GOP leaders call out Kaine on health-care reform
Fifth District Congressman Robert Hurt joined a pair of Virginia state legislators Thursday in an effort to paint Democratic Senate candidate Tim Kaine as a loyal Barack Obama ally.
“The president’s health-care law has produced devastating effects for Fifth District Virginians and all Americans since passage. It has expanded the size of the federal government, imposed billions of dollars of new taxes on small businesses and individuals, and perpetuated an economy of stalled job creation at a time when far too many Fifth District Virginians are out of work,” said Hurt, who narrowly won election in a tough 2010 race with then-incumbent Tom Perriello and will face his first re-election battle in November 2012.
Hurt joined State Del. John Cox and State Sen. Steve Martin on a conference call arranged by the George Allen Senate campaign that was big on the use of the word “Obamacare.”
“Obamacare has placed a significant burden on America’s already struggling economy, hampering our small businesses freedom to invest and grow their companies,” said Cox, R-Hanover.
“I am convinced that Obamacare represents not only a threat to the health care community, but a threat to our economy as well. With unemployment stuck at above 8 percent for months on end, Obamacare is yet another impediment to job growth in a weak economy,” Martin said.
Robert Hurt: The Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act
Over the past couple of weeks, I have had the great opportunity to continue to meet with and hear from Central and Southside Virginians in and across the District.
I have traveled to Martinsville, Farmville, Penhook, Keysville, South Hill, Clarksville, Cartersville, Buckingham, Fluvanna, Charlottesville, and Danville. I spoke to hundreds of constituents at a town hall meeting hosted by my alma mater, Hampden-Sydney College, spoke at the Cool Branch Fire and Rescue Flag Dedication, held constituent office hours, and toured several businesses.
Additionally, I hosted constituent roundtables where I met with Fifth District Virginians and discussed issues that affect both the agriculture and manufacturing industries. During these open conversations, I routinely heard about the pressing need to shrink the size and scope of the federal government by reducing the unnecessary and costly regulations that burden our farmers and small businesses and stall economic growth.
That is why I was proud to announce the introduction of my second piece of legislation this week, the bipartisan Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act, which has been endorsed by the American Farm Bureau, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, and Public Lands Council.
This bill prohibits the Environmental Protection Agency from burdening farmers and small business owners in rural America with additional dust regulations while maintaining our commitment to the environment, and is another step in our continued efforts to help spur job creation throughout Virginia’s Fifth District.
Further regulation of dust by the EPA would unnecessarily and severely hamper the ability of farmers and other agribusinesses to conduct business. By putting an end to the EPA’s costly dust regulations, our famers and small businesses in rural areas across Central and Southside Virginia will gain the certainty and confidence necessary to focus on expanding their business and putting people back to work.
As we continue to support policies that remove barriers to job growth, I look forward to hearing from all 5th District Virginians about actions we can take that will help move our economy forward.
If you need any additional information on these or any other issues, please visit my website at http://hurt.house.gov or call my Washington office: (202) 225-4711, Charlottesville office: (434) 973-9631, Danville office: (434) 791-2596, or Farmville office: (434)-395-0120.
Robert Hurt represents the Fifth District of Virginia in Congress.
Report: Perriello expects NRA endorsement
Fifth District incumbent Tom Perriello will receive the endorsement of the National Rifle Association next week, the Perriello campaign reported today in an e-mail to members of the news media.
“Tom has strongly defended Second Amendment rights in Congress and will continue to be a voice for Virginia’s hunters and sportsmen. Tom hasn’t been afraid to stand up to members of his own party when it comes to fighting for the Second Amendment, and the NRA’s endorsement will signify to Virginia gun owners that they can continue to count on Tom to represent them,” said Jessica Barba, spokeswoman for the Perriello campaign.
In 2008, Perriello earned an AQ rating from the NRA, the highest rating possible for a non-incumbent. A member of the Congressional Sportsman Caucus, Perriello has been a strong supporter of gun rights in Congress, opposing the Obama Administration on its plans to reinstate the assault weapons ban and co-sponsoring key legislation like the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity bill. He also defended the NRA against liberal and conservative attacks during the debate on the DISCLOSE Act and joined the NRA’s amicus brief in the Supreme Court case McDonald vs. City of Chicago.
Report courtesy WhenVirginiaWasBlue.com.
Tom Perriello: In the classroom
A well-educated workforce is critical for regaining America’s long-term competitive advantage. This includes not only the higher education that will be necessary for global competitiveness, but also the solid foundation of a strong K-12 education. I have often said that there are no shortcuts to regaining our competitive advantage, so at this moment, while we recover from our current economic downturn, we know that we must be providing educational opportunities that will prepare our current and future workforce for the jobs of tomorrow.
Link to column on WhenVirginiaWasBlue.com.
Perriello bucks party on budget resolution
Edited by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
Fifth District Congressman Tom Perriello voted Thursday night against the Democrats’ Budget Enforcement Resolution (H.Res. 1500), which would set a $1.12 trillion limit on discretionary spending for one year.
Perriello argued that a full, balanced budget resolution is needed to tackle the nation’s deficit woes in his reasoning for his vote.
“Trying to solve our nation’s fiscal woes with a one-year budget cap is like putting a band-aid on a gushing wound. Enough with the short-term patches – it’s time to get serious about tackling the deficit. I believe we need a full budget resolution and it needs to be balanced,” said Perriello.
Perriello also voted against the budget resolution last year because it did not go far enough in cutting the deficit, and has pushed hard to demand an up-or-down vote on a balanced budget. He has also voted against raising the nation’s debt ceiling, and supported both Democratic and Republican versions of pay-as-you-go rules.
Perriello to host Vilsack on telephone town hall
Edited by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
Fifth District Congressman Tom Perriello will hold a telephone town hall meeting with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack on Thursday, June 17, from 6:50 p.m. -7:50 p.m. to address issues of importance to rural communities.
To join the call, participants can dial toll-free 877.229.8493 and enter access code 14581#. The call is free and participants may dial in at any time to listen, ask questions, or share concerns with Rep. Perriello and Sec. Vilsack. Read more
Robert Hurt: American solutions for job creation
Posted by afp on January 9, 2012 · Leave a Comment
The House has shown that there are bipartisan solutions to our jobs crisis, and now we need the Senate to act. Over the past year, we have been fully focused on promoting pro-growth measures that would stimulate the economy and provide an environment for job creators to hire and expand. And in the new year, I remain committed to promoting policies that facilitate job growth so that we can get our economy back on track and create jobs in Central and Southside Virginia. Read more
Filed under Blogs · Tagged with congress, fifth district, job creation, robert hurt