David Reichert RSS Articles

Reichert Rejects National Debt Limit Increase

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Congressman Dave Reichert (WA-08) today rejected the largest one-time debt limit increase in U.S. history, a proposal that would raise the debt limit to a staggering $14,294,000,000,000.

“Today’s vote to increase the debt limit is yet another step down a dangerous path,” Reichert said. “Yesterday in my role on the Ways & Means Committee I had the opportunity to hear testimony from Administration officials as they represented the President’s newly-proposed federal budget, and I must say, I heard little to encourage me that we are on the right track to stimulate our economy and put Americans back to work.

“I’m deeply concerned by the budget put forward this week for consideration in the House,” Reichert continued. “It appears we’ve been presented with no real plan – no constructive solutions – to get our fiscal house in order, or to reign-in spending by the federal government that has clearly spiraled out of control. I have proposed my own “Common Cents” agenda to restore Congress’ respect for hard-earned taxpayer dollars, to control spending, and reform the earmark process, and I encourage my colleagues to look to this as a guideline we might follow.

“Congress’ first priority must be to protect taxpayers’ pocketbooks and ensure that tax dollars are focused on improving the lives of Americans and our economy – allowing for the innovation and job-creation that is so badly needed. We must get spending under control, period.”

Background
Yesterday, the House Ways and Means Committee held two separate hearings on the President’s 2011 budget proposal with Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner and Office of Management and Budget Secretary Peter Orszag. Reichert, in both hearings, pressed on the Administration’s proposals for job creation, preventing further job loss, and its commitment to free trade as a job creator.

For more on Congressman Reichert’s “Common Cents” agenda, click here.

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Reichert Promotes Earned Income Tax Credit, Tax Preparation Assistance

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Congressman Dave Reichert (WA-08), a member of the House Ways & Means Committee, today urged workers throughout Washington’s 8th District to learn whether they qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Qualified individuals are also eligible for free tax preparation assistance.

“The Earned Income Tax Credit is an effective use of the tax code, because it helps people who are facing hard times get back on their feet again,” Reichert said. “But the tax code in our country is so complex that unfortunately many Americans aren’t even aware they may be eligible for this important benefit that could save them hundreds of dollars – both through the credit itself, and through free help preparing their returns. Especially in these difficult economic times when families are doing everything possible just to make ends meet, they need all the help they can get. I urge workers to determine whether they qualify to claim this important benefit on their 2009 tax returns, and I urge them to call my office if they need any assistance – we’re here to help.”

January 29 is EITC Awareness Day. Last year, 24 million low- and middle-income working families claimed $49 billion in EITC benefits, but the Internal Revenue Service estimates that 5-7 million people who qualify for the credit fail to claim it each year. The credit is available to working people with earned incomes of less than $43,279 ($48,279 married filing jointly). Learn more about this important tax benefit here, and find state-by-state information here.

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Reichert Responds to State of the Union Address

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Congressman Dave Reichert (WA-08), a member of the House Ways & Means Committee, today issued the following response to President Obama’s State of the Union address:

“I appreciate the President’s emphasis tonight on helping struggling families across our country,” Reichert said. “I come from one of those families and know what it’s like to face tough financial decisions. As we continue to see record unemployment and so many Americans doing everything within their power to make ends meet, economic recovery and job creation must be the top priority for this Administration and the Congress. I share the President’s goal to restore America’s prosperity, but I firmly believe there are more effective solutions than the inflated spending packages we’ve seen so far.

“The President covered a lot of ground in his remarks tonight, but no discussion about jump-starting our economy is complete without addressing fundamental building blocks. We must help our small businesses – they are our job creators and the heart and soul of our economy. And we must keep taxes low, ensure access to credit, and implement pending free trade agreements. I’m particularly disappointed that for such focus on the economy, the President merely paid lip service to the proven job-creating effect of free trade – the cornerstone of Washington State’s economy. We’ve heard this pro-trade rhetoric for the past year but have yet to see action. America produces the very best goods and services in the world, but we can’t afford to forget that 95 percent of our customers are in markets across the globe. Let’s connect American goods and services with the markets that demand them, not close our doors to a competitive global economy. We have three key pending agreements with South Korea, Panama, and Colombia. Let’s implement them.

“The President also announced his intent to provide funds for energy-efficient modifications to homes and businesses,” Reichert continued. “And while I appreciate his recognition that energy retrofits are a way to create jobs, I believe that proposal would only be a short-term, band aid approach. What we really need is a long-term plan to promote energy efficiency and create permanent, private-sector jobs. I have that plan. I recently introduced a comprehensive, market-based energy efficiency bill that has wide, bipartisan support because it will help families and businesses reduce their energy bills and create future energy jobs. And rather than throwing money at the problem, it offers an incentive to help people understand exactly what energy retrofits make sense for their needs. My proposal provides the blueprint for effective results. So in the months ahead, I’ll look forward to partnering with fellow members of Congress to move this plan forward.

“Tonight we also heard much talk about hope. To be sure, the President and I have a common purpose – to get our economy back on track and working for all Americans. But we have different ideas about what’s needed to get the job done. Yes, we need to work together, and yes, we should be hopeful. But what we need to accomplish is removing the obstacles that stand between our fellow Americans and their success. We need to remove those barriers and unleash the freedom, ingenuity, and creative solutions that only our businesses, entrepreneurs, and everyday American citizens can deliver. I do have hope, but it’s not in institutions. I stake my hope in the American people.”

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Reichert Statement on Record Unemployment Numbers

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Congressman Dave Reichert (WA-08) today issued this statement following the announcement of December’s unemployment numbers:

“Since October, families across this country have been struggling with crushing, double-digit unemployment – a record we’ve only seen one other time since World War II,” Reichert said. “In fact, it’s been one year since the House began debating the ‘stimulus’ bill that was promised to create immediate jobs and keep unemployment below 8 percent. Clearly, the stimulus has failed to deliver on those promises. In my home district, businesses are being forced to cut back just to survive, or they’re making the difficult choice between closing their doors or leaving the state altogether.

“So rather than force a job-killing, tax-raising health care bill on the American people, it’s high time we focus our efforts on creating jobs and doing what’s necessary to jump-start our economy. Rather than growing the size of government, we should instead be working to keep taxes low, act on pending free trade agreements, and offer incentives that will encourage innovation and investment.”

The Bureau of Labor Statistics today reported continued job loss in December, with an unemployment rate of 9.5 percent.

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Reichert Urges Transparency in Health Care Negotiations

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Congressman Dave Reichert (WA-08) today issued the following statement calling for immediate consideration of legislation that would provide public access to health care negotiations:

“We must never forget that first and foremost, this issue is about people,” Reichert said. “It’s about their health and their well being. This health care overhaul proposal, which will have such a profound affect on Americans and our economy, should be discussed, debated, and negotiated in the light of day – not brokered behind closed doors.

“Transparency is the key to a healthy, thriving democracy. That’s why I have authored legislation requiring transparency in the committee voting process, and it’s why I’m proud to co-sponsor Rep. Vern Buchanan’s resolution to bring openness to these negotiations. We must never lose sight of the fact that we represent the American people, and they deserve to know what’s being discussed and how it will affect them. I will never stop fighting for an open legislative process, or for a sensible approach to addressing health care reform.”

Background
Reichert is a co-sponsor of Rep. Buchanan’s (R-FL) “Sunshine Resolution,” H.Res. 847, which would require public access to negotiations on the Democrats’ health care takeover bill being crafted behind closed doors. Currently, 151 bipartisan Members have cosponsored H.Res. 847. When this petition reaches 218 signatures, Democrats must open negotiations to the public. Reichert, a long-time advocate for a transparent legislative process, recently introduced legislation, H.R. 874, a bill that would require each of the 21 standing Committees in the U.S. House of Representatives to post record votes on their websites within 48 hours.

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In Case You Missed It: Dave Reichert Talks About the Prospects of Health Care Legislation on the Fox News Channel

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Diplomacy and Sanctions Set the Stage for Progress with Iran

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Recent reports that Iran is less than one year away from completing a nuclear facility is cause for serious action by the international community. As the United States and other leading countries continue to hold talks with Iran to determine the true intent of the nation’s nuclear ambitions, Iran continues to defy orders of the International Atomic Energy Agency to cease its pursuit of the enriched uranium needed to make nuclear weapons.

Actions speak louder than words. Iran’s actions in the past year alone – repeated missile tests, pursuit of uranium enrichment, and delay tactics in the most recent request to send its nuclear enrichment program abroad demonstrate its intent to obtain a nuclear arsenal.

A nuclear Iran is a threat to our security and the security of critical allies, and the repressive tactics of the regime make Iran a threat to democracy – period. A nuclear Iran could destabilize or attack a critical portion of the world, including our allies in Israel and Southern Europe. If Iran were to go nuclear, it is conceivable that a tactical nuclear weapon could end up in the hands of an extremist group.

Iran is a vibrant country with rich history and traditions that Iranians bring to communities across the United States, and I believe the majority of Iranian people wish for their children and grandchildren a future that is prosperous and peaceful. Unfortunately, the Iranian regime’s pursuit of nuclear capabilities, support of violent and extremist proxy groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, and its violence unleashed on peaceful demonstrators make Iran’s future relationship with the United States – and the rest of the world – uncertain.

Facing this threat, the United States must have a strong, coherent, bipartisan foreign policy that promotes dialogue but also leverages the full range of diplomatic and economic tools at our disposal to maintain and improve global security. In this pursuit, we must use all available measures to prevent nuclear weapons from finding their way into the hands of terrorists. President Barack Obama has reached out to the Iranian regime to engage in a dialogue, but in order to demonstrate the collective determination of the U.S., Congress must also show that it is serious in the quest for peace. This includes the use of sanctions.

On that front, the United States must send a strong message. That’s why I am a strong supporter of two bipartisan measures to impose economic sanctions on Iran, help the United States take a firm position against allowing Iran to develop nuclear weapons, and to make it clear to the Iranian regime that continuation of its nuclear program is unacceptable. H.R. 1327, Iran Sanctions Enabling Act, which passed the House of Representatives on October 14, 2009, would permit state and local governments to divest any public funds from companies that do more than $20 million a year in business with Iran's energy sector. Additionally, H.R. 2194, the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act, passed the House on December 15, 2009, and proposes to restrict large-scale sales of processed petroleum to Iran in order to convince the government to abandon its nuclear ambitions. With 40 percent of its refined petroleum imported from other countries, Iran depends heavily on other countries to supply its energy. The Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act provides leverage in negotiations that can often stall and they offer an alternative, diplomatic approach to avoid use of military force.

As we exert economic pressure on Iran to peacefully co-exist with other global nations, we must simultaneously exert diplomatic pressure. There is a place for dialogue, but we also cannot stand idly by as rumors of human rights abuses grow. For the first time in five years, the Iran Human Rights Documentation Center, located in Connecticut, was refused federal funding to carry out its mission of making the world aware of potentially repressive tactics and human rights abuses. To address this pressing issue, I’ve recently partnered with Senator John McCain to request that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reestablish funding for this group and similar organizations that provide critical information to the U.S. and the rest of the world about the abuses occurring in this unstable regime.

The people of Iran deserve a secure, peaceful future. This cannot happen without changes in Iran’s policies. In order to bring about those changes, we must use all diplomatic and economic tools at our disposal, including the further use of sanctions. I hope we can continue working together to bring freedom, prosperity, peace and stability to the people of Iran and the entire region.

Cross-posted from RedState

Reichert Statement on Death of Pierce County Sheriff’s Deputy

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Congressman Dave Reichert (WA-08) issued the following statement today following the news that Pierce County Sheriff's Deputy Kent Mundell has died from gunshot wounds he sustained in the line of duty:

"For the third time in less than two months we are devastated by the loss of a 6th brave public servant and member of our law enforcement family," Reichert said. "The brutal, senseless murders of Seattle Police Officer Brenton, Lakewood Police Sgt. Renninger and Officers Owens, Griswold, and Richards, and now Deputy Mundell have shaken us to our core and we cannot understand or tolerate these attacks on our community and those who put on the uniform each and every day to keep us safe.

"It is impossible in times like these to find appropriate words to comfort the families, friends, loved ones and the law enforcement family. Please know that we will never forget Deputy Mundell's selfless sacrifice, and his efforts to protect our community and keep us all safe from harm. Our hearts are broken with yours, and we grieve with you today. We pray for your comfort at this time of loss."

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Reichert Statement on Reports of Foiled Terrorist Attempt

Sat, 26 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Congressman Dave Reichert (WA-08) today issued the following statement following reports of a foiled terrorist attempt to blow up Northwest Airlines Flight 253 over Detroit on Christmas Day:

"First and foremost we are grateful for those heroes who tackled the suspect as he attempted to detonate an explosive device on the plane," Reichert said. "The quick response and bravery of those passengers averted disaster and likely prevented the deaths of the 278 passengers and 11 crew members. This foiled terror attempt raises a number of serious questions. Why was the suspect not on the no-fly list if he was on the known terrorist list? Also, what type of explosive device did the suspect attempt to use, and how was he able to bring it on plane? We must find the answers to these questions because those who wish America harm will continue to change and adapt their tactics, so we must remain flexible, responsive and agile in our efforts to keep our citizens safe.

"Yesterday's events remind us that we must remain ever-vigilant. I thank the men and women who work hard to keep our air travel safe. They are serving on the front lines of our national security and must always have the latest, most up-to-date technology and accurate, timely intelligence, and I will continue working to make sure they do."

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Reichert Statement on Senate Passage of Government-Run Health Care

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Congressman Dave Reichert today issued the following statement after the Senate passed health care overhaul legislation by a vote of 60-39, along party lines:

“I am deeply disappointed that today the Senate has approved a government-run health care overhaul that raises the cost of health care for Americans and hurts our seniors, working families, and retirees,” Reichert said. “This legislation raises taxes on those who cannot afford it, takes away basic freedoms by allowing government interference in personal medical decisions, and threatens our economy. It’s a sad state of affairs when the United States Congress refuses to work together in a bipartisan way to deliver the common-sense solutions the people in this country need and deserve.

“This roughly $1 trillion bill is the wrong prescription for our health care, our economy, and future generations,” Reichert continued. “Health care is about people, and yet this misguided legislation hurts the very people it claims to help. On the eve of a holiday cherished by so many Americans, it is shameful that the gift Congress approves is a package of massive tax increases, slashed Medicare benefits, penalties for those who need medical devices, and budget threats for retirees living on fixed incomes. Instead of passing this bill that hurts Americans and threatens our financial future, Congress should start from square one with health care, and shift its focus to address our economy and job creation. That is the gift Congress should give Americans this Christmas.

“But the fight is not over. Even as negotiations take place between the House and Senate, I will continue doing everything within my power to protect and strengthen health care for all Americans. That includes protecting people from increased costs, government interference in their decisions, losing the health plans they have and want to keep, and ensuring access to the best care at prices people can afford.”

BACKGROUND
On November 7, Reichert opposed the House version of health care overhaul legislation. To address concerns of job losses associated with the House-passed bill, he offered an amendment to exempt small businesses from the bill’s proposed penalty tax should it cause them to freeze hiring, cut pay, or order layoffs. The amendment was not permitted to be considered. Reichert also supported alternative legislation that focused on lowering the cost of health care premiums for families and small businesses, increasing access to affordable, high-quality care, and promoting healthier lifestyles – without adding to the national debt.

For more information on Congressman Reichert’s solutions for health care, including his work during the House Ways and Means Committee debate on this health care legislation, visit http://reichert.house.gov/HealthCare.