.marchant.house.gov. You can also become my Facebook friend here or follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/RepKenMarchant.